Page 90 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

68 Port III—Chap. XIX,

Khan Sarri, was directed to hold himself in readiness for proceeding
against Sheik Rohma, and that Zukki Khan declared his intention of avail­
ing himself of the assistance of another tribe of Arabs noar Nakholu who
wore upon bad terms with Sheikh Rohma and whom ho expected to make
subsorvient to his designs upon that Chieftain. On tho other hand, it was
rumoured that Zukkeo Khan was unwilling to undertake this expedition and
that ho had spread abroad tho above report moroly to conceal his roal senti­
ments.
161. Concerning the plundered proporty, our agont at Shiraz learnt
that a person of the name of Mirza Bauker, thou at Gombrun, meeting
Sheikh Rehma purchased from him goods to tho amount of 6,000 Tomans
at a long oredit, 800 Tomans worth of which ho immediately mado over to a
person at Yezd on account of an old debt duo by him to Haji Ibrahim
Shirazi (Chcragh Ali Khan’s Agont), but that after tho abovomentioued
appropriation, Mirza Bauker was uuable to make a final agreement with
Sheikh Rehraa for tho whole quantity originally purchased and roturned back
the rest of tho goods. None of the Shiraz merchants appeared to have made
any purchases, but some Hyderabadis (Scindians) bought 25 bales and
disposed of them again to a person of tho name of Haji Mulla Hussein
at two years’ credit. Some other Yezd merchants had also purchased small
quantities from the Sheikh, but a considerable part still remained in the
Sheikh’s own possession, but was, as reported, deposited at the Island of
I Ormus and Kumoize.
Secret and Poll. 162. The following memorandum submitted by Captain Seton, Resident at
Dept. Diary Maskat, on July 1804, contains a description of the island of Busheab and its
No. 158 or 1801, fortifications, when occupied by the Sheikh of Nakhelu and his proposals for
p. 2168.
sending an expedition against Busheab :—
The Island of Busheab to which Shaik Itehmeh has retired is opposite to Nukheeloo,
distant from the main about 10 or 12 miles, tho water round it is deep with good anchorage
except at the northern end, whero lies a reef with rooky bottom.
! The number of men on tho island are few; but Shaikh Rchmeh’s family wbon oollected
amount to 1.00U musquets, nnd he is connected with tho Shaikh of Ras-oil Khimeh and
Izabara on the Arab main and those of Charek Usselao and Congoou on the Persian main.
The island has no fortifications but a mud wall round tho houses.
Should he find a larger force ooming against him than he could well resist, he would
withdraw with his family and property to the Arab main.
It is therefore requisite that more vessois than one should be employed as one must
remove outside to prevent the communication with the Arab C>ast and one within the island
to prevent it with the Persian main and also to prevent his running away.
It is also requisite that the expedition should bo 6uch as would ensure success, as an
unsuccessful one in the present disturbed state of the Gulf would bo the sign for a general
plunder on the English trade. Should the Mornington aad Teignmouth with one gun-boait
be the vessels employed, they could carry over and above their complement of marines, amount­
ing on the three vessels to about one hundred 30 artillery and 30 iafantry with^two field
pieces and their ammunition, forming a force of 600 rausquet9 and two sruns. To wuich could
be added six hundred Sindi and Arab 6epoys to be hired at Muscat, the monthly expense of
which would be 6,000 rupees.
The small boats and transports for which to ho furnished by the Emam.
The time required from leaving Muscat would be two months.
The Emam’s presence with his vessels and the 600 men who generally accompany him
would be efficacious in ensuring success, but our own force should bo sufficient to admit of his
remaining inactive as I am fully convinced he would nover prooeod to extremities against
Shaikh Rehmeh but lose time in negotiating, disperse his people and allow Shaikh Rehmon to
effect his escape, be assisted with such a force as it would be dangerous to attempt.
Should an expedition on the above plan not bo adopted and a single vessel sent, it ^ust
confine itself entirely to negotiations or remain at Busheab, cruizing against tnose a
approach the island and by destroying their boats and shipping reduce them to distress,*
there is little chance of any good resulting from this plan, as a single vessel could do bu to
from the proximity of Shitwar and other island towards blookading the place.
163. The Bombay Government were, however, averse to sending an
expedition against a Sheikh, who was a subject of the King of Persia, ana
wished to rely upon the Persian authorities for making the necessary repara 10 .
The persistent representations of our acting Resident at Bushiro (Mr. vr o )
I