Page 120 - Su'udi Relations with Eastern Arabi & Uman (1800-1870)

he applied to the Government of Bombay for a supply of arms to be used
against the Su‘udls in ‘Uman.989 Annoyed as always by the Su‘udl presence in
‘Uman, and bothered by fears that the Su‘udl state might overrun Masqat, the
Bombay government instructed the Resident, Colonel Lewis Pelly, to offer his
services as mediator in the dispute between Thuwaynl and Faysal, and Pelly
prepared to leave for al-Riyad to do so.990 The mediation, however, was not the
major reason for Pelly’s impending mission to al-Riyad. His primary concern
was to further the state of British-Su‘udi relations and to fulfill the demands of
his position, which required a broad acquaintance with the Gulf area, its
countries and people. Pelly’s main interest, then, was in Najd and its ruler.
Describing his mission, Pelly stated that he wanted to establish relations with
Faysal since the government of India had so many points of contact with his
territories in the Gulf. Furthermore, he intended to cooperate with Faysal “in
maintaining the general peace and good order which he seemed to have at
heart”.991 As it had done to many western travellers of the era, Arabia appealed
to Pelly’s curiosity; his journey across Arabia’s interior would hopefully
provide him with information valuable to the Royal Geographic Society.992 As
for the dispute between Masqat and al-Riyad, Pelly hoped he would find the
opportunity for casual and friendly negotiations directed toward the
smoothing out of present differences. 993
On February 18, 1865, Pelly and his party left al-Kuwayt for al-Riyad; they
arrived on March 5, and stayed for three days.994 While in the Su‘udi capital,
Pelly met with Faysal three times. Apparently, except for occasional remarks
by Pelly, the conversations were carried by Faysal. In reply to Pelly’s
introductory statement explaining that he had come to make personal
acquaintance with Faysal, as well as to assure him of the friendliness of the
Indian government, Faysal spoke well of the English politically. He described
their government as orderly and good, and he alluded to the friendly older ties
between successive Su‘udi rulers and the British government. 995
Nevertheless, Faysal made it clear that he viewed earlier British interference in
the affairs of eastern Arabia and ‘Uman as meddling in matters that were of no
concern to the British government.996 He told Pelly that those regions were
under his authority, and proceeded to describe Thuwaynl of Masqat as a
tributary trying to free himself from his dependency on al-Riyad.997
Although Faysal’s claims of authority over the aforementioned regions were
not entirely accurate at the time, there was considerable truth to his claim. All
parts of the area under consideration paid the annual zakah to al-Riyad, and
this, in a broader sense, symbolized recognition of Su‘udl supremacy. Faysal’s
statement, however, appeared to Pelly to be in direct opposition to British
interests in the area, especially with respect to its alliance with the government
of Masqat. Pelly therefore refrained from commenting upon the Masqat
quarrel until he had discussed the matter with his superiors.998
At the conclusion of their last meeting, Faysal reassured the British
representative that-he would continue his policy of cooperation in establishing
peace and order in the Gulf. He also asked Pelly to stay in contact with him, so
that their good understanding and common interests could be maintained.
Unlike Palgrave’s, Pelly’s stay at al-Riyad was short, and his movement and
contacts, whether by design or by chance, had been restricted. Although no
doubt aware of Faysal’s advanced age, blindness, and general deterioration of
health, Pelly does not seem to have attempted to confer with ‘Abd Allah,

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