Page 32 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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the subjugation of tho island, of which, under
varying fortunes, they have rotained possession
over since.
Under tho rcsoluto rule of Syed Sultan, tho
influence of Muscat had boon steadily increasing,
and in 1799, at tho instance of tho Boglorbog of 1799.
Fars, the Imam fitted out an expedition which
ended in tho reduction of Bahrein and tho
doportation of members of the lending families
to Muscat. Those who escaped wero not slow
to make overtures to the Wahabces, and iu 1801 1801.
by their aid recovered the island.
Tho influence of Syed Sultan proved, indeed,
on his death to have been no more than personal;
the ascendency in tho Gulf was left with tho
Wahabces, and tho Uttoobecs, no less than tho
other Chiefs of the Littoral, wore for some years
completely under their control. In 1805, how­ 1805.
ever, they tired of their allegiance, and wero also
disinclined to share in the piratical schemes
which the Wahabces systematically encouraged.
Their Sheikhs accordingly inquired from the
British Resident in the Gulf whether if they
retired from the mainland, and withheld their
allegiance from the Wahabces, tho British
Government would supply them with a vessel or
two, so as to enable them to remain undisturbed
at Bahrein. The Resident recommended that
the request should he granted, but the Bombay
Government declined to interfere in the matter.
In 1815 the Imam of Muscat attacked the 1815.
island, but was repulsed with great loss. •
At this time the Uttoobecs had so far departed
from their former policy as to encourage pirates
to resort to their ports, iu order to dispose of
their plunder.
Iu 1820 General Kcir negotiated a Treaty with 1820.
the brother Chiefs Suliraan and Abdulla, who
then ruled over the island, stipulating that every
possible discouragement should be given to
pirates, and admitting them to the benefit of the
general Treaty with the friendly Arabs, con­
cluded about the same time.
In 1822 an Agreement was made by the 1822.
British Resident at Bushire with the Prince of
Shiraz, recognizing Bahrein as a dependency of
the Province of Pars. This Agreement was
entirely contrary to the views of the Govern­
ment at Bombay, and letters were written to the
Prince of Shiraz disavowing the Treaty in strong
terms and announcing the recall of Captain