Page 233 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

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97- We need not trouble ourselves with the voluminous correspondence
that followed, as it is not quite relevant to
External A., January 1894, Not. 312.337.
the subject of this precis. We might at
once pass over to the correspondence of 1892. when the Rinds assumed
a threatening attitude towards Gwadur owing to the presence of a targe number
of slaves who hud absconded there.
98. In October 1892 Dr. Jayakar, the Acting Political Agent at Maskaf,
forwarded to the Bushire Residency copies of papers received from His High­
ness the Sultan concerning a threatened attack by the Rinds upon Gwadur.
Thereupon the Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Talbot) telegraphed to the Director
of Persian Gulf Telegraphs as follows:—
" Jayakar forwards Wttrr from Rinds to Wali stating their intention of attacking
Gwadur, if their 70 slaves not given up, and alleging written perinisMo.i from Govern­
ment officials to recover them. I cannot believe this correct, as Foreign Department
letter 597-P. of 17th March 1877 pronounces the surrender of such slaves to be contrary
to the treaty of 187' Sulian requests measures be taken for suppressing any rising
on part of Rinds. What action is being taken ? If desirable, you might ask Sphinx
to call Gwadur.'1
The Director (Mr. Ffinch) replied that the Rinds professed to hold a
letter from the late Sir Robert Sandeman, authorising them to keep slaves,
that he (Mr. Ffinch) did not believe in the existence of such a letter, but had
told the native assistant at Gwadur to get a copy, if available. The Director
did not anticipate any serious trouble from the Rinds ; and nothing more seems
to have been heard of the letter.
99. In May 1893 the Political Agent at Maskat (Major Sadler) reported
that a party of Rinds had arrived at Gwadur in order to regain possession
of their absconded slaves, that the Wali of Gwadur had applied to the Sultan
for help, and that His Highness had sent the Wali of Mattrah (near Maskat)
to Gwadur with 20 men. The Political Agent observed '.hat the presence of
the slaves at Gwadur was a source of anxiety, and that it would be a good
thing to have them removed. The Wali of Mattrah telegraphed to the Resident
at Bushire, proposing that the Rind Chiefs should be invited to Maskat to
arrange matters; but Colonel Talbot replied through the Director of Persian
Gulf Telegraphs disapproving of this, as negotiation could only have for its
object the surrender of the slaves which would be contrary to the orders of
Government. T he Wali of M.ittrah soon after left Gwadur; and the Wali of
Gwadur reported that he had enough troops. Colonel Talbot also requested
the Director to communicate with the Political Agent in Southern Baluchistan,
and Mr. Post man did so in his letter No. 172-P.f dated the 13th May 1893,
extracts from which are quoted below :—
"This matter has been already brought to your notice, vide my letter No 580P.,
dated 30th November 1892; and it appears that the influx into Gwadur of escaped slaves
is still continuing.
If this matter is not now settled in some way, I shall not be surprised if the Rinds
were to damage the telegraph line, as they of course know that the Wali of Gwadur
would return their slaves, if it were not for the orders of Government to the contrary.
“ l cannot myself see how any settlement can be arrived at without giving com­
pensation for the escaped slaves to which the Rinds doubtless consider hemselves fully
entitled. Id the event of the present negotiations proving a failure, 1 have no doubt the
Rinds will try and recoup themselves for their losses by robbing kafilas, unless you exert
your influence with their chiefs and induce them to keep quiet.”
99A. The Political Agent (Lieutenant Cubitt) replied, in his No. 434 of the
28th June 1893, as follows :—
“ In reply I have the honour to inform you that I am referring the matter for the
orders of the Agent to the Governor-General in Baluchistan.
"The Rind Sardarof Mand was addressed by my predecessor to the effect that he
would be held strictly responsible for any disturbances.”
99B. At the end of July 1852 Dr. Jayakar forwarded to the Resident two
letters received from the Sultan, which had been addressed, apparently in July, by
Nur Muhammad, the Rind, to the Wali of Gwadur, and to the Sultan himself. The
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