Page 99 - Gulf Precis (III)_Neat

83
388. With tlio co-operation of tlio Sultan it was so arranged that it was
not found necessary to buy out the Socotra
Captain Co« to Rciidont, No. 44C, dated 28lh hut OWUCrS On tllO llOrtll, while On tllO
Aujjiut il'Oa
Secret E., December 1.00, Noi. 1*0 (No. 1). south His Highness allowed the British
Consul to reclaim and include other
ground on the French sido of tlio cove, so that wo could comply with the
French stipulation for equal superficial area without having to demolish and
re-build part of our coal-sheds Nos. 1 and 2.

(ii) Reinstatement of Sayyid Said bin Mahomed ns official representative of the
Sultan with tlio British Consul.
389-390. On his arrival at Maskat Captain Cox generally did all his
business in direct personal communication
8ccrct U., Juno 1900, No. 109.
with the Sultan. Captain Cox, however,
pointed out to His Highness that during the latter’s absence from Maskat, or in
other circumstances, when personal communication with him was not possible,
it would he impossible to transact any business with his Vazir Mahomed bin
Azan, who was in his dotngo. The Sultan did not like to dismiss Mahomed
bin Azan, as ho was still capable of doing more mischief as an Vazir
than Vazir and as the old man would not live much longer, His Highness
would let him alone, but offered to appoint Sayyid Said bin Mahomed as his
representative in official business communication between himself and tho
British Consulate. Captain Cox considered Said bin Mahomed as the most
enlightened and long-headed of the Sultan’s subjects. Ho was a staunch friend
of tho English and was popular among the tribes. The arrangement therefore
was accepted by Captaiu Cox (letter No. 252, dated 16th Alay 1900, to Captain
Kemball).
(iii) Interchange of presents between the Sultan of Maskat and the Naval Com-
mander-in-Chief of the East India Station, 1899-1900.
391. Before his departure from Maskat on 18th February 1899, the
Naval Commander-in-Chief, Admiral
Secret E., July 1900, Nos, 12i*12G.
Dougins, had been presented by the Sultan
with a sword and some silver articles, which bo accepted; as Colonel Meade
gave him to understand that they were offered in accordance with the usual
custom and that to decline them would give very great offence. A return
present of a doublo-barrclled sporting rifle and 1,000 cartridges (of the value
of about £35—the estimated value of the Sultan’s presents) was mado to His
Highness in May 1900 by Captain Cox, in pursuance of the Secretary of State’s
orders (seo correspondence ending with Captain Cox’s letter to Resident, No.
246, dated 15th May 1900). The Sultan requested Captaiu Cox to convey his
thanks to tho Government of India.
(iv) Vigorous action taken by the Sultan in regard to the French flag question.

(See Chapter XX below page 86.)
(v) Handing over Quarantine arrangements to the Agency Surgeon.
(Seo Chapter XXVI below page 140.)
(vi) Resumption of subsidy and loans to the Sultan.
392. Captain Cox was asked to report whether the attitude of the Sultan
would justify a resumption of the subsidy (letter No. 3 507, dated 5th October
1899 to tho Residont). In anticipation of
Secret E., February 1900, Noi. 90*106.
tho sanction of Government he resumed
payment of tho subsidy running from 1st October 1899. As to the arrears he sub­
mitted the following statement of accounts—as he approximately calculated:—
Rs.
Amount of arrears of subsidy from December Arrears of instalments of loans for 6ame
1S98 to September 1899 both inclusive— months at Us 2,000 per mensem ... 20,000
Rs. For tho balance of loans due ... 36,000
R«. 7,200 per meoseta ... 72,000 Bajanco of indemnity due to British
Deficit ... 18,000 subjeot at Rs. 130 por §100 about 84,000

Deficit 90,000 90,000