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rin inquiry into the possibility that the traffic was being directed
into Saudi Arabia.70 Instead or proceeding according to the instruc­
tions given by the India Office, Fowle, obviously considering the
stoppage of travel papers inadequate, suggested strong measures
to slop the slave trade. He admitted his inability to produce substan­
tial proof of the existence of the trade, but dismissed this on
the basis that Britain did not administer Abu Dhabi and therefore
could not have a strong hold on it. He wanted to deal with
the shaykhdom swiftly and firmly, especially as he had recently
heard of a general revival of the slave trade on the Trucial Coast.
He argued that, if Shakhbut were faced with a devastating show
of strength, he would take active steps to halt the illicit trade,
and this would be noted throughout the area and would serve
as an example. He wanted to inform Shakhbut that the trade in
slaves was being carried out contrary to treaty regulations, and
to tell him that, as a security against its continuance, he would
have to pay a fine of 8000 rupees, which would be returned in
annual instalments of 2000 rupees if the Resident were satisfied
that the trade had been discontinued. If the sum were not paid
within fourteen days, a sloop would seize the pearling vessels of
Abu Dhabi, tow them to within a few miles of the town, remove
the rudders and sails, and then let the crews tow the vessels ashore
with rowing boats.77 Fowle regarded this as the most effective way
to reassert British authority and subdue Shakhbut, who would face
great insecurity at home if the pearling fleet of Abu Dhabi, upon
which the entire shaykhdom depended for its livelihood, were des­
troyed. That no proof of the existence of the slave trade had
been established did not bother Fowle unduly, and he was unper­
turbed when Weightman reported that it was generally believed
on the coast that the reason why Shakhbut’s travel papers had
been withdrawn was that he had refused to grant a concession
for oil. To this Fowle answered that he had no interest in local
opinion on the matter, and that the only problem he was willing
to discuss was the practical aspect of the destruction of the pearling
fleet. After consultation with the Senior Naval Officer, who informed
him that the entire Persian Gulf Division would need to be employed
for the operation, Fowle agreed to an alternative suggestion: Shakh-
bui’s fort would be destroyed by shell-fire in a manner that would
not unduly endanger lives or property, since the ruler’s house was
well away from the town.78
The officials at the India Office, annoyed that Fowle had with­
drawn Shakhbut’s travel papers without consulting them and that
he had failed to answer their specific questions regarding the slave
trade, discussed the Resident’s proposals. J. P. Gibson, Principal
of the Political Department, admitted he would be ‘delighted to