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168 The Origins of the I'nited Arab Emirates

with ‘the class of food and cooking to which they arc accustomed’,11
and support himself and his large family, a motor launch and
a car. But that year he complained that his salary was woefully
inadequate, and the Resident recommended a rise of 350 rupees.
41 consider that the salary a man receives should bear some relation
to nature of his responsibilities. These in the ease of the Residency
Agent, approximate to those of a Political Agent.’12 The increase
was sanctioned.
The duties of the Agent were manifold. The Political Resident
relied on him to report on all events of major importance and
significance and to assess any situation that related to British interests,
for many of the decisions taken at Bushire were based on information
provided by him. Wherever possible, he intervened in local disputes,
whether internal to one shaykhdom or between the rulers. He
was responsible for the protection of the interests of the Indian
traders and as such played a significant role in enforcing the payment
of debts. He was also authorised to issue manumission certificates
to any slave who asked for freedom. During the period of negotiations
for the setting up of the air-route and for the granting of oil
concessions, he laid the groundwork by contacting the various rulers,
translating for British officials, and generally acting as go-between
for the parties involved.
It is not surprising, therefore, that his omnipotence on the Coast
was not questioned or challenged. The successive Residents at Bushire
were always aware of the dislike and fear engendered by ‘Isa
on the Coast, but consistently turned a blind eye and deaf car
to the countless reports of his cupidity, thereby strengthening his
position further and giving the people of the Coast little chance
to challenge him. In 1929, for example, ‘Isa admitted to the Political
Resident that the headman of Hamriyyah, ‘Abd al-Rahman bin
Sayf, considered himself independent because of a declaration signed
by Khalid bin Ahmad of Sharjah on 9 August 1923. The Agent
had been present at the time the document was signed, but had
kept it secret from Bushire.13 The Resident was furious at ‘Isa’s
conduct, but, beyond disputing the validity of the declaration of
independence, on the grounds that the Residency Agent had had
no authority to be a witness, little was done to reprimand him.
Since there was no ready replacement for him, and he did his
work for the Residency efficiently, little thought was given to dismiss­
ing him for misconduct; occasional mild reproof was the only censure
he received. The stories of his corruption were widespread, for
he used his special position to obtain great financial advantages.
There is little doubt that the rulers subsidised him for their protection
(the figure of 10,000 rupees is usually cited as his annual income
from this source14); it was also said that for every ease in which
11