File 2902/1916 ‘Treaties and Engagements between the British Government and the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast of the Persian Gulf’ [‎166r] (342/448)

offer of the buyer or the lessee, it behoves and it is incumbent on me, Shaikh
Mubarak-us-Subah, ruler of K uwait, and my heirs after me, that we should inform
the Agent of the English Government in Kuwait, or the Consul-General of the
precious Imperial English Government in Bushire, and that we should give to the
aforesaid friend a full opportunity, not less than 3 months, that he may consult
higher authority and decide whether the precious Imperial English Government
wishes to buy or to take on lease the aforesaid lands or no.
Eighthly. —If the opinion of the aforesaid English Government is fixed on
the purchase of the land sought for in accordance with the offer and conditions
of the purchaser or the lessee, the offer of the aforesaid English Government
will be accepted without further talk or demand, and the demanded lands will
be sold or leased to the aforesaid English Government on these conditions.
Ninthly. —And it is clearly understood and agreed upon between the two
parties and Major S. G. Knox, Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. of the precious Imperial English
Government, on behalf of the precious Imperial English Government, is duly
authorised to promise and does promise that the town of Kuwait and its
boundaries likewise belong to me, Shaikh Mubarak-us-Subah, ruler of Kuwait,
and to my heirs after me, and that all my, Shaikh Mubarak’s, arrange
ments at the present day shall remain in the hands of me, Shaikh Mubarak-us-
Subah, ruler of Kuwait, and to my heirs after me and that, in the matter of
the Shwaikh lands and of the lands which the aforesaid English Government
may hereafter rent from me, Shaikh Mubarak-us-Subah, or from my heirs after
me, the aforesaid English Government will not take customs on anything in all
the lands which they may rent or in which they may dwell within the limits of
Kuwait.
Tenthly. —In consideration of the above promise, I, Shaikh Mubarak-us-
Subah, ruler of Kuwait, on behalf of myself and on behalf of my heirs after me,
hereby promise that we will not collect customs dues on goods imported or
exported by the subjects of the aforesaid English Government—I mean English
subjects and people of India and other than them of the subjects of the afore
said English Government—at a rate in excess of 4 per centum per invoice
value of goods at the port of export. Should, however, I, Shaikh Mubarak-us-
Subah, ruler of Kuwait, or my heirs after me, at any time find it necessary to
increase the rate of customs beyond 4 per centum ad valorem^ I hereby promise,
on behalf of myself and on behalf of my heirs after me, that such an increase
shall be levied on the subjects of the aforesaid English Government only after
the consent of the precious Imperial English Government has been duly asked
for and obtained to such increase.
Eleventhly. —And, further, I, Shaikh Mubarak-us-Subah, ruler of Kuwait,
on behalf of myself and on behalf of my heirs after me, promise that the rate
levied on goods imported or exported by the subjects of the aforesaid English
Government to or from Kuwait territory shall not exceed the rate levied on
goods imported or exported by my subjects—I mean the people of Kuwait—to or
from Kuwait territories.
Twelfthly. —It is further clearly understood that I, Shaikh Mubarak-us-
Subah, ruler of Kuwait, have accepted this rent especially from the precious
Imperial English Government and that, as for others than it, I, Shaikh Mubarak-
us-Subah, w r ould not accept from among all the powers: though they should
give me more than this rent, I, Shaikh Mubarak-us-Subah, would not allow
them to possess authority in my dominions and, as for the precious Imperial
English Government, I am grateful to them and their generosity is upon me
and I will not consent that a Power, other than them, shall interfere, though
they give me more than this rent, and I hope for the permanence of the care of
the precious Imperial English Government, and its kindness on me and on my
heirs after me, and the precious Imperial English Government has honoured
Major S. G. Knox, Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. of the precious Imperial English Government
in Kuwait, with the special permission that he may assure me. Shaikh Mubarak-
us-Subah, ruler of Kuwait, on behalf of the precious Imperial English Govern
ment, that the aforesaid English Government does not wish to interfere in the
affairs of Kuwait except for the profit of the people of Kuwait and the increase of
trade and knowledge and friendship between the English Government and the