"دليل الخليج. الجزء الأول. المواد التاريخية والسياسية. ملخص حول شؤون نجد، ١٨٠٤-١٩٠٤" [‎٦] (٦٨/١٤)

6
IV.—First encroachments of the Wahabis on Oman, 1804—1808.
17. We are now brought face to face with the Wahabis in the Persian
Gulf. The growing influence of the Wahabis justly alarmed the Persian
and Turkish Governments, who offered to unite with Maskat in repelling
the common danger. At this juncture, however, several of the principal Chiefs
of Oman were induced to array their influence on the side of the Waha
bis under a compact which recognized their independence of Maskat. Cut
off from all support, except what he derived from Mekran and the coun
try westward of Maskat, the Imam was compelled to make peace with the
Wahabis on their own terms.
18. In the year 1804, the Imam of Maskat was killed in a battle with
—, . , . . 7 . . 7^ i v. the Uttubis. He left two younsr sons
Disputed supeesston at Maskat and Jrahaht , > i , n . . i ■» .n •
intervention, 1804. whose rights were disputed by their un-
cle Syud Ghes of Sohar. To oppose his
pretensions they entrusted the care of the Government to their cousin Syud
Beder, This person had during the late Imam's life time allied himself to
the Wahabis, and he now called in their aid, by which, for the first time,
they were enabled to obtain a firm footing in Maskat. By the help of the
Wahabis, Syud Beder reduced the rebellious Syud Ghes to submission,
and recovered possession of Bunder Abbas and Ormuz, both of which places
had been seized by the Chief of Kishm. In his expedition to Bunder Abbas
and Ormuz, Syud Beder was accompanied by the Hesident, Captain Seton,
with two of the Company's cruisers. Our Marine was at this time actively
engaged in putting down the Joasmi pirates, who had a short time before
captured the Shannon and Trimmer. In 1806 a combined British and Mas
kat fleet proceeded to Kishm and successfully blockaded the Joasmis, when
they sued for terms. This led to the conclusion of the Treaty with the Joasmi
tribe dated the 6th February 1806.
19. During the next two years the supineness of the Persian and Turkish
Complete ascendancy of the wahaiis in Oman. Governments, and the weakness arising
from the disputed succession in Maskat,
enabled the Wahabis completely to establish their ascendancy in Oman.
v.—(1) The JkoWi pirates under Wahabi influence first venture into
the Indian Seas- (2) Expedition against Joasmis and Wahabis,
1809—1813.
20. In 1808 the Wahabi power rose to its height. They held the revenues
of the upper part of Oman, and ruled over the powerful tribe of the Joas-
mis to the exclusion of their own Chief, who was compelled to abandon his
country. It was under this influence that the Joasmis ventured to extend
their, piratical depredations to the Indian Seas, an object long contemplated
by the Wahabis.
21. It was now apprehended that the Maskat State would be drawn into
the general system of piracy which prevailed in the Gulf unless relieved from
the pressure employed by the Wahabis to reduce it. The Arab Sheikhs
chafed at the tyranny and insults of the Wababi Officers, and only waited
for a signal to re-unite under the Imam's standard. Taking advantage of
the absence of the Wahabi Chief on a visit to Mecca in 1809, the Imam
fitted out an expedition in which the Uttubis and a party of the Joasmis
offered to join against the common enemy. The expedition sailed down
the Gulf under the personal command of Syud Saeed, but it terminated with
out accomplishing anything.
22. The Resident, Captain Seton, represented that nothing but the interfe
rence of the British Government could prevent the destruction of Maskat as a port
of commerce, and its shipping being added to the resources of the pirates—an
opinion in which Captain (afterwards Sir J.) Malcolm entirely concurred.
Influenced by these considerations the Supreme Government determined on
despatching an armament to the Gulf for the suppression of piracy, as weli
as for the protection of Maskat. The armament proceeded in the first place