"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎٢‎٦‎١] (١٧٨٢/٤٠٤)

The difficulty in which the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf was
placed from 186-2 to 1871, through there being no naval force properly
at his disposal, have been described. As will be apparent from the pas
sages quoted above from his writings, they were severely felt by Colonel
Pelly, the only Resident to suffer from them; and in his opinion they
were increased by a ruling of the Government of India in 1865, follow
ing upon strong action which he had taken in Bahrain, that the Resi
dent was not in future to seize vessels belonging to native chiefs on his
own responsibility. With reference to this order he reported on 23rd
April 1866 :—
Although loath to trouble Government with petty details, I would venture to
append a few specimens of the complaints that reach their representative from the
littoral of the Persian Gulf ; and these should not be considered as selected specimens,
for I have taken them one by one as they have to-day turned up, and the records show
thousands o£ such cases.
Formerly, the Resident would have despatched a vessel of the Gulf Squadron, with
an Assistant or Agent on board, to enquire into the cases, and with instructions, failing
satisfactory arbitrament, to blockade, fine, or otherwise punish. But under the more
recent expression of views by the Indian Government, I do not feel at liberty to use
any coercive measures, or to levy any fine, unless under the explicit instructions of
Government.
Restrictions
on the action
of the
Political
Resident in
the Persian
Gulf, ,
1862-71.
In the meantime, I most respectfully solicit the instructions of Government as to
the means by which I should proceed, and as to the manner in which I should pro
ceed with the particular cases now submitted.
# # # #
On the whole, I fear that in the long run Government will find it almost necessary
to maintain peace at sea in the Gulf, and to protect the persons and property of their
subjects residing in the sea-board trading marts ; and to do this it seems almost essen
tial that your representative should be in possession of : —Ist.—The means of enforcing
his arbitraments and maintaining peace ; and 2nd.—Either discretionary power, or else
clear instructions as to the manner in which he should use the means at his disposal.
Specimens of complaints from the littoral of the Persian Gulf,
ait*
Translated purport of a letter from Khumees bin Esau Seyhatee, to the Resident,
Persian Gulf ; received at Bushire 28th March 186(3.
I beg to inform you that a boat belonging to me was broken up at sea between
Bahrain and Kateef, and seven men who were on board of her were murdered. They
blame Feysul fortius act, as the sail of the boat was found in his possession. Feysul
has denied the charge, and has accused Abdoollah Omanee of the deed. Abdoollah
Omanee, who was with Feysul, hearing of this accusation, sought protection with the