"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎٦‎٦‎٢] (١٧٨٢/٨٠٥)

662
of his mission to Ibrahim Pasha and ascertainiDg the nature and extent of
the assistance which the ruler of 'Oman himself would be able and willing
to afford, should proceed with the utmost despatch to the camp of the
Egyptian commander, whom he was authorised to assure that ; as soon
after the termination of the monsoon as it might be convenient to under
take operations from India, an adequate British force, naval and military,
would be sent to the Persian Gulf for the purpose of co-operating
with the Egyptians in the reduction of Ras-al-Khaimah, and
that the town would thereafter be delivered over to be garrisoned by
Egyptian troops, provided the Pasha should have allotted a com
petent force to the service of covering the siege. In the formal letters
addressed to Ibrahim Pasha that general was congratulated on his recent
biilliant successes, and the scheme of joint Anglo-Egyptian operations
M as unfolded for his consideration. Captain Sadleir was further directed
to study the situation of the Egyptians in Central Arabia and to fathom,
if he could do so without showing too great an interest in the subject,
theii ulterior designs in the direction of the Persian Gulf; but, what
ever those designs might be, he was to refrain from giving the Egyptians,
on behalf of the British Government, any guarantee beyond that
authorised in regard to Ras-al-Khaimah. As much information as
possible regarding the geography and resources of Central Arabia itself
was to be collected by Captain Sadleir in his journeyings; and, having
accomplished his mission, he was to return to the Presidency head
quarters.
Befoie Captain Sadleir's arrival on the spot, the political situation had
so changed as to render the main part of his task impossible of fulfilment,
but in his efforts to perform it he showed himself possessed of extra-
ordinaiy energy and perseverance. Incidentally he achieved the
unique distinction of being the first European to traverse the Arabian
continent fiom sea to sea, and that at the hottest season of the year.
Sadleir's Captain Sadleir remained at Masqat from the 7th to the 18th of
uegotiations May 18 L 9 and was successful in obtaining from Saiyid Sa^id a careful
Saltan^f estimate of the political position and military force of the Qawasim, a
18VJ U ' promise by the Saiyid to co-operate in person with the British expedition
at the head of a large force, a precise statement of the part which he
was prepared to take in the operations, and a detailed undertaking
to assist m the matter of supply and marine transport. In one
respect only Sai^id Said was not amenable to persuasion: he would
not consent to any soit of association between his own troops and those
of the Egyptians, and he manifestly regarded the proposed co-operation
■ VM