'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Nejd [Najd] Affairs, 1804-1904' [‎24] (37/72)

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94. Colonel Peliy was at the same time requested to enquire and report on
Bombay Government letter No. 3119, dated the the extent of mischief Committed at Sur,
2i8t December 1865. an( j w i ie ther anything might reasonably
be demanded on this account from the Wahabi Chief.
95. These proceedings were duly reported to the Government of India,
Bombay Government letter No. 197, dated the and the Foreign Department at Calcutta
2ist December 1865. was subsequently informed by telegraph,
that no trace of any such Treaty as that mentioned by the Wahabi Chief
Letter form Mr. Secretary Muir, No. 66, dated the COuld be found OU the records of the Bom-
24tb January 1866. Government or of the Bushire Resi
dency. ^ In reply, the Government of India after alluding to this fact, which a
search in their own records had helped to confirm, observed
^ It will be advisable for the Bombay Government to inform the Wahabi Amir that the
British Government is not aware of the existence of any formal agreement between itself and
the Amir; but that if any such document does exist^ a copy of it, no doubt, must be in the
Amir s possession, and the Amir will do well to produce it for verification.
. ^ I ^ ie Amir should be further given to understand that the Imaum of Maslcat is our
a ally and the British Government while hoping for a happy settlement of any
differences which there may now be between the Imaum and the Amir, cannot regard anv
encroachment on the Imaum's territory Without grave concern. °
. " ^is Excellency in Council considers that it would be inexpedient to press the Wahabi
Amir for compensation for any loss which British subjects may have incurred during the
late hostilities. 0
96. Before these instructions reached Colonel Felly's hands, events in the
. Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. rapidly assumed a momentous aspect arising from the determina
tion of the Maskat Government to proceed to open hostilities with the Waha-
bis.
97. On the 21st December, Colonel Felly re-visited the Sultan of Maskat
and communicated to His Highness the olfer of Government to aid him in guns
and ammunition. He had entered on preparations for blockading the Wahabi
ports of Khatif and Ojair, having received solemn assurances from the Bahrein
authorities that they would co-operate with him. It was arranged that Svud
Turk, who had recently given unequivocal proofs of fidelity and attachment
to his brother the Sultan s cause, should proceed with the Maskat fleet to
Bahrein m view to carry out the contemplated blockade.
98. Colonel Pelly bein? desirous of examining the state of affairs on the
Arab Coast proceeded to Bahrein with the Sultan's ships, and en route com muni-
cated with the Chiefs of the Pirate Coast, reminding them of the aggressive
pohey of the Wahab. S and stating that the English Government wSuld
O H to their aiding the Sultan by land. During this time the Sultan was
engaged in collecting his tribes and equipping them for an advance towards
Beraymi, a strategic point of great importance—threatening the Maskat
territories and the Pirate Coast. D ^
99. The Wahabis were not indifferent to these warlike preparations Thev
' 0 GoTe ■~ , ■ h ad a short time before moved a detach-
hours distance from Sohar itself, and drivenX Bul^^^ifetofhe 3 seT
" tLt J t] 0m poiJS ^ by drowning. " It is remarkable " wrote Colonel Pelly
that at the very time this raid had taken place the Snltan was under the im^
pression that the Wahabi leader was concealing himself. One noticeaWe
mh\ r bis 0 0 b Z7:± to ^ tll0Se a " 0, , S f 16 invader3 wl10 we
vvanabis ot iNejcl seem to be comparatively few. Thev are rathpr Wi
ers of frontier tribes on the borders of Oman itself."
J"! 0 ', C r 0mm0d0re Mont >-esor concentrated his Squadron at Bombay early
28th o JSel 8r ' m t0 Boml>aj »' w December 1865, in persuance of instru-
stiff? «-fn tssa