'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Nejd [Najd] Affairs, 1804-1904' [‎35] (48/72)

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c 'To Major Smith, Angaum : ' Proceed with Kwangtung to Bahrein and rendezvous Clyde
1 doubt the Amir' molesting. If he do, prevent any boats arriving touching' the island. If
absolutely necessary^ address a letter by direction to Amir informing him that I am instructed
to maintain the maritime peace, and am embarking for the Arab coast. If all seem quiet at
Bahrein, have Clyde there and proceed in Kwavglung along Arab coast, warning all parties
against breach of truce, and informing them of my approach, from Arab coast return to
Angaum and report, and look out for mail steamer / "
131. These instructions were approved, and Colonel Pelly was requested to
proceed to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. with all convenient speed, and invested with dis
cretionary power to recognize Azan bin Gheis or otherwise as circumstances
might seem to require, but with the explicit reservation of all questions of
detail, Treaty, Convention, or claim to territory, as suggested, and provided that
the advantage of Azan's recognition were not neutralized by this reservation.
(Reported to Secretary of State in No. 19, 15th March 1870).
132. On 5th March Major Way telegraphed :—
"Maskat quiet. Syud Azan writes, 1st March, from Beraymi, f Sheikh Zaeed of Abu-
thabi has arrived and sworn friendship and promised to oppose Wahabis. Mahomed Ali
Naeem sworn allegiance and promised Littoral Chiefs should visit me at Sohar. Sha'nt visit
coast, but shall return to So bar when arrangements finished for protection of Beraymi. Wa
habis appear to be still at Katar. Not believed here that Wahabis can now come by land,
and half of war tax has been returned. Can't say at this distance if attempt will be made by
sea. Amulgavine Chief's cousin and Wahabi emissaries arrived at Kishm, and Syud Salem
left for Amulgavine with them on 23rd/ "
133. On 2ist March Colonel Pelly wrote :—
" AH accounts concur in stating that the Wahabi Amir is still it his own fort of
Ojair as already submitted. His Highness probably hesitates to leave tha Abuthabi Chief in
bis rear, and his advance is, no doubt, rendered more difficult through the want of rain and
consequent proverty of drinking water along the line of march.
"The alliance between the Abuthabi Chief and Syud Azan, and the fact of the latter's
return to Maskat, tend to show that Azan's position is increasingly strong."
134 On 2nd April 1870 Colonel Pelly telegraphed:—
C{ Wahabi Amir still in his own territories. Doubt if he will attempt Beraymi thi s
year. Bahrein proceedings have had good effect. ^Vll quiet down to date. Clyde still at
Bahrein watching Wahabis/''
135. Colonel Pelly reported on 8th April (in No. 147 from Bombay Go
vernment, 25th April 1870):—
"The Wahabis. It appears that some months ago the Wahabi Amir collected his
forces in the neighbourhood of Hasa with intent to attack Beraymi. He comrnunicated with
the Chiefs of the Littoral as per margiUi in view to their co-operation or neutrality, and these
Chiefs, with the exception of Abuthabi, returned conciliatory answers, but the Wahabi
Amir was deterred from further movement by the following considerations
« j s t t That rain not having fallen, water and grass were not available for his horses and
men along the line of march ;
" That the combination of the Abuthabi Chief with the Maskat Sultan rendered
the march more hazardous ;
" 3rdh. That the Amir, conscious of having harboured one of the Bahrein'pirates and of
having received the Bahrein plunder in bis territories, feared that, soonei ox later,
we should demand satisf;iction from him at his ports—Ojair and iCateef; and
" dthly.—ln a minor degree, the Amir was suspicious of intrigue on the part of his
relatives at his capital, Riadh.
"Influenced by the above considerations, the W T ahahi Amir refrained from marching,
and the season is now so advanced that it is doubtful if he will attempt anything this year.
The most recent report is to the effect that he is already returning towards his capital.
136. On 7th May 1870 Colonel Pelly continued
"Several communications I have recently received concur in stating that the Amir him-
self has returned to his capital, and that Nasir -bin-Mobarek, the pirate Chief, who escaped irom
Bahrein, has sustained a defeat at the hands of certain of the inland Wahabi tribes, borne
of the reports allege that Nasir-bin -Mobarek himself was killed m the fight, while other reports
are to the effect that he fled, and that nothing certain had since been heard of him.
« p S Since writing the above I have received a letter from the Bahrein Chief, m which
he states that Nasir -bin-Mobarek was killed. It appears further that the uefeat of his tnba
(the Howajir) was complete."