'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎185] (227/733)

MUSK At.
185
^ora, and Grahe were not included in this pacification, to which Shaikh
Sultan bin Suggur and Shaikh Shakboot of the Beniyas were very adverse,
and rendered those chiefs dissatisfied with the Imaum. His Highness
was, however, obliged to conclude the treaty, owing to the backward
ness of Shaikh Shakboot and the other tribes to act offensively, notwith
standing that they had invited and urged the Imaum to undertake
that expedition. Those tribes were to march and attack Ras-ool-Khyma
by land, whilst the Imaum did so by sea ; but finding them averse to
it, and suspecting that they had made a private treaty with the Joasmees,
the Imaum negotiated a hasty engagement with them also, and with
drew his forces. The double dealings of these tribes, observed Mr.
Bruce on this occasion, is hardly to be accounted for ; but he suspected
it had been from fear that the Imaum would not succeed, that these
tribes formed a secret article with the Joasmees.
90. It was reported on this occasion that the Imaum had com
pelled Shaikh Suggur to accede to the engagement he had made with
the Joasmees, and to agree to a stipulation that Ras -ool-Khyma should
remain in His Highness' possession, and that Shaikh Sultan should be
established at Shargah.
91. The reverses experienced by the Wahabees having led to over
tures on their part to the Persian and British Governments, a Wahabee
Agent was also deputed to Muskat. The negotiation broke off because
Ras-ool-Khyma, which was in subjection to the Wahabee, was an
obstacle, and in consequence of his proposing as a secret article that
His Highness should furnish that chieftain with vessels to enable him
to embark a force for the purpose of making a sudden descent on some
part of the Malabar Coast, which the Imaum rejected, as inconsistent
with his engagements with the British Government.
92. The engagement concluded by Mr. Bruce with the Joasmees,
a. d. 18L5 an< ^ t ' le ^umstances attending its subsequent
violation by them, are fully detailed in a subse
quent sketch of that tribe. Their depredations recommenced. The
Imaum wrote to the Governor, reporting that another Vukeel had
arrived at Muskat from the Wahabee Chief; that the Vukeel was
constantly seeking means to set up some new pretension, and made
several demands, which were not only inadmissible, but foreign from
a state of peace ; that he had not, in consequence, entered into any
agreement with the Wahabees, and that being disappointed in their
views, they had recommenced hostilities with him; that the Imaum
had no other alternative than to employ his utmost exertions and
endeavours against Ras-ool-Khyma, for whilst it was allowed to remain
on its piesent footing they would never be inclined to peace, and request
ing that we should afford him the co-operation of some of our vessels
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