'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎381] (423/733)

UTTOOBEES.
381
pel the Bahrein Shaikh to pay in cash for such part of the plundered cargo
as was not forthcoming ; and at the same time it was stated, that to effect
this object it would be necessary to blockade the port with four ships of
war, and perhaps to destroy the shipping by means of shells and Con-
greve rockets, for which latter purpose asmall vessel would be required.
The Government, however, satisfied with the redress already obtained,
determined to take no further steps in the affair.
On the 2nd December 1829, peace was concluded between the Chief
of Bahrein and the Imaum of Muskat, through the mediation of Shaikh
Mahomed bin Nassir, upon the terms that the tribute formerly paid by
the Uttoobees to His Highness was to cease from henceforward ; that
no interference whatever should take place in each other's concerns,
but that in the event of either JMuskat or Bahrein being threatened by
an enemy, mutual assistance was to be afforded. This last condition
was not reduced to writing, being merely verbal. Shaikh Tahnoon
was admitted as a party to the treaty, but the Aboosemate Tribe (princi
pally residing in Aseeloo) was specially excluded bv the Uttoobee
Shaikh.
Everything appears to have gone on quietly in the island of Bahrein
A p 2330 until the end of 1830, when Shaikh Abdoolla bin
Ahmed was called upon by the Wahabee Chief
to pay the annual Zukat or tithe, besides 40,000 German crowns, the
alleged value of a number of horses left under his charge by the Waha-
bees many years previous. A demand was at the same time made for
the surrender of the fort of Demaum to Busheer, the son of Rahmah
bin Jaubir.
Aware how gladly His Highness the Imaum would join Shaikh
a. d . 1831. loorkey with his fleet, in any attack upon
Bahrein, the Uttoobee Chief endeavoured to in
terest the British authority in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. in his favour; but
finding that the Government were determined not to interfere in his
internal affairs, he despatched a near relation to Riaz, to wait upon the
Wahabee Shaikh, and make the most favourable terms in his power.
After some discussion, it was arranged that the supremacy of Shaikh
Toorkey bin Saood should be acknowledged, and the Zukat paid by the
Uttoobees, in return for which he promised them his protection, thus
if bond fide in his professions, putting an effectual termination to the
designs of the Imaum upon their territory.
The Uttoobee Chiefs, however, at the present time still continue to
entertain suspicions as to the ultimate views entertained by Shaikh
Toorkey bin Abdoolla oos Saood regarding them. The recent establish
ment of Busheer, the son of their late enemy Rahmah bin Jaubir, upon
Demaum, under the sanction and authority of the Wahabee Shaikh, has