'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎405] (447/733)

tJTTOOBEES. 405
limit, the British Government in no way called upon to interfere, so far
as to attend to the complaint and requisition of the Chief of Koweit
thai it should compel the release of the boats, and the restoration of their
cargoes, still it was deemed advisable to recommend Mahomed bin
Khaleefa, rather than incur the risk of a misunderstanding with that
powerful chief, to comply with his wishes, on the understanding that he
should not interfere further in the quarrel, nor again attempt to throw
any aid or supplies into Demaum. After some trifling hesitation, this
judicious counsel was acquiesced in.
A few days after his arrival at Bushire, the ex-chief landed, and took
up Ins residence in a bastion which had been prepared for his accom
modation, while tents were pitched for the reception of his numerous
followers, bringing his vessels (of which two only now remained with
im) into the backwater, and drawing them up on shore He was
received with marked attention by the local authorities : a salute of
three rounds of musketry was fired by the Sirbaz garrison, who were all
paraded on the occasion. It is hardly probable that sueh marks of
respect would have been exhibited, unless under instructions from the
Ameei of Shiraz and it was rumoured that Shaikh Abdoolla bin Ahmed
and WO f t a "? f a b0dy 0f t '' 00pS ' t0 0OnSist of 100 horse men
and 500 infantry, and that, in addition to taking upon himself all the
disbursements incurred in their equipment, had offered to pay a lar-e
annual tribute to the Shah, and to leave his son as a hostage for the due
fulfilment of this engagement.
After waiting nearly three months for a reply to his proposition or
some to ten o its being taken into favourable consideration, and finding
was mere loss of time and labour, the ex-chief determined upon
taking his departure. 1 n
Visiting the Resident, he stated that his principal object in solicitino-
an interview was to express his earnest hope that the friendship and
coun enanee of the British Government, which he had formerly enjoyed
or so many years, would be once more extended to him; that the
feeling of his not being viewed by the British authorities with the same
favour and good will which had once existed, weighed heavily upon
him, and paralysed his efforls ; that he sought no aid or support in the
rcco\ciy of his just rights beyond the belief that he might hope for the
renewa, of the friendly countenance once afforded him ; and that the
British Government would not possess a firmer and more devoted
adherent t an himself In reply, the fact that his proceedings hadtot
been satisfactory to the British Government was not disguised ^or
e icjection of the overture made to support him in opposin.' the
estabhsnment of the authority of Mahomed Ali Pacha ovc Bahreit
the violation of the residence of the British Agent, by the seizure and