'Selections from the Records of the Bombay Government' [‎470] (512/733)

470
BENIYAS.
The only measure adopted by Shaikh Tahnoon during this year was
a. d. 1832. 0ne of P recaution ' in despatching some well
armed Buggalows to convoy his trading vessels
and secure them from the attack of the Joasmee boats, which were
cruising against the trade of Muskat, <Scc,
By giving asylum and protection to three refugees, inhabitants of
Khan (a place near Shargah, under the authority of the Joasmees). who
had been concerned in the piracy and plunder of a boat belonging to an
English subject, off the Persian Coast, he greatly offended the British
authorities, and drew upon himself the responsibility of their act
which, as being Joasmee subjects, would otherwise have properly at
tached to the Joasmee Chief.
Although the piracy was committed in May 1832, it was not until
A D 1833 early in the following year, in consequence of
the repeated evasions and delays of Shaikh Tah
noon, and immediate means to enforce redress not being available,
owing to the pressing contingencies in other quarters (Shaikh Nassir's
proceedings at Bushire, &c.) requiring more urgently the services of
the cruisers of the Gulf squadron, that the Resident's demand upon him
for the exposure and delivery of the culprits, or the payment of 1,500
German crowns, was acceded to, by the adoption of the latter alternative.
The satisfaction thus afforded, however, put it out of the power of
Shaikh Sultan to excuse any further delay in making good his share of
the value of the property plundered; and he was accordingly called
upon to disburse the sum of 2,000 German crowns.
In the exaction of the full penalty in the latter case it became
necessary, on the part of the officer commanding the vessels despatched
on this duty, partially to fulfil his threat of destroying a Buteel belong
ing to Shargah, lying near Ejman, w T hich he crippled, by knocking away
her poop deck, and lodging several shot in her hull.*
In April 1833 Shaikh Tahnoon's life was sacrificed to the
ambition and jealousy of his two brothers Khaleefa and Sultan, who
with their own hands put him to death. Apprehending the chances
of their intriguing against his life and authority, he had long ex
cluded them from Aboothabee, but yielding at length to the entreaty
of the father, Shakboot, recalled them from banishment, under the
proviso that they should not exercise any share in the government, or
carry arms. A very short time, however, served to discover them in
league with some of the principal men of the tribe to murder him, upon
which he cast the latter into prison, but thereby unfortunately so
* This paragraph perhaps more properly belongs to the section on Joasinees, but it is
inserted here in consequence of Shaikh Tahnoon having been mixed up in the affair, as above
detailed.