'File 19/12 Bahrain, Precis of Zobara Affairs in 1895' [‎85r] (177/230)

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Threatening letters have also been received by Shaikh Esa and his son from
Jasira, showing his animosity towards him. These letters are being forwarded
to you by the Agent of this place.
I also enclose the reply to my letter to the Turkish official at Zobarah, from
the tenour of which it appears that the Albin-Ali are receiving every support
from the Turks.
The Shaikh of the Nairn tribe at Bahrein has received a letter from Jasim,
demanding that he should either leave Bahrein with his following for Katr or
send boats to convey all the cattle he has at Katr back to Bahrein.
The Turkish gun vessel Zuhaf is now at Zobarah.
It has also been reported to me that an atrocious and daring act of piracy
and attempted murder of a British Indian subject has taken place about 6
miles below Katif within sight of the shore on the 26th instant about 9 a.m.
The perpetrator of this outrage is a Bedouin by name Ahmad-bin-Salman, cousin
to Nasir-bin-Mubarak. The victim, a banyan Merchant of Indian extraction. , had his right hand cut com
pletely off from the wrist. The doctor's report upon him to me I enclose.
I shall most probably leave here to-morrow or Thursday for a cruise round
the coast.
Translation of Utter received from Say id Mahomed Raouf Ejfendi [Mudir of Ojair and Agent
of the Mudir of Zobarah), to Commanier Pelly, II. M. S. " Sphinx," dated the 26th July
1895.
Your letter dated 23rd July 1895 received, and I have understood what
you have written.
"With reference to the nine boats that you sent to convey the families of those
of the inhabitants of Zobarah, whom you have captured by force from under
the flag of the Commander of the Faithful and Sultan of the Unitarians, the
said families are the subjects of the High Government from ancient days and
for ever, and they only settled at Zobarah by the orders of the Mutasarrif of
El-Hasa.
Both you and Mr. Gaskin have committed injustices beyond rules and
friendship in taking boats belonging to the people of Zobarah, goods being in
them to the value of 5 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of dollars, and the owners firstly under the protec
tion of God and secondly under the High Ottoman Government. You have
also prevented them from following their occupation. So far you have caused
loss to all boats belonging to the people of Katr which have reached your side.
Also you have seized the boats which you have found belonging to the people
of Zobarah, though they have not sinned ; and no one has any claims against
them except that they have come under the shadow of the Commander of the
Faithful and the protection of the High Ottoman Government.
Let it not be hidden from you that Bahrein is under Katr, also Katr and
Bahrein are part of the domains of the High (Ottoman) Government. The origi
nal persons who took Bahrein from its people were of the inhabitants of Katr.
Al-Khalifah were merchants from Koweit and strangers to them. They were
only four persons and were appointed Agent over Bahrein; also paid tithes and
taxes to Katr and to Bin-Saood, the Sultan's officer. Differences arose between
them and Bahrein. Then flew the flag of the High Ottoman Government. You
falsely represented (matters) to the high Government in support of your claim
of protection over them. This not satisfying you, you have exercised false
aggression towards the people of Katr, taking all their boats and goods, also
imprisoning (some of) their people, though they are under the protection of
God and that of the Commander of the Faithful, the successor to the prophet
of God of the world.
You have committed all these great actions against them. It is evident
from what is known that the Commander of the Faithful will directly over
throw your authority in Bahrein, and support her against you and others.