'File 19/12 Bahrain, Precis of Zobara Affairs in 1895' [‎101r] (209/230)

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conventional verbiage and are in my opinion not worthy of any confidence.
His statement in the letter to me that Mr. Gaskin had drawn a pistol upon
Shaikh Sultan on the 7th July is a deliberate falsehood. In a subsequent letter
to the Chief he took a different tone, excusing Shaikh Sultan for not bavin^
• • • ^
received the visit ma proper manner, and saying that he had censured him for it,
though "no blame can be attached to a man whose mind has been affected by
illness/' Altogether in Shaikh Jasim's letter there is a somewhat unintelli
gible mixture of protest, profession, and appeal.
After writing the above I have received your telefrrnm of this dny, in
timating that Lawrence should be sent to obtain further information.
Dated the 17th Moharrura l-il3 —10th July 1895,
From —Jasim bin-Mohamed Thani,
To— C olonel F. A. W ilson , Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
After compliments. —When I learnt the news of the arrival of the man-of-
war, and knowing that Sultan (bin-Mohamed Salamah) was ill, 1 started with
the object of meeting the Captain, the Assistant and Khalid (bin-Ali). I had
scarcely reached Zobarah when I learnt that they had suddenly landed there and
frightened the people of the country by (a demonstration of) armed boats, and
that the Assistant had landed with a drawn revolver at Sultan (bin-Mohamed
Salamah); but they (Sultan and his people would appear to be meant) avoided
them by good means.
Afterwards they (armed boats) disturbed the (peace of the) sea and seized
the boats belonging to the poor and humble striving to earn their livelihood,
together with the unopened oyster shells they had on board and all their
property.
The Albin-Ali tribe did not leave Bahrein, but on account of the humili
ation which they experienced : they have not been rebels.
I stood guarantee for them to Shaikh Esa (assuring him) that no mischief
would arise from the side of Zobarah or from its inhabitants, and they have
committed no offence. They are poor who earn their livelihood : they are not
slaves.
Their original domicile was Katr and they resided in Fareybah and
Zobarah, and thence removed to Hawaylah and El-Bidaa. They have not been
ruled as slaves.
This proceeding (which has been undertaken against them) is contrary to
your (sense of) justice, and is a wrong unbecoming of you.
They have no knowledge of their own affairs : these are known to God and
then to me.
Dated Ras Lufan, the 14th July 1S95.
From—C aptain J. H. P elly , Commander and Senior Naval Officer,
To— C olonel F. W. W ilson , Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 10th
instant, received per R.I.M.S L<iicrence on the forenoon of the 12th, and
to thank you for placing that ship at my disposal for a time.
In compliance with your letter I left Bahrein at 8 a.m . on the 13th,
K.I.M.S. Lawrence in company, and proceeded to Zobarah, anchoring off
that place at 2 p.m . the same day. I found all the boats, about lli in number,
hauled up on the beach, and therefore did not think it expedient to attempt
their seizure.
During my stay at Zobarah I received two letters from Jasim-bin-Mohamed
Thani, asking for an interview on behalf of Shaikh Sultan who was sick, to
both of which I replied stating that he could come off to the ship if he desired
to see me. This, however, he would not do. A copy of this correspondence
is attached.