'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Bahrein [Bahrain] Affairs, 1854-1904' [‎11] (30/204)

11
" Although it may not be denied that, since the Egyptian invasion of Nejd in 1839-40,
A mir Feysal has remained*tributary to the Turkish authorities of Mecca, his tribute being
regarded probably as an offering to the head of the religion it is certain that the Porte has
never exercised any jurisdiction, or attempted to extend its authority ) over that country.
Were it otherwise, were a Turkish administration established capable of controlling the
pro vince, restraining the Wahabis and their dependents from the piratical practices for which
they were once so notorious, and finally of preventing or giving satisfaction for any breach
of international law, such a state of things might be as conducive to good order, as it would
be certainly less burdensome to the British Government than the maritime surveillance,
which, in the interests of comn^erce, the British Government is now compelled to maintain
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . But in point of fact, the Porte has not the power to punish or coerce
its tributary; not a single Turkish functionary exists in the country; and to judge from my
own experience of the duties of the British Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , I feel assured that,
were the relations of that officer with the Amir of Nejd to be disturbed in a manner to with
draw the Wahabi Coast from his immediate supervision, the effect must be highly prejudi
cial to the policy which has hitherto obtained under the orders and sanction of Her Majes»
ty's Indian Government in that quarter."
39. In April 1862 the Resident reported that he was making another and a
final effort to effect a peaceable settlement between Amir Feysal and the
Chief of Bahrein, but that he much feared open war between the two parties was
inevitable.
CHAPTER VI.
(I) Restoration of captured buggalow Large trading vessel. to Chief Mahomed-bin-Khalifa,
(2) his illtreatment of Indian subjects, (3) confiscation of the
Chiefs jDuggalow, (4) Persian protest, (5) Wahabi claim to
Bahrein, 1861-66.
40. On the conclusion of the engagement of 1861, we have seen, one of the
Chief's war vessels was restored to him, but
o ume 9S 0 1 . the other was retained as a security for his
good conduct. After the appointment of Colonel Pelly to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , he
recommended that the Chief's buggalow Large trading vessel. should be restored to him, in the hope
that the measure would be viewed as an earnest of his conciliatory policy
towards the Chief of the Gulf. ^This recommendation was acceded to by
the Government of India, but the only acknowledgment offered by the Chief of
Bahrein for the consideration shown to him was, as Colonel Pelly reported, ''a
remark disrespectful to the Viceroy."
41. Colonel Pelly writing from Bahrein on the 17th December 1865, with
reference to the conduct of the Chief, and the proceedings he found it necessary
to adopt towards him reported :
" During the three years I have been in the Gulf I have endeavoured with every
friendly advice and means to keep the Chief in a common sense line of conduct. Never
theless the British Indian subjects resident in his Island have once been driven by his
tyranny to seek refuge at Bushire, and the mpre wealthy among them would not return.
11 Among other complaints was one of a large sum of money asserted to be fraudulently
withheld by the Sheikh from our subjects. On visiting Bahrein about a year and nine
months ago I caused this matter ^o be minutely gone into, and on the conclusion of the
enquiry, the Sheikh promised to compromise the matter by a payment of 17 thousand
krans; and both he and his brother attached their seals to a document so purporting.
" The Sheikh failed however to fulfil his contract, and when I again visited the island
about 9 months ago I found that he had committed a further tyranny by extorting 3,000
krans from the Banians. I then addressed him a remonstrance :
" On my arrival here the other day I found the Banian Merchant of Indian extraction. 's claims still unsatisfied. I then
informed the Sheikh that if he did not forthwith fulfil his promise I should be compel
led to adopt measures for securing for our subjects their just dues. He still used every
means of evasion and in point of fact have been detained here 8 days.
''It is needless to trouble Government with the details of the endless petty insolences
with which the Sheikh is chargeable. But it appears to me that his relation to the Waha
bis is, under present circumstances a matter which might have inconvenient results, if the
Wahabis should succeed in carrying out their policy of again bringing the entire sea
board of the Arabian Coast under their direct influence, a costly experience has shown
us that that state of coast rule is synonymous with piracy on a large scale, and as a war
bugla Large trading vessel. of 500 tons and pierced for 10 guns might do serious danger before any British ship
of war should arrive. I have confiscated the Sheikh's bugla Large trading vessel. , and I would propose to sell
it paying any balance that may be due to the Banians out of the proceeds and divid
ing the remainder of the proceeds among the crew that took the bugla Large trading vessel. ."