'Persian Gulf Gazetteer. Part I. Historical and Political Materials. Précis of Nejd Affairs, 1804-1904' [‎7] (15/68)

\
3
to the Pirate ports, and after operating successfully against Eas-ul-kliyma,
Linga and Luft, repaired to Maskat. On being joined by the Imam's forces,
an expedition was directed against the important position of Shinas, which,
after a sanguinary and heroic defence on the part of the Wahabi Officer,
was surrendered to the British and made over to our ally. The armament then
returned to Bombay.
23. The British Government had at all times desired to observe a strict
„... j ut -rrr t t• neutrality towards the Wahabis. The
Policy of the British towards the Wahahis. t -,' p ~i r\
expedition of 1809-10 was m conse
quence conducted with a degree of caution and forbearance towards the Wahabi
Chief which rendered its results of little permanent efficacy. Captain Seton
was instructed
" to be careful to make it in due time fully known to the Wababi, and all the
Officers of his Government, that it was our sincere wish to continue at all times on terms
of friendship with him and the other States of Arabia, desiring only to provide for the secu
rity of the general commerce of the Seas, and of the Gulf of Persia in particular, so long
and so unjustifiubly interruped by the Joasmis, in breach also of a positive Treaty con
cluded with their Chief in lb06 ; the motives and objects of interposition involving no views
of aggrandizement on our part, but being altogether limited to the repression of Maritime
depredations, such as is equally condemned by the professors of every religion, and the just
support of our ally, the Imam of Maskat, cannot reasonably give offence to any other
State or Government/'
24. Soon after the withdrawal of our armament from the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
^ ^ the Wahabis again appeared in the vici-
Wahaois again appear m Oman. . • i if
mty ot Maskat, committing devastations
of all kinds. The Imam appealed to the British Government for assistance,
urging that his co-operation with us in the late expedition had involved
him in perpetual warfare with the Wahabi Chief. The Supreme Govern
ment, however, considered it impracticable to render any assistance without
making it appear that we were united in a contest against the Wahab power
which was contrary to our repeatedly declared policy.
25. The Wahabi Chief had at this time entered into a correspondence
Letter of the Honourable Jonathan Lunean to the w ith the Resident at Bushire. having
Wahahi Chief. „ j , i .• -i , i
a. d. 1810. reference to the operations lately under
taken for the punishment of the Joasmis. On this correspondence being
submitted to the Bombay Government, the Honourable Mr. Duncan was induced
to address the Wahabi Chief in the following terms (letter dated the 9th
August 1810):—
" The British Government receives with satisfaction the expression of your desire to
maintain with it the relations of amity and concord—a desire in which it cordially participates
and has uniformly manifested. It is, therefore, proper that I should assure you that the late
expedition to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. did not originate in hostility towards you, but was, as above
noticed, directed solely to the destruction of the pirates who had in direct breach of their own
positive engagements, and with an entire forgetfulness of the former instances of condescend
ing lenity manifested towards them, long infested the seas in that quarter, plundering vessels
and murdering subjects of all nations indiscriminately, for the British Government does not
concern itself with the hostilities carried on by you against the members of the Mussulman
faith, on account of their alleged deviation from the ordinances of the Koran, and its power
will alone be directed against those who, exercising the detestable profession of piracy, are the
common enemies of all nations.
" The channel of communication between us being now open, I request you will continue
to afford me the pleasure of hearing of your prosperity and success/'
26. In April 1811 the Wahabi troops appeared in the vicinity of Maskat,
Wahaiis invade Oman. attacking and plundering the possession of
the Imam. The Imam represented on
this occasion to the Bombay Government that his co-operation with his friends
and allies, the English, in the late expedition had involved him in a perpetual
and implacable war with the Wahabis, with whom he was before at peace*
and trusted that the British Government would not remain neutral during
the struggle which he w 7 as making to defend his possessions and capital from
the invasion of an ancient and inveterate enemy whose resentment had thua
been strongly re-excited against him.