'Persian Gulf Gazetteer. Part I. Historical and Political Materials. Précis of Nejd Affairs, 1804-1904' [‎10] (18/68)

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" In reply, he was informed, in general terms, that he was the best judge of his own
interests; but that no connection or authority would be received by the British Government
as an excuse for any proceedings bearing a predatory character. The Sheikh then adverted to
the very difficult dilemma into which he would be cast in the event o£ Wahabis attacking
the territories of the Imam, and calling on him for his support against that Prince. To this
he was answered, that his forming any connection prejudicial to His Highness would be
considered unfriendly by us, and it was in every point of view advisable that he should not
adopt that line of conduct. The language held on this occasion was confirmed by the Governor
in Council, with a further intimation, that however improbable it might be that we should act
against the Wahabis so long as they confined their conquests to the shore, it was still not
desirable that we should bind ourselves to abstain from interposition, or hold out so great an
encouragement to the invasion of the Imam^s territories as our avowed inditference would be
likely to afford."
35. The following five or six years were occupied by Turk! in reconstruct
ing his father's kingdom, and in recovering one after another the provinces
formerly subject to Wahabi rule. At the same time he endeavoured to
conciliate the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. of Egypt by the payment of a small annual tribute. In
1831 his recovery of Basa and Katif so alarmed the Imam of Maskat, that
that Chief was fain to be taken under his protection on the terras of acknow
ledging his supremacy and paying an annual tribute. And thus the whole of
the Arabian Coast from Ras-ul-Hud to Koweit (with the exception of Abu-
thabi) became tributary to the Wahabis
| :•
VIII.—Overtures to British G-overnment, 1831.
33. About the middle of the year 1831 a communication was made to the
Governor of Bombay by the Wahabi Chief, through Sheikh Rashid bin
Humid of Ajman, expressive of his desire to be upon the same intimate
footing as that formerly existing between the British Government and his
ancestor Sand and " to have the treaty renewed which was made between you
the British and Imam Saud". To this a reply in general but friendly terms
was transmitted through the Ilesident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
37. With reference to this allusion to a Treaty, the Persian Secretary
reported that only two documents could be found on the records relatiao- to our
intercourse u ith the TV aliabis, viz., those quoted in paragraphs 25 and 28
supra. In acknowledging the communication last received, the Honourable
Br. Romer thus addressed the Wahabi Chief : —
"Your communication dated the 25th of J umadyooluwul, informing me that by the
Reply of the Bon,bay Government. appointment of the Ruler of Events you had
, , , , , , , . arrived at the dignity of Chief of the Wahabi
. llas f^ched my hands, and given me the gratification which friends feel when thev
receive intelligence from friends. *
"Your disposition to a friendly underetending is met with reciprocal feelin?, and the
terms of anutywh.ch existed between this Government and your greal ancestor, Imam Saud
will still remain m force and I cherish hopes will never be broken or infriaaed I s?nd thi,
letter by the hands of your faithful depeudant, Esa bin Hassan, to express the same
IX " P invasion of Oman. (2) views of the Government of
j 833—34. tne ClaimS 0f ' Maskat011 the British Government!
£8. In 1833, the influence of the Wahabis again became predominant in
Oman, and at the invitation of most of the tribes, they marched an armv into
the province. The Imam findmg the integrity of his dominions "rious v
menaced considered it his best policy to form a closer connection with tie
Wababi Chief. It was accordingly agreed by him to pay a tribute of 5 000
German crowns per annum to the Wahabi Chief, that each should hnld
possession of his own coast according to the limits then existing t l r .
extending to Jalaam, and the Wahabi's to Katif; and fuXr f^^o. f
was entered into binding them reciprocally to assist in putting down anfS
lions arising in their respective territories. ^ rebel-
39. On these circumstances being reported to the Bombay Government
question arose as to whether the subversion of the newer of tl,; T™!™ T™ ' ,
would be adverse to British interests in the oKd ^
not a c aim on the British Government for protection. The question "havin?
I. t p^ua:ri83i!" e '" jl ' evel]r " n '' lelter '!i een referred to Calcutta, the Supreme
Government * intimated