'Persian Gulf Gazetteer. Part I. Historical and Political Materials. Précis of Nejd Affairs, 1804-1904' [‎26] (34/68)

26
a These subjects were imprisonerlj deprived of food and water^ and were ordered to pay a
ransom in 100 dollars each. These British Indian subjects were not even allowed to dispose
of their murdered companion's corpse. These British Indian subjects thus killed or plundered
were peacefully residing in the port of Sur, in the dominions of His Highness the Sultan of
Maskat.
" I have now to request that your Highness first send to me on board H. M's. S. High-
Jlyer lying between Demaum and Bahrein, a full and written apology for the wanton
outrages on the part of your dependents.
" 2ndly. That the messenger who brings that apology shall bring with him also the sum
or 37,700 dollars being the amount ascertained to have been plundered from the said British
Indian subjects.'"
. " 8 rdly. That your Highness give at the same time solemn written assurances that no
similar outrages and butchery shall in future take place."
This letter will be handed to your Highness's Governor of Khatif, who will be request
ed to pass a receipt for the same, and seventeen days will be allowed for the letter to reach
your Highness, and for your Highness to return a reply.
tt- i " If at , tlie e . x P irati( ?n of seventeen days the required satisfaction is not given by your
Highness, the British ships of war will destroy the forts on your seaboard, and confiscate your
xiighness s craft there Ijmg.
"Only this moment it has come to my knowledge that your Highness's troops have
attacked the fort of Shaim in the Muskat territories, and driven the British Indian subiects
there residing into the sea. One o£ these has perished in the snrf, the others have come on
board to complain.
104. The Highflyer left Sohar on the same day and anchored in the
outer harbour of Bahrein on the 13th January, to enable the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. to
visit Khatif and deliver the letter for the Amir of the Wahabis. This duty
accomplished, the Sighfiyer sailed on the 13th to Abu-Thabe, and then
cruised along the Pirate Coast, calling at the principal ports in her course.
On arrival at Ajman, Captain Pasley in compliance witU a suggestion communi
cated to him by the Resident before he left Sohar, proceeded to destroy a
AYahabi tower which dominated that part of the coast. This operation was
judiciously carried out by Captain Pasley without any loss of life to the garri-
son. On the 23rd January, the Highfiyer anchored at Elphinstone inlet, which
Uoionel Pelly had named as a rendezvous. A conference was held on the 25th
by the Resident and Captain Pasley, when it was explained by Colonel Pellv
that he was unable to accompany the Highflyer in the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. steamer to
Khatif, as the state of affairs at Bereymi, Bunder Abbas and Sur, required
his presence near the Sultan. He added a request that Captain Pasley would
if practicable, destroy two Wababi war-buggalows which were said to be in
the creeks near Khatif.
105. The Bighftyer left Elphinstone inlet on the 28th January, and
wordf-— S subse ' lueilt P rooeed ings will be best deseribed in his own
« I arrived off Khatif on the 30th, and on the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. 's return from the town
told me there was no answer from the Chief of the Wahabis ; that the Sheihh (or Governor
n''i T* u J r» n0 """fy for me > an<3 requested me to wait twelve days and hp
would be sent to Head-Quarters for an answer. *
''On the 2nd, I sent the boats armed to Khatif, in charge of Lionf-Prmnf TViu
with orders to bring out all the Wahabi Dhows that might be in the harbour, and to desW
the two war-bnggalows and a small fort called Burj Bullif which commands the boat channd
to Khatit, which service he accomplished satisfactorily, but there bein«- only one W «Tk'
Dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. in the harbour, and she not being worth removing, she was destroyed. y 0De " ahab,
" 0n the 3r d February, I sent the boats in charge of Lieutenanf T.™a. j
destroy, if possible, the fort of Demaum which is said to command the boat channe to"^^
it being a little past high water, he was unable to get the boom boat^ nJ, ^ Khatit,
use ; he, therefore, took the cutters, with as many men as thev could hnlrl / f? r 0f
and Fivmce, and materials for blowing up the tower he howLr on^rl ^ ^
yards of the beach, when he waded on shore and succeeded in effecting an t f ^ 200
but finding the garrison much stronger than he anticipated ffhp NnH * rai5C ® ? 0 tower i
me twelve men) and being unable to ffainThe bi! ^} ve M^t having told
regret to say, the loss of three men killed, and two officers and three 0 mf t0 ^ et , reat T 1
a copy of Lieutenant Long 's report, J wounded. I enclose