'Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf. Vol I. Historical. Part II. J G Lorimer. 1915' [‎2638] (1155/1262)

2638
English^ which was in effect an epitome of British history in the Arab
waters of the Gulf during the preceding century and ran as follows
Chiefs of the Aral Coast who are in Treaty relations with the British
Government, —I have come here as the representative in the great Empire
of India of the British authority which you and your fathers and fore-fathers have
known and dealt with for more than a hundred years; and my object is to show
you, that though you live at some distance from the shores of India, you are not
forgotten by the Government, but that they adhere to the policy of guardianship
and protection which has given you peace and guaranteed your rights for the best
part of the century ; and that the first Viceroy of India who has ever visited these
waters does not quit them without seeking the opportunity of meeting you in person
and of renewing the assurances and engagements by which we have been so long
united.
Chiefs, your fathers and grandfathers before you have doubtless told you of the
history of the past. You know that a hundred years ago there were constant trouble
and fighting in the Gulf ; almost every man was a marauder or a pirate ; kidnapping
and slave-trading flourished ; fighting and bloodshed went on without stint or respite ; no
ship could put out to sea without fear of attack ; the pearl fishery was a^ scene 01 an
nual conflict; and security of trade or peace there was none. Then it was that the
British Government intervened and said that, in the interests of its own subjects and
traders, and of its legitimate influence in the seas that wash the Indian coasts, this
state of affairs must not continue. British flotillas appeared in these waters. British
forces occupied the ports and towns on the coast that we see from this deck. The
struggle was severe while it lasted but it was not long sustained. In 1820 the first
general Treaty was signed between the British Government and the Chiefs; and of
these or similar agreements there have been in all no fewer than eighty In 1839 the
Maritime Truce was concluded, and was renewed from time to time until the year 1853
when it was succeeded by the Treaty of Perpetual Peace that has lasted ever since.
Under that Treaty it was provided that there should be a complete cessation of hosti
lities at sea between the subjects of the signatory Chiefs, and a f£ perfect maritime
truce"—to use the words that were employed— 4 ' for evermore ' ^that in the event of
aggressions on anyone by sea, the injured parties should not retaliate, but should refer
the matter to the British Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; and that the British Govern
ment should watch over the peace of the Gulf and ensure at all times the observance of
the Treaty. Chiefs, that Treaty has not, of course, prevented occasional trouble and
conflict; it has sometimes been neglected or infringed ; but on the whole it has well
deserved its name ; and under it has grown up a condition of affairs so peaceful and
secure that the oldest among you can only remember as a dim story the events of the
past, while the younger have never seen warfare or bloodshed on the seas. It is now
eleven vears since the last disturbance of the peace occurred.
Chiefs, out of the relations that were thus created, and which by your own consent
constituted the British Government the guardian of inter-tribal peace, there grew up
political ties between the Government of India and yourselves, whereby the British
Government became your overlords and protectors, and you have relations with no
other Power. Every one of the States known as the Trucial States A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. has bound itself,
as you know, not to enter into any agreement or correspondence with any other Power,
not to admit the agent of any other Government, and not to part with any portion of
its territories. These engagements are binding on every one of you, and you have
faithfully adhered to them. They are also binding in their reciprocal effect upon the
British Government, and as long as they are faithfully observed by the Chiefs there
is no fear that anyone else will be allowed to tamper with your rights or liberties.
Sometimes I think that the record of the past is in danger of being forgotten, and
there are persons who ask—Why should great Britain continue to exercise these powers?
The bistoiy of your States and of your families, and the present condition of the
Gulf, are the answer. We were here before any other Power, in modern times, had
shown its face in these waters. We found strife and we have created order. It was
our commerce as well as your security that was threatened and called for protection.
At every port along these coasts the subjects of the King of England still reside and
trade. The great Bmphc of India, which it is our duty to defend, lies almost at your
gates. We saved you ircm extinction at the hands of your neighbours. We opened
these seas to the ships of all nations, and enabled their flags to fly in peace# We have
pot seized or held your territory. We have not destroyed your independence but have