'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎38r] (75/344)

Part II— Chap. XVII.
55
CHAPTER XVII.
AGREEMENT OF AMIR HASSAN BIN REHMA, JO ASM I CHIEF
AT RAS-UI-KHOIA, 1815.
138-A. On the 1st of February 1815 the Bombay Governmpnt received of
following despatch from the Resident at Bushire, dated the 11th October 1815, pp. 122-125.
1814, containing information of the arrival at Bushire of a Vakil Elected representative or attorney, acting in legal matters such as contracting marriage, inheritance, or business; a high-ranking legal official; could also refer to a custodian or administrator. from Amir
Hassan bin Rehma, the Chieftain of the Joasmis, enclosing at the same time
letters from that Chieftain and Abdulla bin Sand the Chieftain of the Waha-
bis and stating that he had agreed on the JPreliminary article of Treaty with
the first -mentioned person.
I have the honour to acquaint that on the 2nd instant a vakeel on the part of Ameer
Hussen bin Rehmah Joassemee arrived here in a despatch boat from Katife with the letters
from the Wahabee Chief Abdalla bin Saoud and Hassan bin Rehmah. copy and translation
of which I have the honour to enclose, from which documents the Ilon'ble hoard will observe
that the Wahabee Ihief by no means approved of thp conduct of Hassan bin Rehmah and
his tribe; and has in a manner bound himself to compel the latter to deliver up such piop -rty
as we can prove them to have captured. At the same time Hussan bin Hehmah continued
to deny having captured any British property arid hopes that we will not be too severe in
scrutinizing the past; the Hon'ble Board will also observe that he has authorized Hassan
bin Mohumed bin Gaith the bearer of these letters to enter into engagements with me;
after a great deal of conversation with him on their late predatory conduct, and insisting
on their leaving off this mode of life, if tliey wished to enter into engagements of friendship
with the British Government ; Hassan bin Gaith replied they were anxious to be on the best
of terms with the British Government, whose good-will they should study h-reafter to deserve
and that we might rest assured any engagements that might be entered into with us would
never be infringed; that if they respected our flag ard subjects and did all they could to
promote our wishes, what more could we desire of them, and that therefore hoped w e would
not insist on them leaving off cruizing against those States who were at enmity with them;
as according to the Law of Nations amongst the Arabs blood could only be repaid by blood ;
that if they were not to follow this kind of warfare they would lo>e their rank amongst the
Arab States; and not only that but that those tribes w r ho were at enmity uith them would
come to their very houses to attack them ; besides this they were compelled by the Wahabee
Chief to wage war against the Mahomedan States of the Gulph to bring them under the
yoke and religion of Wahabee and to respect the British flag and subjects to whom they were
directed to be attentive an! to afford every assistance in their power and cultivate their alliance;
that if we would guarantee on their leaving off this mode of proceeding that none of the Arab
States would molest them or their vessels, and that if they did so we would chastize them for
it and restore their property back, as also guarantee their safety from the vengeance of the
Wahabee Chief, for not obeying his commands they could then leave off this way of life, but
otherwise their natural situation in the Gulph was such that they were compelled to be enemies
to the greatest portion of it; as there was a great deal of truth in what Hassan bin Gaith
said regarding tlie peculiar situation and the system among the Arabs as also their peculiar
religion so different from the other Mahomedan sects which of itself makes them enemy of
all other Llam sects, as also a 1 ! other Islam sects to be their enemies, and as Hassan bio
Gaith says his Chief and relation Hassan bin Rehma intend deputing this season to the
Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. a vakeel fully authorised to ratify and enter into more full and firm engage
ments with the British Government; I have therefore after mature deliberation entered into
few preliminary articles with Hassan bin Gaifch, agreeing to drop all claim and forget what
has past upon certaiu conditions ; 1 have been indmed to this from the circumstance of our not
having proof that the boats taken by them last year off Scind had either passes or colours, at
the same time I have stipulated that all property as may have been taken from the Island of
Khen belonging to the Ahmed Shah shall be restored and that the port of the Joassemees
shall be open to all British subjects; they are also in future to hoist colours different from the
ether Arab States which are simple red. The articles entered into have duly signed and
sealed to three copies by Hassan bin Gaith and myself, one of which I have delivered to him
to be kept by Hassan bin Rehma, another I have now the honour to enclose for the considera
tion for the Right Honourable the Governor in Council, and the third I have retained here and
hope it will meet with the approbation and ratification of the Hou'ble Board.
Hassan bin Gaith and his attendants I have considered as the guests of the Hon 'ble
Company during their stay here and in consequpntly accommodated them in the Facto.y; their
expenses with a few presents made to Hassan bin Gaith and some Europe articles sent
along with him for Hassan bin Rehma the Joas-emee Chief on the conclusion of the en ir .iiie-
ments, I trust will be authorised by the Hon'ble Board, as the whole amount does not exceed
1,200 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. .j