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Letter No 8 of 1823 from John Macleod, Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushere [Bushire] to Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to the Government, Political Department, Bombay [‎13r] (3/38)

The record is made up of 19 folios. It was created in 27 Feb 1823. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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The letter is reporting the Resident's proceedings and findings from a recent trip to the Arabian coast. It outlines his visits to Rumss, Rassool Khyma [Ra's al-Khaymah], Jeziratool Humra, Umal Guwyn [Umm al Qaywayn], Eymaum [Ajman], and Sharga [Sharjah]. For each place he reports on the Shaikh that holds power, and their disposition towards the General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf An agreement made in 1820 between Britain and ten tribal rulers of the eastern Arabian coast, often seen as marking the start of 150 years of British hegemony in the region. (1820). It notes if anyone that signed the treaty has since been deposed, and reports on the attitude of the new Shaikh in power. It is noted that all accept their obligations under the treaty, but that not everyone is equally informed as to what these are.

It notes that most of the Shaikhs met by the Resident all acknowledge the supremacy of Sooltan bin Suggur [Sulṭān bin Saqr]. However, it reports that the Resident has explained to all parties that the British consider each individual Shaikh to be responsible for the vessels at their own ports, regardless of who they pledge allegiance to.

The only exception to this is noted as Shaikh Rasched bin Hoomied, who does not acknowledge Sooltan bin Suggur's supremacy, but instead claims to be allied with Sa‘īd bin Sultān Āl Sa‘īd, the Imam of Muscat, and that he is suffering attacks from him as a result. Sooltan bin Suggur however claims the Shaikh has broken a pledge of allegiance to him.

The Resident's discussion with Sooltan bin Suggur at Sharga is outlined in detail. The discussion centred on his obligations under the treaty, and the responsibilities of the Shaikhs that accept his authority. His conflict with the Imam of Muscat was also discussed; the Resident explained that while the British desire peace in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , they do not claim the power to enforce it, or to settle disputes between chiefs. The Resident also briefly reports on encounters with other Shaikhs that met him at Sharga, and mentions that Captain Frederick Faithfull successfully completed his arrangements for stationing cruizers and the renewal of ships registers.

Next the letter outlines the Resident's visit to the islands of Bidda and Bahrain. It outlines his discussion with the Shaikhs of Bahrain in detail; in addition to covering the obligations of the General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf An agreement made in 1820 between Britain and ten tribal rulers of the eastern Arabian coast, often seen as marking the start of 150 years of British hegemony in the region. (1820), they discussed their dispute with the Imam of Muscat, their dispute with Rama bin Jauber [Raḥmah bin Jābir], and the recent capture of a Bahrani batille (a small sea going vessel) by HMS Sophie , which was itself caught in the act of seizing a boat from Bushire.

The letter outlines the Resident's views concerning the state of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and the condition of its chiefs. It starts with Sooltan bin Suggur, whom the Resident regards as the most prominent. It outlines the Resident's understanding of his current position and ambitions with respect to the other Shaikhs on the Arabian coast, and his political situation in relation to the Imam of Muscat, along with Rasched bin Hoomied. It also outlines the size of Sooltan bin Suggur's current fleet. It explains the Resident's view that an Arabian coast controlled by him could be a desirable outcome for the British, but that it is not a course without risks, and the Resident is uncertain how to respond to his request to be able to rebuild the land facing fortifications at Sharga. It is recommended that a native agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. is placed with Sooltan bin Suggur to facilitate future communication.

Following on from Sooltan bin Suggur, the letter outlines the position of a number of other chiefs along the Arabian coast, starting with Shaikh Jahnoon. It outlines the circumstances, resources, and allegiances of each chief. At the same time, it discusses the likelihood that some will cause trouble for the British, and includes recommendations from the Resident on how they should be handled.

A report on the slave trade in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. is included, as the Resident has observed that slaves are still sold in the markets at Bahrain and Muscat. It concludes that article nine of the treaty is unclear, and that the Resident cannot be sure how it is interpreted by the various other parties of the treaty; the Resident therefore recommends that the article is either not enforced, or that it is enforced on the basis that only the taking of slaves is forbidden, but that they may still be purchased then transported. It is explained that the British have little hope of stopping the slave trade so long as other powers in the Gulf continue to permit its practice.

The letter explains that the Resident is uncertain as to the effect the removal of British troops from Kishm [Qeshm] will have, as he believes that they have been instrumental in ensuring peace in the region. It is explained that plans to maintain a naval force in the area have convinced the Arab chiefs that the British are not ceding control, but that the proposed force is not sufficient.

The Resident also reports on where the Jawassmees [ Qawāsim One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. ] get their arms and material for ship buildings. The letter also outlines their principle means of income, but the Resident believes it to be currently insufficient to survive on commerce alone.

Enclosed is a communication from the 'Pirate Chiefs' (named in the signature in full) to the Governor of Bombay, dated January 1822. The enclosed letter proclaims that its signatories are under the authority of Sooltan bin Suggur.

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19 folios
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English in Latin script
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Letter No 8 of 1823 from John Macleod, Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushere [Bushire] to Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to the Government, Political Department, Bombay [‎13r] (3/38), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/30, ff 12-30, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023649081.0x000024> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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