'File 19/109 I (C 12) Bahrein Chief's relations with British Govt. and other Powers' [‎109r] (228/411)

Though it will saenx that no benefit is anticipated by
the British Government in taking possession of these
parts and that,moreover>they always give large sums
of money to the Sheikhs,out of their pocket,in the
shape of presents,donations and aidf but those who
are versed in politics know wall that the only poli
tical object of the aid Government is to make en
croachments and obtain possessions in this Gulf or
the sea of Oman. Why the Persian Government have lost
sight of their interests in Bahrein is not necessary
to be described .(here) and the reasons are well known
to all and you can read them without my reducing them
to writing. At first the English had only a Consular
Agent,who was often from amongst the people of Bushir e
and was under the Eushire 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. superintending
over the Hindus who were trading in that pla,ce. It is
now some time since several firms belonging to the
English and the Germans have been opened there (i. e.
at Manama whib is the centre of the island) and the
steamers of the British India Co and of the German Co
etc touch there every week and every month.
The re sidenee of the British Consular
Agent consisted,previously,of a building belonging to
the people of that place which used to be taicen on
rant. Six years ago,the Government constructed a
grand building with considerable expense,and replaced
the old Consular Agent by a Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and the
whole control over the (local) administration is in
their hands; but others have neither Consul nor Flag,
and whenever they (other nationa.litis) have desired
the Sheikhs (to permit the establisliment of the Con
sulate) he has yeilded,but the English have presented
it. The Customs of that place has been formed at Rs
130600/ per annum by a Hindu but, he certainly receives
an income of more than Rs 600000 per annum. Two years
ago,the British Government made urgent requests that
they themselves should adminster the Customs and pay
the