File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎131v] (46/152)

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customs due's of Balaliaf, I would still not recommend the confirmation of the
transaction. Por, as I have already said in one of my earlier letters, it is sure
to give rise to constant friction between the Sultan of Shehr and Mokalla and
the co-sharers of Balahaf, as well as all the tribesmen of the Wahidi country.
5. In regard to the present distribution of the shares in the port of Balahaf,
Captain Hancock has gone into the matter at length, but I am unable to form
any definite opinion as to the actual share of Saleh bin Abdulla as there seem
to be certain factors which have given rise to complication. This point, how
ever, seems to be immaterial to the settlement of the unsatisfactory state of
affairs which has hitherto existed in Balahaf, and I agree vith Captain Han
cock in thinking that there is no reason for us to settle this private dispute
regarding the shares and that the proper mode of settlement would be for the
Sultans to refer the matter to the arbitration of some of their leading Sayids.
6. I enclose also, for the information of Government, notes of interview of
the final interview I have had with Sultan Saleh bin Abdulla on the 20th.
May 1005.
MEMORANDUM.
Balahaf Affairs.
In accordance with instructions, 1 left Aden on the morning of the 7th
instant by the U. I. M. S. “ Elphinstone ” and arrived at Balahaf shortly before
noon on the following day.
2. In the early afternoon, I interviewed the leading Mansab of Habban
and his cousin, ris., Sayid Salim bin Ahmed bin Ali bin Umar al Mehdthar
and Savid Kas’m bin AH bin Hussain bin Ali bin Umar al Mehdthar. This
particular family of Mansabs has frequently been referred to in previous
records of the Besidency since 1887, and is one of the leading families of Sayids
who, as reported in Major Hunter’s account of the Arab tribes in the vicinity
of Aden, exert great influence amongst the Wahidi tribes. Habban was in
former days the recognized capital of the Wahidi country and the seat of
Government and is still the largest and most important town in the district.
3. A little later, I interviewed two of the actual collectors of the customs of
the port, named Saleh bin Saeed bin Jarba and Hussein bin Abdulla bin Husein
bin Saleh, the latter of whom is a distant relation of the family of Sultans.
And after I had discussed the affairs of the port for some little time with them,
1 interviewed all the Sultans of Balahaf (except Husein, who was left in Aden)
and the Sultan of Bir Ali. Those present at this interview were—
Sultan Saleh bin Abdulla of Balahaf.
Sultan Hadi bin Saleh of Balahaf.
Sultan Mohsin bin Saleh of Balahaf.
Sultan Ahmed bin Saleh of Balahaf.
Sultan Saleh bin Ahmed of Bir Ali.
Abdulla bin Hussein, a cousin of the Sultans of Balahaf.
Sayid Omar bin Salim bin Aidaroos, a companion and supporter of Sultan Mohsin.
4. The interview lasted for some time and was rather difficult as it was
constantly interrupted by mutual recriminations between the Sultan. Sultan
Hadi bin Saleh was evidently non compos mentis and Sultan Mohsin and
Sultan Sahh of Balahaf were both at times violent and troublesome.
5. On the following morning I landed at Balahaf in company with
Lieutenant Hamilton of the B. I. M. S. “ Elphinstone ’* and Lieutenant
Hart of the Boval Garrison Artillery. I took an escort of six sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. of the
94th Bussell's Infantry under their Jemadar Sayid Jacoob who mounted
an independent guard over the fort which Sultan Mohsin has lately repaired
and where I held all the morning’s interviews. The escort behaved through
out the morning with excellent steadiness, and great credit is due to them and
also to the officers and crew of the E. 1. M. S. “ Elphinstone ” for the entire
absence of friction that attended all the proceedings.