File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎176v] (136/152)

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signature confirming the deed of sale. I was not made aware of this sale, and
I have replied that I could not acquiesce in it without referring the matter for
the orders of Government. I am not in favour of the sale. Letter follows.
Letter No. 260, dated the 18th January 1S05.
From—Major-General H. M. Mason, Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Aden;
To—0. H. A. Hill, Esq., C.I.E., Acting Secretary to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. ,
Political Department.
In continuation of my telegram of to-day’s date, I have the honour to state
that at the interview which I had with Sultan Mohsin bin Saleh at the time of
writing my letter No. 142, dated the 9th January 1905, regarding Balahaf
affairs, he reported to me that he had received information that, taking
advantage of his absence, Sultan Saleh bin Abdulla had clandestinely sold a
portion of Balahaf to His Highness the Sultan of Shehr^ and Mokalla. He
seemed to view the news with some alarm. But I set his mind at rest by saying
that 1 did not credit the rumour, as nothing of the kind could happen without
the knowledge or consent of this 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. . The news has, however, been
confirmed by Sultan Ghalib, who has written* to me
° Appendix A. saying that a settlement has been arrived at between
Saleh bin Abdulla and himself, whereby the former has sold to him half of
Balahaf and Jila’, together with their dependencies on the sea-coast and inland,
that a document has been drawn up giving effect to the transaction, and that
nothing remains to be done except to have my signature on the document in
token of confirmation. I have replied t to Sultan
t Appendix B. . Ghalib to the effect that I cannot confirm such an
agreement which has been entered into without my knowledge or consent, and
that I am therefore reporting the matter to Government for orders.
2. Having regard to the opinion expressed by the Government of India
in paragraph 2 of Boreign Department letter No. 1094-E.A., dated the 5th July
1897, embodied in the preamable of Government Resolution No. 4653, dated
the 27th July 1897, it seems to me that Sultan Ghalib should have apprised
this 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. beforehand of the fact that the above negotiations were in
contemplation, even though Saleh bln Abdulla did not care to disclose it.
Moreover, the transaction in question, if accepted by Government, will, I am
certain, give rise to constant friction between the bultan of bhehr and Mokalla
and the co-sharers in the port of Balahaf, particularly as the sale of Saleh bin
Abdulla’s share has been effected without the knowledge and approval of the
latter. I would, therefore, recommend that Government should not accord their
confirmation to the transaction.
A.
Translated copy o£ a letter dated 8th A1 K’ada 1322 (14th January 1905) from Sultan Ghalib
bin Awadth Janbazjung, Governor of Mokalla, to Major-General H. M. Mason, 1 ohtical
Resident, Aden.
After compliments.
We inform your honour that Sultan Saleh bin Abdulla, of Balahaf, came to
us and a settlement has been mutually arrived at between him and us, accord-
in»‘ to which he has sold to us all his half share in Balahaf ^ and the half of
Jifa’ together with their dependencies on the sea-coast and inland. A docu
ment has, therefore, been made out, and nothing remains except your confirm
ation and signature thereon. The above referred to agreement will either be
brought by us or sent to you. We write this for your information. May you
be preserved.