File 1508/1905 Pt 1 'Bahrain: situation; disurbances (1904-1905); Sheikh Ali's surrender; Question of Administration Reforms (Customs etc)' [‎18v] (41/531)

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reside. In this connection 1 have been much gratified to find from the re Po. rt s
of Captain Prideaux, your 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. , that the value of merchandise which
has come and gone to and from your port of Bahrein has greatly increased
during the past year. This is indeed very satisfactory from one point ol view •
but it at the same time accentuates the regret which I feel by reason < of your
not personally benefiting by the improvement as you should ; and this is owing
to the conditions under which you farm out your Customs in advance and draw
the income before it is due. Under such conditions all the profits go to the
farmers and you yourself are denied the complete benefit of your revenue.
Seeing that this is the case, I am anxious to make you a friendly personal sug
gestion for your consideration with a view to the improvement of your circum.
stances and the replenishment of your treasury.
What suggests itself to my mind is this: If you agree, when I inform my
Government of the increase in the prosperity of Bahrein 1 would be prepared to
suggest to them that they should make you an offer on business lines to take
over the Customs Farm for three years and should pay you for it 3 00,000
rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. per annum ; and that from the date of taking them over they should make
you an advance, from these 3 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , of a sum of 1 2 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees .
Then you would be able to liquidate from the amount advanced all the debts
which vou at present owe and to set your mind at ease on_ that score. _ And this
amount w’hich v r ould be paid to you in advance, you might conveniently pay
back by instalments of 50,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. per annum from the Customs revenue :
and the yearly balance of 2,50,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. might be paid to you at _ the rate of
20,000 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. per month subject to deductions for expenses of administration.
On the expiry of the three years aforesaid, Government and yourself might
examine the accounts and decide whether the amount in future required to be
enhanced or reduced, and a new figure could be fixed according to requirements.
The above details are my own suggestion made to you personally in a
friendly way, but I could not mention them to the Great Government vainly. I
hope therefore that you will kindly send me an answer, as to whether or not you
are prepared to consider the matter seriously and favourably. lam sure that
you would find my proposals most profitable to yourself and your house and l
hope that your friendliness will prompt you to ponder over them and give thena
full consideration.
This is what had to be explained. May you be preserved and Salaam.
Translation of a letter from Sheikh Esa bin Ali Al Khalifah, to Major
P. Z. Cox, C.LE., Bashire, dated the 2nd Rajab 1324 {23rd August 1906).
After compliments —I am in receipt of your esteemed letter dated Jamadi*Al-
Thani of the current year, and I have been duly and fully informed of what you con
veyed to me, especially your advice to me about the Customs and your wish that
more of the great profit should reach me. This is due to your pure kindness and
hearty solicitude for my welfare. But, great and good Sir, several times previously
have I begged to be excused about the leasing out of the Customs, the reason being
that 1 expected a greater return of revenue from them and that I am assured of
the undesirability (of farming it out) to the farmers. I have therefore restrict
ed myself in taking (advances) from the said farmers, believing that on the
expiry of their term of farm l will appoint one who will hold the receiving o£
revenue. Now in the term of their farm is left no more than some months over
a year, after which the Customs will come under my hands, and whatever
increase will result will accrue to me.
Your friend begs you to accept his excuse.