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'Historical Memorandum on the Relations of the Wahabi Amirs and Ibn Saud with Eastern Arabia and the British Government, 1800-1934' [‎12v] (24/64)

The record is made up of 1 file (32 folios). It was created in 26 Sep 1934. 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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20
interference is not called for.” If, however, the Amirs purposes appealed to be to
encroach on Muscat, or if 41 the result of these proceedings is found detrimental
to our relations with the maritime Arabs and our measures for the suppression
of piracy,” a case for interference would arise, and in such an event it might
be desirable that the Government of bom bay should warn the Amir that our
forbearance would be extended no further. Such an expiession of the views
of the British Government would probably be sufficient to cause him to desist
from active operation against Muscat. At any rate, a demonstration ^by sea by
the British naval forces would produce the desned effect. If the Government
of Bombay considered (i that the mere declaration of our views 01 na\al
operations alone would in all probability effect wbat is desired ” they were given
discretion to proceed accordingly. Otherwise, they should refei for further
instructions to the Government of India. A strong na'val demonstiation^ was
subsequently made, and forcible remonstrances addiessed by the Political Kesident
both to the Amir and to his Lieutenant at Baraimi resulted in the conclusion of an
understanding between Muscat and the Amir.
102. In 1846 the Wahabi Amir was refused permission by the Government of
India to borrow aid against Bahrein from Trucial Oman A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. , a corresponding request
Lor. I, 881. from Bahrein being likewise refused.
Bahrein supported aga inst Wahabis, 1851.
Lor. 1 , 1112 . 103. In 1851 the Amir, consequent on British naval intervention, found
himself obliged to come to terms with the Sheikh of Bahrein.
Nejd Precis,
§ 61 .
Muscat supported in Negotiations with Wahabis, 1852.
104. In 1852 the Resident, on Abdulla, son of the Amir, entering Oman,
remonstrated sharply with him for detaining at Baraimi the maritime Chiefs at a
time when he (the Resident) desired their presence to discuss a renewal of the
maritime truce, and negotiations between Muscat and the Wahabis'w r ere facilitated
by a British naval demonstration along the Arabian coast.
Correspondence with Amir, 1855.
105. In January 1855 the Resident pointed out to the Imam that the British
Government regarded the Arab tribes on the coast as independent Powers. The
Amir’s reply is of some importance. He stated that “ being a dependant of the
Exalted Turkish Government I hold the confirmation of the Sultan to my con
tinuance in authority over all the Arabs. To exemplify this, when Mehemet Ali
Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. . . . deputed his envoy to me, professing to hold me dearer and more
cherished than his own sons, to induce me to forward his interests in respect of
the coast of Oman and elsewhere within the peninsula of Arabia and to offer no
hindrance or opposition ... I replied ‘ You know that I am a dependant of the
Sultan of the Faithful, from whom, if you possess orders to that effect, let me be
informed of them. Otherwise this thing is impossible.’ Thereupon war broke out
between me and him which lasted two years, and intelligence thereof duly reached
the Sublime Porte and they (the Sultan’s Government) greatly rejoiced and were
much pleased with me .and my influence and consideration with them increased
exceedingly. May God perpetuate their rule and the glory of their state.” “ With
regard to what you observe, that engagements have existed between the chiefs of
the coast of Oman and the Resident for a period of 30 years, this is well known to
me, their object being to guard against the occurrence of irregularities and the
harbouring of disorderly characters, nought else. This is an arrangement of which
I quite approve on the part of Residents—both those who have gone before and
those who come after—for there is an understanding between us and the British
Government of 100 years’ duration for the security of traders and travellers passing
on the seas. The coasts of Oman, however, and the territories thereof appertain
to the peninsula of Arabia under my control, and acknowledging my authority.
Further, the people of the districts in the interior of Oman and at the seats of the
Bedouin tribes are more powerful than, and have the command over, the inhabitants
of the coast and could not be restrained from preying upon and slaughtering them,
but that I maintain a Lieutenant with a force in Oman, who holds them back from
the people of the coast. These last are well assured of his protection ; otherwise,
were they abandoned to their fate, they could not subsist. Moreover, when, owing
to their negligence, disagreements, too long to be detailed, and bloodshed have

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Content

The file contains a historical memorandum written in response to claims advanced by Ibn Saud to ancestral rights on the eastern boundary of the Saudi Kingdom, and to suggestions put forward by him that at some period in the past arrangements were entered into with his ancestors, the Wahabi Amirs, by representatives of the British Government, which afforded some recognition of those claims. The memorandum was written by John Gilbert Laithwaite, 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. , and is a revised edition of a document published on 1 September 1934.

Extent and format
1 file (32 folios)
Arrangement

The file contains a table of content at the front (f 2), and is then divided into six sections (ff 3-27), followed by four appendices at the end (ff 28-31), of which one is a map (f 30).

Physical characteristics

Foliation - the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 32; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'Historical Memorandum on the Relations of the Wahabi Amirs and Ibn Saud with Eastern Arabia and the British Government, 1800-1934' [‎12v] (24/64), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/B437, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100028817534.0x000019> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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