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File 600/1905 Pt 3 'Aden Hinterland: Situation; Withdrawal of Political Agent from Dthala; Treaties with Haushabi, Kotaibi and Alawi chiefs' [‎181r] (357/508)

The record is made up of 1 item (253 folios). It was created in Oct 1906-Sep 1915. 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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n 2 r?' ^ 1 ° CQlon 0 ! Merewether replied in liis letter No, 155, dated the
I7tli October 1865, of which the third paragraph runs as follows :—
1 he state of ail airs now existing is nothing new. It has occurred
over and over again since our occupation of Aden and will occur again
unless some remedial measures are adopted. Hitherto matters have been
kept smooth and temporarily set to rights by occasional presents from us
(and those friendly to us who were desirous of order and quiet) given to
any tnbes who threatened to or actually did disturb the peace—a mode of
paying blackmail which requires little argument to prove could do no good
especially where^the Chief recipient was a man of rude, hasty and violent
habits, like the Padthli Chief, and one who>e avarice had become a perfect
passion. I should be deceiving Government were I not plainly to declare
that this system now and henceforth will not even have the limited effect
it has had up to the present time.”
26. As an alternative to his proposal for the establishment of a troop of
100 horsemen he suggested that a special monthly payment should be made to
the Abdali Sultan for which he should hind himself to put a stop to all plunder
ing, keep communications open and protect all travellers and merchants com*
ing into Aden. Leaving it to the Ahdali he thought that the force necessary
would he at least double that proposed for the Aden Troop. He suggested a
monthly payment of Rs. 5,500 to the Sultan of Lahej which he afterwards
raised to Its. 6,700.
27. He was, of course, aware that under his treaty of 1849 the Abdali
Sultan was already bound to keen the roads leading to Aden clear of plundering
parties and to protect all merchandise passing through his country ; punishing,
if in his power, all who plundered, molested or injured others. But he had on a
previous occasion, already referred to in this memo., urged that this the Sultan
had neither the means nor the ability to do,
28. Major-General Sir William N. Coghlan, K.C B., lent all possible
support to Colonel Merewether’s proposal. The following extracts of a letter
which he wrote from London on 11th October 1865 are of particular interest:—
“ I understand Lieutenant Colonel Merewether’s ultimate aim to he limited to
establishment of a mounted police, whose duty shall be confined to keeping
open the avenues of approach to Aden. Thus restricted in circuit and design
there would be little danger of the patrols embroiling us with the tribes.
Under the control indeed of the present 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. I do not foresee the
probability of any such complications : whereas, on the other hand, I am fully
convinced that the repression of violence on our borders will he followed by
increased tranquillity in the Interior generally and that the security resulting
therefrom will lead to a new era of prosperity among the Arabs. In that
prosperity the settlement of Aden will participate largely.*’
29. The following is also of interest :—“ I fully concur that the measures
proposed, far from tending to incite the other tribes against us, would be regarded
by them with satisfaction. These have latterly begun to appreciate the
material benefit of commercial intercourse with Aden and of peaceful pursuits
generally, and they are no less vexed than we are that those advantages should
be constantly imperilled by a set of lawless marauders.”
30. Amongst the correspondence which took place at this time there is an
interesting letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Merewether to the Bight Honour
able Sir C. Wood, Bart., G.C.B., M.P., dated Aden, October 30th. The whole
letter merits perusal, but the following extracts are of special interest. Referr
ing to the state of disorder then prevailing in the Interior, he wrote :
««The consequence now is that finding the benefit to he derived from
agriculture so nneertaini the inhabitants have lost all interest in it and look
for means of livelihood in merely supplying wood, grass and water for the
Aden market, and with the proceeds buy grain for their daily sustenance
from our scanty store. Thus, instead of being a healthy support to us fhey
are like a hungry parasite feeding on a living body gradually and
unceasingly diminishing its strength.*’

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Part 3 of the file relates to the withdrawal of troops and the 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. from Dthala [al-Ḍāli‘].

The correspondents include:

The correspondence reports and discusses matters related to the withdrawal from Dthala and the subsequent treaty negotiations with tribes of the Aden hinterland, including:

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1 item (253 folios)
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English in Latin script
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File 600/1905 Pt 3 'Aden Hinterland: Situation; Withdrawal of Political Agent from Dthala; Treaties with Haushabi, Kotaibi and Alawi chiefs' [‎181r] (357/508), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/74/3, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100034189575.0x0000a7> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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