'A Précis of the Relations of the British Government with the Tribes and Shaikhs of 'Arabistan By Lieutenant A T Wilson, Acting Consul for Arabistan' [‎9v] (23/143)

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tories and not paying the usual tribute to either power owing to the general
decline of the TuVka^n these parts and the troubles that then reined rn the
Persian Empire, lie became in a manner independent of eitbei and
became rich by possessing the whole revenue.
Judging, however, that he should in time be called on by both powers or an
account of the arrears due to them, foresaw that a Marine force would be his
greatest security and accordingly by degrees raised it to its present strengt .
Demands have been constantly made on him both by Turks and Persians foi t ese
arrears and he has constantly eluded the payment of them.
In 1767, Sulaiman Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. marched against them to Qubban whence the Chaub tied
to his fort at Daurack which is so situated as to render the coming at it a work
of great time and labour. By so doing he gained his ends, and by means
of presents at Baghdad bought his peace with the Turks when his fort was
near falling into the hands of ’Ali Agha, then General of the Turkish Army.
Thp “ Swallow ” assisted ? Ali Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders.
In 1763, a renewed attack on the Ea’ab was made by ’Ali Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , 1 two British vessels
assisting. They had several encounters with the j^allivats of the Chaub, but
peace being restored our vessels returned thither (^Basrah).
In 1765, Karim Khan attacked the Ka’ah, who fled to sea. Karim Khan
then destroyed the fort at Doraq. Karim Khan had asked for Turkish assist
ance by sea and was so disgusted at their dilatoriness and the ultimate
omission of the Turks to do anything that he returned and made no 'further
overtures for combined operations against the Kaah. (This is perhaps the
siege of Muhammad Kakhiah and Mister Zobaid el Farangi of Arab
history.)
During this period British ships w^ere occasionally lent to hhe Turks.
The Basrah Council wrote during 1767 to the Directors in London as
follows :—
It is with the greatest reluctance, we beg leave to assure your honours, that we
find ourselves under the necessity of applying to Karim Khan for settling the
tranquility of this Gulf: it is certainly in his power to do it. The Turks are
afraid to attempt the reduction of the Chaub without the Khan’s permission,
and this permission has not yet been granted.
It appeared that if the Turks were given permission by Karim Khan
they would do their best to reduce the Ka’ab-
Three British ships were stationed off the Haffar for the blockade of that
river, remaining small crafts were cruising between Basrah and the bar to
protect the import and export trade of Basrah.
In April 1767, Mr. Skipp was instructed to negotiate with Karim Khan.
The board wanted Karim Khan to arrange a firm and lasting peace between
the Ka’ab and the Turks and to obtain restitution for British losses
(Rs. 1,00,000), also to compel the Ka’ab give up Qubban to the Turks and to
reside entirely at Doraq or else to remain neutral and let the Turks endeavour
to recover their own territories themselves and noted that “ our honour and
interest preclude us from remaining neutral between the Turks and the
Chaub.”
In October 1767, news was received that Karim Khan had withdrawn his
protection from the Ka’ab and had given liberty to the British to attack him
(but unassisted by the Turks).
The Turks were, however, intimidated by Karim Khan’s threats and the
Basrah Agent writes that it is no good expecting them to do anything.
.We will endeavour all in our power to obtain tbe territory of Gaban for them or at
least so far influence tbe Khan in their favour as to obtain his neutrality
should they ever be surprised with spirit sufficient to obtain their own satisfac
tion from tbe Chaub. Wretches as they are, however, sbund policy, dictates
the appearance of friendship with them, and as we are now on the best of
terms so we will endeavour to continue.
A ship was always on duty blocking the Haffar at this time.
Mr. Skipp made an agreement in due course with the “ Vackeel of Per
sia ” Karim Khan at Shiraz, whereby inter alia the latter made himself res-
1 Native history records an unsuccessful attack by 'Ali Agha in 1761 Eabi-ul Sani (A.D. 1763).