File 2902/1916 ‘Treaties and Engagements between the British Government and the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast of the Persian Gulf’ [‎14v] (39/448)

Pr !
Do., pp. 220, 221.
Do., p. 226.
Do., p. 227.
Do., p. 229.
Do., p. 230.
Do., p. 232.
(b) In 1828, 1830 and 1847 agreements were entered into by these Chiefs-
for the suppression of slave trade, and for the search and, if necessary,
seizure by British warships of any of their vessels suspected of engaging
in this trade.
(c) In 1843 a Maritime 'Truce for ten years was signed by these Chiefs
“ being fully impressed with a sense of the evil consequences arising from
our subjects and dependents being prevented from carrying on the pearl
fishery without interruption on the banks, owing to the various feuds
existing among ourselves ” This Truce cancelled the right of the Chiefs,
implied in the general Treaty of 1820, to wage regular war on each other.
Under the Truce they agreed to refer disputes and cases of aggression to the
decision of the 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. . In 1853 the Truce was renewed in
perpetuity.
(d) In 1892 exclusive agreements were signed by all the Trucial Chiefs, on
behalf of themselves, their heirs and successors, that they will on no account
enter into any agreement or correspondence with any Power other than the
British Government; that without the consent of the British Government
they will not consent to the residence in their territories of the agent of any
other Government; and that they will on no account cede, sell, mortgage,,
or otherwise give for occupation, any part of their territories, save to the
British Government.
(e) In 1902 the Chiefs undertook to prohibit the importation of arms into,,
and their exportation from their territories.
(/) In 1911 the Sheikhs undertook not to give pearling or sponge fishing-
concessions, save with the prior approval of His Majesty’s Government.
(g) In 1922 similar undertakings were given regarding oil.
Aitehison, Vol. XII,
p. 207.
OMAN (MUSCAT).
(i) Treaties and Agreements with Great Britain.
(a) Treaty relations date from 1798, when an agreement was made by the
Imam with the East India Company to exclude the French and Dutch from
his territories “ whilst warfare shall continue between the English Company
and them.”
(b) In 1822 a Treaty for Suppression of the Slave Trade was signed,
providing inter alia for action by the Imam’s officers in Muscat territory, and
for seizure, outside certain limits, by the British of any vessels carrying slaves
to Christian countries.
(c) In 1839 a Commercial Treaty was concluded on a reciprocal most
favoured-nation basis, providing for the purchase, sale or hire of lands by
British subjects in Muscat territory, appointment of Consuls, protection of
Muscat subjects in British employ, extraterritoriality for British subjects,
unrestricted trade, limitation of import duties to 5 per cent, and freedom
from export duties.
(d) In 1839 and 1845 further enactments reinforced the right of British
vessels to detain and search and if necessary confiscate Muscat ships
suspected of carrying slaves, outside certain limits.
(e) In 1862 an Anglo-French Declaration was signed under which the
French Government and Her Majesty’s Government engaged reciprocallv to
respect the independence of the Sultans of Muscat and Zanzibar.
(/) In 1864 the Sultan agreed to permit the construction of, and to protect,
one or more telegraph lines in his own territories or in those leased by him
from Persia. But no sovereign right was to be conferred on the British
Government over any such territory. This was followed in 1865 by a similar
convention in respect of His Highness’ territories in Arabia and Mekran.
(g) In 1873 a further Treaty for the Abolition of the Slave Trade was
concluded. _ This extended the powers of seizure possessed by British
vessels to include seizure of Muscat vessels trading between Muscat ports-
the Sultan undertook to shut all slave markets in his dominions and to
protect liberated slaves.
(/>-) In 1891 a new Treaty of Commerce, Friendship and Navigation was
concluded, which cancelled the Treaty of 1839, but was framed on similar
lines. Coals, provisions, &c., for Her Majesty’s ships were to be exempt
from duty (Art. 6). No export duties were to be levied without the consent
of Her Majesty’s Government. This treaty, like that of 1839, provided a
capitulatory regime for British subjects.
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