File 2830/1914 Pt 1 'Persian Gulf: Sponge Fisheries. Sponge Exploration Syndicate.' [‎214r] (432/488)

Extract from Enclosures in Government of India Letter
No. 99, Secret, dated 7th June 1892.
No. 29, dated Bushire the 15th March 1892.
From Lieutenant-Colonel A C. Talbot, C.I.E., 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 the
Pers,an Gulf, and Her Britannic Majesty’s Consul-General for Pars, &c„
to the Secretary to the erovernment of India, Foreign Department.
, ^j^eference to the correspondence ending with your letter No. 133 C.E.
dated 24th Noremher 1891, I have the honour to forward in Quadruplicate’
m Enghsh and Arabic for ratification by his Excellency’ theVceroy Ind
Governor Genual of -ndia in Council, an agreement concluded with the
six Trucial Chiefs on the Pirate Coast.
2 The Chief of Abu Dhabi expressed the hope that he would receive the
protection of the British Government, and the same consideration from
myself that ne had met with from my predecessor. I told him that I could
readily give him a promise as regards the second point, but that without
specific instructions,^ I could not pledge Government to any particular course
of action, though this would doubtless he what was most appropriate to each
occasion as it arose.
3. As the agreement of 22nd December 1880, signed by the Chief of
Bahrain, contained no provision against a disposal of territory, I thought it
desirable to obtain a document to that effect from him, and thus complete
the series for the whole coast. The Sheikh preferred one identical in terms
with that signed by the Trucial Chiefs to a declaration in a single article,
and it has, therefore, been executed in that form, though the first two
clauses are really superfluous in his case. I trust that my action in this
respect will meet with approval.
I, Zaeed bin Khalifah, Chief of Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Lieutenant-
Colonel A. C. Talbot, C.I.E., Political Besident, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , do hereby
solemnly hind myself and agree, on behalf of myself, mv heirs and successors,
to the following conditions, viz. :—
1st. That I will on no account enter into any agreement or
correspondence with any Power other than the British Government.
2nd.— That, without the assent of the British Government, I will not
consent to the residence within my territory of the agent of any other
Government.
3rd.—That I will on no account cede, sell, mortgage, or otherwise give
for occupation any part of my territory, save to the British Government.
Dated Abu Dhabi, 6 th March 1892, corresponding to 5 th Shaaban 1309
Hijri.
Signature of Zaeed bin Khalifah, Chief of Abu Dhabi.
A. C. Talbot, Lieut.-Col.,
Besident, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
Lansdowne,
Viceroy and Governor-General of India.
Batified by His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General of India at
Simla on the twelfth day of May 1892.
H. M. Durand,
Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
S. 23.