‘File XXVIII/1 Internal Politics & Relations with Oman. Narrative of Muscat Affairs 1872-1893’ [‎148r] (295/316)

1
1 iff . / l v
principally occurred at Mattrah is not shown in the annexed statement, as the owners of most
of the larger buglows belong to other places whilst the smaller craft which entirely belonged
to the people of Oman represents a loss of about $25,000.”
927. The letter concluded : —
“ I have succeeded in tracing in an old manuscript an account of only one similar storm
which occurred here on the night of the 4th of Jemadee-al-
(A. D. 865, 2nd May.) Awal 251 A. H., when the whole of the country between
Gobreh and Sohar was laid waste and several people were carried away by the overflooded
condition of the valleys into the sea. The country round Simayil, Keika, Bidbid, on to Sohar
was completely flooded and the last town itself was nearly destroyed by the inundation of the
AVadi Sailan.”
928 Invitation of His Highness the Sultan to the Family of
Sayyid Abdul Aziz to live at Maskat—On the 27th June the Political
Agent wrote as follows: —
E\tl. A, Oct. 1S90,
Nos. 251-262, vide
■ 'No. 251.
“ His Highness the Sultan has deputed Shaikh Rashid bin Aziz, the Wali of Semaeel,
to Samad, to invite the children of Sayyid Abdul Aziz and other members of his household,
to come and live under His Highness’s protection in Maskat for the present.”
929. The invitation was not accepted.
secret e., sept. 1^90, 930 . Outline of events preceding the conclusion of the New Com-
1<u "' No*' 254 . * lde mercial Treaty with Maskat.—The correspondence on the subject com-
m -mi r n a ;a«nr Rnahirp t n mences with a letter from Colonel Ross, to the
Foreign Department, dated ist Sep- Government of India, dated 1st September 1887,
tember 1887. suggesting a revision of the existing Commercial
Treaty (of the 31st May 1839) on the grounds that a New Commercial Treaty
had been concluded with the Sultan of Zanzibar.
Secret E.. Sept. 1890,
Nos. 254-266, vide
No. 255.
931. To this a reply was sent requesting the submission of a draft of the
treaty revised in accordance with Colonel Ross’
views for the consideration of the Government of
ludia.
932. The Foreign Secretary in acknowledging
its receipt wrote :—
to the Gov-
No. 20«9-E., Foreign Department,
to Resident, Persian (julf, dated 14th
October 1887.
Secret E.f Sept. 1890, Foreign Department No. 1076-E.,
Nos/254-2(i6, dated Simla, 28th May 1888, to Resi*
vide No. 258. dent, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
“ In reply I am to state that the terms of your draft * * * ^ seem
ernment of India to be generally suitable to the circumstances of Maskat ”
Under this letter certain alterations were made shown in the revised draft
returned therewith and further information regarding other points was called
for. The letter concluded :—
“ It will be understood that you are not at present authorised to execute the treaty, but
merely to ascertain that the Sultan is prepared to accept it.
Secret e., Sept, isgo, 933. Colonel Ross replied that the death of His Highness Sayyid lurki
Nos. 254 - 266 , would probably necessitate a postponement of the
No. 218 , dated Bnshire, 12 th July negotiations, but he submitted the information
1888, Resident, to Foreign Department. 0 rQ}gR £ 0 j»
Secret e., Sept. 1890, 934 The Government of India concurred with the opinion that it was not
S M Fo(eign No . 1654 .e., probable negotiations could be usefully entered into
^ dated Simla, the 15 th August 1888 , to under the present condition of affairs in Maskat,
Resident. hut in order to enable Colonel Ross to act when a
suitable opportunity occurred, instructions were conveyed :
{a) Approving a draft article (No. VII).
(6) Stating there was no objection to the insertion of a clause re the
enhanced taxation of alcohol.
(c) Sanctioning the postponement of the question of restriction of the
importation of arms.
- Secret e., Sept 1890, 935. Jn April 1890 Colonel Ross wrote, with
Nq 4 "^’ No * 100, dftted Bns1,ire 23rd A P lil reference to the correspondence quoted in the
1890, Resident, to Foreign Department. precedirlg paragraph, Submitting : —
“ The text of a New Commercial Treaty which has been concluded with the Sultau of
Maskat subject to ratification by His Excellency the Viceroy and Governor-General of India
in Council." 205