File 522/1922 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Internal' [‎170r] (344/616)

From
To
His Highness SHAIKH ISA BIN ALI ALKHALIFA,
K.C.I.E., C.s.l.
The Right Hon’ble
The Secretary of State for India in Council.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,
1. Shaikh Isa Bin Ali Alkhalifa, ruler of Bahrein in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , a
staunch friend of the British Government feel constrained to appeal to your Lordship
for redress against certain proceedings of the Consular Authorities at the Gulf
marked by grievous abuse of official power and authority, and directed not only
against me personally, my prestige and independence, but also against the liberties
and sentiment of my subjects and the rights~and interests of my State. Against
these proceedings I have in vain sought protection and relief frcm the Government
of India, who have declined to accede to my prayer even to the extent of ordering
an inquiry into my grievances and complaints, which, I submit, was the least
measure of relief to which I may claim to be entitled, or to take any action in the
matter.
2 . Ever since the accession of the conqueror and first Shaikh of Bahrein
in the H. year 1197 (A. D. 1 \"]S3 ) the Chiefs of that principality have
been, and have been acknowledged as independent rulers enjoying and exercising
full sovereign rights and powers, and entitled to the help and protection of the
British Government so long as they carried out their engagements under the
treaties concluded with Government.
3. I was installed on the throne of Bahrein in the H. year 1286
with the full approbation of the people of Bahrein including the heads of all the
tribes. My long rule of 58 years has been marked by peace and contentment
of the people, and has been in consonance with their genius and sentiment; and
during the whole of this long period I have enjoyed the full and unswerving
confidence and affection of my subjects who have recorded in emphatic and
unmistakable terms their verdict of full approval of, and satisfaction with, my rule.
4. I have scrupulously observed and performed my obligations under the
treaties with the British Government, and have been the loyal friend of
Government who were pleased to honour me with the distinction of
K.C.I.E., and C.S.I. My relations with the British Consulate at Bahrein were
consistently marked by good-will and cordiality until the arrival on the scene of
Major Daly, whose career, I say with regret, has been marked by a policy which
has culminated in serious discontent and resentment of the Arab nation, and in
my summary and high-handed deposition from the position of the ruler of
Bahrein.