'File [11/4] Salute by H.H. the Sultan to Political Officers when leaving and returning to Muscat' [‎21r] (41/60)

Discontinuance of the practice of saluting Poltl. Officers when leaving Muscat.
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. during my absence, to ascertain the reason of the omission, and I
understand that be represented the matter to Your Highness, and that you told
him that you had made a rule not to fire a salute both on the arrival and
departure of the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , and that if a salute be fired on the arrival of
the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , no salute would be fired on his departure. I have the
honour to observe that this is a departure from established custom and prece
dence, and I feel sure that I have only to point 'this out to ensure that Your
Highness will accord to the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. both on his arrival and departure
those marks of consideration and esteem which the Sultans of Muscat have
always shown to the representative of the British Government at their court.
I was the more surprised at the omission in the present instance, as, on the
morning of the day of my departure, I paid Your Highness an official visit, and,
if I remember right, Your Highness was particular in asking me at what
hour I should take my departure.
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.Translated purport of a letter from His Highnkss Skyyid Fkysal bin Tubki, Sultan of
Muscat, to Major J. Hayes Sadler, Her Britannic Majesty's I’olit'cd Agent and
Consul, Muscat, dated the 2nd Shahban 1311 = 9th February 1894.
After compliments. —We have received your esteemed letter of the 21st
Bajab and have understood its contents regarding what you have brought to
our notice in connection with the firing of a salute on your departure from the
town (Muscat) in addition to a salute on your arrival.
May you know that the rules of official procedure and etiquette are obli
gatory and fixed, and that they cannot be changed or added to, and that it is
not proper either to add to or to detract therefrom.
If your request had only reference to yourself personally, it would not
be difficult for us to accede to it and to act accordingly, hut you know that
others will require the same and this would be inconvenient.
We hope from your universal favours and assistance what we hope for
from your kindness, for your position with us is exalted and God forbid that
we should lessen it; you are wise and know what is right, and we are very
well disposed towards you.
No. 5, dated the 13th February 1894=6th Shahban 1311.
From — Major J. Hayes Sadler, Her Britannic Majesty’s Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and
Consul, Muscat,
To—His Highness Seyyid Feysal bin Turki, Sultan of Muscat.
After compliments —I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your
Highness’s esteem*ed letter of the 2nd Shahban 1311=9th February 1894, and to
reciprocate the friendly sentiments you have been good enough to express to-
wards myself. 1 regret, however, that the representation I made in my letter
of the 29th January has not met with Your Highness’s acceptance. Your High
ness is aware that up to August last the arrival of the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at, and his
departure from, Muscat have always been recognised by a salute, and it was be
cause I considered that a departure from this old-established ci stom might give
rise to misunderstanding, and not because I had any desire that the procedure
customary on those occasions should be added to, that I did myself the honour of
pointing out to Your Highness in a friendly way that a new departure had been
made, trusting that Your Highness would, on my friendly representation, con
tinue, not merely to myself personally, but to others who succeed me, the custom
which was always followed by your predecessors, and until quite lately, by
Your Highness yourself.
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