Operations of Ottoman Military and Naval Forces in the Persian Gulf [‎564v] (26/34)

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Dated 3rd Jemadee-oos-Sanee 1288, received 14th August 1871.
Translated purport of a letter from Mahomed bin Sanee, Chief of Guttur, to Hajee Abdool
Nubbee.
I beg to inform you that some days ago Abdullah hen Subah, Chief of
Koweit, arrived at Guttur with a deputy from Fereck Pacha; they ordered m^
to establish a Turkish flag and I was unable to refuse hoisting the flag owing
to their having supremacy on the land. You know also that we belong to the
land, and are unable to refuse to obey their orders.
I hear now from them that they have seized Lahsa and those parts. God
knows what may hereafter happen.
Major Smith, Assistant Resident, arrived here, and remained one day. Did
not land and gave me no reply. I did not ascertain what object he had. He
left for Oman.
I enclose a letter for the Resident, and beg you will deliver it and explain
our condition to him, in that we are willing to have peace at sea and obedient
to him and will not help towards disturbing the peace of the sea. But in regard
to establishing the Turkish flag in Guttur, we belong to the land, and this Govern
ment have the supremacy on land so that we cannot refuse to obey their orders.
I asked Major Smith to get our claims from the Ameer, but he gave me no
(satisfactory) reply, saying that this question must remain pending till the
Ruler in Nejd is established.
You know that the Chiefs of the Ameer are independent. You are my
Agent in all matters, and I beg you will explain my status to the Resident in
such manner as you may think advisable.
Enclosure No. 6.
No. 5679, dated Bombay Castle, 25th November 1871.
From — W. Wedderburn, Esq., Acting Secretary to Government, Bombay,
To—C. U. Aitchison, Esq., C.S.I., Secy, to Govt, of India, Foreign Dept.
I am directed to forward, for the information of the Government of India,
copy of a letter from 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 the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , No. 975-255,’
dated the 28th August last, with enclosure from the Commander of Her
Majesty’s Ship Magpie, connected with the Turkish expedition towards Nejd
* No. 976 - 256 . &c - Transcript of a second letter * of the same date from
Colonel Pelly is also forwarded herewith.
No. 975-255, dated 28th August 1871.
From Lieut.-Colonel Lewis Telly, C.S.I., Her Britannic Maiesty J s Resident in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To Secretary to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. .
I have the honor to forward, for the information of Government, copy of
Dated Bahrein, isth August mi. a despatch from Captain Doughty, Commanding
Her Majesty’s Ship Magpie, as noted in the margin.
I have since heard that the pearl sea- . -^-t is Satisfactory to find that the pearl-
son is unusually prolific. divers are at work as usual and unmolested.
(Sd.) L. P.
28 - 8 - 71 . 3. I am doubtful whether the silence of the
Turkish Commander is caused by a desire to conceal
a forward movement, or whether it may not be that the death of Abdullah, and
the decrease oi the strength of the Turkish force through sickness, may not
cause him anxiety as to his position and prospects.
4. The Turkish Commander seems impatient for reinforcements.
Exd.—T. Y.