Legal Cases Dealt with by Political Officers in the Persian Gulf [‎649v] (4/22)

Cases in Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. disposed of by Major Smith.
precis and cause copy to be made to go
to G-overnment by next mail.—L. P.
24-12-70.
Extract this paragraph and send to me
with the previous papers concerning the
murder.—L. P.
5. Arrived at Aboothabai, 6tb December, and found Sheik Zaid bin Khalifa
absent on an expedition against Adeyd, Sheik Zeab writing to say he had no 1
authority to act for his brother. I disposed of some cases as between British 1
subjects, and directing all who had claims at other ports to accompany me in
Quantung proceeded to Debaie.
6. 7th December, although “ Kamzan,” the Chief of Debaie, Hashir bin
Muktom, exerted himself to settle claims. The Banians residing at this port
had themselves no complaints against Sheik Hashir.
The British Agent joined me here, and embarking all Banians that desired
arrived at Shargah same day.
7. Regarding the money due on account of the Banian Merchant of Indian extraction. murdered at
Himryah, Ibrahim bin Sultan said he had not a
Approved, l. p. Dollar in hand. Eventually I took his bond for
Krans 2,000 at seven days’ sight; the balance Krans 2,000 to be paid after four
months. Enclosed is a letter from Ibrahim to your address.
It seems impossible to. obtain any clue to the perpetrators of the murder.
^ . c .,,, The enquiries of the British Agent, Arab Coast,
Add this paragraph to Major Smith s J- , . . . “ ’ n 1 . 5
have been already reported to you, and have been
most exhaustive and unremitting. The general opi
nion is that the murder was committed for the sake of
plunder by wandering Bedouins, but no evidence is
forthcoming that tends to more than raise a suspicion
of this having been the case, the townspeople of Himryah indignantly rejecting
the idea that the act could have been committed by any one among them.
8. Regarding the compensation claimed by Ras-ul-Khyma and Amulgawin
on account of date trees destroyed by his prede
cessor, Salim bin Sultan, Sheik Ibrahim refuses to
pay anything; he said to me “ I would rather resign
my Chiefship first, let those who have claims come
to me I will settle with them.”
9. Arrived off Ejman, 9th December. Einding that the Chief Rashid hin
_ T , , ,. ... Hamed had neither adhered to promises made to me
Then I understand that we are quit or . , A „ ... , ,
aii claims at Ejman, very good.— l. p. on a former visit regarding claims oi Bntisn sud-
24 - 12 - 70 . jects and others, or seemed now disposed to any
satisfactory settlement, I quietly dispensed with the usual three guns on his
\ leaving the vessel. This had the desired effect. By 1 p.m. it was reported that the
claims had been settled. The salute was then fired, and we moved for Amul
gawin arriving p.m.
10. The Chief of Amulgawin has a dispute with llajee. Ahmed Syud
Salim touching the terms of sale of the Roumanee. The Chief has fifteen
excellent guns with ammunition landed from that ship. Hajee Ahmed appa
rently wishes to get possession of them, but the Chief says the guns were given
to him by Syud Salim.
Sheik Ahmed bin Abdullah said Hajee Ahmed was the cause of the diffi
culty, and that he would like to call upon him at Bunder Abbas in force.
I recommended the Chief, who was very angry, to try and come to an ami
cable settlement, failing which he might apply for
Approved, l. p. good offices, but that on no account must he proceed
to sea in force without permission.
The Chief consented.
11. In regard to the date tree claim alluded to in paragraph 8, the Chief
handed me for perusal an original bond granted to him by Ibrahim bm Sultan
for 3,800 dollars repayable on Ibrahim’s recovering Shargah.
Although Sheik Ahmed has been urgent for a settlement, he still said veiy
little to me; and as Salim bin Sultan is at Amulgawin, there can he sma ou
but that intrigues are going on for his reinstatement, which is probab y mown
to Ibrahim bin Sultan, and hence his absolute refusal to pay.
2
E. C.—L. P.
He has written to me on this sub
ject, and we must at present wait
events, as his own tenure of Shargah
seems very uncertain.—L. P.
24-12-70.