'ملف رقم 19/12 البحرين، ملخص شؤون الزبارة لعام ١٨٩٥' [و‎‎٨‎٣] (٢٣٠/١٧٣)

conventional verbiage and are in my opinion not worthy of any confidence.
His statement in the letter to me that Mr. Gaskin had drawn a pistol upon
Shaikh Sultan on the 7th July is a deliberate falsehood. In a subsequent letter
to the Chief he took a different tone, excusing Shaikh Sultan for not having
received the visit in a proper manner, and saying that he had censured him lor it,
though " no blame can be attached to a man whose mind has been affected by
illness." Altogether in Shaikh J-asim's letter there is a somewhat unintelli
gible mixture of protest, profession, and appeal.
After writing the above I have received your telesram of this day, in
timating that Lawrence should be sent to obtain further information.
Dated the 17tli Moharrum 1313 — 10th July 1895.
From —Jasim bin-Mohambd Thani,
to Colonel F. A. Wilson , Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.
After compliments.—Whan. I learnt the news of the arrival of the man -pr-
war, and knowing that Sultan (bin-Mohamed Salamah) was ill, 1 started with
the obiect of meeting the Captain,.the Assistant and Khahd (hin-Ali). I ia
scarcely reached Zobarah when I learnt that they had suddenly landed there an
frightened the people of the country by (a demonstration of) armed boats, and
that the Assistant had landed with a drawn revolver at Sultan (bin-Mohamed
Salamah); but they (Sultan and his people would appear to be meant) avoided
them by good means.
Afterwards they (armed boats) disturbed the (peace of the) sea and seized
the boats belonging to the poor and humble striving to earn their livelihood,
together with the unopened oyster shells they had on board and all then
property.
The Albin-Ali tribe did not leave Bahrein, bot on account of the humili
ation which they experienced : they have not been rebels.
I stood guarantee for them to Shaikh Esa (assuring him) that no mischief
would arise from the side of Zobarah or from its inhabitants, and they have
committed no offence. They are poor who earn their livelihood : they are not
slaves.
Their original domicile was Katr and they resided in Fareybah and
Zobarah, and tlience removed to Hawaylah and £1-Bidaa. They have not been
ruled as slaves.
This proceeding (which has been undertaken against them) is contrary to
your (sense of) justice, and is a wrong unbecoming of you.
They have no knowledge of their own affairs : these are known to God and
then to me.
Dated Ras Lufan, the 14th July 1895.
prom Captain J. H. Pelly , Commander and Senior Naval OfTicer,
To Colonel F. W. Wilson , Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.
I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated 10th
instant, received per R I.M.S Lawrence on the forenoon of the 12th, and
to thank you for placing that ship at my disposal for a time.
In comoliance with your letter I left Bahrein at 8 a.m . on the 13th,
R.I.M.S. Lawrence in company, and proceeded to Zobarah, anchoring oil
that place at 2 p.m. the same day. I found all the boats, about 11 in num. )er,
hauled up on the beach, and therefore did not think it expedient to attempt
their seizure.
Durino- my stay at Zobarah I received two letters from Jasim -bin-Mohamed
Thani, asking for an interview on behalf of Shaikh Sultan who was sick, to
both of which I replied stating that he could come off to the ship if he desired
to see me. This, however, ho would not do. A copy of this correspondence
is attached.
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