مجموعة ٦ / ٦٧ (١) "حدود جنوب شرق الجزيرة العربية وقطر". [ظ‎‎١‎٧‎٨] (٧٩٤/٣٦١)

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Khalid. A letter addressed b.y him to the Sultan of Muscat, directing Muscat to
assist or he considered an enemy, was returned, but the Jowasimi Chief of Shargah
at his instigation, summoned the Beni Naim, “ who had lately got possession of
Baraimi,” to surrender it to the Nejdis. The Beni Naim refused and appealed to
Abu Dhabi and the Chief of Sohar in Muscat for aid against the common enemy
Bepresentatious were also made to the Political Resident.
British Countermeasures and Support for Beni Naim of Baraimi.
59. H.M. Government were at this time principally concerned to reduce Mehemet
Ali to his proper position as a Turkish vassal and to prevent any further Egyptian
advance in Eastern Arabia. The application of the Beni Naim chiefs was therefore
well received ; the Resident held out hopes that a British agent would be sent
to Baraimi (Captain Hamerton subsequently visited the oasis in January-February
of 1840); and he undertook, if necessary, to supply ammunition to the Chiefs. The
Lor I 457 Multan of Muscat, who had at first shown a disposition to take the side of the
’ ’ ’ Egyptians, in the hope of re-establishing his ascendancy over Bahrein, was informed
of the attitude of H.M. Government, and was called upon to support the Beni Naim
chiefs, a request to which he acceded. The Resident, after a formal protest against
the proceedings and intrigues, of the Egyptian Commander as being in direct
opposition to the assurances which had been given by Mehemet Ali to H.M. Govern
ment, obtained a written agreement from the maritime chiefs of Oman to cultivate
close relations with the British Government, to abide by its wishes and instructions,
and to lesist to the last extremity all attempts by the Egyptian Commander to
subdue them.
Withdrawal of Egyptian Agent under British pressure.
60.. The Sheikh oi Shargah, at his own request, was furnished with a document
requiring him to demand the immediate departure of the Egyptian Agent. This
was communicated to the Agent, who*was also informed that, the British Govern
ment having taken the chiefs and tribes of Naim in Baraimi under their protection,
he would be held responsible for any injury to them; and he was required, in
accordance with the assurances given by Mehemet Ali, to withdraw from Trucial
Oman. After lepeated remonstrances he quitted the Trucial Coast and, embarking
at Shargah (where he is alleged to have been assured by the Sheikh that if he
returned to Oman in force Shargah would join him and place all its resources at
his disposal), proceeded to Ojair. The withdrawal of Sa’ad Bin Mutlak was a
severe blow to Egyptian influence and is stated to have broken up the combination
rapidly forming in favour of Mehemet.Ali. The Government of India approved
the action taken by the Resident, but intimated to him that they would not be
prepared to extend protection to Baraimi.
Egyptian Evacuation of Nejd, 1840.
\t Aj tei — ( | e P a y tur ® th© Wahabi Agent an attack was made on the Beni
Naim at Baraimi by the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi, who was called to account by the
to nia k e reparation to the Beni Naim. In the same year
( 889) the sheikh of Qatif was warned that any expedition against Oman or the
territories of the Sultan of Muscat would be opposed by the British naval squadron
Q T 1840 ’ mter nal dissensions breaking out among the Egyptians,
ba ad bin Mutlak was arrested and sent under escort to Riyadh, while in May of
that year the Egyptians evacuated Nejd, leaving the puppet Amir Khalid in charge
as an Egyptian tributary. &
Attitude of H.M. Government, 1839-1841.
62. During the period 1839-41 H.M. Government departed from their policy of
Ind ITrGrvT “ 4V nt ?™ al affa ‘ rs of the Trucial Sheikhdoms
and ol their hinterland. This modification of their attitude was directed by
onc^the Eur0 P eai ! ratl ' er th f. n of Arabian policy. As will be seen belowf
once the Egyptian menace had been disposed of they reverted to their nolicv of non
fy rfitthud?" f f Wh °’ n0t had be™cCur^d
British lArntn ^ d — AA 1 Govermneut ^ 1S39-40 and by the visit of a
tisn Agent to Baraimi m the latter year to hope for some substantial support