ملف ٣٩٣٩/١٩٢٦ الجزء ٣ "المنشورات: تنقيح معاهدات أيتشيسون: قسميّ عدن والجزيرة العربية." [و‎‎٣‎٤] (٤١٠/٦١)

ADEN —The Fadthli.
9
For some years after the introduction of this system the conduct of
the Fadthli Chief, Ahmad bin Abdulla, was satisfactory. By his be
haviour at the wreck of the Statelie in January 18G4 he earned the
approbation of the British Government, but soon afterwarus. either from
dissatisfaction at the amount of the reward granted to him for his
services on this occasion, or out of jealousy at the intimacy of British
relations with the Sultan of Lahej, he resumed his attitude of persistent
hostility. Within gunshot of the fortifications of Aden he plundered
a caravan, and assembled a large force with the object of destroying
the crops of the Abdali and defying the authority of the British Gov
ernment. f
A small body of troops was accordingly despatched against him /n
December 1865; he was defeated and compelled to seek safety in flight,
while the troops entered the Fadthli country and destroyed several
villages. The seaport of Shukra was at first spared, in hopes that the
punishment already administered would prove sufficient; but, some
further outrages having been perpetrated by the Fadthli, another ex
pedition left Aden, destroyed the forts inland, and returned within
three days, thus showing the Fadthli that they could be approached
by land or by sea with equal facility. It was decided that either the
Chief or his son should enter Aden and tender unconditional submission
before friendly relations could be resumed. All other overtures were
declined and, in March 1867, a letter was received from the Chief
stating his wish to send his elder son to tender the submission of the
tribe. A safe conduct was granted and finally a Treaty (No. XXIII),
embodying the prescribed terms, was signed by the Chief in 1867, the
Resident agreeing on the part of the British Government that the past
should be forgotten.
This treaty has been authoritatively declared to be the only one
now in force. In accordance wuth article 4, a relation of the Chief was
deputed to reside in Aden as a permanent hostage; but, on his death
in 1870, this article was allowed to remain in abeyance. Shortly after
the ratification of the treaty of 1867 the stipend of the Fadthli Chief
.was raised from 30 dollars to ICO dollars a month. Sultan Ahmad bin
Abdulla died in February 1870, and was succeeded by his eldest son,
Haidara, w*ho was assassinated in August 1877. His brother Sultan
Husain was believed to be the murderer and was expelled by the tribe,
who elected the latter’s son Ahmad to be their Chief. The succession
was recognised by the British Government. In July 1879 Sultan
Husain, being found to be implicated in certain intrigues, which had
for their object a rebellion in the Fadthli country, was arrested and
deported to Bombay. He was liberated in December 1886, an'd his
conduct after his release gave no cause for uneasiness.