IOR/R/15/1/130, ff 14-30

Further reports on proceedings in Bahrain, enclosing numerous enclosures:

1) Translated extract of a report from the the British agent at Bahrain, Hajee Jassim (ff 17-18), dated 30 April 1852, on activities between the rulers of Bahrain and Muscat, including the exchange of messages;

2) Translated extract of a report from the the British Agent at Bahrain, Hajee Jassim (ff 18-19), dated 2 May 1852, stating that the Wahhabi Chief Ameer Fysul [Faisal bin Turki] has written to the Bahrain sheikhs, demanding payment of the remaining balance of tribute, which the sheikhs are considering. Jassim also reports of the arrival of sons of Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar from the Nedjd [Najd], on their return to Oman, plus a report on the departure of Hajee Yusuf [Haji Yusuf] from Bahrain;

3) Translated extract of a report from the British Agent at Bahrain, Hajee Jassim (ff 19-21), dated 7 May 1852, describing the Bahrain sheikhs' agreement to pay the Wahhabi Chief Faisal bin Turki three horses and three camels in lieu of the outstanding tribute still owed, in order to avoid any prospect of renewed hostilities between the Wahhabi chiefs and Bahrain. Hajee Jassim also describes negotiations between himself and Sheikh Mohamed ben Khuleefa [Muhammad bin Khalifa] on the latter's relations with his kinsmen, the sons of the deposed Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed;

4) Translated substance of a letter (ff 21-22) from Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa [Muhammad bin Khalifa] of Bahrain, to Kemball, dated 6 May 1852. Sheikh Muhammad writes on the return of the vessel belonging to Hajee Yusuf, informing Kemball that his son Humood ben Mohamed [Hamad bin Mohammad] will meet with Kemball and Yusuf in Bushire;

5) Translated substance of a letter (ff 23-26) from Kemball to Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa [Muhammad bin Khalifa] of Bahrein, dated 27 May 1852. Kemball's reply to Sheikh Khalifa's letter of 6 May 1852 (ff 21-22), responding that he agrees to his role as a mediator in the Sheikh's affairs, depending on the Sheikh responding in good faith and according to the terms stipulated by Kemball, including details of the terms to be agreed between the Sheikh and his kinsmen (the sons of Sheihk Abdullah bin Ahmed). Kemball also reminds Sheikh Khalifa that he expects a 'restoration of tranquility' in the civil affairs of Bahrain;

6) Letter no.181 of 1852 (ff 27-30) from Kemball to Major Atkins Hamerton, His Majesty's Consul and Honourable Company's Agent in the dominions of His Highness the Imam of Muscat, dated 29 May 1852. On the occasion of news that Abdoollah ben Ahmed's [Abdullah bin Ahmad] eldest son has travelled from Damaum [Dammam] to Muscat to solicit the Imam's support in overthrowing Muhammad bin Khalifa's rule in Bahrain, Kemball writes to advise Hamerton that the Imam of Muscat should be discouraged from any thoughts of invading Bahrain. Kemball writes at length on the nature of the present power struggle between the Wahhabi tribes, Bahrain and Muscat.