IOR/R/15/1/138, ff 151-170

The letter is about Kemball's concern of a growing Wahhabi influence amongst the 'piratical' tribes of the Arab coast, after an incident involving the British Agent at Sharjah, Hajee Yacoob.

There are a number of enclosures with Kemball's letter:

1. Translated extract of a letter (folios 154-57) to Kemball from Hajee Yacoob, the British Agent at Sharjah, dated 26 June 1853, in which Yacoob reports to Kemball a number of incidents that have occurred against him at Sharjah, initiated by supporters of Sheikh Sultan bin Faisal, and intended to force him out of the area;

2. Translation of a letter (folios 158-59) to Kemball from Sheikh Sultan ben Suggar [Sultan bin Saqr], dated 25 June 1953. Sheikh Sultan writes of Yacoob's conduct, which he considers 'repugnant to common sense', and desiring that he should not reside in his territory, given that he does not have the power to protect him;

3. Copy of letter no.214 of 1853 (folios 160-64) from Kemball to Commodore George Robinson, Commanding Officer Persian Gulf Squadron, dated 19 July 1853. Kemball requests that Robinson monitor the movements and proceedings of the Wahhabi forces at Oman and, in the wake of the abuse of the British Agent Hajee Yacoob, to impress upon the sheikhs of the region their responsibilities to the British Government, in spite of whatever influence from Abdullah bin Faisal they may be subjected to.

4. Translation of a letter (folios 165-66) from Kemball to Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr, dated 18 July 1853. Kemball states his displeasure at the actions taking against the British Agent Hajee Yacoob, informing him that Commodore Robinson will visit his domain shortly, with the aim of extracting an apology from the individual who invading Yacoob's house and abused his guests;

5. Copy of letter no.9 of 1853/54 (folios 167-70) from Lieutenant James Tronson, Commanding Officer of the Honourable Company's brigantine Tigris, to Kemball, dated 1 July 1853. Tronson reports of his trip to the Arab Coast, his meeting with Hajee Yacoob, and the state of affairs at Sharjah in the wake of the incident against Yacoob. Tronson states that there is a sense of anticipation in the towns along the Arab coast who 'wait to know who they ought most to fear the Wahabee [Wahhabi] or the British power.'