IOR/R/15/1/55, ff 20-32

The letter acknowledges receipt of correspondence and the sum of 12,000 rupees for the maintenance of the naval station at Bassadore [Bāsaʻīdū]. It reports the movement of ships in the Gulf, namely the Amherst, Elphinstone, Coote, and Clive. The suspicion is expressed that recent disagreements between Captain McDonald of the Amherst and Saleh bin Sugger [Saleh bin Saqr al-Qasimi] of Sharga [Sharjah] were due to a misunderstanding. There is a report of an altercation during the night between a boat from Sharga and one from Abothabee [Abu Dhabi] just off the naval station. The letter also relays a report from the Coote that the ruler of Edgmaun ['Ajman], Raschid ben Hamed [Rashid bin Humaid al-Nuaimi], along with principal men from Sharga, are travelling to Katiffe [Qatif] to meet with Turkey bin Soud [Turki bin Abdullah bin Muhammed al-Saud].

Enclosed are the following documents:

• A copy of William Sowden Collinson's orders to Captain McDonald to tour the Arabian side of the Gulf, undated;
• A copy of McDonald's report on this tour, covering Sharga and Rasul Khyma [Ra's al-Khaymah], dated 11 October 1830;
• A copy of the report by Henry Wyndham, Commander of the Amherst, on that ship's proceedings through the Gulf betweem 8 and 22 September 1830, covering Barhain [Bahrain], Abothabee, Debay [Dubai], Aymaun ['Ajman], Amalgawin [Umm al-Quwain], and Rasul Khyma;
• A copy of an account by Captain McDonald of his visit to Sharga and the disagreement between him and Saleh bin Saqr that ensued;
• A copy of a certificate guaranteeing safe passage for a Sharga boat, issued by Captain McDonald;
• A copy of a report by Captain John Pepper of the proceedings of the Coote from Bushire to Bassadore between 4 and 15 October 1830.