IOR/R/15/1/40, ff 41v-43

Letter reporting on his trip to the Arabian Coast to attempt to resolve the issues arising from the Sooeedan [Sūwaydān] tribe's refusal to abandon their settlement at Derah [Dayrah].

The letter includes report of a conversation with Shaikh Sooltan ben Sugger [Sultan bin Saqr] who had taken up residence at Ras ul khima [Ra's al Khaymah], and who wished to remove Sulmine ben Nassir [Suleman bin Nasir] by force in order to protect the interests of the people of Sharga and neighbouring tribes; an action which Colonel Stannus advised him against in order to avoid a rupture with Shaikh Tanoon [Tahnun bin Shakbut] and the potential of fresh disturbances on the coast.

The letter also reports on:

• A failed attempt to persuade the inhabitants of Derah to leave;
• A conversation with Shaikh Tanoon of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] on the subject of the people of Derah and attempts to persuade him to evacuate the town as both the Imam of Muscat and the English Government supported the sanctions of the demolition of the fortifications at Derah in response to the violent conduct of the people there. These attempts at persuasion failed.
• The Colonel's return to Bassidore [Bāsa’īdū] and subsequent journey to Muscat to confer with the Imam on the matter
• The Imam's decision to send two ships to cruise the coast at Derah in an attempt to deter assistance being sent to them