Guano harvesting off the coast of Oman

Vernon, Robert, 1st Baron Lyveden, British politician (1800-1873). Autograph letter signed.

€ 2,500.00

To Henry Labouchère (1831-1912), Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the conflict of guano harvest rights on the Khuriya Muriya Islands off the southeastern coast of Oman. A group of Liverpool entrepreneurs had been granted monopoly rights to harvest the abundant guano deposits, but met resistance from the local inhabitants who considered that resource their own: "I [...] will desire to be sent to you a letter from [...] the Gov. of Aden upon the impact of Mr.Ord's landing on the Kuria Muria Islands. He blames him much and praises the behaviour of the Arabs. Our commercial friends at Liverpool [...] and at the CO love to grasp every atom of profitable land on the face of the Earth, insult the inhabitants, ask for assistance from the British fleet and then grumble at our large naval establishments and call for a refund [...] In this case, I imagine [...] that it has been the practice of the Arab tribes [...] to use the Guano from the islands without hindrance".

Considering the supply of British Indian vessels for transactions between English and Arab merchants, but not without some reluctance: "They with no doubt sell it to our merchants if invited to do so and if in their transactions they should require the safe guard of a vessel from the Indian Navy they might have it as payment of the expense but I do not see upon what principle they can fairly ask the Indian revenues to pay for their European speculations. If they want a ship of ours it should be a Queen's Ship. But I hope we shall not get into any embarassment with these Arab Tribes just now. They are very difficult clients to deal with and we want every assistance in that quarter not only in the Persian Gulf but in the Red Sea. Our friend the Imam of Muscat too is very necessary to us and might not like to be embroiled in rights of sovereignty with his neighbours [...]".

In excellent condition.