"ملخّص يحتوي على معلومات بشأن الاتصال الأول لشركة الهند الشرقية مع الجزيرة العربية التركية، طالما أمكن تتبع ذلك من سجلات حكومة بومباي، بالإضافة إلى أسماء العديد من المقيمين البريطانيين والوكلاء السياسيين الذين عُينوا في بغداد والبصرة في الفترة بين ١٦٤٦ و ١٨٤٦ ميلادي، وبمرافقة معلومات أخرى" [ظ‎‎٧‎٤] (٢٢٦/١٥٠)

118 PRECIS OF INFORMATION REGARDING CONNECTION OF E. I. COMPY.
on his return to l^ussorah witli his establishment, where on his arrival he
was received by the Mussaleem with every mark of honor and attention.
On the 1st May Oaptain lay lor made a public entry into the town of
Bussorah, and was presented by the Mussaleem, by order of the Pacha,
with a horse and rich furniture. C^aptain 'laylor's proceedings were
approved by the Government of India.
259. On the 29th March 1823 the Pacha of Bagdad addressed the
following- letter to the Hon'ble Mr. Elphinstone in reply to His Excel
lency's letter dated the 2nd October 1821, above alluded to, containing
His Highness' assent to the whole of the demands therein contained
with the exception of the " apology —
" I have first to make friendly enquiries regarding your health and circumstances, and
next to inform you that your welcome letter reached me in a fortunate moment. I
have well comprehended its import and the requisitions and demands which it contained.
These are :—
" Istly. —That the same duties shall be required of the English as are established
throughout the whole of the Ottoman Empire, and prescribed by the Treaty between
our respective Sovereigns.
" 2itdly. —The restoration of all money levied over and above the rates mentioned
in the said Royal Treaty.
" Zrdly. —The complete restitution of the value of all goods injured or destroyed
during the disputes with Mr. Scooboda and Mr. Sturmy.
" Uhly. —That in future every consideration and respect be paid to your diplo
matic Agents.
" bthly. - Protection and attention to English travellers, and no tax to be demanded
of them, either in cities or on the road, and redress to be afforded to the just com
plaints of all your dependents: to all these requisitions and demands made by you
1 have given my assent out of regard to the strict unanimity and friendship existing
between the two States, and the sincere regard we entertain personally for each other,
and in consideration of the advantages resulting from a perfect observance of this
friendly union ; there shall be no evasion of the terms of the Royal Treaty, whether
in respect to custom or any other matter which it is for me to accord, and tending to
the confirmation of our amicable relations.
" With respect to the overplus that was taken, and the property destroyed in the
affair of Messrs. Scooboda and Sturmy, there appears here to be something inconsistent
with the friendship that is established, and to which I cannot consent; I will therefore
make enquiry into the matter, and cause restitution to be made as soon as the
facts and the amount shall be ascertained. Nor be it concealed from you, that
what took place between Mr. Rich and me fell out by Divine command, nor is
it fit to charge with blame one who is now no more. Had you sent a confidential
person on the part of your Government to examine into the affair, he might
have ascertained by personal investigation with whom it originated—it is over,
and what is past need not be repeated ; and as I have not shown any backwardness in
acceding to the foregoing requisition, so I trust in God there never shall arise cause
of blame to me, either for not assisting and supporting in every case all travellers con
nected with you, or for not maintaining the dignity and consideration of such as
come from you in quality of Agents, or for not yielding ready attention and redress
in all matters of complaint from those connected with you, and securing them against
oppression and injustice, for this is my duty and practice towards all under my charge,
as well as towards all passengers travelling through my territory. Whatever else
you may wish done shall be performed in consideration of the friendly relations estab
lished between us, and with the stability of which I trust nothing will ever occur to
establish."
260. With a letter dated the 5th September 1823, Captain
Taylor forwarded translation of an agreement^ which he had lately con-
* This agreement is without date, but was concluded some time between April and
August 1823.