"دليل الخليج. مجلد I. القسم التاريخي. الأجزاء Iأ و Iب. ج.ج. لوريمر ١٩١٥" [‎١‎٣‎٢‎٥] (١٧٨٢/١٤٨٠)

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The differences between Dawud Pasha and Mr. Rich, the Political
Agent at Baghdad, had meanwhile become acute. The attempt to clear
even a single bale of British goods from the custom house or an application
for the recovery of the smallest debt owing to a British subject now in
variably led to a violent quarrel ; and matters culminated in an intimation
by the Pasha^s ministers, of which the Pasha himself was believed to
approve, " that no European rights were recognised at Baghdad/ - ' and
that in future the duties on European goods entering the Pashaliq would
be recovered at double the rates hitherto in force. In November 1820
Mr. Rich found himself obliged to direct his Assistant at Basrah, Captain
Taylor, in case the goods of Mr. Scooboda,* a European merchant trading
at Baghdad under British protection, were seized in the Turkish custom
house, to strike the Factory flag; to suspend all communication with the
Basrah Government, at the same time; informing them of the reason ;
and to prohibit commercial and other intercourse between vessels under
British colours and the natives of the country. The goods of Mr. Scooboda
having been seized, as anticipated, Captain Taylor withdrew with his
staff from Basrah to Muhammareh, (C a small town in a secure situation,"
of which this is perhaps the earliest mention. It may be mentioned that
Mr. Rich had been absent from Baghdad on a tour in Kurdistan, Persia
and the Musal districts from 16th April 1820 to 12th March 1821, a
circumstance which cannot have conduced to the adjustment of difficult
ies with the Baghdad Government. Especially as he had just before
(in March-April 1820) made a journey to Qasr-i-Shirin. In fact
Dawud Pasha complained, and perhaps believed, that Mr. Rich had
intrigued with the Kurds and Persians.
Not only were the remonstrances which the Resident now made
against the action of the Pasha ineffectual, but they even provoked fresh
insults ; and double duties began to be levied upon all British goods
passing through the Pashaliq. Finally Mr. Rich announced his intention
of withdrawing from Turkish 'Iraq and proceeding to India, while the
Pasha on his part declared that he would not allow him to leave Baghdad.
On the 25th March 1821 private information reached the Political Agency
that the Pasha was about to send a body of troops to arrest Mr. Rich ; and
the building, with the assistance of somef gentlemen who happened to
* Perhaps " Svoboda." There is still a family named Syoboda at Baghdad, but
they are now under Austrian protection.
fThese were Captain J. Elliot, afterwards of H. M., 21at Dragoons, Mr. Taylor of
the Madras Cavalry, and Mr. Hoste, Assistant Surgeon of H. M., 17th Infantry,
besides whom Mr. Rich had an Assistant, by name Dr. Bell.
Disregard by
Dawud Pasha
of European
,^1
treaty rights
and his
1 r|||
rupture with
Mr. Eich,
1820.
Demonstra
tion against
the Baghdad
Political
Agency by
the Pasha's
troops, March
1821.