'Precis Containing Information in regard to the First Connection of the Hon'ble East India Company with Turkish Arabia, as far as the Same Can Be Traced from the Records of the Bombay Government, together with the Names of the Several British Residents and Political Agents Who Have Been Stationed at Bagdad [Baghdad] and Bussorah [Basra] between A.D. 1646 and 1846, accompanied by Other Information' [‎73v] (148/226)

116 PRECIS OF INFORMATION REGARDING CONNECTION OF E. I. COMPY.
It may be imagined that I did not contradict him, and a few days afterwards he sent
the enclosed letter to your address.
" The time which now elapsed before my departure from Bagdad was a most
anxious and difficult period. I could indeed myself at any time have escaped from
Bagdad, but my object was both to avoid doing anything which might have the
appearance of flight, and to secure all the dependants of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. . These objects 1
happily accomplished. I have brought off every one belonging to the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. who
was in any danger, and we left Bagdad with the greatest^ Mat and t'ollowed by
the regrets and good wishes of almost the whole of the inhabitants. We arrived here
on the 19th instant."
254. The letter from the Pacha of Bagdad to the address of the
Hon'ble Mr. Elphinstone, alluded to in the above extract, was to the
following effect:—
" As correspondence builds up the walls of friendship, I take every opportunity of
writing to you. This letter is forwarded along with Mr. Rich, Resident at Bagdad,
who, agreeably the orders of the English Government, is proceeding to Bombay, having
concluded all the business he had at this place. On this^ occasion I cannot find words
to express my high opinion of Mr. Rich's talents, magnanimity, and acutoness, and his
sincere devotedness to the service of his employers. It has been, and always ill be,
my constant endeavour to maintain the terms of amity which exist between the two
States. I hope you will continue to favor me with your correspondence."
255. On the 22nd June 1821 Mr. Rich reported that—
" with a view to allay the suspicions of the Turkish Government, prevent a premature
explosion, and afford some chance of keeping British relation with the Pachalic open
for a short time longer, as well as to disencumber the factory An East India Company trading post. at Bussorah, and render
it easy for Captain Taylor (his Assistant) to quit it at the shortest notice,"
he (Mr. Rich) had removed from Bussorah to Bushire, taking with him
such of the Native officers of the Bagdad Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. as were peculiarly
obnoxous to the Turkish Government on account of their late devotion
to British interests. On the 5th October following Mr. Rich was
attacked (at Bushire) with cholera, and he died after a few hours'
illness.
256. On the 2nd October 1821 the Hon'ble Mr. Elphinstone
addressed, with the concurrence of the Government of India, the following
letter to the Pacha, informing him of the only conditions on which
friendly relations could be restored with his Government:—
"I have delayed a reply to Your Highness'letter* forwarded by Mr. Rich on his
departure from Bagdad, until I could make up my mind in respect to the terms on
which the relations of amity between the two States could be restored, the termination
of which Your Highness has not thought proper to notice in that communication. In my
letter of the 12th May I adverted to the cause that led to the differences between Mr.
Rich and Your Highness' Government. I demanded his release from the restraint
under which he had been placed, and stated that on receiving account ot his arrival
with his suite, and all the persons under the protection of the British Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , at
anv place that might be fixed upon beyond the Pachalic of Bagdad, I should be pre
pared to point out the conditions on which the friendship that has hitherto so happily
subsisted between Your Highness and the British Government in India might be
restored. Mr. Rich's departure from Bagdad and arrival at Bushire enables me to ful
fill that intention. The extraordinary nature of the offence oflered to the British
Government in the person of its representative has been already sufficiently described to
render it necessary that I should preface the demands I have to prefer on this occasion
by any further explanations, the discrimination of Your Highness will at once satisfy
you that on no other terms will it be consistent with our honor to renew the terms of
amity with your Government.
* Vide paragraph 253.