'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' [‎80r] (161/226)

WITH TURKISH ARABIA A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. —1646 TO 1846.
129
engagements of any description. He is to recollect that we can regard the Pacha only
as the dependent and subject of the Sultan, with whom we maintain amity, and at
whose Court we have an Ambassador. So long as our alliance with Turkey subsists,
our peculiar relations with any of the Pachas of that empire must be regulated by a
reference to the paramount obligations which connect us with the master authority.
" The Company's Resident in Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. ought, we conceive, to consider
himself as acting exclusively in a consular capacity. On the duties which belong to
that character it is not necessary here to enlarge, but a watchful protection of British
interests and the persons of British subjects, diligence in the collection of
important information, and an unfailing communication to your Government
and to this country of all public events, and political changes, all these are
perfectly consistent with that firm and guarded abstinence from personal interference
with the internal administration, and external relations of the Pachalic, which
we conceive it for our honor, no less than our interest to observe."
283. A copy of the above despatch was forwarded by this Govern
ment to Major Taylor^ on the 3rd January 1832, with orders to use his
best endeavours to act up to the spirit and letter of the instructions therein
contained, and scrupulously to avoid any measures or negotiations with
the Pacha, or other Chiefs, who might apply to him, tending' to commit
the British Government to any line of policy in the smallest degree
opposed to the course laid down by the Hon'ble the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. .
284. In a further despatch, dated the 5th July 1832, the Hon'ble
the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. communicated to this Government the following
additional instructions for the guidance of the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in Turkish
Arabia, and which were communicated to that oflicer on the 29th
January following :—
" In all his intercourse with the Pacha of Bagdad, the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. must ever
bear in mind that the Pacha is not to be regarded as an independent Sovereign, but as
the temporary Governor of the Turkish Province accountable for all his acts to the
Sultan, our ally, to whose sovereign rights we are bound to pay due respect, and as
the Ambassador at Constantinople represents the British Government and nation at
the Court of the Sultan, it is highly proper that your Agent should be instructed to
communicate freely and fully with the Ambassador upon all matters that have the slightest
tendency to affect our relations with the Porte. Major Taylor will of course transmit
to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. copies of his correspondence with the Ambassador, and
await instructions from thence before he acts upon any points not coming within the line
of discretion which you may have prescribed for the guidance of his conduct. Major
Taylor has already been told that as respects Persia his proceedings are to be regulated
by the advice of the Envoy at that Court."
285. In a letter, dated the 29th July 1833, Major Taylor (who a
short period before had attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel) reported
that Russia had obtained a paramount influence in the Turkish Councils.
In order therefore that he might be enabled—
" to observe the current and progress of these pernicious influences, and to detect the
intrigues of Russia,"
Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor suggested that a discretionary permission
should be given him
" to travel when and for what periods might appear to him necessary, particularly to
the northern districts of the Pachalic, and even, if requisite, occasionally to reside at
a point more approximate than Bagdad, to the scene of intrigue."
This suggestion was referred by this Government, on the 25th October
1833, for the decision of the Government of India, with the remark,
however, that this Government was of opinion that Bagdad, as the seat
of Government, was more likely to become the scene of Russian intrigue