'Selections from State Papers, Bombay, regarding the East India Company's Connection with the Persian Gulf, with a Summary of Events, 1600-1800' [‎260v] (520/540)

4.42
APPENDIX H.
Report of Qapt. Malcolm on the state of the trade between Persia ^ India and
suggestions as to the means for improving it, 1800.
to. —The E arl of M obnihaton , Goyernor General.
Fort William.
Mi Lord,
I have already acquainted Y our Lordship, of my having been furnished by the Govern
ment of Bombay with voluminous Documents relating to the trade of the Persian Gulph. I
have since my arrival + perused the Records of the Factory An East India Company trading post. , from the period of its
original Establishment. The possession of this information, joined to the circumstance of my
having personally visited Muscat, Hormuz, Kishm, Anjam, and Kharruckh, makes me more
bold than I should otherwise have been, in offering at some length my sentiments to your
Lordship on that part of my mission which more particularly relates to the commerce with the
Gulph of Persia.
2. In treating a subject of such extent, I am aware that inexperience will lead me into
frequent error, and that, I can add but little x X x X
possesses. I, however, feel it my duty to communicate what I am able, confident of meeting
with indulgence and that Your Lordship will execuse any fault ... negligence in the
execution of the important duties with which I am entrusted.
x x x X x and concise, I
shall divide it under the following heads : ~
first. A general view of the former Trade of European Nations with the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
from its first Establishment till the year 1763 the period at which Gombroon X
Second. —View of the present state of the Trade with the Persian Gulph.
Third. —The mode by which it appears to me the Hon'ble Company could best
improve and promote that Trade, and reasons that occur both on Commercial and political
grounds for their adopting this mode.
I'ourth. —The Port in the Gulph best situated for a settlement.
Piffk.—Th-e probable estimate of Receipts & Disbursements, if such was made.
Sixth. —The means most proper to carry this plan, if approved of, into execution.
4. In treating the first part of my subject, vizt A general view of the former Trade of
European Nations with the Persian Gulph from its first Establishment till the year 1763 the
period at which Gombroon was abandoned, it is not necessary to my ... thereupon to enlarge
on the extensive Trade which was carried on by that route between India and Europe before,
and for a considerable time after, the discovery of the passage by the Cape of Good Hope. It
is sufficient to observe that the existence of that commerce, and the flourishing state of Persia
under the Sep Race, and Arabia ... accounts fully for those remains of
splendour which are yet seen at every Port & on every Island of the Gulph. A great part of
the produce of India no doubt found its vent in this direction and enriched every place
x which it passed in its course.
5. The Portuguese taking advantage of this circumstance, seized the Island of Hormuz
in 1507, and from it, they extended their X over the whole Gulph and
X of all the Trade from India to Persia and Arabia.
6. Their Reign was brilliant but of short duration, it fell from two causes ; first. The
rapid improvements in art; which facilitated the ... ... Good Hope,
and Completely ... the current of the Trade between India and Europe to a new
channel. Second—The gealousy and power of rival European Nations, who not only contended
with them for the markets of India, Arabia and Persia, by making settlements in those