'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' [‎46r] (93/226)

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. —1046 TO 1846.
61
by the w:iy of Grain dated the20tli instant (April 1775). Bussorah then held out, and
the Nakodah of the boat which brought the letter informs us that the Montifick and
Benechalid Arabs had assembled for its protection, that the desert was overflowed, and
that the town was in very little danger from the Persian army.
141. On the 17th February 1775, Mr. Robert Garden, then a
Member of this Government, left Bombay for Bussorah, for the purpose
of attending to some private affairs, and with the intention of proceed
ing afterwards to England overland. On arriving at Bush ire, on the 7th
April following, Mr. Garden, in conformity with instructions he had
received from Government previous to his departure from Bombay,
endeavoured to effect the release* of Mr. Beaumont, in which object he
succeeded. Mr. Garden at the same time amicably adjusted all differ
ences between the East India Company and the Persians, and re-esta
blished a factory An East India Company trading post. at Bushire. Mr. Beaumont was on this occasion
appointed by Government Resident at Bushire, and Mr. Green, Joint-
Factor, at that place.
142. In consequence of ill health Mr. Moore (Agent for the
Ilon'ble Company's affairs at Bussorah) proceeded on the 15th July
1775 from Bushire to Bombay, and, on his departure, addressed the
following letter to the Mussaleem During the eighteenth century this was the third most powerful official in Ottoman Iraq (after the Pasha and the Kiya). The title was given specifically to the Governor of Basra. at Bussorah :—
" As a long confinement on ship board has much impaired my health, and I at present
see not the least probability of returning to Bussorah, I find myself under the necessity
for these and many other weighty considerations to proceed to Bombay on the ships
now proceeding to that place. Messieurs LaTouche and Abraham remain at Bushire,
with the intention of returning to Bussorah as soon as ever the war between the
Turks and Persians is terminated, in order to take charge of the Hon'ble Company's
factory An East India Company trading post. and effects, and I trust Your Excellency will not permit any person whatever
except Mr. LaTouche and Abraham to take charge of them until my return, unless
such person produces to Your Excellency a Commission from the Governor of Bombay
for that purpose. The honor that Your Excellency has acquired in the gallant defence
of Bussorah will be remembered to the latest times. I would it had been in our power
to have assisted you more than we did, but it was not of which I doubt not but you
will be perfectly convinced on maturely weighing the several circumstances before and
since our departure from Bussorah. Your two ketches I intend taking with me to
Bombay for the same reasons that I brought them with me from Bussorah; if I leave
them here they will certainly be taken by the Persian galivats. My advice however to
you is to send me an order to sell them at Bombay as they will cost you much money
to repair them, and the Governor and Council are so much in want of their fleet in
India, that they cannot spare a cruizer to protect your ketches nor men to man them.
I once more beg leave to recommend Mr LaTouche and Mr. Abraham to your favor
and protection and hope for the continuation of your friendship and good opinion."
143. On the 16th April 1776, Bussorah was surrendered by the
Turkish authorities to the Persians, and on the 21st of the same month,
Sadoo Caun, the Persian General, made a public entry into that
town. At the invitation of Sadoo Caun, the Agent in Council f of
Bussorah returned to that place from Bushire on the 11th of the fol
lowing month, and re-opened the Hon'ble Company's factory An East India Company trading post. . In a
letter to the Bombay Government, dated the 4th June 1776, the Agent
in Council at Bussorah stated that on their return they found the
Hon'ble Company's factory An East India Company trading post. in excellent order, that Sadoo Caun expressed
himself willing to show the English every indulgence, that his people
* Vide paragraph 131, page 56.
f Consisting of Mr. LaTouchc (Agent), Mr. Galley, and Mr. Abraham.