'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' [‎49r] (99/226)

M-
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. 67
proceed to that place after having been robbed and stript of their cloathes, camels,
and packet by the Arabs; but as we are also informed that the latter was found
and carried to Aleppo by some other Arabs, we do not yet despair of hearing
of its safe arrival there. These unusual accidents have been partly owing to
the unsettled state of the desert for some time past, to the packets being des
patched from " Grain," and to our not having by that means the power of bringing
the messengers to so strict an account as when they were immediately under the
Government of Bussorah, and were despatched directly from Zebere. The late
Ee volution here, however, having occasioned the return of those of the Zebere
Arabs who did not choose to trust to Sadoo Caun's promises of protection and encour
agement, we hope that these disagreeable interruptions to our despatches to Aleppo
will be removed, and that they will in future be made with greater certainty, more
expedition, and less expense. To the enclosed copies of our letters to our honorable
masters* of the 22nd February, 6th March, and 2nd April, we beg leave to refer your
Honor, &c., for the particulars of the late most favourable revolution and of the other
transactions here to the latter date."
U nfortunately no copy o£ either of the three despatches addressed by the
Resident and Mr. Abraham to the Hon'ble the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. ,
alluded to in the above extract, is in the possession of this Government.
The date and circumstances therefore under which Bussorah was regained
by the Turks from the Persians cannot be ascertained further than that
it was accomplished by means of a revolution, and that it took place
between the 29th December 1778 and the 2nd April 1779.
155. In the same letter the Resident stated that it appeared to
him probable that the Hon^ble the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. on hearing that
this change had taken place in the Government of Bussorah, and that
there was every expectation that the Hon'ble Company would meet with
the same countenance as formerly from the Pacha "of Bagdad, would
resolve on continuing the factory An East India Company trading post. at Bussorah; the Resident therefore
resolved, pending further orders, to retain Mr. Abraham at Bussorah for
the purpose of assisting him in the management of the Company^
affairs. The Resident also solicit that the Surgeon who had hitherto
been attached to the factory An East India Company trading post. might be permitted to remain. Both of
these applications were complied with by Government in a letter dated
the 31st December 1779.
156. In a letter dated the 30th October 1779 the Resident at Bus
sorah reported that he had on the same day received information from
Bagdad to the effect that Hossein, the Pacha, had been deposed three
days before by the Janisaries, and had been compelled to quit Bagdad.
On this intelligence reaching Constantinople, the Sultan appointed Isoli-
man Aga Pacha of Bagdad and Bussorah, with permission to reside at
either place as he might see fit. With reference to this arrangement,
the following remarks were made in a joint letter addressed to Govern
ment by the Resident and Mr. Abraham on the 15th January 1780 :
" Bagdad having been a long time in an unsettled state, the presence of the Pacha
will possibly be necessary for putting affairs therein a proper train, and as it is the most
central place of the provinces that are now annexed to his Government, it is probable
that he will fix his residence at Bagdad in preference to Bussorah ; but should such be
his resolutions, he cannot, for want of money and men, put it into execution for some
time at least, until the Porte should assist him in these respects, which they do not at
present seem in a capacity ot doing. At any rate, the Pachaw is so very sensible of the
assistance allorded him by us, not only during his captivity at Shyras, but in procurring
his late preferment, that whether he continues here, or goes to Bagdad, we doubt not
* The Hou'ble the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. .