'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎48r] (95/344)

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75 Part IV— Chap. XXII.
CHAPTER XXII.
RESIDENTS AT BLSI11RE, 1801-1809.
175. Mehdi Ali Khan, a Persian gentleman of rank, and a wealthy Mehdi au Khan,
merchant, who had attracted in India the attention of Mr. Duncan bv his indent, Bushire,
abilities and influence, and attachment to the British, was rewarded with the 1798 ' 1803 -
latter's friendship and ultimately with the appointment of Resident at Bushire
in 1798. The Persian amply justified the appointment by inducing the Imam
of IMaskat to sign in 1798 the Koulnama, the first of our treaties with that
chief, by his successful mission to the Court of Persia and increase of our
trade in Persia. One defect in his character was what Malcolm calls his
" mendacity," which he however employed as much in the interests of the British
Sarkar as in his ow r n.
176. In 1801, while Malcolm was still at the Court of the Shah, Mehdi Secret and Poll.
Ali Khan was employed by the Bombay Government on a mission to Mocha, S ept ]0 - iar f v ls1l
and during his absence the following arrangements were made by him for p. 0 i283. 0
managing the Besidency affairs:—
He appointed Omdutettejaur, Aka Mahomed Jafar, Zabattetet'jar Aka
Mahomed llossein, and Khoja Aratoon, to take care of and protect the property
of the Company, with instructions to pay the utmost and most unremitted
attention to the details of their service. Omdutettejaur being to exercise the
duties of Neabut or of Deputyship and Zubdutettejaur those of Wuzarut of
Stewardship, and Khoja Aratoon those of Tehveel dauree, i.e., to hold the
immediate charge and custody of all the articles, whether of money or goods.
It was incumbent on tbem to exert themselves in the sales of the latter, as soon
as the alarm about the plague was dissipated, considering the prices the same as
those of the previous year and not liable to the variation of a single deenar. It
would greatly redound to their credit if they should be able to procure the vend
of a considerable quantity of the goods previous to his return; and in the event
of the plague reaching Bushire they were to transport the Company's goods to
wherever the property and families of Mullukettejaur, Haji Kheleel and of
Haji Ismail might be removed to, and remain deposited. With respect to the
delivery of the goods that should hav^e been sold, it was necessary that the
authority and order for all issues of this kind be given conjointly to the sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. ,
from all the three persons above named; and all receipts from the merchants of
the prices of the ^oods which were to be carefully recovered as they fall due—
must be immediately lodged under the charge of Khoja Aratoon in the Treasury,
over which the Company's sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. must day and night remain constantly
stationed as sentinels, and each of the three persons above named were to keep
accounts of the receipt of all sums of money on account of the Sarkar; as lon2:
as Captain Malcolm remained in Persia, whatever requisition he might make,
or order he might issue, were to be considered as those of Government itself,
and every attention paid that not a hair's breadth of deviation take place in the
execution of any of his commands; every Sunday from sun rise to sun set the
flag was to remain hoisted and whenever any ship appeared in the offing, dis
playing the English colours, it was to be immediately answered by the hoisting
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. , and on the three festival days, viz., Christmas, IS'ew Year's
day and His Majesty the King of Great Britain's Birthday, the usual
ceremonies were to be observed and the accustomed gratuities be bestowed on
the sepoys Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. , etc.
177. The following order was passed by the Bombay Government in regard
to the above arrangements on April 1801 : —
The Nawaub is by my orders now setting out for Mokha where he will be absent two or
three months; you will continue, until his return, to act exactly according to the written
instructions he has left with you, and use every endeavour to dispose of the greatest quantity
possible of the Honourable Company ; s goods, a circumstance that will redound much to your
credit and reputation hereafter.
M