'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎81r] (161/344)

Part V—Chap. XXXII.
141
281 A. The Bombay Government now thought scarcely any worse situation
could be imagined in which our abandoning Kishm after the step our Minister
had taken would net be highly injurious. On the other hand, there was some
danger in reinforcing Kishm, because the Minister might not have actually
quitted Persia and a step of this nature in the middle of a negotiation might
be very embarrassing to the Minister. Of the two, however, reinforcing the
detachment was less likely to hurt our negotiations than withdrawing it and to
leave it in its present state in the event of a rupture would be highly impru
dent. The breadth of the channel between Kishm and the mainland would
prevent the immediate passage of a great army, but it was not a sufficient
security for so small a detachment unprotected by works and likely at this
season to be greatly weakened by sickness.
282. The Bombay Government decided in these circumstances to take *
the following measures:—
To send 400 Europeans to reinforce Lieutenant-Colonel Kennett's
detachment.
To have the Brnaad cleared of her cargo and to take up another ship to
complete the tonnage required.
To put the whole of the cruizers in the Gulph at the disposal of Lieute
nant-Colonel Kennett.
To authorize his incurring any necessary expense in procuring intelli
gence from the mainland of Persia.
To authorize his engaging any vessels required for securing a supply of
provisions to his detachment and (if such precaution should seem
necessary) for eventually removing his detachment.
To authorize his eventually fortifying his position either at Bassadore or
wherever he might think best and to send an able Engineer officer.
To send any stores and supplies that might be required for this.
To send any cruizers that were large enough for the purpose, and that
are disposable, to the Gulph.
The Admiral to be apprized of the state of affairs and requested to send
a frigate to the Gulph.
Lieutenant-Colonel Kennett to be made acquainted with our determina
tion to retain Kislim and with all the steps that had been taken,
requested to keep a watch on the proceedings of the Persians, to
resist any attacks they might make as far as possible, or if threatened
by an overwhelming force, to withdraw to the Imam of Maskat's
territories.
The Imam of Maskat to be informed that we heard our Minister had
demanded his passports, that we know no more and could say no
more at present; but that if there was a war we should of course
defend Kishm.
283. The Governor of Ears had thought it fit to depute an Envoy Mirea
Bangar to the Governor of Bombay with a
roiume 36-131 of 18S2. v i ew to clear misunderstandings which
had lately arisen between the Persian and Indian Governments. He was
received at Bombay with every mark of respect and consideration.
284. When the despatch of the Bombay Government dated 20th May
.o. * 1822, announcing their orders for des-
Voiume 36—131 of 1823, page 6. patching reinforcements for Kishm,
Mr. George Willock, Secretary in charge of Bis Majesty's Mission at Teheran,
addressed the Prime Minister the following letter dated Ist September 1822:—
Dated Tabriz, the 1st September 1822.
From— George Willock, Esq.,
To—His Excellency Abdulla Khan Umen-ed-Dowlut , etc., etc.
I bave the honor to mform Your Excellency that eeverai letters have been receired
by me from 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. .