'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎138v] (276/344)

256
Part VII—Chap. LIV.
As tte unsettled state of the country would render it necessary that the new Kesidency
should be made capable of defence, that circumstance alone would countenance any mis
representation of our views, founded on the construction of such an edifice, and there is every
reason to fear that any attempt of the local authorities to excite apprehension at Tehraun
might under such circumstances prove successful.
The jealousy which has at all times been openly manifested on this subject by the Court
of Persia may be traced to the current belief that our vast Empire in India grew out of a
like establishment. The story relates that having got permission to fortify a factory An East India Company trading post. for the
purposes of traffic, we gradually extended our influence and dominion at the expense of our
allies, and however absurd it may seem to imagine that a similar course is contemplated at
Bushire, an attempt to remove the impression, made by this idle tale, would perhaps rather
tend to confirm it.
In such a state of feeling therefore, on the part of this Court, I should not consider it
advisable to agitate the question at this particular moment, since it might tend to give a
colouring, if probability to the insinuations thrown out against us by the Sbii az Government,
and there can be little doubt that the Sliah, if called upon to decide in such a proposition,
would be guided by the opinion of the local authorities, to whom he would no doubt refer the
business.
There is certainly every material difference between the position of the Resident at
Bushire and the mission at Tehraun vn. cases of application for protection. But there can be
no doubt that in our relations with the authorities in Bagdad, Bussora and Bushire, as well as
in the Levant A geographical area corresponding to the region around the eastern Mediterranean Sea. , where our right is confirmed by positive capitulations, more emban-assment has
arisen, more quarrels taken place, and more irritation been created, from our exercise of this
privilege, than from any other source, and that were it practicable to do so, it would be
extremely desirable to dispense with it in future. It has not happened that any case has
occurred either at Tehraun, or at Tabreez, which could form a precedent for the guidance of
Captain W ilson, since the British palaces at these places have fortunately not been considered
by the Persians as an asylum against the vengeance of those in power, perhaps because no great
political revolution has driven the people to seek for such protection. So far, however, as
my judgment and experience go in such cases, I should feel inclined to suggest the interdiction
of the Resident from all interference in the intestine quarrels of the different Chiefs, as well as
from affordiug protection to persons, obnoxious to Government, provided such interdiction
did not compromise the high name, honour, and generosity of the British nation,
I have the honour to be.
Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
Royal Camp at Karatuppa j
The 8th July 1827,
I. MACDONALD.
479. When the Shah heard of the recent events at Bushire, Hi8
Tolome 284 of 1827, page 680. de P uted Ali Murad Kb™. Golam
Peshkedmut, to enquire into the griev
ances of the British 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. . He had an interview with Captain "Wilson on
1st August 1827, and the following is the substance of the conversation held by
them. About 10 a.m . Ali Murad Khan called on the Resident and after the
usual compliments had taken place on both sides, he produced the King of
Persia's Pirman and mentioned the very high esteem His Majesty held
Captain Wilson in. The Resident in reply expressed his satisfaction at the
Shah's having appointed a person of his address and qualifications to visit
Shiraz on the business mentioned on the firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). ; and trusted that everything
would be arranged in a satisfactory manner. The Khan then entered
into some particulars of the circumstances under which he had been first sent
and stated that he was trusted with full powers to enforce the execution of
every wish or desire the Resident might have.
480. Captain Wilson then opened the subject by asking in what light he
viewed the insult which had been offered to the British 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. at Bushire
by the dregs of the population of that place, and enquired, as Sheikh Abdul
Rassul was about to return, what security there was that a similar outrage
might not be perpetrated again. Ali Murad Khan replied that their conduct
was most inexcusable and that with recard to the Sheikh he would, if the
Resident so desired, speak to him in his presence and that of the Prince, and