'Précis of correspondence regarding the affairs of the Persian Gulf, 1801-1853' [‎149v] (298/344)

278
Part VH-Chap. LXIV.
540. The Resident had asked Mr. McNeill's orders on the question of the
removal 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. to Karrak, but was informed by him that he had
received despatches from England from which it appeared that the authorities
there did not wish 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. to be withdrawn from Bushire even in the
event of Mr. McNeill having to leave Persia. But if any hostile demonstra
tion should be made by the Shiraz Government, and especially if it be found
that it was proposed to take steps to fortify and strengthen Bushire, or to place
a garrison there, and if the Resident was of opinion that the force under
Colonel Sherriff with the naval force at his disposal was sufficient for the
occupation and defence of Bushire, he was told to intimate to the Governor of
Shiraz that any hostile demonstration he might make would oblige him
immediately to occupy Bushire and defend it if necessary; but if no such
demonstration should be made, Mr. McNeill desired that the troops should
remain in Karrak until he received further instructions (letter from AJr.
McNeill to Captain Hennell, dated 10th July 1888).
541. Sheikh Nasir having returned from Bushire roads came off on 20th
June 1838 to the steamer to pay the Resident a visit. After the usual compli
ments had passed, he expressed his satisfaction that we had selected his island
as the place upon which to locate troops. He said that he had sutTered
so much from the oppressive rule of the Fars Government^ that he should
be delighted to be under our protection ; his object, he added, in going once to
Bushire had been to ascertain from Resident whether he would not be
permitted to retaliate upon the Persians the many and grievous injuries
he had experienced at their hands. Captain Hennell replied that we were
not at enmity with Persia and it was to be hoped that no occasion would arise
to render necessary any change in the friendly relations hitherto maintained
with that country, that the British Government had sent up a body of
troops for special service, and that the Island of Karrak had been chosen for
their location on account of its superiority of situation and climate, that
under these circumstances it was in every respect advisable the Sheikh siiould
abstain from commencing hostilities, otherwise, it would most certainly be
believed that we had instigated him to do so. The Sheikh acknowledged the
justice of this observation, and said, that he would remain tranquil for a few
months and see what turn affairs might take—adding, that he could raise a
force of three or four thousand men in a very short time, and submit them
without difficulty, by making descents upon the Persian coast provided we
only withdrew our interference. He then proceeded to intimate that the
necessity of maintaining a garrison for the protection of the women and
children on the island during the absence of their male relations, was a source
of considerable expense to him, and loss to his dependants, most of whom were
unable to carry on their usual employments of fishing and trading in conse
quence of their apprehension of an attack from the Persians,-while they were
away. He therefore wished to be informed whether we would defend the
place under such a contingency. The Resident replied that as long as our
troops were located on the plain at a distance from the fort, and having no
connexion with it, he did not see how we could interfere, as the town would
of course be defended by its own garrison, it being only necessary for us
to take such steps as were required for the safety of our own camp, hut there
were parts of the defences rented by us as a depdt for coals and stores, these of
course must be protected from every aggression. It was then hinted that the
small citadel erected by the Dutch would be a suitable place, tor the hire of
which he was prepared to pay a liberal rent. The Sheikh replied that^ he
could not give the fort as all the wives and families of himself and relations
dwelt there, and in point of fact had no other place of residence^ upon the
island, but that he had no objection to let us have the southern bastion of the
town walls (which completely command the best landing place during the
prevalent winds) at a monthly rent of 250 rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. . That the place specified was
certainly much out of repair, but that we might expend two or three months of
the hire in putting it into an effective state. That if this offer were accepted
the only stipulation he wished to make was that the entrance should be from
the outside, and that it should not communicate directly with the town. In
reply he was told that the Resident would consult with Colonel Sherriff,
the Commanding Officer of the Troops, before giving a definitive answer upon