'Selections from State Papers, Bombay, regarding the East India Company's Connection with the Persian Gulf, with a Summary of Events, 1600-1800' [‎229v] (458/540)

380
Imaum I hope to have it in my power to collect much useful information
relative to his connexions in that quarter which my short stay there did not
now admit of.
thflmam 10688 0f I )ur i n g a daily and um-eserved intercourse with Syed Sultaun while at see
I had frequently the pi easure to hear him express his satisfaction at having
established a friendly correspondence with the English Government, this high
sense of favour they had shewn him in attending to his late request. This
disposition appears to be sanguine and in proportion as his attachment to the
English has become warm & sincere his dislike to the Erench seems to have
increased. TheJ treatment he has recently from that Nation in the capture of
his ships and from some individuals formerly employed in his service has
greatly contributed towards this favourable change in his sentiments, in which
it shall be my study to confirm him already indeed I have reason to think
I have far succeeded as to have gained a share of his confidence of personal
friendship. I am requested by him to intimate to your Hon'ble Board his
desire to have eight or ten Englishmen sent from Bombay to serve on Board
his ships as gunners and in lieu of the French and other foreigners, whom he
has dismissed in compliance with your wishes. The same request was I believe
made thro' Captain Malcolm but by some mistake he permitted to forward
that Gentleman's letter till very lately.
^ K 1 ' ?T g , le , dire f" 1 received also on my arrival a letter from Capt. Malcolm, left here by
ted by Malcolm to < r ' J
assumethe office of Capt. Lelly by the Bombay Frigate on his return to the Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. , directing
Agent at Maskat. me to assume office of Agent on the p art of the Hon'ble Company at this
Port until I receive further instructions from your Hon'ble Board and enclosing
me a copy of the agreement entered into by the Envoy for the part of the
English Government with the Imaum Syed Sultaun by which the former
Coulnamah is confirmed and the residence of the English Agent consented to.
Tippn b agent. Eespecting the Agent of the late Tippoo Sultaun of the purport of the
Mysore Government at Muskat I formally made such enquiries, as I deemed
warrantable from the nature of my situation, I could however gain no satis
factory An East India Company trading post. information on the subjec t but have reason to believe the purport was
not considerable tho' whatever it may have been it is probable it was embezel-
led by the Agents themselves. Soon after my arrival at Muskat they departed
rather abruptly and it is said proceeded to Bownaghur instead of returning to
their own country. It has been lately reported here, however, and generally
credited that their vessel has been wrecked in the neighbourhood of Cutch.
Should they in consequence return to this place I shall awail myself of every
means in my power and take such steps as appear to me prudent and necessary
to ascertain the truth the result I shall communicate to your Hon'ble Board
and Mr. Lovett on his arrival.
I shall also reserve for some future communication any mention of the
Politics of this Government and its connexions, till a more extensive knowledge
of the people and their interests acquired by a longer residence amongst them
shall enable me to speak with more certainty and to judge of the proper sources
from whence to draw my information.
I have the honour, etc., etc.,
A. H. BAGLE,
Assistant Surgeon.
M uskat,
The 29ih 'February 1800.\