'Travels in Beloochistan and Sinde; accompanied by a geographical and historical account of those countries, with a map.' [‎333] (375/476)

MISSION TO SINDE.
333
number were returned. About an hour after she had anchored, the
Governor came on board to visit Mr. Smith, attended by several
matchlockmen, and brought some sheep and vegetables as a present.
He neither spoke Persian or Hindoostanee, but made numerous in
quiries through his interpreter, regarding the vessels and the number
of men they carried; and after sitting half an hour, seemed very
happy to get away. He was a mean looking little man, with a dress
corresponding, and the only point in which his costume differed
from that of his followers was, that he wore an immense turband.
Ihe two succeeding days were lost in discussions respecting the dis
embarkation of the mission, which the Governor was anxious to
protract, until he should receive instructions from the Umeers. On
the 12th, he visited Mr. Smith a second time, when the latter
took occasion to reprehend some improper assumptions, in the cor
respondence that had taken place relative to the titles and rank of
the Governor-general and the Umeers, at which he professed his
regret, and said it arose from his ignoranrp of the Persian language,
but, that he was willing either to put the person who had written
them to death, or blind him, as the envoy chose. He was of course
requested not to proceed to such violent measures, but to give orders
for greater circumspection in future.
The Governor seemed under great alarm throughout this visit, and
after his boat was along-side, hesitated whether he would come on
board or not. His attendants shewed him little respect, and, when
Mr. Smith and he went into the cabin, one of them instantly rose off
the deck, and placed himself in the chair in which the Nuwwab *
had been sitting, another wished to occupy Mr. Smith's, but was
prevented. •
On the 13//i and \^th of May the tents and public stores of the
mission were landed, and the former pitched on a spot pointed out
by the Governor. Several of the gentlemen had gone on shore, and
^ The governor's official title.