'A Précis of the Relations of the British Government with the Tribes and Shaikhs of 'Arabistan By Lieutenant A T Wilson, Acting Consul for Arabistan' [‎60v] (125/143)

106
These requests and concerns of Mu’izz-es-Saltaneh, Shaikh Khaz’al
Khan, which the Ministry of Customs has, with the cognizance of the Minis
try of Foreign Affairs, accepted, and has written an answer, are correct. Let
them be carried out.
In the month of Rabi-ul-Sani 1320 ( = July 1902).
(Here writing, apparently Shah’s autograph.)
Seal
of Atabeg-i-
'Azam.
Note. —A copy of this document was forwarded to the Foreign Office, London, under Legation despatch
No. 137 of 8th October 1902.
APPENDIX XI.
Translation of Shaikh of Mohammerah's Customs Farman, dated Rabi II>
1320 ( = June 1902).
Seal of Muzaffar-ud-Din Shah.
By the Grace of God,
Whereas Our Royal, August and sacred mind is strongly inclined towards
the entire reformation of the Customs Department of the exalted (Persian)
Government, and whereas its regulation and arrangement are calculated to the
ease of the general public, we have therefore appointed and selected efficient
and competent persons as Directors (of Customs) in the provinces, countries,
territories and ports. The degree of the efficiency and competence of His Ex
cellency Shaikh Khaz’al Khan Mu’izz-es-Saltaneh, Amir Tuman, being also
obvious and evident to us, we have, therefore, honoured him with the post of
Director General of Customs in the ports of Mohammerah and ’Arabistan and
he must have full superintendence and supervision over all the affairs and give
effect to the instructions of the Customs Ministry. But as there is no capable
and worthy official in the port of Mohammerah who may be fit to render this
service and recover the Customs duty in accordance with the New Tariff, as is
at present levied in the other territories, therefore, Monsieur Waffelaert, who
is a Belgian official employed by the exalted Government, with Mirza
Yantz, a Persian subject, will be sent for the purpose of assisting him, so that
Monsieur Waffelaert should act as a subordinate under the Director General
and the Mu’izz-es-Saltaneh should also be under the control of the Customs
Ministry. It is obvious that Monsieur Waffelaert must behave towards His
Excellency with extreme reverence and respect and should accept, and comply
with his advices and instructions at necessary junctures, in all the Customs
affairs relating to the Arabs and natives. In the same way, the Mu’izz-es-Sal
taneh undertakes to treat the officials with the utmost friendliness and to
afford them the fullest support and co-operation. And he also undertakes to
give his acquiescence for his own small steam pinaces to be at their disposal
whenever the Customs Department wishes to investigate and search vessels
laden with merchandise, so that 5 per cent, duty can be recovered from the mer
chandise imported and exported. It is confirmed that under these circum
stances absolutely not a single cent shall be recovered in the interior of the
country, under any name or guise whatever, from such merchandise as has
already paid its duty. The selection and appointment of the necessary em
ployes and staff for the local Customs Department shall be made with the ap
proval of the Mu’izz-es-Saltaneh. In consideration of this worthy service on
his part, we have granted and fixed for him by way of salary a sum of 1,000
tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. per mensem, making a total of 12,000 tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. per annum, out of the
Customs incomes, as suggested by His Most Noble Excellency the Atabeg-i-
A’zam, so that every year he may receive it and busy himself in rendering ser
vices, with the utmost confidence.
It is commanded that the respected Royal Secretaries should register this
auspicious Farman and consider it their duty to do.
Dated this month of Rabi-’al-Sani, Pars-il, 1320 (June 1902).