'Persia and the Persian Question by the Hon. George Nathaniel Curzon, M.P.' [‎461] (520/714)

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THE GOVERNMENT
461
■osperajt
sons and property, shal], in perfect ease and tranquillity, employ them
selves in affairs conducive to the spread of civilisation and stability.
Therefore, for the information and re-assurance of all the subjects
and people of this kingdom generally, we do proclaim that all our sub
jects are free and independent as regards their persons and property ;
it is our will and pleasure that they should, without fear or doubt,
employ theii capital in whatever manner they please, and engage in
any enterprises, such as combination of funds, formation of companies
for the construction of factories and roads, or in any measures for the
promotion of civilisation and security. The care of that is taken on
ourselves ; and no one has the right or power to interfere with, or lay
hands on, the property of Persian subjects, nor to molest their persons
or property, nor to punish Persian subjects except in giving effect to
decrees of the civil or religious law.
This proclamation was accompanied by a Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). to each
provincial governor, enjoining the strict observation of the edict,
and severe penalties for its infringement. The Shah farther com
manded that both Proclamation and Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). ' be read in all musjids
(mosques) and meeting-houses and thoroughly explained to the
people; that they be circulated in all districts, small towns, and
even villages and encampments ; and that bonds be taken from all
petty authorities, binding them to carry out the Royal commands.'
The Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). concluded with these words : ' Anyone disregarding
these orders will be punished in such a manner as to be the wonder
of all beholders." This declaration or charter of the rights of the
subject is excellent in its way, and although it has made very little
difference in the provinces, has been honourably observed by the
sovereign himself; while its existence and public notification to
the representatives of the European Powers afford the latter a
reasonable ground for protest should any particularly scandalous
case of injustice be brought to their notice, and therefore to some
extent operate as a check upon the evilly-inclined.
It will be observed that the most needed reforms—viz., the
codification of the law and the construction of an independent
cod^csT^ tribunal to confer a sanction upon the new decree and to
tion of the administer the law already existent—were left entirely
untouched by the Royal Proclamation. Once more,
however, the Shah returned to the charge ; and at the time of my
visit to Teheran, in 1889, official circles in the capital were
stirred to their foundations by the intelligence that the king had
assigned to the Council of State the task of creating a new body