Political No. 23 of 1874, Forwarding a Copy of Papers Relating to the Projected Exploration of the Persian Gulf by a British Company to be Established for the Purpose of Pearl Fishing [‎259r] (5/20)

Enclosure No. 3.
No. 1296-166, dated Bushire, 4th October 1873.
From—Her Britannic Majesty’s Acting Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in tbe Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
I have the honor to report that a gentleman of the late Indian Navy,
Lieutenant Walter Grant, arrived at Bushire by last Mail Steamer, and called
on me to consult me concerning a commercial scheme in connection with which
he has been deputed to the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
2. It appears that certain speculators have conceived an idea of forming
a company for the purpose of obtaining supplies of pearls from the Persian
Gulf hanks with the aid of steam power and diving, and other modern scien
tific appliances.
3. Lieutenant Grant has been deputed by the projectors to make certain
enquiries on the spot, and chiefly, I understand, to endeavour to obtain certain
or rather some sort of concessions from the Chief of Bahrein or other Arab
Chiefs.
4. Lieutenant Grant informed me he had been instructed to confer with
the Resident before taking any steps. I informed him that, unless under
express orders from Government, I could in no way give him encouragement
or aid in furtherance of his plans. I also considered it right to warn him that
it would he imprudent for him to proceed at present alone to the Arab Coast.
5. As it appears to me no Chief or Sheik has the wish, the right, or the
power to make concessions concerning the pearl fisheries, it is wholly unlikely
Lieutenant Grant’s mission will result in any encouragement to the projectors
of the scheme referred to.
—Copy forwarded to Bombay Government and India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. direct.
Enclosure No. 4.
No. 1360-200, dated Busbire, 18th October 1873.
From—Her Britannic Majesty’s Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department.
With reference to my letter No. 1296-166 of the 4th instant I have the
honor to transmit herewith, for the information of His Lxcellency the Viceroy
and Governor-General of India in Council, a letter
No. 49, dated 12 th October 1873. ag ^ margin from tlie i st Assistant Resident
reporting the proceedings of Mr. W. Grant (late Indian Navy) at Bahrein, and
the views of the Chief of Bahrein on the subject.
No. 49, dated Bahrein, 12th October 1873.
From—Assistant Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ,
To—Her Britannic Majesty’s Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 1320-434
of 4th October 1873, together with enclosure letter No. 1296-166 of same date,
regarding the contemplated establishment of a pearl fishing company by certain
English speculators.
2. Lieutenant W. Grant, late Indian Navy, the Agent for the above men
tioned speculators, is at present in Bahrein; he has had an interview with Sheik
Eysau bin Ali, Chief of Bahrein, who refused to grant the concession Mr. Grant
required, and declined to even entertain relations with parties unauthorzied by
the English Government.
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