"ملخّص يحتوي على معلومات بشأن الاتصال الأول لشركة الهند الشرقية مع الجزيرة العربية التركية، طالما أمكن تتبع ذلك من سجلات حكومة بومباي، بالإضافة إلى أسماء العديد من المقيمين البريطانيين والوكلاء السياسيين الذين عُينوا في بغداد والبصرة في الفترة بين ١٦٤٦ و ١٨٤٦ ميلادي، وبمرافقة معلومات أخرى" [و‎‎٣‎٦] (٢٢٦/٧٣)

WITH TURKISH ARABIA 1646 TO 1846.
41
means a proper person to be concerned in the adjustment of Mr. Shaw's affairs, or in
the enquiry you are ordered to make into some points of his conduct, and as his being
As;ent while these affairs are depending, might give room for Mr. Shaw to allege
hereafter that his influence and the countenance and support he has all along shown
to Hadjee Eusuph in prejudice to him, was an insurmountable obstacle to the settling
his affairs and setting his conduct in a clear and just light to us. We have determined
that you shall take charge of our Hon'ble masters' aflairs at Bussorah immediately
on your arrival, and continue to manage the same, until your presence may be no
longer necessary for settling Mr. Shaw's affairs, or until further orders from hence;
but as Mr. Douglas may accompany you to Bussorah to produce such proofs, as he
may judge necessary on the spot, for vindicating his character from the aspersions
thrown upon it by Mr. William Shaw (for which purpose we now send him attested
copies of the several charges laid against him by that gentleman;, you are to behave to
him in a polite and friendly manner, and afford him all the accommodation which his
rank and station in the service entitle him to, affording him at the same time all the
assistance he may require of you, in order to clear himself of the imputations laid to
his charge, either by examining witnesses, or by your interposition with the Govern
ment or others for procuring such proofs as Mr. Douglas may represent to be necessary
for that purpose, and the same conduct you will observe with respect to Messrs. Shaw
and Garden. Messrs. Benjamin Jervis and John Portesse now proceed to your assistance,
having received their diet to the end of last month, salary to the 2nd instant, but not
the allowance for their passage. Messrs. Dymoke Lyster and John Sebastian Natler,
already in Persia, are likewise ordered to assist you agreeably to the rules ot the
service, but as Mr. Portesse is only ordered to accompany you, on account of his bad
state of health, he is not to be concerned in the management of affairs, notwithstanding
his being a factor, but only to assist you, as you may see occasion, and to return with
you to the Presidency. You are to embark on the Tartar, whose commander is ordered
to receive and entertain you in a manner suitable to your rank and station in the
service, and to proceed on her to Bussorah with all expedition, to set about the enquiries
ordered, carrying with you as many of the Hon'ble Company's woollens, as you may be
able, touching however at Muscat for intelligence, and at Gombroon to give any assistance
which may be wanted there, which you are to afford on Mr. Douglas' applying to you
for the same, provided it may not require above a few days. While you are employed
on this service, we permit of your keeping a table at the Hon'ble Company's expense,
in part of which you have been advanced four thousand (4,000) rupees, and directed
that at Bussorah everybody live in one house (if it can be done), eat at one table, and
in every respect keep up a perfect harmony; and as presents to the Government will be
necessary on your first arrival, and, perhaps, too, on any applications you may have occa
sion to make, we must acquiesce therein, though at the same time we must enjoin you
to the utmost frugality in this, as well as in every article of expense whatever, avoid
ing as much as you can all pomp and parade of any kind, which is constantly attended
with a very heavy charge to our Hon'ble masters."
100. On the 26th January 1763, Mr. Price left Bombay for Gom
broon and Bussorah, and arrived in Gombroon roads on the 24th March
following. In his journal of proceedings, Mr. Price gives the following
account of his arrival at Gombroon;—
" 24th March. At night anchored in Gombroon road, but notwithstanding the vessel
fired several guns, and burnt a number of blue-lights; they were none of them
answered." 25th March. Not any vessels in the road, nor appearance of any colours
on shore, which makes me conclude the Pactory is withdrawn ; but as no boats are come
off to us (although it is now ten o'clock), that it has not been done without some
hostilities, and as I am greatly embarrassed for want of intelligence, ordered a Dutch
ensign to be hoisted, and a gun fired, this had the effect I wished for, for shortly after
the Governor sent off a boat to invite us on shore ; in this boat came one of the Pactory
servants. Prom him I learnt that the English had taken and burnt Gombroon Port,
and pillaged the town ; that Mr. Douglas afterwards proceeded to Lofton Kishme with
the Europe ship Drake to attack the Jiahmanny, but had retired without attempt
ing her, and made the best of his way to Bombay. Under these circumstances I was
apprehensive that Moollah Ally Shaw would not permit of our having a Pilot, neverthe
less as the vessels going without the island, instead of between Kishme and the Main,
might make a material difference in her passage, resolved to attempt it, weighed anchor
accordingly, and proceeded to Kishme, making the usual signal for a Pilot. In about