"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" [ظ‎‎٣‎٩] (٢٢٦/٨٠)

48 PRECIS OF INFORMATION REGARDING CONNECTION OF E. I. COMPY.
Persian dominions, by this means he became a subject of both powers. The territory of
Gaban and its districts is the name of that he possesses on the Turkish and Durack,
that in the Persian by being in possession of such large territories, and not paying
the usual tribute to either power. Owing to the general decline of the Turks in these parts,
and the troubles that then reigned throughout the Persian Empire, he grew in a
manner independent of either, and soon became rich by possessing the whole revenue.
Judging, however, that he should in time be called on by both powers for an account of
the arrears due to them, he foresaw that a Marine force would be his greatest security,
and accordingly by degrees raised it to the strength it is at present. Demands have been
constantly made on him both by Turks and Persians for these arrears, and he as con
stantly has eluded the payment of them. This disobedience and several petty robberies
his people were daily committing, both by sea and land, at length brought the arms of
the Turks upon him. Soliman Pacha in the year 1761 ordered his Musgaleem of this
place out against them, who with a numerous army marched to Gaban from whence
the Chaub tied to his fort at Durack, which is so situated as to render the coming at it
a work of great time and trouble. By this he gained his ends, and by means of presents at
Bagdad bought his peace with the Pacha when his fort was near falling into the hands
of Ali Aga, then General of the Turkish Army. On the commencement of this war
with him in the year 1761 the Government requested of Alexander Douglas, Esquire,
and Mr. Stewart, the assistance of the Swallow, then here, which was accordingly
judged necessary to be complied with; but the Turkish forces withdrawing the
Swallow returned hither. In the latter end of the year 1763 Ali Pacha came
down himself with a considerable army against him, but knowing they were not
equal to the attempt by sea, as his Marine force was considerably increased since the
last war, he requested William Andrew Price, Esquire, then Agent, to assist him with
two vessels of Your Honors' then here, the Tartar and Swallow, which it was judged
necessary should be complied with, and was accordingly done. They had several
encounters with the gallivats of the Chaub, but peace being again established our
vessels returned hither. In the year 1765 Currim Caun came against him, on which the
Chaub fled with his gallivats to sea, and the Caun destroyed his fort at Durack
yet he was not able to overcome him as he had no Marine force, he therefore contented
himself with what he had done and retired from thence. The Caun had in this war
requested the assistance of the Turkish galleys and forces that he might utterly
destroy him, but the dilatoriness of this Government so chagrined the Caun, that after
waiting a short time he retired in disgust. A very short time after the Caun was gone
forces came from Bagdad, with orders to the Mussaleem to go out against him. This he
accordingly did with his forces and the Captain of the Pacha's galleys, but judging their
own Marine force not equal to the Chaubs, the Pacha by letter and the Mussaleem
here applied to Mr. Wrench, their Agent, for the assistance of an English vessel (the
only one then here) called the Fanny Snow, Captain Parkinson. And Captain
Parkinson, in consequence of some stipulation with this Government made in his
favour by Mr. Wrench, was prevailed on to go on this service; he accordingly went
down the river and joined the Turkish galleys which were lying on this side the river
with the camp of the Mussaleem, while the Chaub's forces and gallivats were opposite
to them, and a few shot were some times exchanged. Your Honors' sloop was also
employed on this service for the assistance of the Government, but nothing material
happened on either side, and a seeming accommodation soon took place : the Mussaleem
returned to town, and the Chaub retired. This was about the end of May 1765. On the
10th and 17th July the Chaub took the "Sally " and "Fort William. " Your Honors'
affairs under the direction of this Agency have met with little or no alteration since
the date of our last respects. Notwithstanding the endeavours of Agasy Caun, the
Persian Ambassador, with the Chaub Shaik Soliman to reconcile the disputes in which
this country has lately been involved, the Chaub still continues the same evasive
methods in hopes to amuse us for another season, concluding it the only means he has
of escaping. Agasy Caun has had a conference with him, and, as the Caun informs us,
received rather insult than anything satisfactory, either with respect to the Turks or
us: we have been too long amused, and we are afraid Your Honors will think so. With
the hopes of bringing this Chaub to proper terms, we would willingly embrace pacific
measures; but consistent with your credit, they are not in our power, your interest is
our only aim. It is with the greatest reluctance, we beg leave to assure Your Honors,
that we find ourselves under the necessity of applying to Carim Caun for settling
the tranquillity of this Gulf; it is certainly in his power to do it. The Turks are afraid
to attempt the reduction of the Chaub without the Caun's permission, and this per
mission has not yet been granted."