"الخليج العربي؛ مسقط وزنزبار" [ظ‎‎٣‎٨] (٨/٢)

China, stated that it can only be regarded as a most
pernicious poison, which it is painful to any friend
of humanity to see still poured into the sources of
human happiness, the misery, demoralization, and
frightful ravages occasioned by it exceeding belief,
and the detestable disgrace and sin of this forced*
traffic leaving little to choose between it and piracy;
while, as reported by the Reverend Mr. Welton,
the millions of people taunt our missionaries, vent
their indignation at our hypocrisy, and say, “ Per-
“ suade your countrymen to relinquish the abomi
nable trade, and then we may listen to your exhor-
“ tations on the subject of Christianity.” Never
theless, the scandalous profit is too great to be
parted from. The Jamsetjees, Mathesons, and Jar-
dines amass colossal fortunes by it, and consequently
are honoured and dignified in their native countries.
Certain classes of Persian merchants are now hope
ful of supplanting them in several ports in the
introduction of the filthy drug. The Persian soil
and climate are favourable to its production. The
Persian Gulf is a convenient line for its exportation.
Before long we may see Persian Agas and Khans
ennobled by their King for their enterprise in emu-
ating the successful activity of those arch contra
bandists.
icgdiu iu me snan s proiect of
placing a steam fleet in the Gulf, it is not new. It
was reported to me when I was last Governor in
Bombay, by a British Officer employed there. The
rrench Captain Picard, commanding the “ Her-
mione, ’ visited Bombay, where his beautiful 54-ffun
frigate was much admired. At his request, I fur
nished him with introductions to Kurrachee, but he
did not think it necessary to acquaint me with the
main object of his onward cruise to the north-west
He proceeded to the Gulf, made acquaintance with
he Imaura and other Chiefs and ports there, and
lett those favourable impressions which gracious
messages from his Government, his own urbanity
and the taints of his selected complement of
Officers laded not to produce. Soon after, it was
rumoured m the Gulf and at Bombay that he
Emperor intended to provide the Shah’with four
steamers, for service in the Persian Gulf.
It stands to reason that, around an'empire so
vast as ours in India, there will be here and there
positions of some importance, politically com
mercially, or strategically, which, if not brought
ithm the sphere of powerful, though friendly
influence on our part, will become moulded to the
views of other great States, when the latte, hive
f “ r ««
the instance of Russian diplomacy in Persia
During the first thirty years of thJ 1 ersia -
influence greatly preponderated in the Coundhof
the Government at Tehran, as well as at the v®
regal Court in Tabreez. I do not refer to the e^'
vagant expenditure by Malcolm, though, to be ^