Page 31 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part I—Chap. IV. 9

CHAPTER IV,

THE SECOND MISSION OF JOHN MALCOLM TO PERSIA AND
THE PERSIAN GULF, 1808. ARRIVAL OF KING GEORGE
UPS AMDASSADOR SIR HARFORD JONES AT BOMBAY.
23. As early as 23rd November 1806 Colonel Malcolm wrote from Mysore
to Lord Minto pointing out the danger to India from the termination of the
war between France and Russia, which must lead to the occupation of Turkey
by the French and making Persia their highway for an invasion of India, in
alliance with Russia. Already an ambassador of Bonaparte had arrived at
Teheran and had been very successful in establishing an influence at the
Court of Persia. .The Shall had gained nothing by the treaties with the
Government drawn up by Captain Malcolm, while now Bonaparte came forward
to settle the Persian difficulties with Russia, by war at first, and later on,
when the treaty of Tilsit was signed between France and Russia, by friendly
negotiation with the Russian Emperor, now Bonaparte’s ally.
24. The Resident at Bush ire, Mr. Hankey Smith, was apparently much !
perturbed by the news of the arrival of a French Ambassador at Teheran, and
to calm his apprehension Nasurullah Khan, Minister to the Prince of Fars, wrote
the following letter [translation] to Sheikh Abdul Rassul, Governor of Bushire.
Translation of a private letter from Nasurala Khan to Shaik Ahdil Russool Khant Governor
of Bushire.
At the present time we have understood from the communications of some of the
merchants at Bushire and from those who are coming and going, that the Resident at Bushire, Secret and Poll,
in consequence of the arrival of the French Ambassador in Persia, has entertained BOme jjoP322 oHSOS
degree of apprehension. In the first place, according to the established rules, this intelli- pp< 1079-]0b2.'
genco ought first to have been communicated by you to His Royal Highness, and to myself
aud not that we should have become acquainted with tho things through the medium of the
merchants, communications or the reports of travellers: in this particular you have been
extremely thoughtless and inattentive.
Mohummed Hussein Khan Kishtee is now dispatched to Bushire in consequence of the
above intelligence being received in order that he may do away the fears of the Resident
and make him perfectly satisfied in this subjeot.
In the first place, it i6 self-evident that during the former Governments of Persia
ambassadors from distaut Kingdoms as India, Rome, Turkey, Europe, friends and enemies
from every nation were alike received at their Courts, and every one who had demands or
communications to make was admitted aud the Sovereigns of those ages acted as appeared
themselves advisable, and no one prevented the coming and going of ambassadors to their
country.
The first Europeans who came and established a friendship with Persian Government
were the English, and His Majesty the King of Persia received and treated them with
every kindness and friendship, and he is even now continually writing most particularly to
His Royal Highness the Priuce and to myself to maintain and support this friendship
with the English nation unimpaired hitherto, nothing has occurred to disturb the existing
harmony and good understanding between the two nations, why then should the arrival of
one or two Frenohmcn cause any disturbance in the mind of the Resident of Bushire. I
swear by the Almighty God and the head of my Sovereign that the servants of His
Majesty and those of His Royal Highness the Prince entertain the highest regard and
friendship towards the English and in no way can the arrival of the French in the Empire
diminish the attachment which subsists or cause them to abandon the path of friendship
and the long established connexion between the States of England and Persia will not
undoubtedly be even regarded with utmost respect and attention by His Majesty and His
Royal Highness.
Mohummed Hussein Khan Kishtee, who is now dispatched, is commissioned to bear some
messages which he will personally communicate to you, and it is necessary that by consulting
together you adopt some plan by which the Resident may be fully satisfied in every particular,
and with the favour of the Almighty nothing will ever be manifested contrary to the
communications and assurances of attachment which you may make to him.
Make known to me your wishes and rely upon their being complied with.