Page 178 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

15G Part II.
nice duly informed him that tho property would he transmitted through tho
Consulate, lie, however, deputed a Vakeel to Baghdad, named Kaja Fyzoollah,
and this man, on the 6th July 1870, took possession, in tho presence of Bibi
Bcajummec and Colonel Nixon, of tho property which had been loft to his
employer, llo then went to Nawab Ahmed Aga’s house ; and on tho evening
of the following day (0th July) complained that the property had been forcibly
takan from him by tho Nawab, who, on the 19th of July, met tho accusation
by a countercharge, accusing tho Vakeel of having made a false statement and
requesting that ho might bo punished.
200. Tho matter was investigated by a Court composed of—
1. Tho Political Agent (Colonel Nixon),
2. Surgeon-Major Colville,
3. Mr. Baitt, 1st Officer of the Comet,
4. Nawab Ikbal-oo-Dowlah,
the result being that the Native Agent was exonerated of tho charge preferred
against him, whilst a conviction came over the Court that a plot bad been laid
by tho Armenians in the Agency Office for the downfall of the Native Agent,
and that Mr. Johannes Thoddeus, the Head clerk of the Agency Office, being
prompted thereto by a combination of jealousy and interested motives, had
instigated tho complaint. This gentleman had known of Kaja Fyzoollali’s
complaint and spoken to his brothers on tho subject some time before it camo
to Colonel Nixon’s notice, and yet had not reported it; he had also acted as
interpreter to the Court and remained silent, saying nothing until it transpired
from tho evidenco that he had been in secret communication with tho com­
plainant on the subject of his alleged loss ; it was also elicited during the
I enquiry that he had bullied Mirza Koochick, tho Agency Moonshce, and a
person, named Eashim Ali, who had accompanied Fyzoollah Khan to tho
Nawah’s house, for giving “evidenco that did not suit his views.” Tho
Moonshce declared in his evidence—
" The English clerks are enraged with me for not giving evidence to convict Nawab
Ahmed Aga/' and again : “ The English clerks have threatened to get me turned out of tho
: Office for not giving evidence."
201. Whilst several of tho witnesses asserted that Kaja Fyzoollah said he
had been put up to make a “ false complaint ” by Beajummee, one witness,
named Elias, a Kuwass of tho Residency adding that Fyzoollah had stated that
he had been induced to complain falsely by a “ number of people."
262. To find a motive for Mr. Thaddeus’ alleged misconduct and for tho
connivance therein of his brothers, it is necessary to enter somewhat into
detail in regards to the personnel of the Baghdad Agency Office establishment.
263. On taking charge in December 1874, Colonel Nixon found tho chief
duties in the hands of fivo Armenians, viz.—
y fl. Mr. Michael Minas, Native Agent.
3 1 1. Mr. George Thaddens, Dragoman.
3. Mr. Johannes Thaddeus, Head Clerk and Deputy Postmaster.
5 j 4. Mr. Yaboob Thaddeus, Accountant.
* k®* Mr. Gabriel Thaddeus, Treasurer and Post Office clerk.
264. Finding that Mr. Michael Minas was long over age, Colonel Nixon
wrote to Mr. Aitchison (Foreign Secretary) about him, and then heard for tho
• No. 1121-G., dated 8tl. June 1872. first time that an order* had been issued
General 13., Juoo 1872 No. 195.
for Mr. Minas’ retirement on the 26th
August 1874. A search had to be made in the Agency Office before this letter
t Paragraph 8 of bia letter Ko. 30, dated 14lh was produced. Colonel Nixon believed
October JS7fi. that it had “ been intentionally con-
2 (icocral B., Norcml-er 1875 No. 41.
§ i.t, Colncai Hubert, Colonel Nizon'aprcdcccaor. ccaled.’,+ But, he this as it may, Mr.
Minas was removed on 30tli August
1875,X and Colonel Nixon, considering that the state of tho relations which
bad existed between his predecessor § and tho local Turkish authorities demand-

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