Page 195 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter X. 109
Below Buna tho Pashalic of Baghdad commences and it extends from thence to the
Persian Gulf. Ali Pasha himself when at Aleppo had formed plans for opening the Euphrates
what he proposed to the Porte more than oueo and actually obtained the necessary sanction
for so doing in tho early part of 1833 at which time he was enthusiastic in the cause and
unless Ihcro may have been foreign intrigue used at Baghdad he will probably prove that he is
so at this moment by acceding to the request Colonel Taylor has been instructed by Mr.
Grant to make and thus again obtain through the Pasha the sanction of the Porte for the in­
troduction of steam along the Euphrates.
It fortunately happens that the whole of thn Arab tribes arc included cither in the Gov­
ernment of Egypt or that of tho Pasha of Baghdad and the hearty recommendation of the
latter will go Ter toremovo any suspicion which the Sultan might he inclined to entertain
especially about the requisite stations for steamers, one of which is absolutely indispensable at
each extremity of the line to the extent in the first instanco of a small basin for the vessel
and a Vice-Consulate establishment surrounded by a simple wall merely enough for defence
against the Arabs, yet so chosen that it might be capable of being strengthened iu case of war
so as to resist for a time the coup tie main descent of an enemy along the river/’
12. On the 20th November 1831, King William IV granted the following
commission under bis Royal Sign manual to Captain JF. R. Chesnoy, constituting
and appointing him with the rank of Colonel, Commander of the expedition.
“ William the IV, by the Grace of God, King of tho United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, to nil and singular to whom thoe presents shall enmo
greeting : Whereas it has been repiescntcd to us that great, advantages are likely to result
not only to tho commerce of our own subjects, but to that of other nations, and particularly
to that of the subjects of our good ally, the high and mighty Emperor Sultan Mahomed
Uan II., Chief Lord and Commander of the Eastern Empire, from the establishment of a
direct communication between the Mediterranean Sea and the possessions of our Crown in tho
East Indies, for the effectual accomplishment of which object it is proposed, among other
things, to navigate by the means of steam vessels the River Euphrates Mowing through the
dominions of our said ancient and good ally : Now know ye that wo moved by thesa considera­
tions, and relying upon tho friendship of our said gcod ally, have determined lo sanction the
employment of acerlaiu number of scientific officers with the requisite number of artificers
and other workmen for the purpose aforesaid, and having moreover full confidence in the zeal
and ability of Colonel Francis Rawdnu Chesnoy, an officer of our Royal Regiment of Artillery,
we do hereby constitute and appoint him the said Francis Rawdon Chcsncy to be the Com­
mander of tho expedition as above described, and we do strictly charge and enjoin him to use
his best endeavours to ensure the success thereof, and further, constantly to bear in mind our
express command that he do cultivate to the utmost of his power the best understanding and
friendship with the authorities of our said good ally in the districts through which the aforesaid
expedition will pass, and that, he do conciliate the good-will and friendship of the inhabitants
of the samp, not doubling that when this our present commission shall have been communicated
to our said good ally, ho will cause corresponding instructions to be given to his owu servants,
out of due regard for the friendship and alliance so happily subsisting between our two Courts.
In witness whereof wc have signed those presents with our Royal hand. Given at our Court
at Brighton, the 28th day of November in the year of our Lord 1834 and in tho 5th year
of our reign.
“ By Her Majesty’s Command,
“ (Sd.) Wellington.
"To Colonel Francis Rawdon Ciiesney, Commission, etc.”
13. On the 29th December 183'.l the Sublime Porte, on the application of
tho Right Bon’blc Lord Ponsonby, Ilis Britannic Majesty’s Ambassador at
Constantinople, granted the following firman, authorizing the navigation of the
Euphrates liivcr by the two steamers belonging to tho British Government
about to be placed on that rivor :—
“ Translation of an Imperial Firman of protection for tho English steam vessels destined to
navigate the River Euphrates, dated 29th December 183-t, to Their Excellencies tho
Vizirs, Pachas of three tail?, to the illustrious Mirimirans Pachas of two tails, to the
learned Judges, to the Waivodas Captains of ports and other Magistrates of places situated
on both banks of the Euphrates, Health.
“On receiving tho Imperial command you will know as follows:—The Ambassador
Extraordinary nnd Plenipotentiary of Great Britain at Constantinople, Lord Ponsonby, one of
the most illustrious personages among the Christian nations, has presented at our Subliiuo
Porte an official note, by which he intimates that the British Government requires permission
to causo to navigate by turns two steam boats on the River Euphrates, which flows at a small
distance from the city of Baghdad, for the purposes of facilitating commerce.
“ Wc in consequence issood to our very illustrious Govornor of Baghdad aud Bussorah, Ali
Roza Pacha, au order to furnish our Sublime Porto with information of the proposed
navigation.
“ Although tho answer of tho Pacha had not arrived, the Ambassador made representations
on this point, informing our Sublime Porte; British Government awaited our reply.
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