Page 196 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

170 Part III,
"For this reason wo have and do permit two steam boats to navigate tho Euphrates by
turns! nnd this navigation is to continuo as long as, conformably to what lias been represented
to us, it may provo useful to tho two powers, and no inconvcnionco rosult therefrom, and it is
to this purpose that an otlicial rule has been transmitted to tbo British Ambassador.
" A firman, couched in tbo same terms, has been addressed to the Pacha of Baghdad and
Dussorah.
" These commands mean that you should act in the mode nbovc-mentioncd and for this
ond tho Finnan is writton.
" You, therefore, Vizirs, Mirimirans, Judges, and other Magistrates being informed that
you nro to bo in harmony with my Impciial will, you arc to be cautious to act in conformity
thereto, nnd to be awaro of contravening that which is prescribed by this Imperial command.”
14 With reference to the above firman, tho Pacha of Baghdad, on the 11th
February 1835, issued the following “ Booyooroldi ” to tho Turkish officers on
tho Euphrates, directing them to afford their protection to the expedition
under Colouel Ohesney, and to render all assistance in their power for tho
furtherance of its objects :—
'‘To those informed of this our address the Mutcscllims, Zhahits of districts and villages
nnd Shaikhs of tribes on both banks, the Arabian and Mesopotamian, of iho Euphrates fiora
Oauah to Bussorah, be it know’u—
"That tho cause of writing this "Booyooroldi” (order) is that, as at this time, two steam
vessels have arrived, appertaining to the English Government, in which are persons bearing
this our order, who arc passing for the purposes of trade by permission of the Sublime Porte ;
having also many letters, it is incumbent on you to protect and favor them to assist in supply­
ing theirwants, nnd to abstain wholly from impeding them. If, therefore, ye aro certified of
this, it is your duty on tho arrival of the above-mentioned individuals at and on tbeir passage
by your stations, to protect and dofend, and that neither any one of you, or other, impede
them in any way, nnd should your aid be necessary to them, that you assist and servo them
in their wants, nud unite, in forwarding them on their passage going and coming in peace and
safety, without cxcuso or delay.
“ Aud for this purpose we havo written, published, and forwavded this Booyooroldi if it
please God; when you receive it, and are informed of its contents, it will be requisite that you
u6e your utmost exertions in the accomplishment of them, and act according to the order, and
thus it shall be suffice.”
15. Colonel Chcsney left England on the 10th February 1835, with the
several members and, workmen composing the expedition under his command,
and arrived at “ Port William ” on the Euphrates on the 18th July following,
when he commenced putting together the two iron steamers Euphrates and
Tigrist the materials for which had been forwarded by His Majesty’s Govern­
ment vid the Mediterranean. The completion of both of these vessels, and
their having commenced the survey of the Euphrates and Tigris, was communi­
cated by Colonel Chesney to the Hon’ble the Court of Directors in a letter dated
the 19th March 1836, from which the following is an extract:—
"Being quits sure that no event which concerns our Indian Empire, however remotely
can be indifferent to you as private individuals, whilst it is certain of attracting all tbo
attention it may deserve from you as a great governing body, I do myself tho honor of
using the very earliest opportunity in my power to acquaint Your Hon’ble Court that the two
steamers Euphrates and Tigris are now descending the great river, surveying carefully as they
drop down, under every possible advantage, both vessels being completely manned, armed and
equipped; with their boilers, engiues, and machinery quite as safe, nud even more perfect in
their working details thau when sent out of the maker hands at Liverpool.”
1G. On the 21st May 1836 the Tigris steamer was upset in the Euphrates
Fiver during a heavy squall and foundered. By this melancholy accident
Lieutenant Cockburn, of the Foyal Artillery, Lieutenant Lynch of the 26th
Fegiment, Bengal Native Infantry, 12 Europeans, consisting of sailors, engi­
neers, &c., and six natives were drowned. Several ineffectual attempts were
made to raise this vessel.
17. On the 18tli June 1836 Colonel Chesney addressed the following letter
from on board the steamer Euphrates to Sir John Cam Hobhouse, President of
the Board of Control:—
“ I have the honor to inform you that this vessel reached tho junction of
the rivers Euphrates and Tigris during tho afternoon of this day, so memorable
for ever in tho annals of England. We aro now about 43 miles from Bussorab,
and have completed the survey and descent of tbo splendid river Euphrates,
•which ends hero; onwards is the Shat ol Arab, which is rather a branch of tho
sea than a river in the ordinary acceptation of tho word. Tho officers and men