Page 28 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

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Part I.
No. 12, dated Baghdad, tho 2Clh Docombcr 1813.
From—Majoo II. IIawlinsoh, Political Agent, Turkish Arabia,
To—Tko llon'blo tho Soorot Comraittoo of tho llon'blo tho Court of Dirootors, East India TIouio
London. ' ’
I do myself tho honour to roport for tho information of Your llon’blo Board, that I
arrived at Baghdad upon tho flth instant, under instructions from tho Ri^ht llon’blo tho
Governor-General of India in Council, to nssumo charge of tho oflico of Political Agent in
Turkish Arabia, in succession to Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, whose services havo boon placed at
the disposal ol' tho Government of Bombay.
My appointment to Baghdad by tho Right llon’blo tho Governor-General had especial
reference to the preservation of peace between Persia and Tttrha/, and I was directod by Ilia Lord-
ship most zealously to dovoto all my exortions to tho accomplishment of this object; but as I
found ou my arrival that Lieutenant-Colonel Karrant had been deputod to Baghdad on tbo
tame duty by Ilis Excellency Sir S. Canning (who is entrusted I understand with the supremo
authority, in the settlement of tho Tnroo-Perrian disputes), I judged that, during tho Lieute­
nant-Colonel's temporary employment, any active interference upon my part in communicating
with tho Pasha upon these matters, would rather embarrass than assist our common object of
preserving tranquility on tho frontier.
As far ns I have been able to judge of tho present tomper and tho general character of
His Highness tho Pasha of Baghdad, there ft tittle danger, 1 should sag, of the further inter­
ruption or derangement, of the negocialions at Erseroom, from any untoward proceedings upon
his part in this neighbourhood. Ilis Highness has commanded tho Mussalim of Bussorab,
pending tho result of tho conference at Er/.eroom, rigidly to abstain from any interference in tho
affairs of Chaab or Mahomerah. Ha has displayed much souse and moderation in scekiug
redress for injuries sustained nt the hands of 1’ersia, in the protection of hia rebellious subjects
and in dcpradatious committed on tbo Turkish lands, through tho legitimate channel of a
reference to Tehran, rather than through tbo more usual and direct means of retaliation or
forcible recovery. The Persian pilgrims, who at this season flock to Baghdad on their way to
tho shrines of Korbcla and Najaff, arc received with hospitality, their convenience is consulted,
and they experience a far greater degree of prot ection and even respect in their religious obser­
vances, than was ever nccordod to them in former years. In fact, although the tardy progress
of tho ncgociations atErzeroom has tonded to create a general mistrust ol an eventual amicable
adjust ment, and although Ilis Highness the Pasha is aware that his own dismissal from oflico i9
still demanded by the Persian Government as tho only duo reparation that can be offered for
the unfortunate ^catastrophe nt ICerbela, his general demeanour to Porsian subjects is kind and
conciliatory and he evidently wishes to redeem the error or his formor precipitate conduct.
In his internal administration Nojib I’acha ovinccs the same energy and firmness which
havo ever been his distinguishing characteristic. Tho repression of robbory and d isorder,
tho establishment of the authority of the Porte over the tribes subordinate to the Pashalic, tho
severo, tut not extortionate, exaction of tho dues of Government and tho introduction of
system and arrangement into tho various branches of administration, appear to he the chiof
objects of his care, and it is only reasonable to suppose that, if those objects are carried out
with the same vigour and constancy that havo inarkod their first adoption, the iucrcased
prosperity of the province must be a necessary consequence.
I proceod to notice such items of local interest as appear to bo worthy of record.
The Shaikh of Chaab,\ believing or feigning to bclievo that tho claim of Turkey to tho
allegiance of his trite, has been received with favour at Erzeroom, lias resisted the demands of
the Persian Government for revenue and it is nob impossible but that a collision may take place
upon this subject between the troops of tho Shaikh and those of the Persian Governor of
Dezful, notwithstanding that, in a visit which I lately paid to the part of Moliammerah, I
employed every effort of remonstrance and persuasion to prevent an outbreak, fearing lest the
contumacy of the Arab Shaikh should bo ascribed by Persia to the intrigues of Turkish
agents. Since my arrival at Baghdad I have, also, persuaded His Highness tho Pasha to
reiterate his injunctions to the Governor of Bussorah to avoid all connection, either direct or
indirect, with the tribe of Chaab ; and as I feel confident that these orders will be rigidly
observed, it follows that, should, hostilities now ensue, the matter will resolve itself into a
mere revenue quarrel l>etwo2ii the Persian Government and its own subjects.
The dependency of t he Arab tribe of Bent-Lam has also sometimes been questioned. At
present an officer of ihc Turkish Government, supported by a small body of troops is quietly
employed in the realization of tho rcveuues, and Persian interference is suspended.
A division of the Kurdish tribe of/an/’dependentupon tho Turkish Pashalic of Sulirnaniah,
lately caught refuge within the Persian frontier. Tho Porsian Government refusrd its
restoration and unpleasant discussions might have ensued, had not tho tribe within these few
days voluntarily returned, in search of pasturage, to the Turkish territory. Ilis Highness o
Pasha has now taken the tribes under his own protection and will it is to bo hoped, by concili­
atory conduct prevent a recurrence of their appeal to Poisia.
• Soo Sub-ecotion (ii), paragraph 2‘i et icq below.
18oo paragraph '.'5 et teq lolow,