Page 33 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter I. 11
followod it, he also got possession of n territory in tlio Pormn dominions : by this means, ho
became a subject of both powers. Tho territory of Gabon is the nnmo of the districts
that ho possesses on the Turkish, and Durack, that in the Persian. By being in possession of
such largo territories, and not paying tho usual tribute to either power, owing to tho
general decline of tho Turks in theso parts, and tho troublos that then reigned throughout tlio
Persian Empiro, ho grew in a manner independent of either, and 8"On boenmo rich by possess­
ing tho wliolo revenue. Judging, however, that ho should in time ho called on by both
powers for an account of the arrears duo to thorn, ho foresaw that a Marine force would be his
greatest security, and accordingly by degrees raised is to the strength it is at present.
Demands liavo boon constantly made on him both by Turks and Persians for these arrears,
and ho ns constantly has cludod tho payment of thorn. This disobedience and several petty
robberies his people wore daily committing, both by 6ca and land, at length brought the
arms of tho Turks upon him. Solimau Pacca in tho year 1761 ordered his Mussalim of this
placo out against them, who with a 'numerous army marched to Gaban from whence the
Chaub fled to his foil at Durack, which is so situated as to rouder tho coming at it a work
of great time and trouble. By this ho gained his ends, and by means of presents at
Baghdad bought his pcaco with tho Pacha, when his fort was near falling into the hands of
Ali Aga, then General of the Turkish Army. On the commencement of this war with him
in tho year 1761, the Government requested of Aloxnndcr Douglas, Esquire, and Mr. Stewart,
the assistant of the Swallow, then here, which was accordingly judged necessary to ho com­
plied with; hut tlio Turkish forces withdrawing, the Swallow returned hither. In the latter
end of the year 17G3 Ali Pacha came down himself with a considerable army against him,
but knowing they wero not equal to the attempt by soa, as his Marino force was considerably
increased since the last war, he requested William Andrew Prince, Esquire, then Agent, to
assist him with two vessels of Your Honors’ then here, the Tartar and Swallow, which it was
judged oeccssary should ho complied with, and was accordingly done. They had several
encounters with the gallivats of the Chaub, hut peace being again established, our vessels
returned hither. In the year 1765 Currim Caun came against him, on which the Chaub Hed
with his gallivats to sea, and tho Caun destroyed his fort at Durack; yet he was not able to
overcome him as he had no Marino forco, he therefore contented himself with what he had
done and retired from thence. Tho'Caun had in tin's war requested the assistance of the
Turkish galleys and forces that ho might utterly destroyed him, but the dilatoriness of this
Government so chagrined the Caun, that after wa’ting a short time ho retired in disgust. A
very short time alter the Caun was gone forces camo from Baghdad, with orders to tho
Mussalim to go out against him. This he accordingly did with his forces and the Captain of
the Pacha's galleys, but judging their own Marine forco not equal to the Cbahus, the Pacha
by letter and the Mussalim here applied to Mr. Wrench, their Agent, for the assistance of an
English vessel (the only one then here) called tho Fanny Snow, Captain Parkinson. And
Captain Parkinson, in consequcnco of somo stipulation with this Government mado in his
favour by Mr. Wrench, was prevailed on to go on this service; he accordingly went down the
river and joined the Turkish galleys which were lying on this side tho river with the camp of
tho Mussalim, while the Chaub’s forces and gallivats were opposite to them, and a fow shot
were some times exchanged. Your Honors, sloop was also employed on this service for the
assistance of the Government, but nothing material happened on either side, and a seeming
accommodation soon took place : the Mussalim returned to town, and the Chaub retired.
This was about the end of May 1765. On the 10th and 17th July, tho Chaub took the
" Sally” and “ Fort William. ” Your Honors’ affairs under tho direction of this Agoncy have
met with little or no alteration since tho date of our last respects. Notwithstanding the en­
deavours of Agasy Caun, tho Persian Ambassador, with the Chaub Sheikh Suliman to
reconcile the disputes in which this country has lately been involved, tho Chaub still continues
tho same evasive metho Is in hopes to amuse us for another season, concluding it the only
means he has of escaping. Agasy Caun has had u conference with him, and, as the Caun
informs us, received rather insult than anything satisfactory, either with respect to the Turks
or us : we have been too long amused, and wo aro afraid Your Honors will think so. With the
hopes of bringing this Chaub to proper terms, we would willingly embrace pacific measures;
but consistent with your cn dit, they aro not in our power, your interest is our only aim. It is
with the greatest reluctance, we beg leave to assure Your Honors, that we find ourselves under
the necessity of applying to Carim Caun for settling the tranquillity of this Gulf; it is certainly
in his power to do it. The Turks are afraid to attempt tho reduction of tho Chaub without tho
Caun’s permission, and this permission has not yet been granted.”
29. The latter part of the above account anticipates some earlier entries
in the records we possess in Bombay. The earliest record, we can trace in the
following entry on pago 89 of tho Basrah Factory Diary of X763-6i :—
October 1763.
Wednesday J2.-—Tho Chaub having lauded a numbor of men iu the Dawasha country
and drawn away the inhabitants, tho Swallow returned with Shaik Ali on board without having
been able to procure any dates in part payment of Mr. Shaw’6 debt.*
Thursday 13.—Understanding that the Chaub as people have got possession of the dates
at Dawasha, which they will probably carry off and thereby prevent Mr. Shaw’s getting his
• Sc# Selections, 1600-IS00. No. CXXXIV.