Page 55 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter II. 33
Report was spread in Town of the P.ishaw having; died in his Camp. This substance of it
was, that “ his thoughts turned (he believed) the same way as mine,” and that “a man always
repented forming connections with fools.”
It is however not to bo doubled that tho Dafterdar Effendi and Mohammed Beg have
onenged themselves to support tho Kia, but their characters arc such, particularly that of the
former, that I cannot think they will bo able to givo him much assistance in his views ; for
though they aro now both of them in possession of much influence, thoy are neither beloved nor
respected, nor will their efforts admit them to bo as powerful as they can bo imagined,
bo able to stom or turn tho current of popular opinion.
It is also to bo remarked that tho Office of the ono (I believe) and the consequence of the
other ocascs on the death or change of tho Bashaw—a ease far different to that of the Janissary
Aga, whom Your Excellency knows by the canons of the Umpire, takes charge for the Porto
of tho City and Palace, and the Treasures if ho can get at them, of tho late Pasbaw, until
a new Paslinw bo appointed. His assistance therefore to whomsoever he shall lend it is an
affair of tho greatest importance—the chiofcst men of tlic town being Janissaries, who look up
to their Aga and particularly to the present—who is a man of grout sense and ability and
is both respected and believed.
What aro the foundations on whom Selim Beg, Paoud Aga and Ncseef Asa. build their
hopes, I am ignorant further than the weak ones of being sons-in-law to the Pashaw, and some
trilling Cabals, which they may each have formed amongst the Georgians in the Palace,
which from frequently canvassing, thoy have each iu their own opinions magnified into power­
ful moans of success.
It is Fomoiime sinco I have indirectly beard that the Porte on some cause of discontent
with the Pasbaw was desirous of ascertaining whether in tho eveut of a Firmaun for tho
Pashaliok being sent to Abdullah Aga he would undertake to support it, but within these few
months all eyes have been directed inwards him ; all hopes of seeing anything likeprosperty aud
tranquillity restored 10 this country have rested on hint. Holding situation I do I can not
suppose it will be deemed impertinent to offer an opinion on this occasion, but when I find this
opinion backed by the concurring sentiments of the majority of every sect and every class
of people interested in the event. I feel I may deliver it with a greater degree of freedom and
boldness. If the conservation of theS.' countries bo an object to the Porto, if the restoration
to confidence and tranquillity of the inhabitants of them, and to preserve a decisive and pre­
ponderating influence in them be an object to us, I am convinced no time whatever, My Lord,
should be lost in procuring for Abdullah Aga the Government of them. The Porte is infinitely
more interested to make this appointment than wo are, My Lord, that it should be made and
I wish, with Your Excellency's permission, to repeat that, if there yet remains a possibility of
her retaining this country, she has apparently no other means of doing so than appointing !
Abdullah Aga to the Government of it. Abdullah Aga will certainly make every arrangement
human prudence can suggest for preventing tho further progress of the Wanaby and pro­ I
bably his excellent character may induce those sectaries to listen to nogociaticn, for which at
present there aic fair grounds. Ou this, My Lord, depends the conservation to the Porte of
these countries.
107-A. On tlie death of Soliman Pasha in 1703, the Janissary Aga obtain­
ed possession of the citadal, while the
Baghdad Minion Diary, Volume 2-301 of 1802.
Kin Ali Pasha (1803-7) So liman’s son-in­
law was proclaimed by Oulcraas and Janissaries tho locum teuens until the
orders of the Porte arrived, and recommended by them to be appointed as
8oliman Pasha’s successor. There took place then a fierce fighting in Baghdad
between Janissary Aga and Ali Pasha and their respective partisans, which
caused much carnage and bloodshed. Wo have in our records a graphic des­
cription from tho peu of Mr. Harford Jones of the reign of torror that pre­
vailed in Baghdad for a few days, which throws light on tho wretched condition
to which Baghdad was reduced and shows tho weak hold tho Porte had in this
region at this time. Tho Janissary Aga was successful at first and his
party proclaimed the son of the late Pasha as Pasha. Soon after, however, Ali
Pasha succeeded in defeating tho Janissary Aga and capturing tho citadal with
the assistance of the Arabs of theJebour, Bumferrago and Ageolio tribes,
Janissary Aga was seized and put to death. Ali Pasha’s nomination was ulti­
mately confirmed by the Porte.
107-B. On 18th April 1807—Ali Pasha was assassinated by a party
of Georgians, and in consequence of this event tho Kia Pasha, minister
of the deceased, assumed by general consent charge of the Government of
the Pashelio,- pending a roferouco to Constantinople. In reporting this event
Mr. Hine, Acting Resident at Baghdad, stated that the death of Ali Pasha
was welcomed with satisfaction throughout the Pashalic aud that ho was of

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