Page 57 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter II. 35
No. <i9,dalod Bunsorali, tbo 29th October 1831.
From—Muon R. Tatlob, Political A gout, Bussorah,
To—Citadles Nonnis, Esq., Cbiof Secretary to the Government of Bombay.
I have the honour to forward copies and translates of a Booyooroldi or Public Rescript of
His Ilighnoss the Pasha together with a private letter t" my .address, to which is added copy of
a private loiter from Ilis Highness's favourite and Chief adviser Mahomed Effendi Ibn Nayib,
or Nayib Ogblcc, written in English by the instrumentality of an English gentleman, a clergy­
man residing in Baghdad; and bearing the seal of the Effondi attached thereto.
Tho prompt and effective mode adopted by Ilis Highness to oonfirm our'privilcgcs, and to
mark his attachment to our nation, is not only pointed in itself, but has produced both here,
and at Baghdad, a corresponding beneficial impression.
Tho Booyooroldi was tho day beforo yesterday (Friday) read in the Devan at the Serie, and
has boon duly registered in tho Archives of the Mehkemch of the ICadhec, and tho Chancellery
of tho Deefterdar ; and it now remains for tho Hon'ble tho Governor in Council to take His
Highness's wishes into favourable consideration, with reference to the contents of my dispatch
No. 38 of this Department.
Tho disposition and temper so favourably attributed to His Highness by Ibn Nayib in
his letter, making every allowance for the partiality of a favomed dependant, is fully borne out
by private accounts, and by his public conduct since his accession. His very choico of Ibn
Nayib, an individual known to him only by reputation as a favourite counccllor, 6pcaks much
for His Highness’s tact; for in the whole range of his Pachalic ; he could not find his equal.
His Highness daily walks over portions of the city, accompanied by a few attendants to
observe personally and minutely tho tomper, wants and disposition of tho whole people ; his
Government has been mild and unostentatious; and ho has hitherto revived none of the
obnoxious impositions of tho past administration; nor has his Court yet assuued the gorgeous
and haughty department of the officers of the late Pasha.
The punishments he has hitherto inflicted have been imposed upon him by tho order of
the Sultan ; and even these he has qualified as much as was in his power; many of the prescribed
Georgians are indebted to him for their lives. Generally too his public conduct has been such
as to revive the hopes, and to stimulate and refresh the recollections, of the fixed and most
valuable portion of the population of the lower Pachalic, as %to the benefit formerly derived
from their Turkish masters.
The Georgian Governors of this fine Pachalic have, with the exception of the first Sooleman
Pacha, acted as foreigners, led by the interests of a day; which the Turks, in spito of all their
general errors of administration, have less injured the population, and true interests of the
country. Their credulity and misplaced faith in the Georgians, in the former feudal Begs,
and in the military tribes of the country alone, caused the decline and ruin of their authority.
A middle path appears now to bo chosen by the present Pacha, of Turkish descent; by
which, while the naturally armed force of the fine country is not neglected, a stipendiary
permanent, counterpoise is secured in bis disciplined levies, effective or under tuition.
The dominion of the present Pacha has been considerably extended; in addition to the
Pachalic of Baghdad, ho is placed over those of Diarbekir, Aleppo, and Mousul; which refers to
his rule tbo greater portion of Mesopotamia, a part of Syria, and of Arabia ; with the larger
division of the whole course of tho Euphrates and Tigris, and much of that of the Oroutes.
The arabs too, of tho included tract, come within the range of his authority; so that his
means of facilitating tho communication by tho steam, or otherwise, between tho Mediterranean
and the Gulph of Persia, arc direct and important; n«r would his authority prove less valid ;
in defending the navigation of these rivers against an enemy.
This Pacha is a Waxir of the Empire; he even bears the high and ancient title of
Khalecfah, that of tho first of Princes of Baghdad; and at the Porte ho is considered as their
champion against every people, beyond those of the modem curdistan.
Tho general impression now prevailing in these countries is, that a change in the principles
of Government is approaching, that this chan go-will be beneficial to all sincerely interested in
the public welfare; injurious only to those who would repress it. These sentiments too are
entertained and avowed by a people who have hitherto been silent, and were supposed callous
to national interests, or public changes. They do, however, feel; and if the plans, now
apparently, contemplated, are permitted by Providence to obtain strength and currency, they
will revive tho spirits of the people, and restore tho country to what nature intended it
should be.
During tho two years of my absence at Baghdad, this place has boon deserted; and
Mohamraerah twenty miles below this on tho opposite or Chaab banks of tho river; and tho
port of grain, near tho site of the ancient Gerrlin, iu a barren uninviting spot, have been
people!, and supplied with tho conveniences, and many of what are hero considered, the
luxuries of life.