Page 24 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

PART X—CHAPTER IV.
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each. I beg also to observe that although if camels were exported occasionally from this
Port before no export duty was ever paid lor them ; yet last year when a couple of camels
was exported for Batavia in the Dutch Ship " J onge Ton" the same export duty as on
horses it mules («.*., 13 Mahomed Shah Rupees) was charged upon each by the order of
Sheikh Nascr.
I have further the honour to state, for your information, that since 4 or 5 years back
when any ship or Buglow arrives in this Port from Bombay with Cargoes for Bussorah
but changing her intention of going hence to that Port herself, tranships her Cargo on
board some other vessel, sailing direct to Bussorah, half duty is charged here bv the Gov­
ernment on the same goods; which was not customary before the period above alluded to
neither the public sanction or approbation of the Authorities of Fars has appeared at Bushire
to that effect.
Since 1838 when the British Troops arrived at Karrack, this Government has been in
the habit, without public sanction of High authorities, to charge duty on live stock—such as
bullocks, sheep and goats that arc occasionally supplied to the English ships—with only
few exceptions that passed them through the influence of some Persian friends without
paying any duty—or such vessels as have been under the command of an European (for
instance the Dutch Ship “Tonge Ton " Captain Taungc, last year) which was not the case
before the period mentioned above. No duly, however, was charged on any live stock
supplied to the French “ Corvette " that was here in January last under the command of
Captain Page.
With regard to import duties, only this change has occurred, that no import duty was
ever charged for Firewoods landed here, about 5 or 6 years ago, but ever since a duty of
5 Mahomed Shah Rupees per 1 kara (or 10 Hmee maunds), is imposed upon not by any
public sanction of the Firman Firma, so far as 1 understand. In conclusion, I would beg
to request, that no Persian Authority may become to know such informations have been
given out by me, for I should, from the situation I hold in this Government as a Merchant,
apprehend consequences injurious to myself or my affairs.
A question was raised by Mr. Malcolm whether when he purchased Horses or Mules
for an English subject residing in India, or the Mauritius; or as an Agent for an English
Captain present with his ship at this Port, he was to pay duty at the Custom House on the
value of the animal according to the Commercial Treaty concluded between Great Britain
and Persia, or, must he pay any arbitrary amount that the local Governors may think
proper to impose.
The Resident replied in his letter dated 24th September 1842 as follows :—
In reply to your letter of yesterday’s date, I have the honour to inform you, that the
Horses and Mules you may purchase for Subjects of the British Government, not in
Persia, or for an English Captain of a Ship, present at Bushire, who embarks the horses
and Mules on board his own, or another vessel (which 1 suppose is what you wish to
know) are liable, by the terms of the late Commercial Treaty between Britain and
Persia, to only the lowest rate of duty exacted by Persia from the Subjects of any other
nation than Great Britain or, if the subjects of any other nation are permitted to export
horses from your port, duty free, then a similar exemption from taxation can be claimed
bv you under the Treaty for your British Constituents, it being incumbent on you to prove,
if required to do so, that the horses or Mules so exported by you, as a factor, are bond
fide the property of British subjects.