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646. As regards the first and second propositions, Colonel Miles (Officiating
Residmt) could find nothing in the treaty respecting the restriction of trade to
particular parts, or anything to sanction the additional duties demanded. As
regards the third statement the remedy lay in the hands of the Persian author­
ities themselves, Bandars, Dilam and Rig were important channels for the export
of grain from certain parts of Persia and British merchants could not be prevented
from purchasing merchandise at those places if it suited them to do so
(Colonel Miles to Mr. Nicolson, dated 27th August 1886).
647. In April 1887 Amin-cs-Sultan informed Mr. Nicolson that " bond has
been given that no customs duties
Eitarni] A., May 1887, N01. 87-8S. on ex­
port would be levied at those places, so he
hopes former difficulties as to Jawazes will be avoided.” Arrangements for bring­
ing the customs to north of Bushire under Amin-es-Sultan had fallen through
and the previous status was to continue.

(xciii) Encroachments of the Governor of Bushire on British rights and privi­
leges, 1888.
648. In 1888 a new Governor by name Mahomed Hassan Khan was
appointed for Bushire. He was a protege
Sf cret E., September 1888, Nos. 42*43*
Secret R., September 1888, Nos. 161*76. of Arnin-es-Sultan, and was ambitious to
Secret E., October 1888. Nos. 38*40.
: Secret E., October (888, Nos. 137*43. signalize his administration by carrying
things in a very high-handed manner to-
wards foreigners.
649. In August 1888 the customs master refused to recognize the usual
passes granted by the Residency to clear goods at foreign rate customs in case
of a consignment of the firm of Charles Sassoon of Manchester. In this action
he was supported by the new Governor.
650. Further the Governor went so far as to announce to the Resident his
intention of opening at the custom-house all packages for Her Majesty’s
Legation and examine their contents, a proceeding heretofore unknown and
which was contrary to the British Treaty rights as well as to diplomatic usages
in Persia.
651. These extraordinary proceedings evoked a strong remonstrance from
Sir Drummond Wolff to the Persian Government. The British Minister was
of opinion that unless the Resident was strongly supported, our influence would
wane in the Gulf; this was the object of Amin-es-Sultan who had farmed the
whole customs duties. Lord Salisbury instructed Sir Drummond Wolff to state
that Her Majesty’s Government would hold Persian Government strictly res­
ponsible for any act of discourtesy to the British Consul-General or for damage
to British subjects by arbitrary acts of Persian officials.
652. The result of the strong line of action taken by the British Minister
was that orders were issued stopping the proceedings of the Governor of Bushire.
The Amin-es-Sultan even offered to send telegrams instructing the Governor to
apologize to the Resident for his conduct and dismissing the customs master.
These orders it was considered unnecessary to insist on being issued as sub­
stantial justice had been done.

(xciv) Proposed. Establishment of a bonded warehouse at Bushire, 1882-1885.

653* The Government of India telegraphed on 22nd November 1882 to
Her Majesty’s Minister at Tehran that
A. Political E.( August 1883, Nos. 33-35.
they proposed to abolish transhipment duty
on Persian opium and enquired whether this proposal might not be used as a
lever to obtain concession regarding Karun or trade generally. The reply was
that the Shah was still unyielding in his opposition to the Karun scheme, but
that the Persian Government might possibly agree to establish bonded ware­
houses or allow drawback on re-exportation of goods from Persian ports in
consideration of abolition of transhipment duty on opium (telegram, dated 25th