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(t) To develop and utilize tho vast resources of the fertile districts of P r.s’a to tlio
noth of Dizful, such as Khoramabad, Iiamndun, Kurmanshah, Burujird, and
even Azerbaijan, aud to attract the produco of those districts, which now either
lio uoiiEcd or follow tho Baghdad route, to tho now, cheaper, and more direot
route.
13. ft nppoars to mo probahlo that tho seo.'nd of those objects will prove, on the whole,
more immediately attainable than tho first. At present there is no road between Shuster
and Isfahan ; nothing beyond a track over tho mountains, and I understand some of the kotals,
or pa«ses, are quito as formidable as any on the
• Captain W*lU, R, E., lno recently trnroreod till*
Ena of cauutry In oompauy with Mr. Baring. Secre­ Bushirc-Shiraz route.* There are no caravan-
tary of Legation, uad will, no doubt, contribute ?alu* serais or shelter of any kind for men and boasts,
able ioformaiion. and latter would, in winter months, unless
housod by night, he liable to perish by the way. Security from plunder would readily be
insured by the Kelkhani, or chief of tho Bakhtyari tribe, but is it probable a road would
speedily ho made and rest-houses built? Ultimately, no doubt; but it is to be borne in mind
that the Folkbani and his people, whilst ready to grant protection in return for tolle or
blaokmail, will bo by no means pleaded to have a good roid constructed through their country,
as this would afford facilities for the passage of Persian troops. This they would dread, as
putting an end to the independence and security fr »m raolestali •« they now enjoy. Eventually,
doubtless, all ditficuit.es aud obstacles will bo removed, and trade will follow tho cheapest and
shortest route.
14. I attach to this report copy of the draft concession *to Messrs Gray, Paul & Co.,
which was on the point of being signed in 1870 by the Persian Government, and also
'a paper containing questions which I have now put to Mr. R. Paul, senior partner of .Measrfi.
li ray, Paul & Co. of Bushire, and tho reply he
rid, becMt, May 1S82, -No*. 321376.
has made.

Enclosure No. 1.
Message delivered by the Governor of Bushire, 6:b January 1S82..
Now I have obtained an opportunity and therefore openly without concealment I beg to
iay before you the Zil-ua-Sultamfi objeot. His orders areas follows:—“ I am very anxious
to be on especially good terms with iho English, and also I wish to accomplish some desired
object for this Government (English), in return for which I desire a decoration from them
that I may be distinguished above others. Especially in the matter of .the Ahwaz j-iyer
twould I liko to carry out their wish). My ohief object in obtaining the Governm«nt of Faw
.was obtaining Bushire, .and my object in oltaining Bushire was to gain the friendship of ihe
^Resident, so ihat, please God. by his exertions, zeal, and advice I might obtain my .object.
.For if i wish to open communications with the British Minister in 'Tehran, there were many
things there to prevent me and it would be impossible Now .1 beg to state Jbbat the Frenoh
Government has, for a long time past, been in communication with His Majesty the Shah,
jfchrough Dr. Tibolozam and the French Minister,-on the subject of the aforesaid river, both with
reference to having it blocked to othersj aud in Jutting it opened out for their oion ships ; and
they have bean very persistent in the matter, aud the Russian Government also desire this
■same object, that the river be opened to tho French and olosed .to others. At first the
Sipah Salar opposed this object, but now that be is no more, the French Minister and .Dr.
Tholozun press the matter every day; but thus far 1 have effected, that 1 have been honored
'With a rescript from His Majesty the Shah, stating that * the Zil-o.s-Sultan has full .powers in
this matter.’ Now that the matter has reached this 6tage, I wi-h for aid from the Hesident,
as he-kNOws the rules And customs of these sort of matters better (than I) aud hi3 insight is
greater. Therefore I request he will confidentially teach me what she thinks most advisable,
so that, when 1 arrive at Tehran, and am questioned by His 'Majesty tho Shah, I • may he
able to point out to His Majesty tha evils and disadvantages of opening the river to tho
iFrencb Government, and tho benefits and advantages uf opening it .to the English. The more
■the Kesi-'lent aids ;ue in this affair the bettor prepared will 1 bo on my arrival in Tehran to
carry this matter to a conclusion in accordauco with the wishes of tne English Government,
•and after accomplishing it be honored with the decoration I wish for. I also wish the
Resident will inform the.English Government of my wish.”

Telegram No. 8, dated 6th January 1.882 (Confidential).
From-—Political Resident., Persian Gulf, ‘Bushire,
To—Foreign, Calcutta.
Private message received from Priooe Zil-us-Sultan that Shah'has given him full power in
regard to*Karun .proposal, and that he is disposed to meet wishes of British Government and
in return hopes to receive a decoration. It is probable that if decoration could be promised
point would bo oarried.
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