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of littlo uso for traffic purposes, both because it drew too much water and
bocauso there was littlo attempt made by the Persians to draw any traffic down
the river from Shuster, which could bo towed in barges. In December 1889
tho Lynch Company despatched the steamer Shuahan as a gift to the Shah for
navigation from Ahwaz to Shuster, but tho Company in consultation with Her
_ . p * . ... 0Q Majesty’s Government decided not to
8*eitt e., j*Do.r; 1890, No. 08—99* deliver it into the hand, of Pcreiau
officials except on tho following conditions:—
(1) collection of customs at Ahwaz and Shuster according to tho desti­
nation of goods;
(2) regular communication between Ahwaz, Shustor and Dizful, in
connection with their steamer on tho Lower Karun ;
(3) profits of the steamer to go to tho Government of Porsia, but the
management to bo in tho hands of the Company;
(1) permission to lay down a tramway betwoen tho two steamors at
Ahwaz;
(6) pormission to tow barges and exemption from tonnago dues until
traffic was properly established.
168. The steamer was accopted only in 1890, on conditions which were
recordod in a memorandum prepared by
8<crct E., Juno 1800, Noi. 221—225.
Sir H. Drummond Wolff-—
Sir H. Drummond Wolff to the Marquis of Salisbury.
Tehran ; February 15, 1890.
“ I now have the honour to transmit to Your Lordship a translation of tho noto given me
by the Amin-es-Suhan, by which tho Shah accepts tho Bteamer offered him by Mossri.
Lynch.
“I also enclose a copy of tho memorandum I delivered at the 6ame time to tho Amin-ea-
Sultan, according the verbal promises ho has made me as to the running of the steamer.”
The Amin-es-Sultan to Sir Jl. Drummond Wolff.
(Translation.) February 14, 1890.
" His Imperial Majesty (may his sovereignty be everlasting) under this document is
pleased to accept the Shuthan vessel which the Association for the steam navigation of the
Euphrates and Tigris present and offer for the transport of passengers and merchandise
between Ahwaz and Shuster and Dizful and His Imperial Majesty (may his sovereignty be
everlasting) gives tho aforesaid Association assurance that the above-mentioned vessel shall
work continuously aud in connection with the steamers of tho aforesaid association whioh
navigate the Karun from Mohammerah to the Ahwaz dam, unless prevented by extraordinary
celestial events.”
(Sealed on back by Amin-es-Sultan.)
(Autograph approval of the Shah.)
Memorandum.
The following are the promises verbally given by IDs Highness the Amin-es-Sultan
simultaneously with the delivery of tho document accepting Mr. Lynch's steamer
(1) That the local authorities shall consult tho representatives of Mr. Lynch as to the
appointment of tho captain and engineer.
(2) That the hour of departure of the 6teamcr and cost of freight shall also be arranged
by tho local authorities in concert with the representatives of Mr. Lynch.
(8) That the customs shall bo collected at Mohammerah, Ahwaz and Shu&ter according
to the destination of the goods.”
169. Tho Company attaohed the greatest importance to the collection of
«#eret e., October 1850, Noi. 1—28, Augoit 1891, customs at Ahwaz and Shuster for cargo
No.. 182-137; *nd No*. 162-1C6. shipped to those places, instead of being
opened at Mohammerah : this latter process damaged the goods considerably
and gave occasion for extra charges in various shapes. Tho concession asked
for by the Company was opposed for a long time, and when ultimately
granted by the Central Government, it took several months before the local autho­
rities could be induced to enforce it.

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