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CHAPTER VII
Appointment of Consular Officers in Arabistan.
(i) Appointment of Mr. McDonall as Vico-Conaul for Mohammorali, 1890.

214. In March 1889, Colonel Ross received from the Consul at Bnsrah
inti in ation that there was urgent n o cos-
Secret B., July 1889, Noi. 117-152.
sity for the appointment of a British
Political or Consular Officer in Arabistan to see justice done to the represen­
tatives of British firms engaged in opening trade by tho Kavun. On putting
himself in communication with tho Legation at Teheran, Colonel ltoss was
asked by Sir Drummond Wolff whether lie could not, ns a temporary measure,
sond one of bis assistants to Mohammerah. This Colonel Ross agreed to do
with the sanction of llcr Majesty’s Government; which was given (India Office
to the Foreign Department, Government of India, No. 72, dated 29tli March
1889).
215. Colonel Ross then suggested that our Consul at Basrah might also
bo appointed Vice-Consul at Moham­
Secret E., J«!y 1889, Hoi. 147-152.
merah, provided ho was furnished with
a steam launch and given an extra allowance of say its. 200 a month. Tho
Government of India was, however, opposed to any proposals involving extra
expenditure from Indian revenues (see demi-official from Sir Mortimer
Durand to Colonel Ross, dated 1st July 1889).
216. As regards tho cost of the proposed new appointment, 8ir
H. Drummond Wolff, in a private and
Scent E., February 18b9, Nos. 71-72 (K-W.)
confidential telegram addressed in January
1889 to Lord Dufforin, stated that he could spare £100 annually and asked
whether the Government of India could contribute a similar sum as a moiety
towards the salary of the Vice-Consul. Lord Dufferin replied that the Govern­
ment of India would not consider itself justified in undertaking the proposed
expenditure.
217. The Foreign Office, London, then proposed that the salary of the
appointment should he £H50 with an
Seeret E., Jane 1890, Noi. 4'J0-503.
office allowance of £109 a year, and that
the appointment should be in the first instance for two years only. The ap­
pointment was first offered to Mr. Seymour of tho Sind Revenue Survey, but
apparently he had difficulties in accepting that on the salary and conditions
mentioned. We then received a recommendation on behalf of Mr. William
McDouall, a clerk in the Government Telegraph Department in the Persian
Gulf, who it was reported knew Persian well and a little of Arabic and having
had 15 years* service in the Persian Gulf, knew the people and their customs
thoroughly. He was otherwise spoken very highly. The Vicoroy approved
Mr. McDouall’s appointment (telegram from the Vicoroy to tho India Office,
dated Pith May 1890).
218. Mr. MoDouall was accordingly appointed Vice-Consul at Moham­
merah and his appointment was notified
Secret E., Octobor 1800, No«. 803-337.
in the London Gazette on 14th June
1890.
(ii) Appointment of Major E. B. Burton to act for Mr. McDouall, 1903-04.
219. In February 1903, Mr. McDouall applied for 8 months* leave and
suggested Mr. Francis, an Eurasian
Secret E., September 1903, No*. 444-483.
Assistant Surgeon on plague duty at
Mohammerah in Persian employ, for a substitute. The proposal was recom­
mended by the Resident in the Gulf. Tho Viceroy, however, entertained
doubts as to the propriety of leaving the management of the Vice-Consulate for
the time in the hands of Mr. Francis, and recommended that Major E. B.
Barton, 17tli Bengal Lancers, should be deputed for tho place on a consolidated
salary at tho rate of £800 per annum.