Page 81 - Gulf Precis (1-B)_Neat

277
hopes of the disorder being of short continuance and as wo were sensible of
the great inconvenience whioh the owners would suffer if the bales were
carried back, Captain Mackcnloy was ordered to receive them on board the
Drake ; by which means she is not in such a proper condition for action as
could be wished, oven though 4 of the Bales were thrown overboard ; this
has been another cause of our not proceeding to Bunderick lest the whole
force should havo boon sent out against us: if we have been to blame in thus
loading the Drako we hope the necessity of the lato calamitous times will
plead our oxcuso.
The Swallow brought no packet for your Honours either from Surat or
Bombayi and loft Bussora under the 9th April.
We have the pleasure to acquaint you that on a further remonstrance
from the Agent to the Mussnleem before our departure from Bassora, Coja
Yacoob your Honours Broker was released by him.
We arrived hero yesterday and shall depart for Bombay to-morrow
morning—we leave here Mr. Abraham to wait the arrival of a Cruizer which
was to be sent about this time from Bombay for the protection of the
trade to the Gulph—he is directed to open our Superiors packet, and if the
cruizer should in his and the Commanders opinion be of sufficient force to
defend herself against the powers in the Gulph he is to proceed in her with
the trade to Bushire, and thero wait intelligence from Bussora relative to the
plague; in the meantime he is to endeavour to prooure the restitution of the
Tyger and the release of Messieurs Beaumont and Greeu—in case the sickness
is not ceased at Bussora before the month of September, and he has no hope
of its breaking up there, he is then to return with the Cruizer to Bombay.
With respect to any packet from our Superiours to your Honours, He
is directed not to forward it to Bussora by boat, unless the cruizer cannot
. proceed thither.
Our orders being so positive from Bombay against acting offensively
against any of the powers in the Gulph, and as we are uncertain what
measures our Honourable Superiors will pursue when they hear of the
capture of the Tyger, we have directed Mr. Abraham to order the Commander
of the cruizer not to act offensively against the Gallivats, unless they should
approach nearer than prudence will allow, and he thinks their intention is
to attack him.
Mr. James Collings remains as assistant to Mr. Abraham.
We have landed here the Bales which the Drake received from the
8wallow, and have thereby properly cleared her.
We inclose you a duplicate of our last address of the 23rd April, and
are.
Honorable Gentlemen,

Your respeotful and faithful humble Servants
H. M. W. D. L. G. A.,
Muscat Cove on board the Drake :
Tht 5th Hay 1773.