Page 145 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part V-Clmp. XXVIII. 123

(iil) PERSIAN PROTESTS TO TIIE BRITISH OCCUPATION OF THE ISLAND OF
hi Mill.
0
210. The Persian Government were not very much pleased with the British
proceedings in tlio Persian Gulf and by no
lm mwms welcomed the idea of the British
occupation of Kislnn or any other island
on the Gulf. IIis Persian Majesty would not even give an audience to the
British Ohargtfd’AA’airos, Sir Henry Willook, and communicated his instructions
in tho matter of the British proposal lo occupy an island on the Persian Gulf
nud other proposals, mentioned in the Bombay Government despatch quoted
above, through his ministers.
241. On tho 5th May 1820, Sir Henry Willock was called to a conference
and was informed that Uis Persian Majesty having learnt tho nature of the
proposals laid before his ministers, had instructed them to reply that with
regard to tho cossion of an island in tho Persian Gulf, a similar wish had been
advanced many * years before, and His Majesty had not listened to the propo­
sition; it was tho point of tho utmost importance, and if such a request was
made, it ought to originate either from His Britannic Majesty, the Honour­
able East India Company, or His Excelleucy the Governor-General of India.
His Persian Majesty was not awaro that Sir Henry was invested with powers
to treat on such weighty matters; he had been accredited t>> His Persian.
Majesty’s court as His Britannic Majesty’s Cliargd d’Affaires, and as such only
His Persian Majesty recognised him.
242. His Persian Majesty’s Ambassador at London had announced the
intention of His ltoyal Highness the Prince Regent to send an Ambassador to
the court of Persia, and it seemed advisable on all accounts that the discussion
of this subject should bo deferred until the arrival of the expected minister.
His Majesty was surprised that tho Imam of Maskat should claim the
sovereignty of the Island of Kishrn. 11 was contended that the Imam held tho
Government of Gambrum and of its dependencies, of which Kism was one
under the supreme authority of tho sovereign of Persia, and tho records of the
Empire would establish this fact.
243. As His Majesty dorived all information regarding tho province of
Pars and tho Islands of tho Gulf from the Prince Governor and undertook no
political moasurc without previously consulting His Royal Highness, he wished
that advices must ho received from Shiraz, before the mediation of the
British Government to render Bahrein tributary to Persia, could bo accepted.
As it was the earnest desire of His Persian Majesty that tranquillity and
security should he permanently established in tho Gulf of Persia, His Majesty
was ready to adopt any measure conducive to the attainment of that desired
object, and orders would be issued to His Royal Highness tho Prince of Ears
to establish regulations at the Persian ports similar to thoso which had been
acceded to by the Arabian Chiefs, and to establish a distinguishing flag to be
carried by all vessels belonging to His Persian Majosty’s subjects.
244. The Shah did not approve of the Persian coast being visited by
English boats for the purpose of cheeking the outfit of armed vessels, or any
control being exercised by foreign officers over the ports subject to His Majesty ;
but with a view of effecting tho former object, D is Royal Highness Hussein
Ali Mirza would be instructed to appoint a Daroglia or inspecting officer of
ports, whoso duty would be to pay a monthly visit to the different Persian
ports, and who will bo iuvested with authority to put a stop to all preparations
or measures which betray a tendency to the pursuit of piracy. His Royal
Highness the Prince Governor of Ears would also be instructed to remove from
his Government the Sheikh of the port of Charrak in compliance with the
wishes of the British Government.
245, Suoh were the only points of concession Sir Henry was able to obtain.
It was the fixed determination of tho Shah not to cede the possession of an
island, either permanently or temporarily, and Sir Henry thought that to have
urged the subject would at once have been unproductive of any benefit, and
9 Note.—This was wliou Captain Malcolm went oa Lis first mission to Persia iu 1800*1601.