Page 163 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat
P. 163

part V—Chap. XXXII.          I'll
               281 A. Tlio Bombay Government now thought scarcoly any worso situation
            could bo imagined in which our abandoning Kishm after tho stop our Minister
            had takon would not bo highly injurious. On tho othor hand, thore was some
            danger in roinforcing Kishm, becauso tho Ministor might not have aotuallv
            quitted Porsia and a stop of this naturo in tho middlo of a negotiation might
           bo vory ombarrassing to tho M iuistor. Of tho two, however, roinforcing the
           dotaohment was less likely to hurt our negotiations than withdrawing it and to
           leavo it in its present stato in tho event of a rupture would be highly impru­
           dent. Tho breadth of tho channel between Kishm and the mainland would
            provent tho immediate passago of a groat army, but it was not a sufficient
            socurity for 60 small a detachment unprotected by works and likely at this
           season to bo greatly weakened by sickness.
               282. Tho Bombay Government decided in theso circumstances to take
           tho following measures:—
                 To 6end 400 Europeans to reinforce Lioutenant-Colonel Kennctt’s
                     detachment.
                 To have the Brnaad cleared of her cargo and to take up another ship to
                     complete tho tonnage required.
                 To put the whole of the cruizcrs in tho Gulph at tho disposal of Lieute­
                    nant-Colonel Kennett.
                 To authorize his incurring any necessary expense in procuring intelli­
                    gence from tho mainland of Porsia.
                 To authorize his engaging any vessels required for securing a supply of
                    provisions to his detachment and (if such precaution should seem
                    necessary) for eventually removing his detachment.
                 To authorize his eventually fortifying his position either at Bassadore or
                    wherever he might think best and to send an able Eoginoer officer.
                 To send any stores and supplies that might be required for this.
                To send any cruizers that were largo enough for tho purpose, and that
                    are disposable, to the Gulph.
                The Admiral- to bo apprized of tho state of affairs and requested to send
                    a frigate to the Gulph.
                Lieutenant-Colonel Kennett to be made acquainted with our determina­
                    tion to retain Kishm and with all the steps that had been taken,
                    requested to keep a watch on tho proceedings of tho Persians, to
                    resist any attacks they might make as far as possible, or if threatened
                    by an overwhelming force, to withdraw to the Imam of Maskat’s
                    territories.
                The Imam of Maskat to be informed that we heard our Minister had
                    demanded his passports, that we know no more and could say no
                    more at present; but that if there was a war we should of course
                    defend Kishm.
              283. The Governor of Ears had thought it fit to depute an Envoy Mirza
                                         Bangar to the Governor of Bombay with a
                 Volume 36-131 of 1882.
                                         view to clear misunderstandings which
          had lately arisen between tho Persian and Indian Governments. He was
          received at Bombay with every mark of respoct and consideration.
              281. When the despatch of the Bombay Government dated 20th May
                                         1822, announcing their orders for des­
               Volume 36—131 of 1823, page 6.
                                        patching reinforcements for Kishm,
          Mr. George Willook, Secretary in oharge of Bis Majesty’s Mission at Teheran,
          addressed the Prime Minister the following letter dated l6t September 1822

                             Dated Tabriz, the 1st September 1822.
                 From—George Willook, Esq.,
                 To—His Exoellbnoy Abdulla Khan Umen-ed-Dowlut, etc., etc.
              I bavo the honor to inform Your Excellency that several letters have been received
          by me from tho Government of Bombay.
                                                                      1
   158   159   160   161   162   163   164   165   166   167   168