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Port VII—Chap. LXVIII.
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CHAPTER LXVIII.

EVACUATION OF THE KAIUIAK ISLAND.

Lord Palmerston’s objection to tho proposed purchase of Karrak from Persia—Evacuation
thereof ordered on certain conditions—Removal of the detachment.
570. The following correspondence on
Volume. 09—1170 of 1840, pp. 333-839.
tho above subject is interesting to read :—
Tho Riairr Hon’dle Sir Joun IIobiioosb, Baht., etc., etc., etc.
Sir,
l have hod under my consideration tho letter from your Department of tho 17th of
August, enclosing copies of letters from tho Resident of tho East India Company in tho
Persian Gulf, and intimating with refcronco to what ia stated in thoso letters, your opinion that
it would bo very desirable to obtain by purchase a permanent settlement in tho Island of
Karrak.
I have the honor to state to you in reply that if tho Persian Government concludes the
Treaty of commerce with this country, which it has ongagod to 6ign, the British Government
is positively bound to withdraw tho British troops from Karrak. But tho withdrawal of these
Troops would not render necessary the removal of the Company's Resident, nor the retirement
of auy British merchants who may have established themselves in tho island, and it would
be quite possible, and perhaps expedient, to havo a small ship of war often visiting the island
for tho purpose of affording protection to British interests.
It would, I think, hardly be expedient that a proposal to purchase Karrak should be
made to tho Persian Government, before tho British troops aro withdrawn from it, because
such a proposal might look like a desire to evade tho performance of our engagement. But, if
you wish it, I will instruct Sir John McNeill to do in this whatever, from his local knowledge
of tho Persian Government, he may think expedient; and to propose tho purchase of the
island either before or after the withdrawal of tho troops. There is one objection however
to such an arrangement, tho force of wliich will not escape you. Persia still owes to
Russia a large sum on account of the expenses of the last war in which thoso two countries
were engaged; and Russia would no doubt be glad to commute that debt for territory in
Ghilau, tho acquisition of which would be of great political and commercial importance to
Russia, and would very much strengthen tho ascendancy of Russia over Persia, and diminish
the means of Persia to maintain her independence. Now, at present, Great Britain is able to
object to any such commutation, and to say to Russia that the integrity of the Persian
territory, as it now stands, ought not to bo trenched upon under pretence of commuting a
debt. But if Great Britain were herself to 6ct the oxamplo of getting possession of a part
of tho Persian territory in exchange for money, it is to be feared that Russia would not be
slow to imitato tho precedent, and Groat Britain would then be less able than sho now is to
object to such an arrangement.
If, therefore, as is perhaps possible, almost all tho advantages of commerce and the
facilities for establishing a coal depdt, which the sovereignty of Karrak would afford, might
be attained without withdrawing that island from the nominal dominion of the Shah, such a
course would have great advantages with reference to the considerations which I have
mentioned above.
I have, etc.,
PALMERSTON.
Fobbiox Office ;
23rd August 1841.
To—Tho Lord Leveson.
Mt Lord,
The Commissioners for the Affairs of India having duly considered the letter of the 28rd
instant, addressed by Viscount Palmerston to Sir John Hobhouso, I am directed to inform you
that as His Lordship does not think it expedient to make any proposal for the purchase of
Karrak, they hope that, in accordance with His Lordship’s views, as expressed in tho above
letter, an engagement may be entered into with Persia stipulating that after Karrak shall
havo been restored to the Shah, a British Resident may be established at that island, and a
coal depdt or other magazines formed for the use of British steamers or sailing vessel,
frequenting the Persian Gulf.
I am, etc.,
HUGH STARK.
Fobxiox Office,-
84th August 1841.
2 p