Page 315 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

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Part VII—Chap. LXIX. 203

Shiraz would send over a Garrison of Shirbauz who, they feared, would not fail to
oppress them, and that their difficulties were groatly increased by the impos­
sibility of taking to flight at that season of the yoar, when their supplies of food
and dates were now all stored at Karrak.
579. The Government of Shiraz, as was feared, determined to send
Shirbauz garrison of about 250 men to Karrak. The prospect of a Persian
garrison settling in tho island alarmed the ICarragoes so much that they
made up their mind to emigrate from the place. This resolution they
carried out on tho 18th September 1813, only a day after tho arrival of
the garrison. We might quote hero tho observations of Lieutenant A. B.
Kombnl, Assistant Resident at Uushiro, iu his despatch, dated 21st September
1813, to Colonel Sheil, in regard to this emigration and the eifcct it must
have on tho British position in tho Gulf:—
“The very constitution of the Persian soldiery cause them as a body to ‘bccomo authorized
robbers and pluuderers iu order to obtain the necessaries of life and therefore feared aud detested
by the peaceable inhabitants of every town in which they may be quartered : their total want
of discipline makes them individually wantonly oppressive.
The arguments brought forward by tho Kliargccs for supposiug that they would be
visited by a double share of tho oppression and ill-will of Sirbaz may bo given shortly as
foliows:—Karrak previous to its evacuation by the British forco had never been garrisoned
by Persian troops, which indeed tho barrenness of its soil aud extreme poverty of its
inhabitants would not permit of its entertaining and provisioning. Such revenue as was
required (derived solely from tho pilots) was punctually and fully paid. They were up to
1888 and have been since 1842 loyal subjects. The nature and strength of tho British
force was, on its taking possession, such as to set aside all idea of resistance on their
part; but it cannot be said that they ever sent their aid in any way or at any time against
Persia or its subjects. Persia is now at peace with all the world. What then can be the object
of sending so large a number as 200 Sirbaz to garrison a small island containing a population
of 300 men, pilots, and fishermen with their families. We can only supposo that they have
made themselves obnoxious to tho Persian Government by the assistance they affordod in
importing provisions in establishing a bazaar, etc., for tho use of the British troops and their
solo crime is their having bettered their condition under a just and moderate rule, aud
accumulated small sums which it is intended to extort from them.
Their emigration uuder such circumstances cannot fail, I fear, to entail considerable loss
of credit to the British Government in these parts, but not, 1 hope, any great inconvenience,
for as a portion establish themselves on Phelech, an island not much out of the track of
vessels proceeding to the Euphrates, pilots will be procurable ; and boats for the transport of
coals from the shore to the steamers can be towed across from this part and returned iu the
same manner.”