Page 332 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

310 Part VIII—Chap. LXXIII.

CHAPTER LXXIII.

RESIDENTS AT BUSIIIRE, 1823-31.
003. Wo have soon abovo (Obaptor XXXIV, paragraph 291) bow Mr.
William Bruce was removed from Bushirc and Captain McLeod was appointed
in liis place. In making this appointment the following minuto was recorded
by the Govornor Mountstuart Jilphinstono dated 31st Octobor 1822, in which
all the members of the Board conourrcd:—
Poona, Slat October 1822.
Minute dy the Govbunok.
It being absolutely necessary in consequence of Captain Bruce’s romoval to appoint a
successor without delay, I beg to rooommond Lioutonaut McLeod and I have tho honor to
cnoloso a draft of instructions which I would recommend should be issued to him.
Tho known abilities, tompor and judgment of Lieutenant MoLeod form his best recom­
mendation. They hive again been strongly brought forward by tho Commissioner in a report
not yet transmitted to the Board.
I should have preferred sending a civil servant but I know no one capable of so arduous
an oftico and qualified for it by standing an! knowledgo of Asia who would accept tho
appointment nnd none even of the junior part of tho servico who would cousent to renounce
tho advantageous prospects hold out by the general line of promotion for tho purpose of
devoting himself permanently to tho duties of the Gulph.
On the other hand, it is of great importance that the officer entrusted with this duty should
continue to exercise it long enough to complete his experience and establish his character
among those with whom he is to negotiate.
Tho importance of the station is evinced by the serious inconvonience brought on us by
the mistake of its present occupant, aud it will bo increased by tho removal of the station at
Kishm which leaves us nothing but tho ability of our Resident to depend on for preventing the
necessity of new aud repeated expeditions.
I know no persou so well qualified to accomplish this difficult task as Lieutenant MoLeod
and I therefore attach the greatest consequence to his appointment.
With respect to Lieutenant McLeod’s salary, although Captain Bruce has already
represented in a private letter its inadequacy, I think it better to act on the plan already
suggested of giving the Resident an additional allowance whilst moving in tho Gulph, which
he ought to be encouraged to do by visiting the several ports of the Chiefs who are parties to
Sir W. Kier’s treaty, than fixing it permanently at SI,500; he should therefore be
permitted to draw R500 per mensem when absent from Bushire on duty in lieu of all
contingencies excepting travelling expenses by land or 6uch a remuneration to the Commander
of tho Cruizer on which he may embark, as the Superintendent of Marine may recommend.
In consideration of tho removal of our troops from Kishrn and the ncojssity that will
exist for Lieutenant McLeod’s directing his whole attention to the conciliation of the Arab
tribes, I think that the two Agencies in Turkish Arabia and in Persia should remaiu distinct
and separate for the present. Captain Taylor continuing as the Agent at Bussora with an
increase of R200 to his present salary.
604. Lieutenant Macleod died of fever at Bushire in September 1823.
An officer of much ability and promise,
Volume 87 -132 of 1823, pp. 620 and 632.
his death was considered by Government
a severe loss to the service.
Colonel E. J. Stannus was appointed to succeed him in November 1823 on
the following salary and allowances R
Pay ........ 1,500
Table allowances ...... 600
Establishment and hou6e-rent including boat’s crew 600
Contingencies ... ... 150
2,850
The circumstances under which Colonel Stannus left Bushire and was
succeeded by Captain Wilson in 1827 have been recounted in Section LIII.
On the transfer of Captain Wilson, Doctor McNeil was appointed Resident,
but in November 1831 the Bombay Government appointed Mr. D. A. Blane