Page 338 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

316 Part VIII—Chap. LXXVI.

CHAPTER LXXVI.

APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT RESIDENT IN THE PERSIAN
GULF, 1S35-1852.
008. On the Gth of April 1835, the Supreme Government recorded a
Resolution, after a review of the Bushiro Residency to the offoct that—
“The Offico of Assistant totlio Resident be abolished, after tho resignation or departure o£
Lieutenant Hennell, tho present incumbent, and that after such abolition tho chargo of tho
Residency, on any sudden emergency, until otherwise provided for, shall devolve in tho
Surgeou.”
609. In February 1838, the question of Lieutenant Henncll’s promotion or
resignation having arisen, the Government of Bombay pressed on tho Supreme
Government a reoonsideration of the orders directing tho abolition of tho Offico
of Assistant Resident. Tho Bombay Government observed that the stato
of our relations with Persia might roquiro tho presence of tho Agent in the
interior to counteract Russian intriguos, and that it would bo impolitic tlion
to require him to remain on tho coast, which ho would be compelled to do,
had ho no one to look after tho affairs of tho Gulf.
610. Tho duties of tho Resident as connected with the affairs of the coast
not being of a nature likoly to fluctuate in amount, and being tho substantial
grounds on which the Bombay Government then recommended the retention
of the appointment of Assistant Rcsidont, were explained in their letter of tho
21st of February 1838
“ The principal part of these duties consists in a general supervision of tho coasts, from
th# embouchure of the Euphrates to the Ras-el-Had, on tho Arabian and Capo Jask on the
Persian sides of the Gulf, having for its object tho suppression of piracy within these limits:
estimating the extreme distance at something under 800 miles, this will give a tract of coast of
nearly 1,600 miles, inhabited by various tribes, and governed by different Chieftains. With
most of whom, as well as with the Native Agents residing in some of their ports, a constant
intercourse is maintained for tho purpose of speedily adjusting disputes, and of promptly
suppressing every exhibition of a piratical spirit. It is not possible for the Resident to
superintend this extended correspondence which involves the labour of translating the numerous
letters and replies into English, Arabic and Persian, and to devote that attention to the
general policy of the Gulf which is nocessary for the maintenance of peace and trauquillity
amongst so many warlike and predatory Chiefs.
“It frequently occurs that questions affecting our policy or the display of a piratical
disposition on the coast^call for the presence of the Resident on the spot, at a time when the
state of .affairs on the 60uth of Persia or on the Arabian Coast in the upper part of the Gulf
make it in an equal degree inexpedient that he should be absent from his post, at a distance of
perhaps three or four or even of seven hundred miles ; and the advantages of being able to
avail himself of a qualified and able Assistaut who could be entrusted to conduct tho correspond-
er.co left in charge of the Residency, or despatched on duties of importance, are too evident to
require comment.”
611. The Bombay Government further observed that, in the event of the
sudden illness of tho Resident, or his absence from any other cause, it was
important to have a person on the spot who oould tako the management
of all the intricate questions arising out of our relations with tho Gulf
Chieftains, and that the Residency Surgoon, on whom it was intended by the
Government of India that this duty should devolve was “in no way connected
with tho office ” and that his duties did not admit of his being sent on detached
service. The Government of Bombay proceeded to say—
“I am desired to state that even if 8uoh an appointment had never existed, the Governor
in Council under the present posture of affairs in Persia, and of our political relations with
that country, would have felt disposed to recommend that an Assistant should bo given to the
Resident at Bushire. It is conceived that an active and intelligent officer who would acquire
a local knowledge of tho country, a perfect familiarity with the language, and an accurate
acquaintance with the Chiefs, the tribes, tho men of influence, and the state of feeling on
the south of Persia, would be very usefully employed and might in times of difficulty roude r
the most important service.”