Page 37 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part I—Chap. V. 15
35. In February 1809 the Sheikh having made his escape from prison
arrived at Bushiro from Bahrein and appliod to the Residency for assistance in his
present distress, and 400 piastres in cash and other trifles to makoup the sum of
500 piastres, were given him (Dr. Juke's letter to the Government of India,
dated 18th February 1809).
36. In this connection wo might read the despatch of Sir -Harford
Jones, dated at Konah, 7th February 1809, which gives an account of what he
had hoard to have been rosults in the Gulf of General Malcolm's proceedings
during his last mission :—
I havo the honour to transmit the duplicates of my Despatches Nos. 1 and 2 and to Poll. Dopt. DUrj
acquaint Your Excellency that I movod from Schyras on the 23rd January and have prosecuted No,jQfl3g°/1L809,
my journey to this place honoured with every mark of distinction and favour from the l£ing pp* »-2072.
and Ministry that can bo imagined.
It is necessary, however, I should not concoal from Your Excellency that the measures
adopted in India created a suspicion and distrust in the breast of the monarch, aud hia
Ministers, that required some management to calm and tranquillizo. This however has
fortunately been effected j but I lament I am obliged to acquaint Your Excellency that the
measures above alluded to have produced serious distress aud inconvenience to many innocent
families as Your Excellency will perceivo from the following extract of a private letter to me
from Schyras dated tho 24th January
u Yesterday accounts from Mahomed Nebee Khan arrived informing the Minister that all
the country from Kangoon to the southward teas ready to join Oeneral Malcolm the moment he
arrived and shake off the Persian yoke. The report of Jaffor Khan’s son being with him has
had some serious effect here, for all tho Lacks {?) his tribe, amounting to 4 of 6,0U0 families, are
ordered out of the city and Mahomed Zekia Khan has been ordered to see it executed : they are
to be dispersed in small bodies in different places. This Government are afraid of their rising
in open rebellion on the arrival of General Malcolm if that person should be with him."
37. The result of Sir Harford Jones* mission was the conclusion of a
Preliminary* Treaty on 12th March 1809,
* Volamo X of AitohUon's Treatiea.
by which—
(а) All treaties concluded by the Shah with European Powers were
annulled.
(б) The Shah engaged to prevent tho passage of European armies
through his dominions towards India.
(c) The English were to assist him with troops or a subsidy if any
European forces should invade his territories, and to take no
part except as mediators in any war between Persia and Afgha­
nistan.
Clauses (6) and (6) of the Treaty concern our projeoted occupation of the
island of Karrak (see next chapter) and are quoted in full:—
6. If a detachment of British tr oops has arrived from India in the Gulf of Persia, and
by the consent of His Persian Majesty landed on the Island of Carrack, or at any of the
Persian ports, they shall not in any manner possess themselves of such places, and from the
date of these preliminary artioles the said detachment shall be at the disposal of His Majesty
the King of Persia, tho amount of which shall be settled in the definitive Treaty.
6. But if tho said troops remain by the desire of His Majesty the King of Persia either
at Carrack or any other port in the Gulf of Persia, they shall be treated by the Governor
there in the most friendly manner, and orders shall be given to all the Governors of Faristan
that, whatever quantity of provisions, etc., may be necessary shall, on being paid for, be
furnished to the said troops at the fair prices of the day.
38. ‘When the treaty was just signed, Harford Jones received news that
the Governor-General of India had directed that the bill he had given to
Persian merchants on Bengal to be protested, and that he had annuUed hia
mission. Brigadier John Malcolm soon after arrived in Persia on his third
Mission.
39. In return for the embassy from King George III, the Shah sent Haji
Mirza Abul Hassan Khan on a mission to London, with the special object of
dearly ascertaining who was to pay the subsidy, which he was entitled to
receive under the treaty signed by Sir Harford Jones. The Government of
India was ultimately saddled with the burden.