Page 87 - Gulf Precis(II)_Neat

Part III—'Chop. XIX. 65

CHAPTER XIX.

PLUXDE11 OF TIIE HECTOR AND ALERT BY SHEIKH OF
NAKHELU AND THE MEASURES TAKEN FOR OBTAIN­
ING REPARATION, 1803—1S07.
148. Our records from 1S03 to 1807 are burdened with considerable
correspondence about tbo plunder of the British ships the Rector and the
Alert by the Sheikh of Nakhelu and his people, and especially the former.
The case of the Rector is typical of the euormous difficulties the British
Government has had to contend with in obtaining redress from the Persian
authorities for the most atrocious breaches of international laws. No apology
is therefore needed for a somewhat lengthy prdois of the correspondence.
149. In May 1803, the vessel (the Rector) which had been laden with Secret and Poll,
the Company’s goods to the number of 850 bales passed into the Gulf on her
voyage to Basrah and Bushiro and when off of the port of Nakhelu which is 4.105. ’ pp'
a part on the main land of the Persian Coast, she ran aground. "Whereupon
the Captain having fired guns, as a signal for small boats to come off to assist
his getting into deep water, the Sheikh of the port of the Nakhelu, Sheikh
Rehma, a subject of the Kiug of Persia, camo to the place with a large
number of boats and boarded the ship and putting the ship’s Captain and the
crew out of their vessel, I10 made himself master thereof. The ship’s crew and
commander succeeded in reachiug Maskat where they were kindly treated
and were despatched in the first vessel.
150. In August 1803, one of the Company’s packets callod the Alert which Secret and Poll,
had left Busbire for Bombay was driven by bad weather upon the Island of 36pi80Sfap[?65SsJ
Busheab near Nakhelu. Shortly after she had struck, about five hundred 5623.
of the islanders came down and plundered her of the treasure which she had on
freight belonging to Busbire and Bussorah. The Captain in vain remonstrated
with them upon thin conduct, adding that as the English and Persian Govern­
ments were upon terms of such intimate friendship, he should make no resist­
ance, that they were therefore at liborty to do whatever they pleased. On the
third day Sheikh Kehma came in person and took away all that yet remained
leaving them only two bags ot their own rice as provision for o0 or 40 people.
They also took away all the dispatches except a Europe packet which they
returned open.
161. When representations were made to the Prince of Shiraz and his Secret and Poll,
minister Cherag Ali Khan, orders were given to Sheikh Nasir of Busbire tojJjgoJ^wiJ164
conduct an expedition against Nakhelu. But from the correspondence quoted
below, it appears he did nothing to comply with these orders :—

Dated Bushiro, the 20th Novembor 1803.
From—J. H. Lovktt, Esq.,
To—N. B. Eduokbtonb, Esq., Soorotary to the Government at Fort William.
I have the honour to enclose, for tho information of Bis Excellency the MoBt Noble the
Governor-General, copy of a letter received on the 11th instant from Khaja Freedoodeen, the
contents of which confirm in a threat degree the suspicions I have for sometime entertained of
Shykh Nusser’s unwillingness to proceed on the expedition to Nukheloo.
2. Indeed, I fear there may he reason to apprehend that Shykh Nusser, in accepting the
appointment, had principally in view his extrication from the unpleasant confinement in
which he was detained at Shiraz. Having effected this, he seems now desirous of throwing
obstacles in the way of this proceeding.
8. Under these circumstances it would hardly be desirable to compel him to undertake the
task. At all event*, as he has referred the matter to Shiraz, it is in vain to urge the subject
any longer here. I wait anxiously for the reply of Cheragh Aly Khan j should that prove
unsatisfactory the proseoution of the affair must be entirely suspended for the present.
4. Despairing, as I do, of being able to enjoy the benefits of a personal interview and
feeling doubtful until I have received the orders of Government upon the points submitted in