Page 330 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

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His losses in Bunder Abbas compelled him to give up trading for the time, and he joined
the Persian Government Gunboat Perscpotis as second officer some time in May 1888.
He served in her until the middle of 1889, when he was dismissed on account of his bad
behaviour and insubordination. He then proceeded to Basrah and took the command of the
river steamer Iran plying between Mohammerah and Ahwaz ; but after being six months
in command he was dismissed from the Iran also on account of his ill-treatment of the
passengers and crew. Early in 1890 he returned to Bushirc, and after a stay of five months
proceeded a second time to France. About seven months ago lie returned to Bunder Abbas
accompanied by M. Pierrepont, who, he said, was his partner in business and pearl fishing,
but after some time they quarrelled and separated. M. Pierrepont then came to Bushirc:
at the request of the French Consulate he was given letters to the Agents at Bahrein and
Shargah, where he said he was going to buy mother-of-pearl, requesting them to offer their
good offices in case of need. In their visits to the Arab Coast they spoke disparagingly
of each other. M. Pierrepont fell ill with fever and returned to France in August last.
M. Chapui has now settled in Bunder Abbas : he has an interpreter, a Christian from
Baghdad, and a Portuguese clerk, to each of whom he pays H. 120 per mensem besides
their messing. He gets cash from Bombay by every mail as he cannot obtain in locally.
His expenses exceed his profits, and as he had no money before his last visit to France,
it is supposed that he is being backed up in his present doings. He receives illustrated
newspapers which he distributes amongst the people and sends news of these parts to bis
country.
He is about 53 years of age, of an average stature and very active ; but drinks very
hard.

Telegram, dated the 15th October 1891.
From—Foreign Secretary, Simla,
To—Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire.
Demi-official. Your demi-official letter of 24th September. Trucial Chiefs. Please
submit your proposals officially with form of agreement you would propose to conclude.
93. During his visits to Umm-ul-Kowein, M. Chapuy gave some valu­
able presents to the Chief and became very intimate with him. The Chief seems
to have been deeply impressed with the power. of France, inability of the British
to interfere with dhows carrying French colours, and practical impunity with
which the Sur boats, about 30 in number, carried slaves under the protection
of the French flag. He seems to have welcomed with gratification proposals—
evidently made by the French visitors—for a return to status ante quo, when his
subjects carried on slave trade with so much profit, but which had been put a
stop by the British. He went so far as to undertake to write a letter to the French
Government through the two Frenchmen, stating that any one coming to his
country from the French Republic would be gladly welcomed.
94. When Major Talbot, Officiating Resident, heard of these proceed­
ings from the British Agent .at Shargah, he directed him to invite the Chief’s
attention to the terms of his (the Chiefs) letter of the 16th December 18S7,
and the Slave Trade engagement of 1847. He afterwards obtained under orders
of the Government of India fresh agreements from, the Trucial Chiefs which
provided that they would not enter into any agreement or correspondence with
any power other than the British.Government, that they would not assent to the
residence within their territory of an agent pf any other Government and would
not alienate any part of their territory save to the British Government.
95. In the diary of the Resident for the week ending 9th January 1894,
q___ „ u M there is an entry made of one Captain
S.c, E„ Match .894. No. «. Ch (nQt wi(h .. u >■ in the last
syllable), having arrived in S.S, Esthar as Captain at Bahrein on 2nd January
with 11 Turkish officers and soldiers, 2,000 bags of wheat. It is not clear
whether this Chapuy is the same as Chapuy mentioned above, though in the
office notes they are spoken of as if they were the same individual.
96 1 he same Captain Chapny is reported to be engaged in arms trade in
the Gulf in *893 (see Arms Trade Precis,
Secret E., March 1894, No*. 466-473.
para. 237).
97. In 1896 the MessageriesMaritime Company commenceda subsidised
French steamer service to the Gulf service from Bombay to the ports of the
Secret E., September 1896, No*,' 169-170. Persian Gulf. The Resident reported that
this.Company had not attempted to supplant the British India Steam Navigation