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persuade us to overlook what was past, and to visit the Caun, in which case every­
thing might be settled and Coja Yacoob released from the trouble in which he
was—Such Hon’ble Gentlemen is present disagreeable and uncertain situation and
we have no prospect of any change in it for the better before the arrival of a
Cruizer from Bombay or of answers to the letters of the Vakeel. If the latter are
as favourable as we flatter ourselves, they will be, we may yet do something in the
way of trade at this place but should they not be so, and there should be as little
prospect as there is at present of the town’s again falling under a Turkish or Arab
Government, in duty to your Honors we cannot avoid confessing, that we much fear
the advantages which may be expected in the way of trade, will be far from an
equivalent for the expense and risque under such unsettled and rapacious Govern
ment as is the present and that the sooner we can withdraw the settlement from
hence the better it will be for Your Honor as well as your interest.

CCXIX.

Translation of Phirmaund issued by Karim Khan to the Persian Governor of Basrah, (received
on 17th March 1777).
You must know that I have a very great regard for the English nation—they order*forth®
were always friends to this Kingdom and now are so. On this account my friendship the Company’*0* °f
towards them is very great, and I must always take notice of their situation. You8p°"ynta pr0‘
are therefore to take particular care th^t you behave in a proper manner to Mr.
La touche, the English Chief, and to his people : You are to do them all the good
you can—you are not to suffer any one whatever to use force towards him, or the
people that are in his service, or to ask anything from them. In short you are to
behave to them in such a manner that he may be contented and carry on his busi­
ness with credit—these orders must be strictly obeyed whether he is contented, or
whether he is displeased, must not pass unnoticed by us; we must pay regard to
his representations. I repeat that what I now write must not be neglected or dis­
obeyed by you on any account. You know that the Revenues of Bussora depend on
its customs, and you are therefore to behave in such a manner as trade may go on
and the revenues receive no detriment.

Translation of letter from Karim Khan to Mr. Latouche, Agent at Basrah (accompanying the above
Phirmaund).
I have received your petition, and everything that you wrote concerning the
situation of Bussora, I have understood. I have always had, and still have, the
greatest regard for the English nation, and I know they have the same regard to­
wards me. I have always, experienced their friendship towards me. I have now
wrote a Phirmaund to Ally Mahomet Caun, Governor of Bussora, and have ordered
him to behave in such a manner towards you, and your people that you may be en­
tirely contended and carry on your business to your satisfaction, both you, and the
people that are under you. I have ordered that no person whatever shall molest
them in any shape—that every one shall behave towards them so that they may
be free to carry on their business to their satisfaction. I have also wrote a Phir­
maund regarding the Jews and Armenians at Bussora, ordering that they shall be
well treated, that except the Head money
• Sic in originnL
not a-place* shall be. taken from them and
that if any of the Jews or Armenians want to go to any part of the Gulph for thu