Page 137 - Gulf Precis (1-B)_Neat
P. 137

331

          conduct and the great respect, which from motives of friendship I have till
          this day shewn to the English Residents, Passengers, and the Merchants of
          your side, are too well known to need any explanation from me. You must
          likewise be informed how friendly, attentive and Civil I have been to all
          persons dependant on your Circar. But Mr. Manesty the present Resident of
          Bussora, is a man quite ignorant of either the means of pleasing, or conciliating,
          his manners and conduct are bad. He before gave unreasonable interruption
          to the merchants and people of the Town, and some times occasioned disturb­
          ances in the Government, lately he has been more and more troublesome
          and unmindful of the rules of friendship, has repeatedly caused uncommon
          disagreements. Although by submitting to such interruptions and disturbances
          I trust my own Government, and tlio’ conduct of this nature has a tendency
          to weaken the administration of the Town, yet on account of the friendship sub­
          sisting between the Ottoman and English Courts, and of my regard for the
          English nation, I have forborne noticing it; Two years ago a Christian not a
          Ryat of Bussora, or under the protection of the English Eactory, or any way
          connected with Mr. Manesty had a dispute with one of the Jews, whom he
          unjustly murdered. The Mussaleem of Bussora was desirous of having the
          matter enquired into, and to have judgment passed according to the all
          bright Law, but as Mr. Manesty then unacquainted with the Christian, who
          was living under contribution iu the Town, took his part, the Mussaleem
          declined putting the Law in execution. Notwithstanding this attention in the
          Mussaleem in giving the matter up Mr. Manesty was still dissatisfied, and
          demanded that as in the dispute, abusive language had been made use of
          towards him by the Jews, for his own satisfaction, as a person of character,
          that the Head Jew of Bussora should be turned out of the Town, and that the
          rest should be punished, disgraced and fined; from the desire that there
          should be no interruption to our friendship. I attended to his demand, and
          ordered the Head Jew of Bussora to Bagdad, and punished and adminished
          the rest but to impose fines on, and harass the subjects without cause, must
          be destructive of good Government, and till this time none of my officers have
          ever aoted so unwisely, they were therefore not fined on this occasion.
              Mr. Manesty finding that his wishes had not been wholly complied
          with was offended, and quitting Bussora, went to Carraok, leaving the dispute
          as it was, till the opening of the season, that when the crops were ready for
          gathering he might throw impediments in the way of cutting them, his doing
          which form the friendship that has subsisted with so much cordiality between
          the Ottoman and English Courts, for upwards of thirty years and the harmony
          that has so long continued between me and the Company would be highly
          improper ; My fair conduct and actions towards every one dependent on the
          English, towards you, and his people, from a long time back, to the present day
          have been fully known, and it is also known how contrary his conduct has been
          to the rules, of friendship. I have never been deficient on my part, or ever will
          in observing a friendly line of oonduct, but while Mr. Manesty continues to
          conduct himself as I have above described, you must be sensible that his resid­
          ing at Bussora, in future would be improper, and of no use, and that it would
          neither tend to your benefit or mine, his continuing there. 1 therefore hope you
          will reoall him and send another Resident in his room to whom from our
          cordiality and friendship, I will shew every civility and attention in my
         power, and in all respects act for the increase of our good understanding.
   132   133   134   135   136   137   138   139   140   141   142