Page 155 - Gulf Precis (1-B)_Neat

310
CCLXV.
From the Governor of Bombay,
To
The Right Ifon’ble
Earl of Mornington* K.P.,
Governor General in Council at
Fort William.
My Loud,
We have much satisfaction in communicating the enclosed copies of the Bejortin;
Translations of Letters from Malicdi Ali Khan, and the Imaum of Muscat Ali Khan,
to the address of the Governor, accompanied by a Translate of a formally
executod Coulnama or written engagements under that Prince’s seat to exclude
as our employers how we believe much at heart all prejudicial influence of
the Frenoh at Muscat, and eventually to facilitate the establishment of a
respeotable English Factory at Gombroon ; which last can however, be only
at present desirable for the purpose of excluding the French or other European
enemy ; and for defeating the views which we have been heretofore advised
by Mr. Smith the late Resident at Bushire. The former had of obtaining
leave to make a settlement there ; but as tliat could hardly take place whilst
the Imaum of Muscat who forms the port of the Persian Government
continues our friend, there is perhaps less occasion for our pursuing the
object which must in a commercial point of view, prove in all likelihood but
very slow in producing any adequate returns, as far at least, as we can now
judge from the information before us.
Mehedi Ali Khan has been lately appointed from hence the Company’s
Besident at Bushire in the room of Mr. Smith and as his experienced talents
of a negooiator, pointed him out with best qualified person that could be
employed to undermine the interest and footing which our European enemies
had long knowu to have been assiduously cultivating with the Omanian or
Muscat Prince; Mehedi Ali Khan was in oonsequence vested with full powers
from this Government, on his departure hence on the 1st of September last, to
detach him from a union which the present posture of affairs might have
rendered doubly injurious to our interests; and to secure such advantages
in our behalf, as he should find the Imaum willing to concede.
Having accordingly stopped at Muscat on his way to Bushire, the success
of Mehedi Aly’s negotiations has considering the short time that has been
consumed in them so far exceeded our expectations that we oannot now speak
too highly in commendation of his merits. His happy outset has also given us
cause to augur very favourably of the continuance of his future efforts in that
quarter, which are intended, as the primary objects of his appointments to
promote the influence of our Government with the different Prinoes of the
Persian State and thereby to increase the sales of woollens and other articles
on account of the Company to such an extent, as may if he ultimately succeed,
render the continuance of the Bushire Factory of great Importance. To enable
your Lordship however to judge more satisfactory of the benefits thus
proposd, we beg leave to enclose a copy of Meliedi’s original proposals on these
points and of our consequent instructions to him on the occasion of his late
appointment requesting also to be favoured with your Lordship’s direction
as to whether the Coulnama with the State of Muscat shall be ratified on our
part.