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cortain knowledge in the opinion of bis sect could persuade him to covet the Flag
which bis religion instructs him to despise and if be is negligent of the forms
of tbo faith ho professes bo can of course only be considered amongst them
as a profligate man devoid of any principle consequently not without disrespect
to your Hon’bio Board in particular be entrusted with the British Flag.
8tlily. And lastly because for many reasons which my local knowledge and
G years’ experience affords me of the inhabitants bore, of their prejudices, cus­
toms, manners and religion I can never be accessory to a proceeding which my
national pride revolts at and carries me so far to declare I would rather suffer
any private injury than bo the willful Agent of Public dishonour, to my
King, country and Hon’blo employes.
I have, etc.,
N. 11. Smith.
Bushire the 1st November 1798.
CCLVII.

Resolution op the Government op Bombay.
Bombay Castle, the 23rd November 1798.
With regard to the representations from Mr. Smith the late Bushire Co“dem^nKthe-
Resident, although the Board can, scarcely reconcile his present conduct with a Sinitb and ordering
perfect state of sanity; still as he is strongly expected at the Presidency, we fla? to Mehedi au
shall -defer taking that notice of it which it merits, until his arrival here^ Kban'
In the meantime to guard against the ill effects which may be apprehended
from the recurrence of this gentleman’s intemperance the Commander of the
next monthly vessel proceeding to Bussora is to be instructed through tbo
Superintendent of Marino, to call in at Bushire, and should he find Mr. Smith
still there, first to offer him a passage to the Presidency, but in the event of a
refusal, to compel him by force to repair on board the vessel ready for his
reception. rThe raid Commander is also, to be furnished with two British Flags
which the Military Board are to be desired to provide for the purpose, and which
on his arrival, he is to deliver to Mehadi Ali Khan, for the purpose of being
hoisted at Bushire as well in his own presence, as that of as mauy of the Officers
of his vessels, as can be spared a shore, with all the solemnity due to the occasion
at this ceremony Mehedi Ali Khan is to superintend, and direct, as the Company’s
lawful representative, at that settlement, and to be considered, as such to the
fullest extent of the appellation, by the Commander, and officers aforesaid
entrusted with the execution of these orders, Mr. Smith, on the other hand, if
still at Bushire it is to be received simply as an individual to bo dealt with
as above directed and not allowed to attend at the hoisting of the British
Colours. During his stny at Bushire, the Commanding Officer Cruizer is,
moreover, to hold himself, as being in all respects, as much subordinate to
and subject to the orders, and requisitions of the present Native Resident, Mehedi
Ali Khan, as according to tho rules, and usages of the service he would be to
any European Resident, being a Company’s Civil Servant, besides which it is
expeoted, and required of him that for tho purpose of obviating, as far as
possible, the mischievious consequences that may have resulted from the all
together unaccountable conduct of Mr. Smith, tho said Commandiug Officer of
tho Cruizer he careful, and attentive to shew every respectful obsorvauce, in
his intercourse with Mehedi Ali Khan and as marked arc serve towards