Page 190 - Gulf Precis (1-B)_Neat

384
an English Cruizor, and both blow up. The JPearl, fresh captured from tho
English, with a crew of the same Nation, next makes her appearance, and tho
French and the inhabitants of Muscat buy and sell her cargo without impe­
diment : amongst the rest, some horses belonging to Mr. Manesty, the Resident
at Bussora, together with different artioles of mine. The Government at the
same time shows nothing but the most friendly disposition towards th om.
What was his Lordship the Governor General to suppose but that the old
intercourse between Muscat and the French still continued, and that the
former bad really experienced no injury or loss from the protended dissolution
of their Connection ? Why then provide for an imdemuification, as in the
instance of the Salt grant, to the amount of thirty or forty thousand Rupees?
These were not even wanting informers, who assured His Lordship of the
existence of a positive alliance between you and the French; and, as the
proverb says, “the friend of my onomy is no friend of mine”, I cannot but
think it both natural and likely that His Lordship did on this account order
the detention of the Cargo of Salt. Permit me therefore to offer you in one
word the amount of my sentiments on tho occasion which I do, believe me,
out of the most sincere regard for your interest, as well as in remembrance
of the favour and kindness of the deceased Imaum, which I preserve to this
day unaltered, look upon the friendship and esteem of the English Govern­
ment as the Soul by which Muscat breathes and has its’ being, and fly the
1
tl Continuation of French fraternity as you would the plague.
r fc
•i As to the introduction, which you express a desire to carry with you to
i yr the Most Noble the Governor General, I have in deference to your request
li presumed to address His Lordship on the subject: otherwise, I can assure you
I would not have dared to Oonoeive that any intervention of mine could have
been necessary between persons in every respect so superior. ** Shall Soha
(an obscure star) expatiate to the lamp of day upon the effulgency of the
Lunar firmament ?” The enclosed Arzy, however, you will find to Contain
what you desire.
Let me recommend you then in every instance to have the favorable
consideration of the Honorable Company and His Lordship the Governor General
in view, and drive the Frenoh like flies away from you. When the Govern­
ments of Bengal and Bombay are thoroughly assured of your sincerity in this
particular, the advantages which will be unceasingly derived to Muscat will, I
doubt not, convince you of the policy of the measure.

CCXCIII.
Translation of a letter from Mehedy Ali Khan, Resident at Bu6hire, to the Honorable
Jonathan Duncan, dated 2nd (received 28th) August 1800.
I had the honor of forwarding by a former Conveyance a bill upon the
Bengal Government in favour of Mirza Mahommed Ali Khan, in the Service of
the Nizam at Calcutta, for Rupees 15,000, due to Hajy Ali Akbar and Mirza
Mahommed, Merchants, on account Goods received from them and employed
as presents to the different Members and Officers of the Persian Government.
This I did in compliance with their request, having no correspondent at
Bombay, and agreed to produoe the receipt of Mirza Mahommed Ali in four
Months. I trust therefore, Honorable Sir, you will enable me to fulfill my en*
gagement, as beyond the prescribed period they will make a demand of interest.