Page 261 - Gulf Precis (1-B)_Neat

I

455
these Grants the Hon'blc Company might engage to clear the Sea as far as they were able of
any pirates who continued to interrupt a Trade so advantageous to both Nations.
100. It would also seem of advantage to prevail upon the Persian Government to cxemp t
from all Duties whatever tho Company’s staples, to increase their consumption, & also to facili­
tate by external regulations the exportation of Carmcnia Wool to the Settlement proposed; to
which from its Vicinity to the province where that desireable article.is produced it might easil y
be conveyed.
101. With. X to tho Trade carried on by private Merchants, it would be sufficient
to stipulate in any Agreement concluded, that no increaso of Duties on the articles of Commerce
should be made. They are at present very moderate particularly those collected on that great
Article of import.
102. The iusular situation of the settlement would neither subject the Ilon’ble Company,
or those under their protection to any increased duties, or inconvenience from the necessity of
tho Trade passing through the Towns on the Coast under the rule of Arab Shaikhs for
while a Government exists in Persia that can keep 2,000 Horse at Shiraz no one of these dare
act contrary to its orders.
103. These Shaikhs collect customs it is true, at their respective Ports but it is only as
Officers of the Persian Government & they render a regular account. Whenever it happens
that one of them during a period of anarchy & revolution withholds his Tribute, he is called to
a severe accouut for his neglect, & he is generally plundered of double the amount.
104. The Shaikh of Bushire who is the most powerful among them, is at present from
the capacity of the officers of Government, in the most reduced & impoverished situation
& he transmits regularly to the Government a Tribute that amounts to within forty thousand
rupees of his receipts.
H'5. It would only appear necessary to make a stipulation in the Treaty to bo concluded
that the severest punishment should be inflicted on the first Arab Shaikh or Governor of a
province or Town on the Coast who obstructed or oppressed the Trade in any manner whatever.
106. Supposing Sunnuds obtained for the Islands of Kishm or Anjam x Com-
raercial Treaty concluded, it was x appear proper to enter into a X with the
Imame of Muscat who might easily by some trifling concessions be not only reconciled to the
measure but prevailed upon to facilitate its accomplishment.
107. There would be little difficulty I imagine in arranging matter to the satisfaction of
Moullah Hussen, the present Chief of tho Island of Kishm,'any plan that offered him Comfort
& security, would most probably be agreeable. If otherwise, he has no power whatever to
make any opposition.
108. As to the inhabitants of this, & every Island in the Gulph I speak from the testi­
mony of every one of them I have seen, they would hail with joy the day that placed them
under the protection of the English flag or of any other indeed that was able to prevent their
being plundered by their piratical neighbours.
109. After the Grants were obtained, and the Imftme had given his consent to the measure
(which many motives make mo think desirable though not indispensible) a Ship of Force- should
,
be sent by the Government of Bombay to anchor or in the Harbour, & to remain till a spot was
fixed upon for a Town & a Fort, or at least a stockade for its protection was finished.
110. But this & all other subordinate parts of the arrangement would of course be
entrusted to the Hon’ble the Governor in Council at Bombay under whose Jurisdiction this
Settlement would naturally be placed fiom X situation.
111. In closing this letter I am again impelled to solicit Your Lordship’s indulgence to
its errors, which I cauuot but fear are numerous.
I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect,
My Loed,
Your Lordship’s most obedient and most humble Servant*
JOHN MALCOLM,
Envoy.
Aun Sqerer;
Tht 26th February 1900.
2578 fc\ 1).