Page 54 - Gulf Precis (1-B)_Neat

250

situation from tho Moor's oruol disposition and therefore entered into a
conspiracy to destroy him. In order theroto they seized the small Port on the
26th ultimo at night before the Meer had auy intimation of their design and
then drew up a body of troops to soizo his person, which was immediately
attempted ; but those who altered him opposing the conspirators gave him an
opportunity of escaping to one of the bastions of the large Port where for a
little time ho proposed making a defence, in hopes ho would shortly bo so
much reinforced as to enable him to retrieve his affairs, but being disappointed
in this particular he determined at length to take himsolf to flight and
immediately left Carrnck iu a small boat, with about 20 meu who still adhorod
to him.
The Present Governors of Carraok are Durbass and Ilassan Sngadeou by
whose invitation two persons have been sent to Carrack by Zaiky Oaun and
are now taking an aocount of the effects that are remaining.
It occurred to me on the receipt of these advices that as the Honourable
Company have been at great expense on account the Meer, and many of the
English have suffered very considerably by his depredations, the Agent and
Council would probably make a demand of restitution from the Caun for those
losses and perhaps endoavo.ur to force him to a compliance therewith by keep­
ing a fleet off Carraok to obstruct tho removal of any considerable part of the
effects ho acquired. To prevent, therefore, any obstacle to our these measures, I
judged it would be highly necessary immediately to withdraw this settlement and
determined accordingly,—lest the Caun should entertain any suspicion of our
having such an Intention (which seemed very probable from the opinion of the
Sheik and the People of Bushire in general, and in consequence tliereof give
order to the Sheik to make a seizure of our persons and effeots with a view of
having some security that our future conduct should be no way detrimental
to his interest.
On coining to this resolution I gent for the Sheik and informed him that
the Eagle (which arrived here from Bussora the same day) brought me orders
from the Agency to repair thither as soon as possible, and that agreeable thereto
I should leave Bushire very shortly. This for a long while ho endeavoured
to dissuade me from, advising me to wait for further advices from the Agency
whose Resolutions, he said might possibly change on having the news of what
has happened on Carrack. But finding that I pleaded a necessity of paying
a strict obedience to my orders ho then informed me should it be, attended -with
any ill consequences to the Caun, he would pay very severely; for he had
just received, an order from Zackey Caun not to permit of our going from hence
till he had advices from Slieraz how to act regarding us, imagining our fleet
might he employed against Carrack. As to the particular I expressed myself
much surprised that Zackey Caun should entertain any such apprehension and
represent to 'him that as the Meer was a notorious robber, whose destruction
was necessary for our trade that was the Hon’ble Company’s motive in
determining to reduce bim, but that in my opinion they would no longer
concern themselves about Carrack siuce it has been delivered to the Caun for
whom he had the highest respect. This representation had so favourable an
effect at that time that he made no further objection to my removal whioh
flattered me with the hopes he would not impede it. But some of the Hospital
people getting some of the Country Boats soon after, in order to proceed on
board the Cruizer I had the Concern to hoar the Sheik had set a guard near
the Factory not to allowtbem to put off nor to carry away any of our effects,