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supposing tho Agent and Council would take such an extraordinary Step as ho
i
ondeavours to force Carom Cnun to raako restitution for the losses.—Wo had sus­
tained by the Meer, as it would infallibly occassiou a rupture with tho Caun,
which in tho present situation of affairs.would he totally inconsistent with our
Hon’blc employers’ interest, that as the Island was voluntarily surrendered to
the Caun, Wo certainly could have no Right to relinquish to us any partotth.o
effects ho might obtain there as a compensation for our losses, tho’ If ho could
be brought to make good to proper and suitablo remonstrances, it would afford
us great pleasure, and that theso being our sentimonts, wo could not but highly
disapprove of his oonduct in attempting to withdraw from Bushiro on the bare
surmise that the Agoncy would pursue an unwarrantable measure and intimated
our wishes that this letter might reach him ultimo to prevent his carrying his
intentions into Execution.
CLXXXIII,
Agent and Council at Basrah to the Presidency.

Hon’ble Sir and Sirs,
Various intentions Various are the accounts which we have recoived concerning the inten­
of 8heikh of
Farrack abont tions of the Caun and Carrackers relative to the Island of Oarrack; and Meer
tbs island. Hussain Sultan, the Sheik of the Island, seems to bo wavering between his fear
of the Caun and his desire of keeping possession of Carrack and its riches. Some
reports say that his people are much disaffected to His Government and are
daily leaving the Island, that he intends delivering the effeots to the Caun, and
that they are to be equally divided between the Meer and the Caun and the
Persian Army; others that he is very desirous of our settling on the Island
where he would give us a Eactory, but not the fort as he first proposed and
others again say,that the Meer has wrote to the Imaum of. Muscat requesting
his friendship, and promising to deliver over the effects and gallivats of the Island
if he will grant him his protection and admit of his and his followers living
unmolestedly at Muscat.
Farim Fhan's Carem Caun either in consequence of a promise from the Meer of the
precant ions for
seen ring Farrack delivery of the Island and its. effects or in order to prevent the Meer’s proposal
wealth. to the Imaum from being parried into execution, has ordered the Chaub to send
down his Fleet to Genova, in order to join the Bushire one—The former consist­
ing of 10 Gallivats and two boats wjth about 260 in one and 70 or 80 in the rest
was met on Monday last at the Mouth of our river, by a Boat coming up from
Bushire, and the latter consisting of a small ship, 4 gallivats and about 30 armed
Boats, was getting ready at Bushire when the abovementioned Boat left that
Place. With these Fleets it is said the Caun intends to force the Meer to a com­
pliance with his demands, or together with the Carrack Fleet also, tq attaok our
Squadron in case it should endeavour to prevent them from carrying, the Carrack
riches over to the .Continent.
In our opinions the veracity of. the. above. reports is much to be doubted—
to us it does not seem probable that the Chajib will ever venture with his Fleet
as far as Genova, but there is reason to think that his Intention is only to make
a shew of Compliance to the Caun’s orders, and that in a short time we shall hear
of his return to Doorack.
Admitting'however that the Cfcaub’s obedience tq the Caun is an ynfejg.tjed
one, we cannot think our keeping our small Fleet of Carraok, oan at present