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2. It is with equal concern and surprize, we received the advice which
your last letter montions, that Hossein Caun, Commandant of Carem Caun's
Gallivats, had made capturo of the Britannia, Captain Shaw, two Ketches, and
somo small boats oil Congoon in June last (the first mentioned, and one of the
Ketches being under English Colours) and that you had taken the resolution
to submit it to the Presidency to furnish you with a very largo and expensive
Marino aud Laud force, for commencing hostilities, in order to reduoo the
forces of QoBseiu Caun, and such others, cruizing in the Gulph, who wore
hostily interrupting the trade there, aud express your dosiro to enter upon
operations by Land, in order to obtain reparation for tho injuries sustained.
3. Looking upon this as a matter nearly concerning our Interest, we
cannot loso a moments time in expressing our entire disapprobation of your
proposal of seeking redress by force of Arms, and thereby exposing us to an
expenco which the Advantages derived from our Intercourse in the Gulph will
by no means justify ; and although we cannot suppose the Presidency, even
if they were inolined to it, can furnish the proposed Armament, yet least they
should coincide in your sentiments, and aid you in part so far, as to put you
in a condition to revenge the insult committed by Carem Caun, you are to
observe it as a point that the last necessity only can warrant; but in the mean
time you must employ every other meaus in your power to procure restitution
for the present losses and future security of the Navigation and Commerce in
tho Gulph of Persia.
4. And we cannot here avoid observing that the three Cruizers in the
Gulph under your Orders in August last, were equal to the. protection of the
trade there, and sufficient to countenance the spirited Remonstrances you
should make on the insults you had received.
5. If all efforts to put an end to the Piratical views of the Persians and
other Powers in .the Gulph, and to procure Reparation of Injuries, without
having recourse to Arms, shall prove ineffectual; You are to represent tho
6ame to the Presidency, that they may lay it before the Commanding Officer
of his Majesty’s Ships in the East Indies aud endeavour to obtain such pro
tection and assistance in the circumstances as the case shall require.
6. And in the meantime if those powers shall continue to interrupt your
Commerce, we are desirous it should have all the Security, that your Situations
in conformity to these our orders shall enable you to afford.—It appears to us
that the Establishment of a Rendezvous at Muscat will be a very proper
measure for that purpose, that the shipping bound up the Gulph may proceed
from thence under a sufficient Convoy and for such Convoy, we esteem the
Resolution and Dolphin, or Vessels of equal force, with a few Gallivats,
sufficient.
7. Having taken into consideration what you write on the Subject of the
Gbilan Raw Silk, and the large quantity of the Stock of Wollens which have
remained so long in warehouse at yJur Settlement, and at Bombay for your
Market; We are willing, and accordingly authorize you, to dispose of those
Woollens, in barter for silk entirely, without the advance of Cash for purchase
thereof, unless you shall find it utterly impossible to procure the Silk on those
terms; and then we hope you will be able to procure it, allowing the
Merchants a Quarter part in Cash in payment for such Raw Silk —and when
you have disposed of the remains of Woollens in your hands, and those
expected from Bombay, desigaed for your Settlement, in exchange for Silk
as above-mentioned ; you are to obey the orders contained in our letter to you