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Sohyras to tako the command of the Persian fleet, and that a body of troops
were assembling under the Command of Tacky Caun—The Caun gives out
those preparations are designed against Muscat. But letters from Mr. Beau­
mont and one Coja Marcar Avia an Armenian who had been at Scbyras,
gives great room to apprehend that they are intended against Bussora—a letter
from Bagdat of the 5th October advises that Ally Whoolly Caun, Governor of
Kearmanshaw (a Province in Persia under Carom Caun, and about 80 Leagues
from Bagdat) was preparing to attack Coordistan which is under the Bagdat
Government, and about 40 or 50 leagues distant from thence.
Carem Cawn opened the Pearl which was found on board the Tyger, some
of it ho gave to the Commanders of the Gailivats which took her, the remainder
he kept himself, he directed them to continue hostilities against the English,
and to alter the Tyger to a Gallivat—There were various reports Respecting his
treatment of Messieurs Beaumont and Green, but they are silent themselves
with respect to it—they applied to him for their liberty, but he desired them to
wait until some of his people had returned, whom he had sent to Bussora, under
pretence of demanding the effects of his subjects, who had been carried off there
by the Plague: but it was suspected that this was not their real errand.
Soliman Aga had been appointed Mussaleem of Bussora in the room of
Eusooph Aga, and had in’ some measure restored tranquility to it—no trade
however was stirring there, owing to the Communication between that place
and Bagdat being stopt by the arabs, and the Chaub having blockt up the
river by three of his Gailivats, and it was thought that should the Persians
appear before the town, it must be surrendered—Coja Petrus had some
thoughts therefore of endeavouring to send the Hon’ble Companys effects to
Coja Marcar at Bagdat, under the care of Coja Ezekiel their Shroff, if it
appears that an invasion of Bussora is really intended by the Caun.
The Ormus Gailivats it is said are also out, and take every Boat which they
meet in the Gulph.
This intelligence though we do not place an entire confidence in it, makes
us particularly regret our long detention at this place, which the necessary
repairs to the Euphrates Ketch have unavoidably occasioned, we hope however
that we shall meet with no further impediment to our Voyage to Bussora__
we shall use the utmost expedition, and in case we find that Bussora is in
danger from the Persians, our first care shall be to secure our Hon’ble
Master’s property by shipping it on board on the Renenge & Drake—the
latter arrived here the 23rd ultimo.
We are with all due respect,
Hon’ble Sir and Sirs,
Your very obedient humble Servants,
H. M., W. D. L., G. A.
On Board thb Revenge
in Muscat road :
The 1st December 177S.
cc.
Extract* from the Basrah Factory Diary No. 9, 1st to 23rd December 1773.
Sailed the Revenge, Drake and two Ketches for Bussora, also tho Return vo^geot
St. Helena Captain Orie an English merchant ship from Bengal. ISd <wuuP**th!
Having a strong wind against us off I.araok, and the Commander being GuW from BomW-
of opinion that wo shall lose no time by putting to Gombroon, bore away for
that place and arrived in the evening.