Page 97 - Gulf Precis (1-B)_Neat

293
CCXI.
Robert Garden (Bushiro Road) to tlio President and Governor, oto.
Honourable Sir and Gentlemen.
By a boat bound to Muscat, I embrace the opportunity of acquainting K bfl t ttaok
you with the situation of affairs in those parts. On my arrival here the 7 ins- edbyEngluh ships,
tant, I was informed by letters from Mr. John Beaumont, that the Persians ^JS^KlSa aboS
were actually gone against Bussora and that he had orders from the Agent and
Council there to hurry up any cruizar that might arrive. As the Persian army etc.
was encamped little above the town, that 15 of the Chaub’s gullivats,
attempting to pass our vessels had been attacked by tlie Eagle and Success and
that one of the gullivats was taken and another burnt and the remainder had
gone by and joined the camp. After maturely weighing every circumstance
relative to this business, I was firmly of opinion, it was more for the Interest of
the Company that I should instantly begin the negotiation with the Persians,
and endeavor to procure the Release of Mr. Beaumont; than comply with
the wishes of the Agent and Council for the following reason’s—
Because from the Accounts received of the forces the Persians* had sent
against the the Turks* viz., 40,000 against Bagdat, and 80,000 against Bussora,
besides 14 Gallivats and 50 Armed Boats from these parts, and 15 Gallivats
from Dorack, it was likely that both the aforemention’d places would fall into
their hands, in which case, should I not embrace the Opportunity that presented
itself of accommodating our differences with Kerim Khan, not a single, Port
in the Gulph will be open to us.
Because should I slip this Opportunity it would be impossible ever again
to settle with Kerim Khan, or effect the Release of Mr. Beaumont; and as Our
present disturbances with the Moratta’s, put it out of the power of the
Governor & Co. to send Cruizer’s with Our Merchant Ship’s, the Trade
of the Gulph would consequently be entirely ruined.
Because the force we have with us, is not sufficient to protect us, even
should we be attack’d by such part of the Persian Gallivats as Mr. Beaumont
Acquaints me has lately been dispatohed from these parts : the three Merchants
Vessels being so miserably Equip’d, that they are not capable of the least
defence. Captains Gage and Hall who were consulted by me on this head,
being also of opinion, that in the event of our being attack’d by the aforemen­
tion’d fleet of Gallivats, one or more of the Merohant Vessells must inevitably
be taken.
Because in my Opinion the Agent and Council were wrong in making
themselves Parties in the present war, with which they had no business; and
because if they aoted as they should, they might put the whole of the English
property on board the Eagle and 8uccess, and Embarking themselves also,
neither they, nor the property was in any great danger.
Because the property we have with us belonging to the Company and
private Merchants, amounts to near 20 Lack of Rupees, to run which into
immediate danger would be madness.
Because should I be so lucky as to Succeed in an Accommodation with the
Khan, it would not only be the means in all probability of Overting the dismal
Consequences which might otherwise Result from the Rash and impolitick Step
which the Agent and Council of Bussora had taken ; but also of scouring to the*