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' Bobort Qkrden'i Hon’ble Company, and Individuals the whole amount of their property at
:! ^ letter to Kerim *
Khan. Bussora.
3
:!
Thus Resolved I lost no time in Commencing my negotiations with the
Persians, and 8haik Nassir being absent and Shaik Saddoon his Brother
(tho* he assured me of his friendship for the Engli®h, and had sent off, Aga
Ootohoke to me, the Principal merchant in the place, with a compliment of
sheep; Fruit &) not having authority from the Khan to release
Mr. Beaumont, or Ratify any term’s that might be Agreed on betweon us.
Immediately address’d Kerim Khan by Letter, Acquainting him that as the
I strictest Amity had ab antiquo subsisted betweon the English, and tho Persian’s,
the Hon'ble the Governor and Council of Bombay, wero at a loss how to
account for his late breaoh of friendship in detaining the Tyger, which was
surprized and taken by some of his Gallivats in Bussora River; and keeping
V Prisoner's two of the Company’s Servants Messrs. Beaumont and Green who
where taken in her. To make enquiry into the cause of this proceeding, and
to rectify any thing that might bo amiss (tho' they were not conscions of having
given his Majesty any oause of displeasure). I had by their Order’s, touohed
here in roy way to Bussora; that as it was their wish to Continue on friendly
terms with him, I had it also in Commission from them provided he would first
release Messrs. Beaumont and Green, and deliver up the Tyger with her 8tores
fco. to Establish a Factory at Bushire; that Our Ships might trade to his
dominion’s as heretofore, and that a Mutual Intercourse of friendship and Good
offioos might subsist between us.-—This Letter was dispatch’d the 11th and
t I hourly expect an answer. Shaik Saddoon and the Merchants here un«
As
lea’ animously Assure me, that it will be favorable, as the Kban has nothing more at
heart than the Establishment of an English Factory in his Dominions; and
that he oould think of no other mean’s of Effecting it than by the detention of
Mr. Beaumont not chusing to make any further Overtures to Mr. Moore
against whom he was highly incensed, and Shaik Nassir in a Conversation he
had with Mr. Beaumont the night before his Departure, assured him that
Mr. Moores obstinacy had been the Cause of the present war : for that had the
English Colour’s been hoisted at Bushire, the present Expedition would not
have taken place.
Arrinl of Basrah
▲font and Counoil The 16th Instant, the Agent & Co. arrived here with the Success,
fttSuhin. Eagle, and Ketohes belonging to the Basha of Bagdat; they had it seems
neglected to Ship off the Company’s and their own Property, till the Persian
Army was so near the Town, that the Mussaleem was obliged to prevent their
doing it, least it should Alarm, and spread a Panick among the Inhabitants :
He had however agreed to indemnify the English for any losses they might
sustain, provided the Cruizers oontinued before the place, till it was aotually
taken, or the Enemy repulsed, One Night, however the Persian’s were
making an assault upon the Town, the English Gentlemen all repaired on board;
and being Apprehensive that the Persian and Ohaub's Gallivats when joined
would be an Over match for them they set sail and came down hither, leaving
the inhabitants of Bussora no doubt in the utmost rage and Consternation:
for 8addoo Khan the Persian general having acquainted the Turk’s, he would
Accept of a certain sum of money, as a Ransom for the place they had
(it is said) in consequence of the Assurances that Our Cruizer’s should assist
them, sent back an Arrogant Answer. Be this however as it may, by thus
deserting the plaoe they have certainly forfeited all Claim to any Indemnifi-