'Precis Containing Information in regard to the First Connection of the Hon'ble East India Company with Turkish Arabia, as far as the Same Can Be Traced from the Records of the Bombay Government, together with the Names of the Several British Residents and Political Agents Who Have Been Stationed at Bagdad [Baghdad] and Bussorah [Basra] between A.D. 1646 and 1846, accompanied by Other Information' [‎73r] (147/226)

WITH TURKISH ARABIA— 1646 TO 1846.
115
the British nation in the person of its representative at his Court. The
following 1 is an extract from Mr. Elphinstone's letter :—
"I have no doubt Your Lordship will be struck with the necessity of exacting full
and public reparation for the insult offered by the Pacha to the British nation; the first
object, however, must at present be to procure the liberation of Mr. Rich from the
dangerous situation in which he is placed. I would venture to suggest that the demands
for Mr. Rich's release should be supported by the most peremptory orders from the
Porte. When that is effected the Pacha's explanations might be listened to, and his
apologies received, if sufficiently public and sufficiently indicative of contrition, and if
attended with the punishment of the Pacha's instigators ; all new imposts on our trade
should also. Your Lordship will probably think, be done away at the same time : and if
these terms be not complied with by the Pacha, I should conceive his removal or more
severe punishment might be justly insisted on.
" I take this occasion to observe that the utility of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at Bagdad
first instituted when the French were in Egypt has long been doubtful; that it was
the intention of this Government to have removed it if these disputes had not
arisen ; and that it will be removed as soon as they are closed, but it will still be of
the utmost importance to maintain our character at Bagdad, and our influence both
in Persia and Arabia will in a great measure depend on the notice that is taken of the
present insult on our representative."
253. In a letter dated the 25th May 1821 Mr. Rich reported
the release from Bagdad, and safe arrival at Bussorah on the 19th of the
same month, of himself and the whole of his establishment. This object
was effected by Mr. Rich under the circumstances stated in the following
extract from his letter :—
" While I was in Coordistan last year a report was prevalent in Bagdad, derived
from I know not what source, that I had been nominated to the Government of Surat.
This report was revived again at Bagdad after the late dispute, and, as it pretty generally
obtained credit, I conceived the idea of availing myself of it to attempt the liberation of
the establishment, which was the easier, as it is never the custom of the Turks to
make any direct questions regarding another person's affairs. When the subject was
pointed to me I contented myself with observing that, although I knew nothing of
Surat or any other particular place, there was every reason to believe I had been
nominated to a post in India; that I should long ago have visited that country had
it not been for the late unpleasant dissension, and that my remaining at Bagdad
was an injury to myself and inconvenience to Government. Many were the persons
instructed to sound me, but without appearing at all aware of their object. My con
versations were always of the said tenor, and managed with every appearance of
carelessness and absence of design, so that the whole of the adverse party, comparing
what they now gathered from me with what they had formerly heard when I was
not in Bagdad, began thoroughly to believe that I had long ago been recalled without
any reference to the late dispute. I had also many able and intelligent friends who
co -operated with me, and what is very remarkable, their assistance was afforded without
anv directions from, or even understanding with, me; while they affected even in conver
sation with me to believe the current report, they seemed to comprehend at the
same time that it was desirable to give it general currency and to use every endeavour
to tranquillize the Pacha's mind. They were influenced in this both by personal
attachment to myself and a strong hope that I should ultimately be the instrument
of defeating and humbling a person so generally feared and detested as the Pacha
Khoja Ezra from other motives connected with his own designs wished for my
absence, and this was a very important point, as the slightest exertion on his part
would have turned the whole affair.
" When I found that the Pacha had been properly prepared, I came forward
suddenly, stated my intention of leaving Bagdad immediately on some private urgent
business which required my presence before the commencement of the heats, lliis
step was attended with all the success I had hoped, 'ihe Pacha seemed taken by
surprise, and after a slight hesitation gave his consent; at the same time so thoroughly
possessed was he by the report that had been in circulation that he said ' as you are
^oing down to India I will take the opportunity of writing to the Governor of Bombay.