"مجموعة من المعاهدات والالتزامات والسندات المتعلقة بالهند والدول المجاورة" [‎١] (٥٧٨/١٨)

PART I,
Treaties and Engagements
relating to
Persia.
T HE first European power to enter into relations with Persia was
the Republic of Venice, which sent a successful mission in 1464.
In 1507 the Portuguese under Albuquerque seized the Island of Ormaz.
In 1561 Turkey concluded a treaty with Persia: and in the same year
Sir Anthony Jenkinson visited the court of Shah Tamasp I as the Envoj 7
of Queen Elizabeth, but met with a cold reception.
About forty years later an adventurous Englishman, Sir Anthony
Sherley, visited Persia. Shah Abbas the Great appointed him as his
Envoy to establish an alliance with the Christian monarchs of Europe
for the destruction of the Turks: and gave him a grant* permitting all
Christian merchants to trade freely with Persia. English, French and
Dutch factories were established at Gamrun, the name of 'which was
changed by the Shah to Bandar Abbas. In 1622 the Portuguese were
expelled from Ormaz with the help of the English, then at war with
* English translation of the grant obtained by Sir Anthony Sherley from Shah
Abbas for all Christians to trade in Persia.
Our absolute commaunclement, will, and pleasure is that our countries and
dominions shall be from this day open to all Christian people and to their religion;
and in such sort, that none of ours, of any condition, shall presume to giue them
any euii word. And, becapse of the amitie now ioyned with the princes that
prof esse Christ, I do giue this pattent for all Christian marchants to rapaire and
trafique in and through our dominions without disturbances or molestations of any
duke, prince, gouernor, or captaine, or any, of whatsoeuer office or qualitie, of
ours; but that all merchandize that they shall bring shall be so priuileged that
none of any dignitie or authoritie shall haue power to looke unto it, neyther to
make inquisitions after, or stay, for any use or person, the ualue of one asper,
neyther shall our religious men, of whatsoeuer sort they be, dare disturbe them,
or speake in matters of their faith; neyther shall any of our justices haue power
oner their persons or goodes for any cause or act whatsoeuer.
If by chaunce a marchant shall die, none shall touch any thing that belongeth
unto him but if the merchant haue a companion, he shall haue power to take
possession of those goodes. But if (by any occasion) he be alone, onely with his
seruants. the gouernor or whomsoeuer shall be required by him in his sickness
shall be answerable for all such goodes unto any of his nation which shall come
to requie them. But if he die suddainly, and haue neyther companion nor
seruant, nor time to recommende to any what he woulde haue done, then the