'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' [‎51v] (104/226)

72 PRECIS OF INFORMATION REGARDING CONNECTION OF E. I, COMPY.
that he mig-ht be there punished. The Paeha ordered the Mussaleem During the eighteenth century this was the third most powerful official in Ottoman Iraq (after the Pasha and the Kiya). The title was given specifically to the Governor of Basra. to
admonish the other Jews who had insulted Mr. Manesty, but refused to
inflict any punishment on them. Mr. Manesty remonstrated against
this decision, but the Pacha refused to afford him any further redress.
Mr. Manesty and Mr. Harford Jones (who had been associated with him
as a Joint Factor at the Bussorah 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. from the 20th November
1788) came therefore to a resolution, which they carried into effect on
the 30th April 1793, to withdraw from Bussorah and remove to Grane, in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , pending further orders from Government.
169. Consequent on the withdrawal of Mr. Manesty from Bussorah,
the Pacha addressed the following letter (without date) to the Governor
of Bombay:—
" The great friendship, good-will, and cordiality which have ever subsisted between me
and the English gentlemen are confirmed. The integrity of my conduct and the great
respect which, from motives of friendship, I have still this day shown to the English
residents, passengers, and the merchants of your side, are too well known to need any
explanation from me. You must likewise be informed how friendly, attentive, and civil
I have been to all persons dependent on your Circar. But Mr. Manesty, the present
Resident of Bussorah, is a man quite ignorant of either the means of pleasing or con
ciliating ; his manners and conduct are bad. He before gave unreasonable interruption
to the merchants and people of the town, and sometimes occasioned disturbances in the
Government; lately he has been more and more troublesome, and, unmindful of the
rules of friendship, has repeatedly caused uncommon disagreements. Although by
submitting to such interruptions and disturbances I trust my own Government, and
though conduct of this nature has a tendency to weaken the administration of the town,
yet on account of the friendship subsisting between the Ottoman and English Courts,
and of my regard for the English nation, I have forborne noticing it. Two years ago
a Christian, not a ryot of Bussorah, or under the protection of the English factory An East India Company trading post. ,
or any way connected with Mr. Manesty, had a dispute with one of the Jews, whom
he unjustly murdered. The Mussaleem During the eighteenth century this was the third most powerful official in Ottoman Iraq (after the Pasha and the Kiya). The title was given specifically to the Governor of Basra. of Bussorah was desirous of having the matter
enquired into and to have judgment passed according to the all bright law; but as
Mr. Manesty then unacquainted with the Christian who was living under contribution
in the town, took his part, the Mussaleem During the eighteenth century this was the third most powerful official in Ottoman Iraq (after the Pasha and the Kiya). The title was given specifically to the Governor of Basra. declined putting the law in execution. Not
withstanding this attention in the Mussaleem During the eighteenth century this was the third most powerful official in Ottoman Iraq (after the Pasha and the Kiya). The title was given specifically to the Governor of Basra. in giving the matter up, Mr. Manesty
was still dissatisfied, and demanded that, as in the dispute, abusive language had been
made use of towards him by the Jews, for his own satisfaction, as a person of character,
that the head Jew of Bussorah should be turned out of the town, and that the rest
should be punished, disgraced, and fined, from the desire that there should be no
interruption to our friendship. I attended to his demand, and ordered the head Jew
of Bussorah to Bagdad, and punished and admonished the rest, but to impose fines
on, and harass the subjects without cause, must be destructive of good government,
and till this time none of my officers have ever acted so unwisely; they were therefore
not fined on this occasion.
" Mr. Manesty finding that his wishes had not been wholly complied with was
offended and, quitting Bussorah, went to Carrack, leaving the dispute as it was till the
opening of the season, that when the crops were ready for gathering he might throw
impediments in the way of cutting them, his doing which from the friendship that has
subsisted with so much cordiality between the Ottoman and English Courts, upwards of
thirty years, and the harmony that has so long continued between me and the Company,
would be highly improper. My fair conduct and actions towards every one dependent on
the English, towards you and his people from a long time back to the present day, have
been fullv known, and it is also known how contrary his conduct has been to the rules of
friendship. I have never been deficient on my part or ever will in observing a friendly
line of conduct, but while Mr. Manesty continues to conduct himself, as I have above
described, you must be sensible that his residing at Bussorah in future would be impro
per, and of no use, and that it would neither tend to your benefit or mine his continuing
there. I therefore hope you will recall him and send another Resident in his room, to
whom, from our cordiality and friendship, I will show every civility and attention in my
power, and in all respects act for the increase of our good understanding."