'Memo on Mussondomom' [‎4r] (7/18)

13(A.—There should be a Vice-Consul under the minister at Bushire, ami
who, though directly subordinate to the Foreign offiee, might correspond upon
Gulf affairs with the chief at Mussundoom.
5. The proposed settlement would flourish, I think, under any officer who would
use common sense on its administration, and leave commerce and people in general
to manage their own business. Perhaps, however, an oflicer who had been trained
in a good school for general administration would be preferable to a mere diplomatist
or a pure soldier, for the former is, perhaps, a little too prone to fancy irork
done when he has given the last poKsh to his despatch; and tlie latter, perhaps
occasionally forgets that Martial Law and the Habeas Corpus Act cannot co -exist in
one and the same jurisdiction.
' ) L V _ . V»
I have the honour to be, See.
(Signed) LEWIS PELLY, Lieutenant Colonel,
Acting Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. , Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
P.S. Since writing this letter I have received and am transmitting Mr, East-
wick 's despatch, No. 7 of 18th December 1862, advocating the establishment of a
Vice-Admiralty Court for the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , &c. It is, I believe, questionable
whether we have a right to establish such a Court on foreign soil. But the natural
point for such a court would be the settlement at Mussundoom. In brief, wher
ever i turn, I find reasons for selecting that as our fulcrum of influence in the Gulf,
provided always that the climate he sufficiently bearable.
The whole drift indeed in Mr. Eastwick's despatch is to show the embarrass
ments which surrounded the administration of justice towards British subjects on
Persian soil. I really cannot define what my magisterial powers are as a Resident
at Bushire. Nor do I perceive in what way I could punish a criminal. So far as
my personal observation in Persia goes, I am disposed to think that our relations
with this Government in regard to judicial matters are on a vague and unsatisfac
tory footing; ana that the obtainment of justice for a British subject depends more
upon the personal influence which British representatives may possess with the
Persian authorities, than upon the real merits of the plaintiff's case. " All this (in so
far as the precints of the Gulf are concerned) would be obviated by having our own
port and settlement in the Gulf. I do not lay much stress on oaths as Mr. Eastwick
seems to do. In my opinion a law of perjury operates much like a law of usury.
(Signed) LEWIS PELLY.
Since writing the foregoing, I have received reliable intelligence of a point
on the southern entrance of Elphinstone Inlet, which seems well suited to the
requirements above enumerated.
2nd February 1863. (Signed) LEWIS PELLY.
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