'Travels from India to England : comprehending a visit to the Burman Empire, and a journey through Persia, Asia Minor, European Turkey, &c., in the years 1825-26, by James Edward Alexander' [‎79] (136/412)

PERSIA. 79
The members of the mission assembled at Bombay in May, when
the obstacles before specified put a stop to their embarkation.
Application was made to the Supreme Government for instructions,
and the Envoy was directed to remain at Bombay till further orders.
The governors of the two subordinate presidencies were, however,
of opinion that the mission ought to have proceeded without delay;
that its object was of so much importance as to demand expedition ;
and that had firmness been displayed at first, in disregarding the
frivolous objections of the Persian court to the character of the
Envoy, the rich presents he carried, and the arrears of the subsidy
which he was authorized to pay, would have overcome the scruples
of the court, and secured him, eventually, a favourable reception.
In July, Major George Willock, brother to the late charge (Taffaires
in Persia, arrived at Calcutta on a private mission from the court of
Tehran respecting the arrears of subsidy. The subject of the Persian
mission had, it appears, undergone much discussion in the council
of the Supreme Government of India; and in August the Envoy
was informed, by a letter from the Secretary to Government in the
Political Department, that the mission was suspended until the
receipt of advices from England. The Envoy was directed to remain
at Bombay on the salary attached to his rank, with a table allowance
of a thousand rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. per mensem.* The other members of the
mission were directed to return to their respective duties.
In December, letters from Persia brought advices that a change
had
* The full table allowance is five thousand rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. , including servants, carriage, &c.
The Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. have restricted the expenses of the mission to £12,000 per
annum.