'Précis of the Affairs of the Persian Coast and Islands, 1854-1905 By J A Saldanha, BA LL B' [‎23r] (45/212)

33
137- native agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Lingah reported (enclosure in Bombay Govern
ment letter No. 1084, dated 20th February 1872) of the intention to sell the
landed property of Haji Ahmed Khan (his houses having been sold already),
who was still in confinement and under a guard.
XIV.—Saiyid Turki's desires ' V I) to place a Maskat Agent at Bandar Abbas and (11)
to lease that port and its dependencies from Persia,
158. On the 30th January 1878 Colonel Miles reported
" The Wazir Minister. Saiyid Said, during a recent conversation with me, mentioned that
From Resident, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , to Government of His Highness Saiyid Turki was anXlOUS to
India, No. 82, dated 23td February 1879. have an agent residing at Bandar Abbas, and
Political A., June 1879, Nos. 31-36. solicited my views and opinion on the subject."
" Saiyid Said that the position of His Highness's subjects at Bandar Abbas, of whom
there was a considerable number, engaged in trade and other occupations, was not alto
gether satisfactory, as the treatment received by them at the hands of the Persian author
ities and the protection afforded them in their dealings with others were not such as His
Highness considered they ought to be, and it was thought the establishing an agent at
that port would be beneficial to the interest of all Oman subjects in Southern Persia.
I said that, if the Sultan desired it, I should be happy to communicate his wishes
in the matter to you for the favour of your advice, and the Minister replied that His
Highness would be much obliged by my doing so."
139. Colonel Ross addressed Government on the subject as follows :—
" I understand that His Highness contemplates his proposed agent should have re
cognized official status, as regards the Persian and other Governments, and it appears
to'me this is not without difficulties and objections. There is nothing in Sayyid Turki's
relations with British or any other Government to actually debar from direct diplomatic
dealings with Persia, but, as a matter of fact, the rulers of Maskat have of late
chosen to entrust their interests in Persia to the British Government. As a
State in intimate friendly relations with our Government, and unrepresented in Persia, it
has been the practice for the Resident in the Persian Galf to give good offices to Maskat
subjects on the Persian coast. It appears to me that, as the Sultan would not be
represented at the Court of Persia, his proposed Agent at Bandar Abbas would necessarily
have to rely on the support of the British local representative, and His Highness would
not be in any better ©position to protect the interests of his subjects than now. I am
of opinion that any subjects of Maskat, who may reside or call at Bandar Abbas, are not
exposed to any remarkable inconveniences, and are in fact as favourably treated as
Brisish subjects.
I think that Saiyid Turki's idea should be discouraged, but I would solicit the
orders of His Excellency in Council before replying decidedly.
It appears from a letter addressed by His Highness Saiyid Turki to 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.
Confidential News Agent that His Highness desires and hopes to obtain a lease of Bandar
Abbas, but in my opinion there are insuperable obstacles in the way of that arrangement."
140. On the 27th February Colonel Miles further reported :—
"His Highness Saiyid Turki has sent a telegram through his Wazir Minister. Saiyid Said _ to
the Shah's Government at Tehran, soliciting
From Resident Person Gul to Government h , ( Bandar Abbas on the same terms as
of India, No. 101, dated 7th March i»/9. 1 1 j t-i 4. 1
the present lessee holds it. i he telegram was
Political A., June 1879, Nos. 31-36. sen t to the Foreign Minister, and promised
" pushkesh " if the request were acceded to."
141. The views of Government were conveyed to the Resident by the follow
ing letter —
u i am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter Nos. 82 and 101, dated
From Government of India, to Resident, Persian respectively 23rd February and 7th March 1879,
Gulf, No. 1423 -E. t'., dated 19th May 1879. regarding —
Political A., July 1879, Nos. 31-36.
(1) the proposal of the Sultan of Maskat to establish an agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. at Bandar Abbas ;
{2) His Highness' desire to obtain a renewal of the lease by Persia to Maskat of the
port of Bandar Abbas and its dependencies.
" With reference to the first point I am to say that Saiyid Turki may be informed
that there is no objection on the part of the British Government to his sending an agent
to Bandar Abbas in view to the protection of the interests of Maskat subjects at that port-
The Governor-General in Council observes, however, that when His Majesty's legation in
S640FD