Notes Prepared for Reference during Curzon’s Tour of the Persian Gulf, and Other Papers on Persia and the Persian Gulf [‎236r] (471/678)

[This Document is the Property of Her Britannic Majesty’s Government.]
O.'L.
NO. 7. PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY.
ASIA.
CONFIDENTIAL.
2627
Sir M. Durand to the Marquess of Salisbury.—(Received December 28.)
(No. 65.)
My Lord, Tehran, November 25, 1896.
I HAVE the honour to forward, for your Lordship’s information, a letter addressed
to me by Captain Sykes, Consul in Kerman, regarding the services rendered to Her
Majesty’s Government by His Koyal Highness the Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). Farma.
There is, I think, no doubt that the Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). Farma is at present thoroughly friendly
to us, and under our influence. This is mainly due to the remarkable personal ascen
dancy gained over him by Captain Sykes, who deserves much credit for the manner in
which he has made His Royal Highness trust him and follow his advice.
Now that the Sadr Azam has been deprived of office, the Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). Farma is probably
the most powerful man iu Persia, and the value of his friendship and support is very
great.
I have, &c.
(Signed) H. M. DURAND.
Inclosure in No. 1.
Captain Sykes to Sir M. Durand.
(No. 5.)
^ Tehran, November 20, 1896.
IN accordance with your instructions, I have the honour to lay before you the
following information respecting the services rendered to Her Britannic Majesty’s
Government by His Highness Abdul Hossein Mirza, commonly known as the Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’).
Farma.
It is now nearly four years since His Highness was appointed Governor of Kerman,
and shortly after his arrival in the district I had the good fortune to make his
acquaintance.
Being much struck with his courtesy and unmistakable friendliness, I was very
glad to accept an invitation to be his guest, and to travel with him.
After being treated with the greatest kindness for more than a week, I left His
Highness, but received a most pressing invitation to renew my experiences in Beluchistan
during the following winter.
After my return to India, this invitation was repeated by every post, and such was
the tenor of it that the Government of India deputed me to proceed to Beluchistan
with instructions to strengthen my influence over His Highness, and at the same time to
inquire into and arrange some cases affecting British Indian subjects.
Upon meeting the Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). Farma at Bampur, I was treated with courtesy so
marked that it was evident to all the assembled Beluchi Chiefs that His Highness was
the well-wisher of Her Britannic Majesty’s Government.
Furthermore, every Notable and local Governor was sent to me with instructions to
furnish all the information I required, and, in consequence, I was enabled to fill in the
large lacunas that still existed in our knowledge of that remote country—such an
opportunity having never occurred before.
I travelled with the Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). Farma for the entire distance to Kerman, where, after
satisfactorily arranging the cases affecting British subjects, we temporarily parted, as His
Highness was recalled to Tehran.
Upon reaching the Legation some weeks later, I found that Her Britannic Majesty’s
Charge d’Affaires was most favourably impressed by the Firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). Farma, who was equally
emphatic in his assurances of devotion to Her Britannic Majesty’s Government as he
had been in the wilds of Beluchistan.
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