Kalat Affairs [‎336v] (80/172)

No. 1126 ; dated Jacobabad, the 4th August 187
From Colonel R. Phayre, c. b.. Political Supdt., Frontie/Upper Sindh.
To—The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Khelat.
In acknowledging the receipt of your Diary from to lOtli July last,
I see that under date Friday, 7th July, His Highness tU Khan has commenced
a correspondence witli Ibrdhitn Kdinn of Clingkcinsooi 5 Seistciiij 01 Ivnclicinsor,
as ig written m tlie Ctmbool Uinries. In ci letter fioj^i Ibiciiiim KUcin to His
Highness he states, that he and his people were originally subjects of Khelat,
and asks his aid against the Persians. /
2. If you will refer to the following Cabool Diaries, you will see that
Seistan generally, and Chagkansoor in
particular, is claimed by the Affghans, and
that the Amelr of Cabool, Shere Ally Khan,
is at this mordent in direct communication
with the Government of India, regarding
that province and fort; so that in order to avofd complications, which cannot
fail to arise from a third person opening correspondence with Ibrahim Khan,
in English interests, I should feel much obliged by your asking His Highness
the Khan to be so kind as to discontinue the/correspondence.
3. Last year, when I wrote to His Highness asking him to obtain general
information for me, regarding Persian Aggression in Seistan, through the
Nooshky Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. , he most kindly and promptly did so; but I never contem
plated his corresponding with the Seiran Chiefs themselves, and I have not
observed until now that he has done so. At all events, it is safe not to run
the risk of clashing with any arrangements that the Government of India may
have made with "the Ameer of Caj/ool about that important frontier, and
therefore I lose no time in asking you to make the requisite arrangements.
Cabool letter 23rd January 1870.
,, Diary from 18th to 21st February.
„ 22nd to 24th February.
„ 15th to 17th March.
,, 18th to 21st March.
„ 1st to 4th April.
No. 520, dated lyhrracliee, the 22nd August 1870.
From— Colonel W. L. Meriwether, Commissioner in Sindh.
To—The Political Superintendent, Frontier Upper Sindh.
In acknowledging the repeipt of your letter No. 1127 of the 4th instant,
with accompaniments, I have/the honor to inform you that the maintenance
of cordial relations with the Punjab border Officers was a most necessary
point to he observed, and the correspondence on record shows that you have
most carefully and fully Adhered to the instructions issued by Government
in that respect. But while carrying out those instructions, the greatest care
should have been taken/ that no acts of those Officers should affect in any
way the interests of the jLlielat Government, which are especially and solely
in your charge, as the channel of communication between the British Govern
ment and that of Khela/; and that no dealings by those Officers with the
subjects of Khelat, which might in any way affect the interests of that State,
or chance to be distasteful to His Highness the Khan, should be allowed by
yon. Eurther that, if any of the Punjab Officers wished to visit that portion
of the Khan’s dominions adjacent to their border, it was manifestly necessary
that His Highness should first be informed thereof of the object of their
going, and bis sanction obtained. The “dissatisfaction” and “feelings of
irritation” on His Hjghness’s part, clearly point to this omission as their
cause
2. I cannot agree with you that any of the recent proceedings at Khelat
show “ a very unbecoming and dangerous sort of agitation,” either on the
part of the Khan, or the British Agent at his Court, but, on the contrary,
that what has occurred, has followed from the omission—accidental I conclude—
on your part, of a i’ery obvious act of courtsey towards the Khan, one which
had on all previous occasions been observed.
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