Mss Eur F126/44, ff 80-83

Letter, dated 18 January 1866, regarding a visit paid by Edwards to the Melik [Malik al-Tujjar] and Hajee Mahomed Tuckee [Haji Muhammad Taqi] and the Melik's role as a referee for mercantile disputes between British Subjects and Persian merchants.

The letter goes on to describe a visit paid by Edwards to Assud Oollah Mirza [Mirza Asadullah], the Nayab al Ayalu Governor of Bushire to congratulate him on his appointment to the post of Governor of Bushire and giving his thoughts on him as well as discussing gun salutes for New Year's day and arrangements for correspondence with the Governor to be passed through his passport agent.

The letter goes on to discuss a prohibition, by the Governor, on the shipping of wheat from Bushire that has been harvested more than a month ago, a request from the Malcolm's that Pelly intercede owing to difficulties in acquiring a vessel to transport the wheat harvested and Edwards decision to write to Tehran and make Charles Alison aware of the situation.

Further news included the body of a european man who had washed ashore and was subsequently buried; the arrival of the Jumna and Pelly's stores and reports that Ameer Fysul [Amir Faisal] died on the 5 November 1865 of Cholera and that his son Abdullah has been appointed to the Imamship.

Also discussed in the letter is the arrival of Khuleel and envoy from the Bahrein [Bahrain] Sheikhs [Shaikhs] who had come to complain against Pelly's proceedings and had brought gifts which were given to the Prince, who in turn communicated with the Hissam-es-Sultenah with regards to the complaints and gave the envoy assurances with regards to Highflyer which at the time had just arrived in Bahrein waters.

The letter goes on to describe a number of enclosures (none of which are enclosed) including a telegram that the Government at Bombay requested Edwards reply to; letters from the Ejman [Ajman] and Joasmee [Qasimi] giving their thoughts on the dispute between the Sultan of Muskat [Muscat] and the Wahabees [Wahabis] and including the Ejman Chief's desire to see the Wahabee fort in Ejman creek destroyed; a telegram from Mr Walton to Captain St John regardin Captain Jones' house.

The letter goes on to discuss the various proposed building works at the Residency and which are feasible in the wet weather; the unexpected arrival of Viscount Pottington and Captain Walker; and the lack of telegraph services between Bushire and Shiraz owing to the unseasonably cold weather.

A postscript to the letter dated 19 January 1866 informs Pelly of the death of Mr Adair at Kurrachee [Karachi], that Lord Pottington is still at Bushire as he is tired of travelling and is considering returning to England via Baghdad rather than going to India; and that Lord Lyons has been appointed British Minister at Constantinople [Istanbul] in place for Sir Henry Bulmer.

A further postscript reports that Yusuf ben Bedr [also spelt Eusuf ben Bedr] has not replied to Edwards' letters and there has been no news of Aboo Esau [Abu Esau] but that a boat carrying horses for Sir Robert Napier and the brothers of Colonel Kembell is due from Koweit [Kuwait] which he hopes will contain replies to the letters as Eusef ben Bedr is the one sending the horses.