Mss Eur F126/44, ff 134-139

Letter regarding a lack of letters from Bassidore and Shargah [Sharjah] and Edwards lack of knowledge as to who was left in charge at Bassidore and what instructions they may have been given with regard to the arrival of letters.

The letter goes on to discuss the Governor of Bushire who is reported to be leaving for Shiraz in a week's time and that it is believed that he would like to remain in Shiraz and take on the lease there to which Edwards observes that taking on next years lease will only lead to grief owing to the lack of rain in Bushire, Dashtee [Dashti], Dasphistan, Roodhillah, Kazeroon [Kazerun], Shiraz, Busreh [Basra] and Baghdad.

The letter goes on to report the latest news from Bahrein [Bahrain] regarding reports that Esau ben Ali [Isa bin Ali Al-Khalifah] is struggling to restrain his 'numerous and unscrupulous' relatives and that he lacks the resources to do so.

Edwards also reports on the arrival of Syed Abdul Azeez [Sayyid Abdu'l-Aziz bin Said al-Said ], brother of Syed Majid [Sayyid Majid bin Said Al-Busaid], following some troubles at Gwadar and that he has requested that the Mirza keep an eye on him and report his movements to Edwards and that he has attempted to borrow money, without success.

The letter concludes by informing Pelly of the accountant-general having decided that the detachment from the 21st Regiment, serving in the Gulf at Mussendom [Musandam], are debitable to the civil department and requesting that the expenditure be adjusted accordingly and that Pelly write to Government to do so. Edwards informs Pelly that he replied suggesting that the cost could be debited from a surplus in the Bushire Residency funds for the previous year and asking if the accountant-general could write to Bombay as he will not be able to write to and receive a reply from Pelly in time.

A postscript to the letter, dated 13 February 1870, encloses a letter for Mr Lucas in with the letter to Pelly. The letter to Mr Lucas is not enclosed.