IOR/R/15/1/121, ff 117-126

This letter concerns the Agent at Shiraz, Meerza Mahmood, and the matter of a gold watch which formerly belonged to the late Mr Tasker. Justin Sheil refers to Samuel Hennell's despatch, no. 273, dated 15 July 1850, in which Hennell stated that Mr Tasker had two or three watches. Sheil states that he has been informed by Monsieur Ferrier, at whose house Mr Tasker died, that the deceased had but one gold watch at the time of his death. Sheil relays an account, given by Monsieur Ferrier, of a Dr Fagergreen, who apparently saw Mr Tasker's watch offered for sale by one of Meerza Mahmood's servants. Sheil goes on to consider Hajee Mahomed Jaffer's evidence, which he suggests is only of value if it can be corroborated by other circumstances. Sheil concludes by asking Hennell to state how he has applied the fine that Sheil imposed on Meerza Mahmood. The letter is followed by an enclosure: a copy of a note (in French), not dated, from Monsieur Ferrier, French officer in the service of the Shah of Persia, to Taylour [sic] Thomson, Attaché to the British Legation in Persia.