Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/14/12

Reports the arrival of Despatches from Bushire and letters from the Consul at Teheran, with comments.

Enclosed: 1. Letter from Mr Stevens, Consul at Teheran, to Lord Elphinstone, 12 May, acknowledges receipt of Elphinstone's letter about the possibility of peace with Persia. Stevens thinks that a peaceful settlement would earn great forbearance and indulgence on the part of the British Government, which would be wasted on the Persians who seem to be doing their best to widen the breach. A most insulting article has been published in the 'Gazette', and Herat seems to have been taken. If not called upon to evacuate Herat, the Persians may advance towards Kandahar; Stevens hopes that Dost Mahommed will be able to deal with them, but as the Dost has a party in opposition to him, it would be better if the British Government intervened, and the British could then regain their position in Persia. Many attribute the Herat expedition to the Russians' instigation. If Persia is allowed to keep Herat, a Russian Consul will soon be established there, and then intrigues against the British in Afghanistan would follow as a matter of course. Stevens hopes the Government will not let the present opportunity pass, and that the Government will take steps to end the present absurd commercial convention and replace it by one similar to the Russo-Persian Treaty of Commerce, that the Government will come to an agreement with Persia by which Persia would renounce pretensions to lands beyond Khorassan, and that the Government will gain Karrack or some other position in the Gulf to assist in keeping pirates and slavers in order. Private.

2. Letter from Mr Stevens, Consul at Teheran, to Lord Elphinstone, 13 May, Stevens is now able to correct his story about the entrance of Persian troops into Herat. Stevens cannot believe that Essan Khan has gone over to the enemy, he has everything to lose by falling into Persian hands. Reports a conversation between N Bouree and the Sadr Azem, in which the Sadr denigrated the powers of the English; the Sadr supposed that the British might take Bushire and Bunder Abbas, but those places were nothing in comparison with Herat. Encloses a Persian paper in English characters (below). Private.

3. Persian paper in English characters.

4. Translation of above Persian paper, which states that it is not true that Herat was taken. Shahzadah Yusuf wished to surrender Herat, and Sarleep Eesa Khan seized Shahzadah Yusuf and sent him out of the city.