a rescript from the Shah, respecting the imputation upon Mr. Murray, and declaring, in the same letter, that no such further rescript from the Shah as that inclosed herewith in copy was communicated, directly or indirectly, to any of the foreign Missions at Tebran. A copy of this letter shall be communicated, officially, by the Sadr Azim to each of the foreign Missions at Tehran, and the substance of it shall be made public in that capital. The original letter shall be conveyed to Mr. Murray, at Bagdad, by the hands of some high Persian officer, and shall be accompanied by an invitation to Mr. Murray, in the Shah's name, to return with the Mission to Tehran, on His Majesty's assurance that he will be received with all the honours and consideration due to the Representative of the British Government; another person of suitable rank being sent to conduct him, as Mehmandar, on his journey through Persia. Mr. Murray, on approaching the capital, shall be received by persons of high rank deputed to escort him to his residence in the town. Immediately on his arrival there, the Sadr Azim shall go in state to the British Mission, and renew friendly relations with Mr. Murray, leaving the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to accompany him to the Royal Palace, the Sadr Azim receiving Mr. Murray, and conducting him to the presence of the Shah. The Sadr Azim shall visit the Mission at noon on the following day, which visit Mr. Murray will return, at latest, on the following day, before noon. Done at Paris, this 4th day of the month of March, in the year 1857. (Translation.) COWLEY. FEROKH (in Persian). ANNEX.--The Shah to the Sadr Azim.* December, 1855. LAST night we read the paper written by the English Minister Plenipotentiary, and were much surprised at the rude, unmeaning, disgusting, and insolent tone and purport. The letter which he before wrote was also impertinent. We have also heard that, in his own house, he is constantly speaking disrespectfully of us and of you, but we never believed; now, however, he has introduced it in an official letter. We are, therefore, convinced that this man, Mr. Murray, is stupid, ignorant, and insane, who has the audacity and impudence to insult even kings! From the time of Shah Sultan Hossein (when Persia was in its most disorganized state, and during the last 14 years of his life, when by serious illness he was incapacitated for business) up to the present time, no disrespect "State Papers," For further correspondence which passed on this subject see Vol. 47, page 94. towards the Sovereign has been tolerated, either from the Government or its Agent. What has happened now, that this foolish Minister Plenipotentiary acts with such temerity? It appears that our friendly Missions are not acquainted with the wording of that document; give it now to Meerza Abbas and Meerza Malcum, that they may take and duly explain it to the French Minister and Hyder Effendi, that they may see how improperly he has written. Since last night till now our time has been passed in vexation. We now command you, in order that you may yourself know, and also acquaint the Missions, that until the Queen of England herself makes us a suitable apology for the insolence of her Envoy, we will never receive back this her foolish Minister, who is a simpleton, nor accept from her Government any other Minister. (No. 11.) ENGAGEMENT entered into by the Persian Government towards the British Government for the construction of a Line of Telegraph from Khanakeen to Bushire, viâ Tehran.— 17th December, 1862.* Art. TABLE of CONTENTS. I. Construction of Line of Telegraph from Khanakeen to Bushire via Tehran. II. Sum to be assigned by Persian Government for Construction of the Line. III. Materials to be purchased from English Government. IV. Line to be placed under an English Engineer Officer, to be paid by theEnglish Government. V. Persian Authorities to supply Materials required by English Officer. Persian Officer to accompany English Officer everywhere. VI. Materials required to be purchased in England, and to be paid for by Persian Government by five yearly instalments. Acceptance of above Engagement by Persian Government. Construction of Line of Telegraph from Khanakeen to Bushire, viấ:: Teheran. ART. I. The Persian Government considers it necessary to construct a line of telegraph, without delay, from Khanakeen to the capital, Teheran, and from Teheran to the port of Bushire.. Right of English Government to use the Line. And they agree that, whenever the English Government may require to communicate by the said telegraph, they are to be at liberty to do so through the Persian Telegraph officers, * From "Aitchison's Treaties," Vol. 6, page 418; but see Convention of 2nd April, 1868, page 30, and 2nd December, 1872, page 32, and Agreements of 3rd July, 1887, pages 43, 41. L in the way they may desire, paying for the same at rates to be specified hereafter. Sum to be assigned by Persian Government for Construction of the Line. ART. II. The Persian Government will assign a sum sufficient for the construction of this telegraph, and for the purchase of such materials as are not procurable in Persia, or can be better obtained in Europe. Materials to be Purchased from English Government. ART. III. The Persian Governmeut engages to purchase from the English Government all the materials which are better procurable in Europe, and the English Government agrees to supply such materials at moderate prices. Line to be placed under an English Engineer Officer, to be paid by the English Government. ART. IV. In order that the said line of telegraph may be well constructed and officially worked, the Persian Government agrees to place it under the superintendence of an English engineer officer, who is to be paid by the English Government, and they further agree to fix a period during which instruction may be given and the line may be brought into good working order; and His Royal Highness the Itizad-oo-Sultaneh, the Minister of Public Instruction, and His Excellency the Amin-edDowleh will have cognizance of the aforesaid officer's proceedings. Persian Authorities to supply Materials required by English Officer. ART. V. The said officer will be fully empowered to call upon the Persian authorities to supply any materials he may consider requisite for this work, and the Persian authorities will make no alteration in his requisitions unless it should be impossible to obtain the thing required. Persian Officer to accompany English Officer everywhere. But a Persian officer will accompany him everywhere, so that he may be informed of what is done, and of the prices of the materials; and the accounts will be audited by the abovementioned Prince and by the Amin-ed-Dowleh every three months, when a report will be drawn up and printed in the "Teheran Gazette.' Materials required to be purchased in England, and to be paid for by Persian Government by five yearly Instalments. ART. VI. In order to increase the friendship between the two Governments, and to promote the above undertaking, the English Government engages to purchase in England, at reasonables rates, with the approval of the Persian Minister Plenipotentiary, the materials required for this work, and to convey them to the Persian frontier, and to receive from the Persian Government the price paid for the above articles by five instalments in five years after they are delivered on the frontier of Persia. (In the handwriting of the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs.) Acceptance of above Engagement by Persian Government. The Persian Government accepts this engagement. If the English Government desires it, the construction of the line of telegraph will be commenced in conformity with the above stipulation. Acceptance of the same by British Government. Approved and accepted by Her Majesty's Government on 6th February, 1863. (No. 12.) CONVENTION between Great Britain and Persia, relative to Telegraphic Communication between Europe and India.*-Signed at Tehran, 23rd November, 1865.† [Ratifications exchanged at Tehran, 1st May, 1866.] Art. TABLE OF CONTENTS. I. Second Wire to be attached by Persia to Poles between Bushire and Khanikin. II. Wire to be erected by English Engineers. III. Wire, Instruments, &c., to be procured by British Government, but to be paid for by Persia. IV. Engagement of English Telegraph Officer and Staff for Five Years. V. Conditions under which English Officer shall exercise Control over second Wire. Protection of Line between Hamadan and Bushire. Insubordination or misconduct on part of Persian Signallers. VI. Supply of Vacancies. XII. Use of first Wire in case of Increase of Traffic. XIII. Cost of other than Indian or Submarine Cable Messages. XV. Keeping of Accounts. As Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great * From "State Papers," Vol. 55, page 26. This Convention was continued in force for three months from the 13th August, 1872, by an Agreement signed on the 19th June, 1872 (See "Aitchison's Treaties," Vol. 6, page 42); but see Further Conventions, 2nd April, 1868, page 30, and 2nd December, 1872, page 32, and Agreements of 3rd July, 1887, pages 43, 44. Signed also in the Persian language. Britain and Ireland, and His Majesty the King of all the Kingdoms of Persia, are desirous of regulating the telegraphic communication between Europe and India, and of placing this work on a sure and friendly basis, they have resolved that a Convention for that purpose shall be concluded; wherefore their Majesties have named as their Plenipotentiaries: Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, his Excellency Charles Alison, Esquire, Her Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia. And His Majesty the King of all the Kingdoms of Persia, his Excellency Mirza Saeed Khan, His Minister for Foreign Affairs. And the aforesaid distinguished Representatives, after meeting in the capital of Tehran, and perusing and exchanging their letters of full power, and finding them in due order, have concluded the following Articles: Second Wire to be attached by Persia to Poles between Bushire and Khanikin. ART. I. In order to improve the telegraphic communication between Europe and India, the Persian Government agrees to attach another wire to the poles now standing from Bushire to Khanikin, and to bring it into working order as soon as possible. The wire to be used solely for international messages sent in European languages. Wire to be erected by English Engineers. ART. II. In order that the second wire may be attached in a complete and effective manner, the Persian Government also agrees that it shall be done under the direction and supervision of an English engineer officer and staff. And the Persian Government will use its best endeavours to collect the necessary materials, and lay down the wire with all expedition. Wire, Instruments, &c., to be procured by British Government, but to be paid for by Persia. ART. III. The British Government agrees to procure for the Persian Government, at a reasonable price, and with the cognizance of a Persian Commissioner, all the wire, insulators, Morse instruments, &c., that may be requisite for this work, inclusive of 200 iron posts for the marshy tract of Bushire, and to deliver them over to the Government Commissioners at any seaport or frontier town of Persia that may be suitable, receiving payment in 5 years in 5 instalments. Engagement of English Telegraph Officer and Staff for 5 Years. ART. IV. The Persian Government, moreover, agrees that an |