Art. III. Injuries inflicted by Thieves or Robbers. Payment of Debts. V. Right of the English to build or rent Houses in Persia. Final Article. Right of British Subjects to leave Persia with their Property. Additional Article. Duties on certain British Goods to be charged 1 per cent. Duties charged in Persia and India on other goods to remain fixed. This Treaty was concluded by Captain (afterwards Sir) John Malcolm on the part of the British Government, and by Hajee Ibrahim Khan, on the part of Persia. It is no longer in force. The following account is given in "Aitchison's Treaties,"* of what passed between the signature of the Treaties of January, 1801, and the conclusion of the Treaty of 12th March, 1809 : "In 1805, during the war between Persia and Russia, which originated in the invasion of Georgia, the Shah of Persia, having suffered severe reverses, and being threatened with the vengeance of Russia for the treacherous murder of a Russian General, threw himself on the support of Napoleon, who was then at the height of his power, and made overtures for a union of political interests with France. He bitterly resented the interpretation which the British Government put upon the Treaty of 1801 and their refusal to give him the assistance against Russia which he claimed under that Treaty, and in consideration of which he had offered, through his Ambassador, Aga Mahomed Nubbi Khan, to relinquish the French alliance. The proposals of the French were that they should compel the Russians to restore the provinces wrested from Persia, and that they should furnish the Shah with military stores and officers to organize his army on the European system, while the Shah on his part was to declare immediate war with the English, to invade India by way of Afghanistan, and to permit a French army to invade India through his territories. These negotiations were frustrated by the peace concluded at Tilsit between Napoleon and the Emperor Alexander, but they had the effect of rousing the British Government to efforts for the recovery of their lost ascendency at the Court of Teheran and the protection of their Indian Empire by binding the western frontier States in a chain of friendly alliance. Missions were sent to the Ameers of Sind, Runjeet Sing, and the Court of Cabul, and Sir John Malcolm was again accredited as envoy to Persia. Unfortunately, however, without previous concert with the Indian Government, and in ignorance of the measures concerted by them, Sir Harford Jones was at the same time deputed direct from England as Plenipotentiary on the part of the Crown. This event led to unseemly complications, which had the effect * Vol. 6, page 357. of rendering both Governments ridiculous in the eyes of the Persians. "Sir John Malcolm was instructed, in the event of Sir Harford Jones arriving at Bombay on his way to Persia before him, to proceed as Envoy to Bagdad for the purpose of establishing an alliance with the Pasha and the petty chiefs in Arabia, leaving Sir H. Jones to conduct the negotiations at Teheran; but the paramount importance of recovering a footing in Persia was to overrule all other considerations, and Sir J. Malcolm was to proceed on his mission to Persia without delay if he should find himself the first in the field. Sir John arrived in Persia first, while the Shah was still trusting to the liberal promises with which the French amused him. Considering the dignity of the British Government insulted by an attempt, which he attributed to the influence of the French Embassy, to exclude him from the Royal presence and draw him into negotiations with subordinate officials at Shiraz, he concluded that there was no hope of a friendly alliance. He therefore abruptly quitted the country, and, proceeding to Calcutta, induced Lord Minto to prepare for the occupation of the Island of Kharrack, in the Persian Gulf, as a position from which the British Government could either negotiate with dignity or act with effect if war should be declared. The instructions given to Sir Harford Jones were that he should remain at Bombay till the issue of Sir John Malcolm's mission was known, but that he should proceed to Persia at once, in the event either of Sir J. Malcolm being obliged to leave without attaining his object, or of his succeeding in concluding a preliminary Treaty. On Sir John Malcolm's return, therefore, he set out for Teheran. Further instructions to suspend his mission reached him too late. He arrived at Teheran when the Shah had lost all faith in the professions of the French, which, in consequence of the peace with Russia and reverses in Europe, they were no longer able to fulfil, and he therefore found no difficulty in concluding a preliminary Treaty. By this Treaty, which was concluded on the 12th and exchanged on the 15th March, 1809,* all Treaties contracted by the King with European Powers were annulled, the Shah engaged to prevent the passage of European armies through his dominions towards India, and the English were to assist him with troops or a subsidy if any European forces should invade his territories, and to take no part except as mediators in any war between Persia and Afghanistan." * Page 4. Page (No. 3.) PRELIMINARY TREATY of Friendship and Alliance between Great Britain and Persia.-Signed at Tehran, 12th March, 1809. уж Sir Werjers [Ratifications exchanged 15th March, 1809.] -Art. Preamble. TABLE OF CONTENTS. I. Preliminary Articles to form a basis of a Definitive Treaty of Peace and II. Unalterable Friendship. III. Abrogation of all Treaties or Agreements made with European Powers. V. IV. British Subsidy to Persia in event of European invasion. Persian assistance VII. Non-interference of Great Britain in event of War between Persia and the VIII. Preliminary Articles merely defensive. Non-conclusion by Persia of en- This Treaty was concluded by Sir Harford Jones, Bart., on the part of Great Britain, and by Mahommed Sheffeeh and Mahommed Hoossein on the part of Persia. The validity of this Treaty, subject to such modifications as might afterwards be agreed upon, was recognised by Lord Minto, who, however, suspended the functions of Sir H. Jones, directed him to withdraw from Persia, and again sent Sir John Malcolm as Envoy to the Shah for the purpose of concerting further arrangements. Meanwhile Sir H. Jones had received orders from England to remain at Teheran till the arrival of another Plenipotentiary, Sir Gore Ouseley, whose powers superseded those both of Sir H. Jones and Sir J. Malcolm. A Definitive Treaty based on the Preliminary Treaty of 1809, was concluded by Sir Gore Ouseley, on 14th March, 1812 (Page 5), but some of the stipulations were altered in England, and it was not till 1814 that the terms of the Treaty (Page 6) were finally adjusted (Aitchison, Vol. 6, page 359). (No. 4.) DEFINITIVE TREATY of Friendship and Alliance between Great Britain and Persia.-Signed at Tehran, 14th March, 1812. I. All alliances formerly contracted between Persia and European Nations declared null and void. No European Army to be allowed to enter Persian territory, nor to proceed towards India. No European having hostile designs against India to enter Persia. Persia to do all in its power to induce European Powers not to attempt to invade India. II. Assistance to be rendered by Great Britain by an armed force or by an annual subsidy of 200,000 tomauns to defend Persia against invasion by any European Nation. III. Every endeavour to be made by England to bring about a friendly understanding with any European Power engaged in War with Persia, in event of Peace being concluded between that Power and England. Failing success, Persia to be furnished with an Army from India, or an annual subsidy of 200,000 tomauns. In event of war continuing between Persia and any European Nation, English Government to furnish Officers. &c., for the purpose of drilling and disciplining the Persian Army, if required. IV. V. Subsidy granted in lieu of troops to be paid by British Government by early instalments. Persia to send an Army against Afghanistan in event of the Afghans being at War with the English; such Army to be paid for by the British Government. VI. British Government not to interfere in event of War between Persians and Afghans, unless its mediation be asked for. VII. In event of Persia determining to establish a Naval Force on the Caspian Sea, British Naval Officers, Seamen, Shipwrights, and others to be allowed to enter service of King of Persia, on the understanding that they be paid by His Persian Majesty. VIII. Any Persian Subject of distinction showing signs of hostility and rebellion and taking refuge in British Territories, to be turned out of the country or seized and sent back to Persia. IX. English Government to assist the King of Persia with Ships of War and troops in the Persian Gulf, if convenient and practicable. Expense to be paid by Persia. Ships to anchor in ports to be pointed out by Persian Government. X. Allowances to be paid by Persia to Officers, Drill Sergeants, and others sent to discipline Persian Army. Power reserved of dismissal in case of neglect of duty. XI. Articles of Treaty to be binding on respective Heirs Apparent of the two Contracting Sovereigns. XII. Object of Treaty. Mutual assistance for defeating aggressions of Enemies. Desire of Great Britain to strengthen and consolidate Persian Government; to prevent Foreign Nations from invading Persia; to raise her Political consequence; and to increase her Territory. British Government not to interfere in internal quarrels of Persia unless invited by the King of Persia to do so, and not to accept a Persian Province if offered by one of the contending Parties. This Treaty was concluded by Sir Gore Ouseley on the part of Great Britain, and by Mohammed Sheffee and Mohammed Hossein on the part of Persia, but some of its stipulations were altered in England, and it was not till the 25th November, 1814, that the terms of the Definitive Treaty of Peace were finally agreed upon. (See page 6.) (No. 5.) DEFINITIVE TREATY of Friendship and Alliance between Great Britain and Persia.-Signed at Tehran, 25th November, 1814.* Art. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Preamble. References to Treaties concluded by Sir Harford Jones on the 12th March, 1809, and by Sir Gore Ouseley on the 14th March, 1812. Separate Treaty to be concluded relating to Commerce, &c.t I. All alliances between Persia and European Nations in state of hostility with Great Britain null and void. No European Army to be allowed to enter Persian Territory, nor to proceed towards India. No Europeans having hostile designs against India to enter Persia. Persia to do all in its power to induce neighbouring States to prevent invasion of India through their Territories. II. Lasting Friendship. Non-interference of Great Britain in disputes between Princes, Noblemen, and Great Chiefs of Persia. British Government not to accept from them a Province of Persia, if offered. III. Mutual assistance against aggressions of Enemies. Definition of the word "aggression." Limits between Persia and Russia to be determined by Great Britain, Persia, and Russia. IV. British Subsidy to Persia in event of European Invasion to consist of Troops and Warlike Stores from India or of an Annual Subsidy of 200,000 tomauns (conditionally) from British Government. V. Employment of European Officers to discipline Persian Troops. VI. Endeavours to be made to include Persia in any Treaty of Peace between Great Britain and an European Power at War with Persia, failing which military support from India and British Subsidy to Persia to be ascertained. VII. Payment of Subsidy by Instalments. VIII. Assistance to be afforded by Persia to the English against the Afghans in the event of their being at War with them. IX. Non-interference of the British Government in event of War between X. Disaffected Persons of Distinction not to be sheltered in British Dominions. XI. Assistance to be afforded to Persia by British Ships of War in Persian Gulf. XII. Amendments made in Definitive Treaty of Friendship and Alliance of 14th March, 1812 (Page 5). This Treaty was concluded by Mr. James Morier and Mr. Henry Ellis on behalf of Great Britain, and by Mahommed Sheffeeh, Abdul Wahad, and Isah (Meerza Bozoork) on behalf of Persia. *See "State Papers," Vol. 1, page 261. |