A journey through Russia into Persia : by two English gentlemen, who went in the year 1739, from Petersburg, in order to make a discovery how the trade from Great Britain might be carried on from Astracan over the Caspian. To which is annex'd, a summary account of the rise of the famous Kouli Kan, and his successes, till he seated himself on the Persian throne.

  • Spilman, James
Date:
1742
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A journey through Russia into Persia : by two English gentlemen, who went in the year 1739, from Petersburg, in order to make a discovery how the trade from Great Britain might be carried on from Astracan over the Caspian. To which is annex'd, a summary account of the rise of the famous Kouli Kan, and his successes, till he seated himself on the Persian throne. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    when there was a Revolution, and they were under the Difpleafure of Nadir Schah, the Ne~ ceflity of whofe Affairs at that Juncture might have tempted him to have fequeftred their Mo* ney and Effedts. The Indians alfo who refide in Perfia (of which there are great Numbers) are exempt from all Plundering or Impofition whatfoever, altho’ it’s now not above three Years ftnee the Schah has been engaged in a War with the Great Mogul, their Sovereign. The Arme¬ nians indeed the Schah has now and then made free with, railing confiderable Sums of Money on them *, but thefe are Subjects of Perfia, who, according to the Cuftorn of a] 1 arbitrary Govern¬ ments, are treated at the Will and Plealure of their Prince, yet at the fame time he never laid a Reftraint on their Effedts in Trade. And al¬ though the Schah*s Merchant was this Year the only Buyer in all Gil an, and bought the whole Quantity of Goods they had, yet he did not abate them three per Cent, on their Cloth lefs than what they had fold it for to the Perjian private Merchants the laft Year ; and for their other Goods he gave them reafonable Prices; which fhews the Schah is cautious of diftrefting even the * Armenians, in the way of Trade, which makes his Coopcheen very careful in avoid- ing giving them juft Caufe of Complaint againft him. Not long ftnee Nadir Schah*§ own Bro¬ ther attempted to opprefs the trading People in order to raife a Contribution to himfelf, which coming to the Schah*s Ears, he was fo exceed- ing angry at it, it had near coft him his Head. * The Armenians are looked on here as Jewi/h Subjects are in feme Chrijlicm Countries. We