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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    it, he heartily wifh’d him a good Journey, and that he fhould find at his Return, by the Recep¬ tion Mr. Graham fhould meet with, the Civilities that he had intended me, could I have tarry’d with them. So the Debate ended ; after which he made us feveral Compliments, which we en¬ deavour’d to return. The Vizir and Muftapha look’d very much difconcerted at Mr. Elton's abfolute Refufal to flay ; their Intention being to have detain’d the Captain, never thinking that he would venture to carry things to fuch ‘Extremity*, but they were miftaken, there be¬ ing a vaft deal of Difference betwixt talking with a Decree in one’s Hand, and talking when we were foliciting for one; all which they feem- ed unapprized of until they found it fo. The Defign of the Vizir and Muftapha in de¬ taining the Captain (which may in fome manner excufe them) appear’d to us in this Light. The Perftans are a fubtil and jealous People, and on our propofing to return and not wait for the Schah's Decree, they concluded that we had certainly taken fome Difgufl at their Country, and would come no more there to trade; and that our Diflafle mu ft proceed from our not having found the Silk Trade and the Markets of Perjia free as formerly, but in a manner all engrofs’d by the Schah. At the fame time they could not but confider of what Benefit our Trade to their Country would be to them, and therefore how defirous the Schah would be to have us carry on a Commerce through his Dominions. Should we therefore refufe to return again to trade, it would not only be a confiderable Lofs to their Country, but, what more immediately -concern’d them, they forefaw fuch a Neglecft of ours > ✓