No. 914.
Mr. Pratt
to Mr. Bayard.
Legation of
the United States,
Teheran, May 27, 1888.
(Received July 7.)
No. 237.]
Sir: Referring to my dispatch No. 236, diplomatic
series, of the 23d instant, I have the honor to report that I have received
from the minister for foreign affairs an official copy of the Imperial
firman, issued by his majesty the Shah, guarantying the protection of life
and property to his subjects throughout the Empire, a translation of which
document, with that of the note of the foreign office accompanying it,* I herewith
respectfully submit for your consideration with the request; since such the
minister has given me to understand is the Shah’s special desire in the
premises, that the Department cause the said decree to be published
throughout the United States.
I am, etc.,
[Inclosure in No.
237—Translation.]
Firman of his Imperial Majesty the Shah.
Being by the will of Almighty God at the head of justice in my country,
and by His will the lives and property of this people having been
intrusted to my keeping I have deemed it my duty in praise of the God
all-powerful, and in recognition of His munificence, to hinder those who
would lay hands upon this trust to me confided, and to do all that lies
within my power in order that my subjects may be secured in the
enjoyment of life and property, so that tranquilly and in peace they may
engage in all pursuits tending in the direction of civilization and
acquirement of fortune.
This firman is proclaimed to the whole of Persia in order that all the
people may know that the present edict accords to them the protection of
life and property with full liberty to dispose of what is theirs, and
the right to acquire wealth, to form companies, to establish
manufactures, to make roads, and indeed to do all things tending to
promote civilization and their own and the public welfare.
To see these ends accomplished will cause me great personal satisfaction.
Also am I ready to do you justice, and stand myself as guarantor for the
security of your interests.
No one in Persia shall have the right to lay hands upon you, to
confiscate what is yours, nor to punish you without recourse to the
divine or common law of the land.
Dated 14
Ramazam 1305, A. H. (26 May, 1888, A.D.)
