1869] Proceedings of the Astatic Society. 249 



9. From the Under-Secretary, Government of India, Home Depart- 

 ment, a copy of ' Report by Drs. Biihler and Kielhorn, of their Pro- 

 ceedings in searching for Sanscrit MSS. in the Bombay Presidency.' 



The following gentlemen duly proposed and seconded at the last 

 meeting were balloted for and elected Ordinary Members — 

 J. G. Delmerick, Esq. 

 A. D. B. Gomes, Esq. 

 R. Gray, Esq., M. B. 

 A. Thomson, Esq. 

 A. Allardyce, Esq. 



The following gentlemen were named for ballot as Ordinary Mem- 

 bers at the next meeting — 



R. A. Barker, Esq., M. D. Civil Surgeon, Cachar, proposed by 

 M. H. Ormsby, Esq., L.L. D., seconded by C. A. Racket, Esq. 



Lieut. W. J. A. Wallace, proposed by Col. H. Hyde, seconded by 

 Dr. T. Oldham. 



The Council reported that on the recommendation of the Finance 

 Committee, they have increased the pay of the Cashier and Accoun- 

 tant from Rs. 25, to Rs. 32-8-0 per mensem. Confirmed. 



The following papers were read — 

 I. — A Covenant of' 'Ali ', fourth Caliph of Bagdad, granting certain im- 

 munities and privileges to the Armenian Nation, by J. Avdall, Esq., 



M. A. S. (Abstract.) 



" This Covenant was written in Kufic characters by Hashim, at the 

 command of 'Ali, the Lion of God, son of Abu Talib, the exalted. 



The Caliph 'Ali, who was the cousin and son-in-law of the prophet, 

 bestows by this covenant certain immunities and privileges on the 

 Armenians living in his dominions and professing allegiance to his 

 government. These are a free and undisturbed exercise of the Chris- 

 tian religion, protection from oppression and persecution, exemption 

 from the payment of new and exorbitant taxes, freedom from usurp- 

 ation and alienation of their ancestral and hereditary property, a 

 reciprocity of kindly and friendly feelings between the Armenians and 

 Muhammadans in their social intercourse, and freedom from restraint in 

 building churches and monasteries. 



" This covenant, says 'Ali, is irrevocable and everlasting to the end 

 of the world." 



