Abstract: The volume of private and secret letters contains correspondence from successive Residents in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, including Captain Ephraim Gerrish Stannus, Captain David Wilson, Dr John MacNeil, Lieutenant Samuel Hennell and David Arnold Blane. The correspondence is to William Newnham, Chief Secretary to the Government of India; Lieutenant-Colonel McDonald, Envoy to the Court of Persia; Charles Morris, Acting Chief of Sectary to the Government of Bombay; and W S Collinson, Commander and Senior Marine Officer in the Persian Gulf, Bassadore [Bāsa‘īdū]. There are various enclosures included in the correspondence, including translations of letters and notes from: Shaik Ahmed of Bushire [Shaikh Aḥmad]; the Prince of Shiraz; Shaik Russool [Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rasūl], the Governor of Bushire; Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd, the Imam of Muscat, and his agent, Hajee Abdool Ameer [Ḥājjī ‘Abd al-Amīr]; and Shaik Abdoollah ben Ahmed [‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], chief of Bahrain. In addition, an enclosure (folio 18) is a 'Table showing the entire operations of 4 Cruizers destined for Services connected with the Persian Gulf'.There is an index of letters on folio 2v-3. A note on folio 2r states that 'interesting titles' are marked with a blue cross in the index. Subjects included within the file include: British influence in the Persian Gulf, including relations with Persia, the Wahhabis, Muscat, Bahrain and the Shaikhs on the Arab coast; the movement of vessels and naval issues; movements of native and merchant ships; maintaining the maritime peace; legal claims and disputes; ports in the Persian Gulf and their suitability for steamers; arms trafficking; visits to various locations on the Arab coast, including Sharjah and Bahrain.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: An original pagination sequence written in ink is present in the volume between ff 4-95.
Abstract: The file contains:Letters exchanged between the British Government in London, the British Government of India and the Bombay Government, the British Resident in the Persian Gulf and the British Agent Muscat, September 1840 to February 1841 about alleged French demands on the East African territories of the Imaum of Muscat in the vicinity of Zanzibar (folios 2-10);Letters exchanged between the British Envoy to Persia and the British Resident in the Persian Gulf, and an intelligence report from the British Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, concerning Persian affairs, April 1841 (folios 23-25) and the evacuation of British troops from the Island of Karrack [Khārk, Jazīreh-ye], October 1841 (folios 40-41);Intelligence reports submitted by the British Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf to the Superintendent of the Indian Navy, February-March 1841 (folios12-19) and the British Resident in the Persian Gulf, March 1841 (folios 20-22) and which include English translations of letters from Sheikh Mucktoom [Maktūm] of Dubai (folio 19) and Sheikh Salmin ben Nassur of El Biddah [Doha] (folio 16), together with two Arabic promissory notes from the latter Sheikh (folios 23A and 23B). The reports relate to the British naval patrol of the Trucial Coast in the winter of 1841, referring to hostilities between the Chiefs of the Arab Ports and British enforcement of the Maritime Peace Treaty by the collection of money and goods from chiefs who had given protection to pirates or who had failed to take measures against any of their subjects known to have committed acts of piracy, as compensation to the rightful owners of plundered boats;Intelligence reports submitted by the British Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf to the British Resident in the Persian Gulf, July-October 1841 (folios 26-39) regarding his patrol of the Pearl Fishery banks during the summer pearling season.Physical description: Foliation: the letters are numbered 2-50, 23A, 23B, 23, 24-41, from front to back. The numbering is written in pencil in the top right corner and encircled, on the recto. Two small documents numbered 23A and 23B form a single folio. The front of the file cover is numbered 1.Pagination: the contents of the file were originally numbered in ink as follows: 29-33, 46-53, 69-70, 87-104, 106, 118-119, 123-125, 197-203, 212-223, 245-248, 250-251, 264. Blank pages and pages containing brief details such as name and address are unnumbered.One of two Arabic seals that appear on the reverse side of two Arabic promissory notes (folios 23A and 23B) is partly obscured by the strip of paper to which both documents are attached.
Abstract: Covers a 280-mile length of coastline from the western side of the Qatar Peninsula north-westwards to Ras el Ghar [Ras al Ghar, Saudi Arabia], including Bahrein [Bahrain].Engraved by Richard Bateman.Physical description: Materials: Printed on paperDimensions: 875 x 616mm, on sheet 1006 x 670mm
Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Charles Geoffrey Prior), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman, Reginald George Evelin Alban), the India Office (Roland Tennyson Peel, John Percival Gibson), the Admiralty (Clifford George Jarrett), the Shaikh of Bahrain (Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah), and the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Hamilton R Ballantyne) and discusses the conclusion of negotiations in London for a political agreement to accompany the concession secured by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) from the Shaikh of Bahrain for the unalloted area of Bahrain.The correspondence focuses primarily on the question of whether a pre-emption clause is required in the political agreement or whether a force majeure clause would be an acceptable alternative given His Majesty’s Government’s likely need for oil in wartime and other emergencies. The negotiations were concluded in June 1941 with the concession agreement being signed in Bahrain 19 June 1941 and the Political Agreement signed in London 29 June 1941.Other correspondence discusses a request made by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) to accelerate their exploration work in the Unallotted area of Bahrain and the need for a final settlement of the terms of both the concession agreement and political agreement in order to support the company’s acceleration proposal.Also discussed is the drilling work undertaken by BAPCO in order to obtain structural information on their newly acquired concession area. The drilling work undertaken had also succeeded in finding drinking water on Fasht al Jibal [Fasht ad Dībal] and their intention to drill on Hawar Island included the intention to create water wells should drinking water be found there too. The correspondence concludes with the decision taken by BAPCO in 1941 to suspend their exploration work in new areas owing to a lack of available labour and to concentrate instead on their existing production and refining activities.Another topic under discussion in the volume is the question of the ownership of the Hawar Group of Islands with His Majesty’s Government reaching a decision in August 1939 that the Hawar Group of Islands belonged to Bahrain and not Qatar. Correspondence includes the Shaikh of Qatar (Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī)’s dissatisfaction at the outcome.Later correspondence from 1941 includes the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf expressing their concerns over the decision that was reached and suggesting that the evidence be reconsidered and an expert in that area such as Sir Clive Kirkpatrick Daly be consulted for his opinion on the question.As part of the discussions a request is made to the Air Vice-Marshall, Commanding British Forces in Iraq for a photographic mosaic to be taken of the Hawar Group of Islands. The mosaic was required in order to determine a line of division between the territorial rights of Bahrain and Qatar.Also discussed was the question of ownership of the island of Fasht Dibal [Fasht ad Dībal], which was at that time claimed by Bahrain; regarding the Political Resident’s scepticism regarding the validity of Bahrain’s claim and the question of whether the Shaikh of Qatar should be given the opportunity to put forward any claim he had towards the island.One other matter of note within the volume relates to reports and rumours of attempts by Turkish officials at Hasa to secure their authority over the district they controlled. These attempts were alleged to include Turkish officials visiting Zakhnuniya Island [Jazirat az Zakhnūnīyah] to try and convince the Dowasir tribe there to swear allegiance to Turkey; it is claimed their intention was to take control of Dohah [Doha], and perhaps the whole Katar [Qatar] peninsula from the Shaikh of Qatar. The alleged movements of Turkish officials on Zakhnuniya Island resulted in an official protest being made by the Shaikh of Bahrain who considered the island to be part of his territory.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 214-227.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside of the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 188-227; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations, cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. It is the first in a series of eleven items about the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2050/93534, 93535, 93536, 93537, 93538, 93539, 93540, 93541, 93542, and 93543). The correspondent is the Government of Bombay.The item concerns:Incidents of ‘piracy’ across the Persian GulfRelations between sheiks Mahomed bin Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammed bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah], Essa bin Tareef [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin Ḥamad bin Ṭarīf Āl Bin 'Alī al-'Utbī], and Abdullah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah]Relations between the Wahabee [Wahabi] ruler Ameer Fysul [Amir Fayṣal bin Turki bin Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd], and Syed Soweynee [Sayyid Thuwaini bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd], acting for the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd]The wreck of the brig
Mary Mullaby[
Mary Mallaby] and a possible robbery or insurance fraud connected with the wreckThe conduct of Mirza Mahomed Ali [Mīrza Muḥammed ‘Alī], the Native Agent at Bahrein [Bahrain] with regard to interfering in the politics of BahreinThe evacuation of the island of Kharrack [Jazīreh-ye Khārk] by its inhabitantsThe number and quality of vessels deployed in the Persian Gulf and the Red SeaA possible fraud connected with the vessel
Narrayen Pursud [Nārayaṇa Parsād].The papers which were enclosed in the letters are in the other volumes in the series. The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Coll No [Collection Number] 1, Draft 558, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4291, [Season 18]44’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 251 and terminates at f 314, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations, cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. It is the eleventh in a series of eleven items about the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2050/93533, 93534, 93535, 93536, 93537, 93538, 93539, 93540, 93541, and 93542). The principal correspondents are the Government of Bombay and Captain Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf.The item concerns:The wreck of the Schooner
GuznieThe seizure of a boat belonging to Shaik Mahomed bin Khuleefa of Bahrein [Shaikh Muḥammed bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah of Bahrain] by Shaik Abdoollah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah, former Shaikh of Bahrain]Duties to be levied on goods at Bushire [Būshehr], particularly when transhipped at the Bushire roadsThe migration of some of the people of Karrack [Jazīreh-ye Khārk, also known as Khark, Kharg] to Phelecha [Failaka]The movements of Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turki bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd]The blockade of Mubarak bin Abdullah [Shaikh Mubārak bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Khalīfah] in Dumam [Dammam] by Shaik Mahomed bin Khuleefa and Esai been Tareef [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin Ḥamad bin Ṭarīf Āl Bin 'Alī al-'Utbī].The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Collection No. 1, Draft 558, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4291, [Season 18]44’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 909 and terminates at f 974, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence relating to the crisis in Britain’s relations with Persia in the early 1840s, in the wake of the First Anglo-Afghan War (1839-42) and the siege of Herat (1838), which led to British occupation of the island of Karrak [Jazīreh-ye Khārk] in the Persian Gulf.The volume’s contents, sent and received by the Resident in the Persian Gulf, Captain Samuell Hennell, relate to:Reports from British officials in Persia on the state of Anglo-Persian negotiations over British occupation of Jazīreh-ye Khārk and the restoration to the Persians of the fortress of Ghoriān, near the border town of Herat;Various reports, written by Hennell, and based on his tour of the Gulf, on the possibilities of occupation by the British of Bahrain [written as Bahrein throughout] or Grane [Kuwait], for the purposes of establishing a naval station in the Gulf;A report, written by Hennell, on relations between Muscat and Bahrain, and the prospects of an attack on Bahrain by the Imam of Muscat’s forces;An assessment, written by Hennell, of Bahrain’s climate, considered by the Resident to be too harmful to the ‘European constitution’ for permanent occupation of Bahrain by British forces;Egyptian territorial ambitions in Arabia and the Gulf, and measures to counter Egyptian influence;Relations between the Al Khalifah at Bahrain;The political situation at Bushire, including the removal of the Bushire Governor;Discussion between officials over whether the British Residency should remain at Jazīreh-ye Khārk (as desired by Hennell) or return to Bushire;Hennell’s absence through sickness, and his insistence that an assistant to the Resident is required.Some of the letters in the volume (folios 42, 61) have incorrect dates assigned to them (1853 and 1851 respectively); these dates have been omitted from the volume’s assigned date range.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence begins on the title page and ends of the last folio of content (i.e. text); these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: An original sporadic and incomplete pagination sequence is also present between ff 6-67; these numbers are located in the top outermost corner of the page when present.Condition: Many of the pages have suffered water damage, and are damaged at the edges, resulting in the loss of some text.
Abstract: The volume chiefly comprises copies of letters sent to the Residency (with some addressed to the Resident, Captain Samuel Hennell) by the various government agents, including: Moollah Hussain, the agent at Sharjah; Khojah Reuben, the agent at Muscat; the Government agent at Bahrain [referred to as Bahrein throughout]; and reporters and news writers at Shiraz. All of these letters are English translations; the originals (presumably in Arabic and Persian) not being included in the volume. A small number of copies and drafts of outward letters, written by Hennell, are also included in the volume (folios 102-03, 110).Many of the letters contain translations, or translated extracts, of letters from various rulers around the Gulf, including: the Imam of Muscat; Maktoom [Shaikh Maktum bin Butti], chief of Debay [Dubai]; Khalifa bin Shakboot [Khalīfah bin Shakbut], chief of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi], Sultan ben Suggur [Sultan bin Saqr], chief of Ras ul Khymah [Ra's al Khaymah]; Salman bin Nasser, chief of Al Bidda (also spelt Biddah); Mahomed bin Abdullah, chief of Bremi [Al Buraymī].Letters from the Sharjah Agent and rulers on the Arab Coast chiefly concern relations between the various tribes and towns, including disputes between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and include account of hostilities on land and sea, feuds, and negotiations for peace. Letters from the Shiraz reporters and news writers concern: diplomatic relations at Shiraz, including relations between Persia and the European imperial powers (Britain, France, Russia, Austria) and ambassadorial visits from European representatives; the death of the Governor of Fars and the appointment of a successor; proceedings and movement of king and court, government and Persian troops.Other subjects include: relations between Muscat and Egypt; Egyptian advances in Arabia; acts of piracy committed at Al Bidda on the Guttur [Qatar] coast, the activities of Rugragee [Jassim bin Jaber Raqraqi]; movement of trading vessels; instances of cholera and plague; activity on the pearling banks; incidents of slavery, and the import of slaves from Africa.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence begins on the title page and ends on the last page of text, and uses pencil numbers written in the top-right corner of each recto. Two front and two rear flyleaves are unfoliated. The following foliation anomaly occurs: f 28, 28A.Pagination: An incomplete original pagination sequence in ink is present between ff 5-127; these numbers are located in the top outermost corners of each page.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations, cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. It is the second in a series of eleven items about the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2050/93533, 93535, 93536, 93537, 93538, 93539, 93540, 93541, 93542, and 93543). The principal correspondents are the Government of Bombay and Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf.The item concerns:The desire of Esai bin Tarif [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin Ḥamad bin Ṭarīf Āl Bin 'Alī al-'Utbī] to settle at Bidda [Al Bidda]A prolongation of the Maritime Truce, and interpretation of its termsThe refusal by Abdoolla bin Rashid [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Rāshid al-Mu’allā], Shaik of Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn], to destroy his towers in connection with his dispute with Sooltan bin Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī], Shaik of Ras-ul-Khyma [Ra's al-Khaymah]A report by two Hindu merchants that their goods were plundered by men of the Huwajeer [al-Hawajir] and Saloota [Salūtah] tribes at Monamah [Al-Manāmah]Disputes between: Khuleefa bin Shakboot [Shaikh Khalīfah bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān], the Shaik of Abothabee [Shaikh of Abu Dhabi]; Muktoom [Maktūm I bin Buṭṭī Āl Bū Falāseh], Shaik of Dubaye [Dubai]; and Sooltan bin Suggur and his son Suggur bin Sooltan [Ṣaqr bin Sultān al-Qāsimī]A misunderstanding resulting in violence between a boat from Karrack [Jazīreh-ye Khārk, also known as Khark, Kharg] and a boat from AmulgavineA dispute between Mahomed bin Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammed bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah], Shaik of Bahrein [Shaikh of Bahrein], and Abdullah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], former Shaik of BahreinPlunder at Bahrein of a ship belonging to Shaik Dhyee bin Aoon [Dhāḥī bin A‘ūn], an Arab merchant in Bombay [Mumbai]Punishment of a man who was violent towards the Residency’s horse keeper in Bushire [Bushēhr].The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Coll No [Collection Number] 1, Draft 558, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4291, [Season 18]44’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 315 and terminates at f 395, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume's correspondence and other papers document British officials' attempts to suppress the slave trade in the Gulf, and their procedures for dealing with liberated slaves. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Captain Felix Jones), H. L. Anderson, Secretary to the Government in Bombay, and representatives of the Persian Gulf Squadron of the Indian Navy, primarily Commodore Griffith Jenkins, Commanding Officer of the Persian Gulf Squadron.A number of subjects comprise the volume, as follows:1. British operations against the slave trade in Bahrain, including the retrieval of two slave girls from the Sheikh of Bahrain, and the recovery of one-hundred dollars from the Sheikh of Bahrain, as compensation for the seizure of two slaves from Shargah by the Sheikh of Al Bidda, whose actions are the responsibility of the Sheikh of Bahrain (folios 4a-5);2. The surrender of four slaves by Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar [Saqr] of Sharjah, a result of the efforts of Lieutenant Robinson and the British Agent at Sharjah, Hajee Yacoob (folios 10-29);3. The lack of success in the suppression of the slave trade during the 1857 season, due to there being no British vessels available to intercept boats returning from Zanzibar and the African coast (folios 33-36);4. Attempts to suppress the slave trade during the 1859 season (folios 40-110). This subject contains extensive correspondence back and forth between the Resident (Jones) and the Senior Naval Officer (Jenkins), which becomes heated as disagreements arise, over resources for the patrol of the Arab coast and the suppression of the slave trade. Commodore Jenkins thought it derogatory for his vessel (
Falkland), displaying his pendant, to be involved in the interception of slave-trading boats (folios 48-49). Jones refers the matter to the Governor in Council, who rules that any notion of slave suppression duties being derogatory is 'mistaken.' Jenkins reports the following year on his attempts to suppress the slave trade from Africa, reporting that his two cruizers liberated a single female slave (folio 59). In a letter to Jenkins, Jones calls the operation 'fruitless' (folio 69), prompting Jenkins to draw Jones' attention to the personal sacrifices made by his crews, including Lieutenant Robinson who is 'seriously ill' as a result of the 'sickly climate' (folio 71-72);5. Expenses related to the disposal of liberated slaves at Bassidore. The British Government retained a slave agent at Bassidore, where liberated slaves were retained prior to their despatch to Bushire. Correspondence in this subject relates to the expenses for the maintenance and passage to Bushire of these liberated slaves (folios 115-144);6. Batta [subsistence allowance] given to a British slave searcher, granted on his proceeding to the Residency (folios 152-55);7. Miscellaneous correspondence relating to the slave trade (folios 159-76).Physical description: Foliation: Foliation starts on the front cover of the volume and continues until the inside back cover, using circled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 30a, 30b, 37a, 37b, 41a, 98a, 150a, 150b, 150c, 156a, 156b. Folio 68 is a fold-out.
Abstract: Correspondence regarding relations between the people of Bahrein [Bahrain] and the Wahabees [Wahhabis] and the involvement of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Captain (James) Felix Jones, in affairs.The correspondence consists of letters and reports sent by Captain Jones to the Secretary to Government at Bombay (Henry Lacon Anderson, Alexander Kinloch Forbes) describing the situation in Bahrein in which an atmosphere of anxiety and alarm had arisen over reports that Mahomed ben Abdullah, Chief of Demaum [Dammam] was amassing men and boats for an attack on Bahrein, and detailing the response by Captain Jones to these reports, including the decision to send British vessels of war to help boost morale and assist in the defence of Bahrein; investigations made by these vessels into the forces massing to attack Bahrein; and the seizing of boats and vessels belonging to the Chief of Demaum and his supports. Also included is a copy of the Government resolution permitting Captain Jones to have Mahomed ben Abdullah and his supporters forcibly removed from Demaum.Enclosed with them are copies of correspondence and reports on affairs at Bahrein including accounts of the forces massing at ports including Demaum and Katiff [Al Qaţīf], which were sent to and from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf by Hajee Jassem [Haji Jasim], British Agent at Bahrain; Shaikh Mahomed ben Khalifah (also written bin Khuleefa) [Muḥammed bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah], Chief of Bahrein; Sheikh Alee bin Khuleefa [‘Alī bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah]; [Sheikh Mahomed ben Abdullah [Muḥammed bin‘Abdullāh], Chief of Demaum; Ameer Fysul ben Torkee [Faisal ibn Turki], Ruler of Nedjd [Najd]; The Senior Naval Officer Commanding the Persian Gulf Squadron (Charles Golding Constable, Charles John Cruttenden) ; Commander Philip William Fendell of HMS
Falkland; Commander Richard William Whish of HM Schooner
Mahi; and Commander William Balfour of HM Steam Frigate
Semiramis.Also included in the file is correspondence with Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson and Charles Alison, Her British Majesty's Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia, and Lewis Pelly, Charge d'Affaires at the Court of Persia, regarding Mirza Mehdi, Persian Agent for Foreign Affairs at Bushire, who is sent by the Prince Governor of Farsistan [Fārs] on a special mission to meet Ameer Fysul, Ruler of Nedjd [Najd] to discuss safe passage for Persian Pilgrims to Mecca, which the Political Resident believes is also being used as an opportunity to discuss Bahrein, which the Persians and the Wahabees have both laid claim to. Further correspondence on the matter includes intelligence reports from the British Agent at Bahrein, Hajee Jassem, including the arrival of Turkish emissaries at Bahrein and the decision by the Shaikh of Bahrein to hoist the Persian Flag at his forts.Later correspondence includes letters to and from Richard Rogers, Officiating Political Agent at Basreh [Basra], John McAdam Hyslop, Officiating Political Agent in Turkish Arabia, and Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer, HBM's Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire regarding Turkish functionaries who had been sent on a mission from Basreh to Bahrein; and the raising of the Turkish flag at Bahrein. This correspondence also includes letters written in both English and Ottoman Turkish to the Governor-General of Baghdad, and copies of letters in Arabic from the Shaikh of Bahrein to the Pasha of Baghdad.The file concludes with correspondence relating to Mahomed ben Khuleefa's attempts at retaliation, including blockading the Wahabee ports of Demaum and Katiff; and the decision in May 1861 to sign a convention and bond with the British Government:Terms of a friendly convention entered into between Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa, independent ruler of Bahrein on the part of himself and successors, and Captain Felix Jones, Her Majesty's Indian Navy, Political Resident of Her Britanic Majesty in the Gulf of Persia on the part of the British Government, 1 May 1861, in Arabic and English (ff 321-326).Translation of a bond sealed by Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa of Bahrein and entered into by him with Captain Felix Jones, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, 31 May 1861, in Arabic and English (ff 327-328).Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence runs across the two volumes, and is therefore split into two ranges ff. 1-182 & ff. 183-341. It commences at the first folio of writing in volume one and terminates at the last folio of writing in volume two. These numbers are written in pencil, and can be found in the top right hand corner of the recto side of each folio. Foliation errors: 1, 1A.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations, cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. It is the third in a series of eleven items about the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2050/93533, 93534, 93536, 93537, 93538, 93539, 93540, 93541, 93542, and 93543). The principal correspondents are the Government of Bombay and Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf.The item concerns:Kemball’s official appointment as Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf until Samuel Hennell’s returnA misunderstanding between the captain of the merchant ship
Fyzul Barryand its ownerAn application by Sheikh Subah of Koweit [Shaikh Jābir I bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Ṣabāḥ of Kuwait] for a safe conduct pass for a merchant to travel to Bahrein [Bahrain] and Katiffe [Qatif]Disputes in Bahrein between: Abdullah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah]; Mahomed bin Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammed bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah]; and Esai bin Tarif [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin Ḥamad bin Ṭarīf Āl Bin 'Alī al-'Utbī]Discussion of the plunder of goods belonging to: Dhyee bin Aoon [Dhāḥī bin A‘ūn]; two Hindu merchants; and a ship under British colours carrying medical suppliesEsai bin Tarif’s desire to settle at Bidda [Al Bidda]A dispute between Abdoolla bin Rashid [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Rāshid al-Mu’allā], Shaik of Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn] and Sooltan bin Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī], Shaik of Rassul Khyma [Ra's al-Khaymah]Deployment of British ships in the GulfThe strength and influence of Fysul [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turki bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd].The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Coll No [Collection Number] 1, Draft 558, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4291, [Season 18]44’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 396 and terminates at f 499, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.