Abstract: A copy of a letter containing two prospectuses for a Russian East India Company, sent by an un-named English adventurer to the Imperial Court of the Russian Empire from Tabriz and dated July 1822.The letter describes the potential economic benefits to Russia of a company for trade with India and offers the services of the author to Russia.The first prospectus presents a scheme for opening overland trade between Russia and India, proposing the establishment a Factory in the Punjab and a trade route via the Caspian Sea.The second prospectus presents an alternative scheme for maritime trade, proposing the establishment of a Russian colony in the Nicobar Islands. Appended to the letter is a list of potential exports which the author deems likely to find ready markets in Asia.A statement showing the estimated charges and expenses of the proposal can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/69/161.The letter was enclosed in the letter of Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 12 February 1824 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/159).Physical description: 1 item (21 folios)
Abstract: The three hundred and four folios in the collection begin with an abstract of the contents of Secret Letter No. 3. The enclosures to Secret Letter No. 3 themselves are primarily concerned with the following subjects:The arrival of the Political Agent in Ludhiana Captain Claude Martine Wade at Firozpur and his intention to cross the Sutlej River the following day, and a meeting between Wade and Rae Gobind Jas, who read a letter from Maharaja Ranjit Singh, announcing the conquest of Panjtar and his intention of taking Shikarpur from the Amirs of Sindh; the reception of Wade by the Maharaja at Lahore and an exchange of letters between them; a report by Lieutenant Frederick Mackeson on discussions between the envoys of Sindh and Punjab; a letter from Political Agent in Sindh Colonel Henry Pottinger on the agreement reached with the Amir of Hyderabad Mir Nur Muhammad Khan Talpur and a request for instructions from Government; the Maharaja of Punjab's orders for the withdrawal of his forces from the border with Sindh; the discussions between Captain Wade and the Maharaja during a series of private audiences in Lahore; the meetings of Captain Wade with the Maharaja and Punjabi officials and the letters from the Governor-General (George Eden, Lord Auckland) addressed to the Maharaja and Captain Wade; the reports of Mufti Khayr al-Din and Lala Dalpat Rae from Khairpur and Multan respectively; Colonel Pottinger's account of the politico-commercial agreement reached with Nur Muhammad Khan; the contingency of British mediation between the Maharaja and the Ameers, beginning with a preliminary investigation of the Mazari frontier, on the Amirs' adoption of Government proposals; the transmission of Government's instructions to Lieutenant Governor of the North Western Provinces; discussions between Captain Wade, the Maharaja and the Vakil of Nur Muhammad Khan, and Colonel Pottinger's suggestion for Captain Charles Edward Trevelyan to lead the arbitrations, and eventually assume the previously contemplated position of Political Agent at Shikarpur; the Governor-General's interest in the King of Persia Muhammad Shah Qajar's designs on Afghanistan, and Captain Wade's request to Charles Masson for authentic intelligence from Bukhara and Herat; extracts of intelligence from Masson's letters forwarded by Captain Wade to the Secret Department; the mission of Captain Alexander Burnes to the Indus River and the Amirate of Kabul, and his pledge to keep the British Envoy at the Court of Persia informed of developments west of the Indus; the arrival of Burnes at Thatta and a letter from Nawwab of Bahawalpur Amir Bahawal Khan ‘Abbasi III; the arrival of Captain Burnes in Hyderabad, his reception, and audiences with Nur Muhammad Khan, and Burnes' subsequent departure for the court of Mir Rustam Khan Talpur at Khairpur; the arrival of the Commander-in-Chief Sir Henry Fane for the wedding of Kanvar Nau Nihal Singh, and General Jean-François Allard at the court of Ranjit Singh as an Agent of the French Government; the letters of Amir Dust Muhammad Khan Barakza’i to Captain Wade and the Governor-General; the letters of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to Rae Gobind Jas and Captain Wade on Nau Nihal Singh's wedding; a personal letter from British Ambassador to France Granville Leveson-Gower, 1st Earl Granville, to the Governor-General on the appointment of General Allard as Agent of the French Government, and a minute by the Governor-General on Allard's position as French Chargé d'Affaires at Lahore; the observations of Envoy Extraordinary John McNeill on Perso-Afghan political relations; the British Ambassador to Persia Henry Ellis's recommendation of Afghan Ambassador Haji Husayn ‘Ali Khan Javanshir to Sir Robert Grant the Governor-General in Council of Bombay; a minute on the audience given by Governor-General Grant to Haji Husayn Ali Khan on 25 November 1836; the account of Captain Ranald MacDonald about Haji Husayn Ali Khan and his proceedings; the information provided by Captain Wade on Haji Husayn Ali Khan and his diplomatic activities; the Governor-General's reluctance to receive Haji Husayn Ali Khan based on the preceding reports; the establishment of agents in appropriate locations to advance British commercial interests and gather intelligence on Russian movements as part of Captain Burnes' mission, following reports from Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney and former Ambassador to Russia William A'Court, 1st Baron Heytesbury.Physical description: 304 folios
Abstract: The enclosures cover the following: the instructions of the Political Agent in Sindh Lieutenant Colonel Henry Pottinger to the officers of the Indian Navy surveying the Indus River; the chart of the Indus prepared by Lieutenant Thomas Carless of the Indian Navy, and his observations on the difficulties of navigating the river extensively; a report by Lieutenant Carless on the mouths of the River, with his remarks on the Indus River Delta; the journal of Munshi Mohan Lal Kashmiri on his journey from Mithankot to Shikarpur, with the remarks of the Political Agent in Ludhiana Captain Claude Martine Wade on the dangers posed by the Mazari Tribe; the arrival of a qasid from Kabul for Abd al-Ghiyas Khan Barakzai in Ludhiana, also carrying letters for the Governor General of India (George Eden, Earl of Auckland) and the Political Agent Captain Wade, declaring Amir Dust Muhammad Khan Barakzai’s desire for closer ties to Britain; a letter from Nawwab Jabbar Khan Barakza'i to the Governor General, and two dispatches from Charles Masson on the arrival of the Russian Ambassador Jan Prosper Witkiewicz in Bukhara; the kharitas dispatched by the Governor General to Dust Muhammad Khan and Nawwab Jabbar Khan; a letter and present from Mir Nur Muhammad Khan Talpur of Hyderabad to the Political Agent in Sindh; a note from Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab to Lala Kishan Chand about the Indus navigation scheme, and the Political Agent’s request for instructions on the Maharaja’s application for firearms; the instructions of the Governor General to Captain Wade on the Maharaja’s application; the memoranda on the navigation of the Indus by the Deputy Secretary to the Government [of India] in the Political Department Charles Edward Trevelyan, with particular reference to Afghanistan and Sindh, and an appendix on the proclamation announcing the reopening of Indus navigation; a minute from the Governor General to the Board on papers regarding the Indus and adjacent countries; the appointment of the Assistant Political Resident in Kutch, Captain Alexander Burnes, to conduct a mission to the countries bordering the Indus to complete the reopening of Indus navigation; the deputation of Colonel Pottinger and Captain Burnes to Hyderabad to reopen the Indus navigation; the private letters from the British Ambassador to Persia Henry Ellis to the Governor General on whether commissioned and non-commissioned British officers should continue to serve in Persia, and whether it would be advisable to take substantive measures towards the unification of Afghanistan, and endeavour to strengthen that country through the provision of military assistance, with the opinions of Thomas Robertson, Governor General Auckland, and the Commander-in-Chief in India Sir Henry Fane.Physical description: 187 folios
Abstract: The enclosures (not included in the volume) cover the following: demand by Maharaja Ranjit Singh for tribute from the Amirs of Hyderabad, Mirpur and Khairpur in Sindh; the confirmation of the capture, by the troops of Ranjit Singh, of Mir Bahram Khan Mazari’s capital Rojhan; the three kharitas from Ranjit Singh to his Wakil in Ludhiana for the appointment of a medical officer; the instructions of the Governor General (George Eden, Earl of Auckland) to Lieutenant Colonel Henry Pottinger and Captain Claude Martine Wade in Sindh and Ludhiana in connection with the departure of Ranjit Singh’s army for Shikarpur and Sindh; the transmission of the correspondence to the Lieutenant Governor of the North-Western Provinces Sir Charles Metcalfe, and the Governor General’s expectation of possible assistance from Metcalfe; the deputation of Captain Alexander Burnes on a mission to Kabul, with instructions and necessary arrangements; the British Government position on Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s designs on Shikarpur and Sindh; the postponement of the date for the embarkation of His Majesty’s 20th Regiment for England; the pursuit of Mir Bahram Khan by the army of Ranjit Singh, the army’s detour to Badhani on the right bank of the Indus, and the destruction of the fortress of Ken [Kin] on its return despite its being held by Sindhi troops; the transfer of the duties of Captain Wade to the Political Agent at Umballa [Ambala] in his absence; the decision of Colonel Pottinger to proceed to Hyderabad following a message from Nur Muhammad Khan; a request from Captain Burnes for permission to travel to Bombay in preparation for his mission, and explaining the circumstances regarding the delivery of presents, forwarding the latest intelligence from Kabul, proposing the employment of Charles Masson in government service, and submitting an application for the appointment of a medical gentleman to accompany the mission; a request from the Political Agent at Ludhiana for instructions to negotiate with Ranjit Singh; the successful conclusion of negotiations with Ranjit Singh and the departure of the 20th Regiment; the permission of Ranjit Singh for the passage of Captain Burnes and his mission via the Indus to Attock; the abandonment of offensive operations by the army of Ranjit Singh against the Amirates of Sindh; the course of action proposed by Governor Metcalfe if Ranjit Singh does not abandon the invasion of Sindh; a request from the Ottoman Wali of Baghdad Ali Riza Pasha al-Laz for the dispatch of military stores; the instructions of the British Government in India to the Envoy in Persia Henry Ellis on the proposed campaign by Muhammad Shah Qajar of Persia against the Amirate of Herat, the results of the negotiations with Maharaja Ranjit Singh regarding his campaign against Sindh, and the appointment of Captain Burnes on a mission to Kabul and Qandahar in Afghanistan.Physical description: 11 folios
Abstract: The assurances of the Maharaja of the Punjab Ranjit Singh that his forces would not invade Sindh without prior coordination between the governments, and his acceptance of British mediation in disputes with the Amirs of Sindh if pursued as discretely as possible, following discussions with the Political Agent in Ludhiana Captain Claude Martin Wade; the Political Agent in Sindh Colonel Henry Pottinger's messages to the Amir of Hyderabad Mir Nur Muhammad Khan Talpur clarifying the conditions of the withdrawal agreement with Ranjit Singh; the Maharaja's reluctance to grant an audience to, or dismiss the agents of the Amirs of Sindh; the Governor General George Eden, Lord Auckland’s empowerment of Captain Wade to discourage the exchange of letters and presents between Ranjit Singh and European leaders as far as possible; the account provided by Charles Masson of Amir Dust Muhammad Khan Barakza‘i's decision to confront the army of the Punjab following the capture of Jamrud by Sardar Hari Singh Nalwa; the instructions of William Hay Macnaghten to Assistant Political Resident at Kutch Captain Alexander Burnes, including on the preservation of peace in the countries between India and Persia, conveyance of information on the political and economic conditions of those countries, the recent relations of those countries with Persia and the agents involved in conducting those relations, and the possible effects of a Persian expedition against the Amirate of Herat on those countries; an interview between the Afghan Ambassador Haji Husayn ‘Ali Khan Javanshir and Macnaghten, and the latter's subsequent recommendation that Haji Husayn ‘Ali Khan should not be received in audience by the Governor General, and should instead be compelled to leave Calcutta; the detailed account provided by Dr Wood of the Battle of Jamrud and the death of Hari Singh; the political relations of Amir Dust Muhammad Khan with the Ghilza‘i, Talpur, Safi and Mohmand, and the expedition of the King of Persia Muhammad Shah Qajar against the Amirate of Herat; the meetings of the envoys from the Amirs of Sindh with Diwan Sawan Mal Chopra and Kanvar Kharak Singh; the demand of Shah Shuja’ al-Mulk Saduza‘i from the Amirs of Sindh to surrender Shikarpur; the departure of Sardar Pir Muhammad Khan Barakza‘i with 700 horsemen for Peshawar; the instructions of Captain Wade to Mr Masson to dispatch two decent 'emissaries' to the Amirates of Herat and Bukhara to obtain authentic intelligence about their political conditions; the deputation of Lieutenant Frederick Mackeson to join Captain Burnes on his mission to Kabul; permission for the naturalist Dr Hugh Falconer to accompany Lieutenant Mackeson to Kashmir; an invitation from Amir Bahawal Khan ‘Abbasi III to Captain Burnes to visit him at Ahmadpur; the mode for the conveyance of presents to Ranjit Singh on the occasion of his grandson’s wedding; the payment for a consignment of arms imported by General Jean-François Allard into the Punjab; the departure of a number of French officers from France with the intention of serving Ranjit Singh; the application of French officer Captain Auguste Lafont to cross the border into Punjab; the career of the French drill instructor Captain Benoit de Argoud in France, Egypt and the Punjab; the meetings held between Captain Burnes, the Amirs Mir Rustam Khan Talpur, Mir Mubarak Khan Talpur, Mir Ali Murad Khan Talpur, and the Vizier Fath’ Muhammad Khan Ghuri at Khairpur; the current rumours about the robe of honour granted by Muhammad Shah Qajar to Shir Muhammad Khan Hazara, the departure of Kamran Shah Saduza‘i on an expedition against Qandahar, and that of Muhammad Sadiq Khan Barakza‘i to confront the forces of Kamran Shah at Girishk; a letter from Dust Muhammad Khan to Captain Burnes welcoming the latter's deputation to Kabul; the payment of debts incurred by Dr James Gerard on his return from Persia via Afghanistan; the appointment of a Punjabi official to accompany Captain Burnes and Lieutenant Mackeson to Attock; the advance of the Khalsa Army under General Allard and General Jean-Baptiste Ventura, and withdrawal of Sardar Muhammad Akbar Khan Barakza‘i and the Afghan Army to the Khyber Pass; the policy of Government to encourage a reconciliation between Ranjit Singh and Dust Muhammad Khan and thus prevent a possible alliance between Qajar Persia and Barakza‘i Afghanistan; the journey of Lieutenant Eldred Pottinger from Kutch State to Shikarpur, and Kalat through Darrah-yi Mulla, return to the Gundava Plains through the Bolan Pass, and progress towards Qandahar; the negotiations with the Amirs of Sindh for the establishment of a British Residency at Hyderabad; the commercial agreement between the Political Agent in Sindh and the government of Hyderabad; and the decision of Maharaja Ranjit Singh to conclude a peace settlement with Amir Dust Muhammad Khan Barakza‘i.Physical description: 343 folios