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61. Book 96: Letters Inward 1837
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence sent during 1837 to Captain Samuel Hennell, the Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf. It primarily concerns the operations of the Indian Navy in the Persian Gulf; the movement of ships, the transfer of officers, and the payment of allowances. Major topics covered include reports on the suitability of Bussora [Basra], and Mahamerah [Khorramshahr] as sites for coal depots; and an experiment to measure the consumption rate of two types of wood — as fuel — by the steamer Hugh Lindsay.The Euprhates Expedition is also a significant topic in the file; this concerns instructions related to moving the steamer Euphratesto either Mahamerah, or Muscat so that it may be towed back to Bombay by the Hugh Lindsay. The expedition is also attempting to raise the steamer Tigris, which sank in the Euphrates river.Intermixed with the correspondence is a list of books left with Captain Hennell at Bushire, a list of instruments at Bushire, a list of stores aboard the Euphrates, and a receipt for 2500 German crowns from Syed bin Selim, Vikeel of Aboothabee [Sa‘īd bin Salīm, Wakīl of Abu Dhabi]. The latter being the result of claims made by the British Government against the Daria Dowlat for acts of piracy.Reports concerning the political affairs of Bahrain, the Arabian Coast, and the movements Arab tribes are also included. However, these topics are not heavily represented in this file.The principle correspondents are John Pepper, Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf; and Sir Charles Malcolm, Superintendent of the Indian Navy.The file also includes letters from the following: Francis Rawdon Chesney, Commander of the Euphrates Expedition; James Bucknall Bucknall-Estcourt, Third in Command of the Euphrates Expedition; John Croft Hawkins, Commander of the Clive; Alexander Hector at Baghdad; William Igglesden, Commander of the Tigris; Henry Nelson Poole, in Charge of the Clive; John Sawyer, Commander of the Amhurst[ Amherst]; Charles Sharpe, Commander of the Elphinstone; Robert Taylor, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia; Joseph H Rowband, Commander of the Hugh Lindsay; Alfred S Williams, Assistant Superintendent of the Indian Navy; and Edward M Wood, Secretary to the Bombay Government.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the cover and terminates at the last folio; 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 incomplete pagination sequence in ink is also present in the volume between ff. 2-45. There are a number of gaps in this sequence.
62. Vol 211 Persian Expeditionary Force
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence relating to the Anglo-Persian War of 1856-57, following Persia's attempts on Herat. The letters cover a period when the British had an expeditionary force camped outside Bushire while Persian troops were amassed at Borazjoon [Borazjan] and Mohammerah [Korramshahr]. The correspondents include Charles Augustus Murray, former British Minister to Persia, General Foster Stalker and Brigadier General John Jacob, commanders within the British army, Henry Lacon Anderson, Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Lieutenant-General James Outram, Commander in Chief of the British Forces in Persia, Herbert Frederick Disbrowe, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, Shuja al-Mulk, a Persian commander at Borazjoon, Lieutenant James Tronson, Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, Colonel Shepherd, Commander at the Bushire Camp, John Taylor, Agent and Consul at Basrah, Felix Jones, Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, Sheikh Jabir al-Kaabi, at Mohammerah, J. M. Hyslop, in charge of local duties at the Political Agency for Turkish Arabia at Baghdad, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at Istanbul, and Mirza Mohammed Khan, Commander of the Persian forces.The volume covers the following matters:Intelligence on the construction of fortifications at Mahomerah [Korramshahr] being carried out by the Persians and the discussion over whether to destroy them;The appointment and arrival of Lieutenant General James Outram as Commander in Chief of the Persian Expeditionary Force;Communications with the Sheikhs of the surrounding villages, including those of Roodhilla [Dehrūd ‘Ulīā] and Dashtee [Khormoj];Infiltrations and harassment by the Persians in and around the English camps;Preparations for the defence of Bushire against a Persian attack;Captain Felix Jones's mission to Basrah and Mohumrah [Korramshahr] to gather intelligence and communicate with Sheikh Jabir, leader of the Chaab [Banu Ka'b], to obtain their assistance against the Persians;The consequences of a peace treaty signed by the two nations in Paris on 4 March 1857, including reiterations of friendship and peace back and forth between the commanders of both armies, and a discussion of the conditions of armistice.Physical description: Foliation: the sequence is written in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio of writing, on number 1, and ends on the inside of the back cover, on number 79. Foliation irregularities: folio 15 is followed by folio 15A; folio 22 is followed by folio 22A; folio 29 is followed by folio 29A; folio 44 is followed by folio 44A; folio 50 is followed by folio 50A; folio 56 is followed by folio 56A; folio 62 is followed by folio 62A; folio 75 is followed by folio 75A.
63. Vol 246: Squadron, Persian Gulf
- Description:
- Abstract: This volume consists almost entirely of letters received by the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy from the senior Indian Navy officer in command of the Persian Gulf Squadron (acting or otherwise). Most of the letters are addressed to a named recipient and the bulk of these are addressed to Rear Admiral Sir Henry John Leeke; the remaining letters are addressed to Leeke's successor, George Greville Wellesley. The first correspondent stated as being in command of the Persian Gulf Squadron is Commodore Richard Ethersey; the second correspondent to appear in this role is Acting Commodore John William Young. Ethersey and Young are succeeded in this role by James Rennie, who is credited initially as Acting Commodore and later as Senior Naval Officer in command of the Persian Gulf Squadron. Most of the letters in this volume are from James Rennie.Some of the letters contain enclosures from other correspondents including: Major William Henry Rhodes Green; Gordon Asher, Assistant Surgeon in Medical Charge of the Honourable Company steam frigate, the Feerooz; Commander William Beaumont Selby, Indian Navy, Commander of the Euphrates flotilla.Only one of James Rennie's letters is addressed to a recipient other than the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy. The letter in question is addressed to Robert Barclay Chapman, Officiating Under-Secretary to the Government of India.The letters primarily discuss the movements of vessels belonging to the Persian Gulf Squadron. A couple of letters include lists of vessels which have arrived and/or sailed from Bushire, along with details of their cargo. Several of the letters concern the Persian Gulf Squadron's involvement in the Anglo-Persian War and in the Battle of Mahomerah [Khorramshahr, Iran] in particular. Other subjects covered include: matters relating to naval officers, including appointments, examinations, resignations and deaths; the states of repair of some of the Squadron's ships; the discovery of two shoals in the Persian Gulf which do not appear in existing charts; accounts of coal reserves at Bushire, Bassadore [Bāsaʻīdū] and Muscat; the state of the pier at Bassadore.Physical description: Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is written in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio after the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the inside of the back cover, on number 169. This is the sequence which has been used by this catalogue to reference items within the volume.
64. Ext 3214/1941 'Welfare of relations of late Shaikh of Mohammerah in Iraq: activities of Shaikh Chasib'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to the welfare of the relations of the late Shaikh of Mohammerah as well as the activities of Shaikh Chasib, eldest son of the late Shaikh of Mohammerah (Shaikh Abduallah Khazal).The discussion in the file relates to the guarantee given in a letter (see folios 155 and folio 151) ) by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Stuart George Knox; Percy Zachariah Cox) to the Shaikh of Mohammerah in 1914 shortly before and after the outbreak of war with the Ottoman Empire. The substance of this guarantee was that if the Shaikh cooperated with the Amir of Najd and the Shaikh of Kuwait in the capture of Basra from the Ottoman Turks, then the Shaikh and his male descendants would be supported against encroachment on his jurisdiction from the Persian government, whether it be royalist or nationalist. Furthermore, his date gardens on the Turkish side of the Shatt al-Arab would remain in the possession of the Shaikh and his heirs and exempt from taxation in perpetuity.Further discussion surrounds the establishment of the genuineness of the letter, as well as the implications for the British government of admitting this claim for protection and what measures could be taken to enforce it. Also discussed is the attempt by the Shaikh to foment rebellion against the Persian Government in Khuzistan and the measures taken by the Iraqi Government to stop this.The principal correspondents in the file include the Political Agent, Kuwait (Major Maurice O'Connor Tandy); the Secretary of State for India, London; HM Ambassador, Tehran; HM Ambassador, Baghdad; and the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.The file include two dividers, which give a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. These are placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 206; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
65. Letters Inward
- Description:
- Abstract: This file consists almost entirely of letters received at the Residency in the Persian Gulf, Bushire. Most of the letters are addressed to the Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf; very few of these letters state the name of the Acting Resident; those that do include a name are addressed to Samuel Hennell.The principal correspondents in this file are the following: Edward M Wood, Secretary to Government, Marine Department, Bombay; John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to Government, Political Department, Bombay; William Henry Wathen, Chief Secretary to Government, Political Department, Bombay; Charles Malcolm, Superintendent of the Indian Navy; John Pepper, Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron.Several of the letters include enclosed letters. For instance, some of Wood's letters contain copies of correspondence between the Government of Bombay and Charles Malcolm, Superintendent of the Indian Navy. These enclosed letters relate to new arrangements – proposed by the Resident, James Morrison – concerning the role of the Commodore's ship (previously almost permanently stationed at Bassadore [Bāsaʻīdū], but recently required, following Morrison's changes, to make regular trips throughout the Gulf). Malcolm objects to the changes and makes the case for having a station vessel at Bassadore.The letters from Wood and Willoughby respectively relay the approval, and in some cases, the instructions, of the Governor in Council, Sir Robert Grant, regarding the Resident's duties. Many of these letters concern the Resident's conduct in political affairs in the Gulf. For instance, one letter relates to a dispute between the Shaik of Kishm [Shaikh of Qeshm] and the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat [Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd]. Other letters discuss more routine tasks, such as the forwarding of packets and the maintenance of the buildings under the Resident's charge.Other subjects discussed include: the maintenance and movements of Indian Navy ships, particularly in relation to the Euphrates Expedition, headed by Francis Rawdon Chesney; Malcolm's dismissal of the commander of the Cyreneschooner for having shown extreme carelessness while in charge of that vessel, resulting in it running aground; arrangements – sanctioned by the Governor in Council –for the conveyance of mail between Mohammarah [Khorramshahr] and Damascus and Beirout [Beirut], using dromedaries and horses respectively; the reported tearing down of British colours by the French authorities at the Port of Bussora [Basra]; reported piratical activity in the neighbourhood of Adeed.The final letter in the file, which is from Willoughby, concerns instructions regarding the conduct of British officers when detached with troops of British allies. The letter contains two extracts from two separate letters from the Court of Directors, the first of which is dated 25 September 1835 and refers to an incident in which a British officer, Captain Rochfort, failed to intervene and prevent the execution of ninety-nine prisoners.Physical description: Pagination: There is a pagination sequence, which is written in ink, in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos.Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. This sequence begins on the first folio after the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 54. This is the sequence which has been used by this catalogue to reference items within the file.
66. PZ 6798/1932 'Iraqi Consul at Mohammerah'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file consists of correspondence from the British Legation, Baghdad (Hubert Young) to HM Minister, Tehran with information about the newly appointed Iraqi Consul, Mohammerah (Dr Naji Al Asil).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 115, and terminates at f 119, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, 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 116-119; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
67. Turkish Arabia Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 25 of 1856, dated 14 April 1856. The enclosure is dated 18 February 1856.The enclosure consists of a copy of despatch from Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq], to Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe, HM Ambassador at the Porte [Government of the Ottoman Empire], Constantinople [Istanbul], and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, London, forwarded for the information of the Government of Bombay and Government of India. The despatch notably concerns the following matters:The measures of the Persian [Iranian] Government to induce Prince Abbas Meerza [‘Abbās Mīrzā Mulk Ārā Qājār], brother of the Shah of Persia, to return to Persia; the Prince’s association with a relation of the Sudder Azzam [Ṣadr A‘ẓam, minister to the Shāh] and avoidance of communication with his mother and with Kemball; the refusal by Kemball of authorize an escort for the Prince to Samarrah [Samarra]; and the request of the Prince’s mother that British and Ottoman authorities prevent his return to Persia without her consentClaims that the Shah has sent a deputation to Tabreez [Tabriz] to foster a reconciliation with the recently departed British MissionRumours of a Persian occupation of an island near Mohamrah [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah] and plans to build a fort there, and Kemball’s persuasion of the Governor of Baghdad not to send troops to forcibly eject them.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
68. Turkish Arabia Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 35 of 1856, dated 10 May 1856. The enclosure is dated 20 March 1856.The enclosure comprises a copy of a despatch from Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq], to Viscount Stratford de Redcliffe, HM Ambassador at the Porte [Government of the Ottoman Empire], Constantinople [Istanbul], and to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, forwarded for the information of the Government of Bombay and Government of India. The despatch concerns the following matters:The plan of the Governor of Baghdad, Reshid Pasha [Muḥammad Rashīd Pāshā Gözlüklü] to purchase two iron steam vessels to be employed on the rivers of Mesopotamia, including: the Pasha’s levy on the inhabitants of Baghdad and its dependencies in order to finance the purchase, preference for French and Belgian suppliers and personnel over English ones, and employment of a Belgian agent to visit Europe; and Kemball’s opinion that the steamers would improve communications with Bussorah [Basra] and promote the authority of Ottoman local government only if they can be maintained and resourcedThe purported plan of Prince Abbas Meerza [‘Abbās Mīrzā Mulk Ārā Qājār] to visit Nejjef [Najaf] and Kerbellah [Karbala], and the improvement of his relations with Kemball following news of a peace soon to be concluded between Britain and RussiaIntelligence received by Kemball from Bussorah that alleged Persian aggression on Turkish territory around Mohamrah [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah] has been exaggerated; and Reshid Pasha’s plan to send troops to Bussorah ostensibly in retaliation but in reality, it is reported, to control the recusant ‘chiefs’ of Montifik [al-Muntafiq] who threaten his authority on the lower banks of the Euphrates River.Physical description: 1 item (9 folios)
69. Turkish Arabia Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 23 of 1847, dated 2 March 1847. The enclosure is dated 11 January 1847.The item comprises a despatch from Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, Political Agent, Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq], forwarding, for the information of the Government of Bombay and the Governor-General of India, the following:Copies of Rawlinson’s correspondence with Viscount Palmerston, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, regarding the alleged distribution by ‘Russian Agents’ in and around the district of Sulimanieh [Sulaymaniyah] in Koordistan [Kurdistan] of anti-British printed handbills detailing the ‘military forces and the magnificence of the Russian Empire’. Included is a copy of a private letter sent to an official of the Foreign Office by Keith Edward Abbott, the British Consul in Tehran: detailing the claims suggesting that Russia aims to increase its influence in Koordistan, Turkey and Persia [Iran] as a possible means to invading India, and denigrating Russian approval of the Shah’s current heir-apparent whose ‘intellect is said to be of the very lowest’ (f 475). Rawlinson concludes from his investigations that the claims are exaggerated and misconceived, but supports the idea of a pamphlet contrasting the Russian and British empires, for Turkey and Persia as well as the ‘Koords’ [Kurds]A copy of Rawlinson’s letter to Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Tehran, relating to the suggested removal of the Turkish guard ship at Mohamrah [Khorramshah, formerly Mohammerah] from its anchorage in the Shat-el-Arab [Shatt al-Arab River] below the mouth of the Haffar (canal), to a position above the mouth of the Haffar, specifically Nejib Pasha’s [Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] decision notto press for the alteration following the protest of the Governor and merchants of Bussorah [Basra] (concurred with by Joannes Parseigh, the British Agent at Bussorah), that it would encourage even further the ‘alarming’ increase in ‘piracy’ in the lower Euphrates and damage both the trade of that city and Mohamrah.Two other enclosures listed in the abstract, comprising the Bombay Timessummary of Intelligence and Bombay Overland Telegraph and Courier, are noted as ‘Missing 30.10.1906’.Physical description: 1 item (15 folios)
70. Turkish Arabia Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 21 of 1847, dated 16 February 1847. The enclosure is dated 26 December 1846.The item comprises despatches from Major Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq], forwarding for the information of the Government of Bombay and the Governor General of India, copies of his communications to Henry Wellesley, HM Minister Plenipotentiary at Constantinople [Istanbul], reporting on affairs in the Bagdad Pachalic [Baghdad Pashalik].The papers cover two matters:The orders obtained by Rawlinson, on behalf of Persia [Iran], from Nejib Pasha [Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad], for the repositioning further southward of the Turkish [Ottoman] guard ship stationed off Mohumra [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah], including a copy of his letter to Joannes Parseigh, the British Agent in Bussorah [Basra], directing him to hand the orders to Khurshid Beg [Khūrshīd Beg], Acting Governor of Bussorah, and see that they are implementedThe preliminary arrangements, by Rawlinson, for a conference between the Turkish [Ottoman] and Persian frontier authorities to encourage the suspension of the ‘internecine conflicts’ between the Kurds and avert further violence and retaliation, including: the appointment of a Persian Commissioner; Nejib Pasha’s requirement that Abdulla Pasha of Sulimanieh [‘Abdullāh Pāshā of Sulaymaniyah] collect all chiefs implicated in the latest disputes to attend the conference; and Rawlinson’s encouragement of Mohib Ali Khan [Muḥibb ʿAlī Khān], Governor of Kermanshah, to cooperate and collect together the relevant tribes on the Persian side.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
71. Persian Gulf Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 30 of 1843, dated 30 April 1843. The enclosures are numbered 3-11 and are dated 14 February to 30 April 1843, and concern affairs in the Persian Gulf and Persia [Iran].Enclosure Nos. 3-10 consist of correspondence regarding:The coal depot of Karrack [Kharg Island, also spelled Kharrack in this item]The conduct of Hajee Ahmed [Hājī Aḥmad], the Arabic ‘Moonshee’ [Munshi] of the Persian Gulf Residency in relation to Jehan Loz Mirza [Jahānsūz Mīrzā], who arrived at Kharrack in July 1842 ‘in the habit and character of a dervish’, claiming to be the son of the late Shah of Persia, Futteh Allee [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār], and the uncle of the present ShahA copy of a letter (not included in this item) from the Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Dundas Robertson, providing an explanation for the letter of remonstrance addressed by him to Abdoola bin Soonyan [‘Abdullāh bin Thunyān bin Ibrāhīm Āl Sa‘ūd, also spelled bin Sooneyan and bin Senyan in this item] the de facto ruler of Nedjd [Najd], described as a ‘piractical chief’ in the Persian GulfA report on the state of affairs at Muscat (also spelled Muskat in this item) from the Native Agent at Muscat, Rubil bin Uslan [Khwāji Rūbin bin Aṣlān], up to 20 March 1843The reported murder of Colonel Charles Stoddart and Captain Arthur Conolly, who had been confined in the Fort at Bokhara [Bukhara] on the 18 or 19 June 1842.This correspondence is mainly between the following: the Secretary to the Government of Bombay, John Pollard Willoughby; the Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf; and the Officiating Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor General, James Thomason.Enclosure No. 11 is a letter from HM Chargé d’Affaires at Tehran, Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Justin Sheil, to the Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor General, forwarding copies of his despatches to HM Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the Earl of Aberdeen, regarding Persian affairs, including:An apology from the Persian Consul in Bagdad [Baghdad] for ‘interfering’ with a foot messenger from the British MissionA letter received from Meshed [Mashhad] reporting: an ‘interview’ held at Jam between Meerza Moossa Khan [Mīrzā Mūsā Khān Farāhānī], the guardian of the shrine of Meshed, and Yar Mahomed Khan [Yār Muḥammad Khān, Minister-regent of Herat], with the latter complaining that he had derived little advantage from his relations with Persia; the death of the ‘Chief’ [Khan] of Khiva, Allah Koolee Khan [Allāh Qulī Bahādur Khān], and the succession of his son Reheem Koolee Khan [Muḥammad Raḥim Qulī Khān]; and the frontier of Persia in the direction of Khiva seeming to be ‘in tranquillity’The Resident in the Persian Gulf requesting instructions in relation to ‘a case of piracy, if it can be so termed’ in the Persian Gulf, in which a Persian vessel was about to sail with its cargo from the Port of Nabend, when it was attacked and plundered by the Governor of Nabend [Damagheh-ye Nay Band]Information from the Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf regarding the location and recent history of the town of Mohemmera [Khorramshahr, also spelled Mohumra in this item], including a copy of a sketch map by Mr Litchfield, the officer in command of the schooner Emily, of what he recollects to be the position of Mohumra (f 167), dated 3 January 1843Relations between Persia and Turkey [the Ottoman Empire], including: the Persian Government receiving intelligence from the Governor of Kermanshah that the Governor of Suleimanieh [Sulaymaniyah], Ahmed Pasha [Aḥmad Pāshā], had announced his intention of approaching the Persian frontier in the vicinity of Zohab [Sarpol-e Zahab] with a military force; the Governor of Bagdad attacking the city of Kerbela [Karbala], apparently because of the ‘refractory’ state of the tribes in possession of the city, which has caused the Shah ‘increased irritation and excitement’ as Kerbela contains the sepulchres of ‘the Sheah branch of the Mahommedan faith’ [the Shia branch of Islam], and a large proportion of the population of the city is apparently Persian.The despatches include enclosed letters from: Sheil; the British Resident at Bagdad, Colonel Robert Taylor; the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Meerza Abul Hossan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shirāzī, Īlchī-yi Kabīr]; Hajee Meerza Aghashee [Ḥājī Mīrzā (ʿAbbās Īravānī) Āqāsī, Persian Prime Minister or Grand Vizier]; the Governor of Kermanshah, Mohib Ali Khan [Muḥibb ʿAlī Khān]; the Walee [Wali or Governor] of Ardelan [Ardalan]; and the Persian Consul at Bagdad.Physical description: 1 item (71 folios)
72. Turkish Arabia Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 26 of 1844, dated 25 March 1844. The enclosures are dated 23 January-11 February 1844.The enclosures comprise despatches of Major Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq], to John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay, and for the attention of the Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General, with associated enclosures, including a letter from Rawlinson to Sir Stratford Canning, HM Ambassador at Constantinople [Istanbul]. The principal matters covered are:Arrangements for postal communications between the Bagdad [Baghdad] Agency and the Government of India to be transmitted via Egypt and Damascus, utilising the private dâk [post] between Beyrout [Beirut] and Bagdad used by British merchants, due to the slow and irregular communications between India and the Persian GulfThe dispute between Turkey and Persia regarding Mohamerah [Khorramshahr], notably a lengthy memorandum by Rawlinson, dated 6 January 1844, giving an account of the early and modern history of the territory and the tribes within it (ff 444-480)Apparent atrocities committed by the Pasha of Moosel [Mosul] against the Nestorian Christians of the Kurdish mountains, and resumption of the Nestorian Commission (temporarily delayed due to the death of the Pasha of Moosel) sent to investigate the incidentPersian-Turkish tensions, including slow progress of treaty negotiations at Erzeroom [Erzurum]Unrest amongst Persian-Kurdish tribes on the frontier with Turkey and inability of Nejib Pasha [Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] to prevent local Turkish retaliation against Kurdish ‘depredations’The application by Nejib Pasha for use of the HC [Honourable Company's] steamer of war Nitocristo help suppress the ‘refractory’ Arab tribe inhabiting the marshes on the banks of the Euphrates River, and Rawlinson’s reluctance to interfere and referral of the matter to Sir Stratford CanningThe pretensions to independence (from the Ottoman Porte) expressed by the Pasha of Suliemaniah [Sulaymaniyah] and Rawlinson’s view that Britain should not support it.Physical description: The enclosure numbers 3-4 are written on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure, which also contain an abstract of the contents of the enclosure.