Abstract: The volume is in the form of a diary, which contains records of consultations at the Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] Factory. The Chief Agent, Eaton Dodsworth, and the Factory's Council members Robert Weldon, followed by William Elton, headed the consultations. They recorded the daily activities, the administrative decisions made, letters sent and received, as well as visits to and from the Factory.Among the main details and issues recorded in the diary are the following:Records of the activities of 'Moor' [i.e. Arab] and Dutch vesselsNews of the death of Robert Weldon on 22 December 1708Records of traded commodities such as wool, almonds, wood, rice, cotton, lamp oyle [oil], glass pearl [probably glass beads], and horsesRelations with local Persian shawbunder [shahbander], governors, and merchantsRecords of letters exchanged with the Agent and Council of the English Factory at Spahaun [Eṣfahān, also written as Spahaune] providing information on the state of affairs, invoices, trade, relations with local Persian and Armenian merchants, and robbery casesRecords of letters and invoices received from Carmania [Kerman] and Shyrath [Shiraz, also written as Shyrass].The diary includes records of the arrival and departure of ships, including the
India, the
Winsor, the
Takavelly,
Luhesme[
Lakshmi] ketch, the
Elizabeth, the
George, the
Gavestock, the
Princes Sophia, the
Gilbert, and the
Mamoade[
Mahmudi?].The ships sailed mainly to and from Gombroon, Bombay [Mumbai], Bussora [Basra], Bangall [Bengal], Madrass [Madras, i.e. Chennai], Surat [also written as Suratt], Batavia [Jakarta], Cochin [Kochi], Ceylone [Sri Lanka], Tulachareene [Thalassery], and Mocha.In addition, the diary includes monthly records of the accounts of the East India Company's facilities in Persia covering the following: house expenses, house provisions, petty expenses, stable charges, table expenses, merchandised charges, extraordinary charges, servants' wages, and ships' charges.The diary was received on board the
Tankervilleon 17 September 1712.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 22; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.
Abstract: Journal of the voyage of the East India Company ship
Monmouthfrom England to Mocha and Bombay, and back (Captain James Montgomery), 30 September 1731-7 November 1733 (dates given are for arrival unless otherwise indicated): left the Downs, 30 November 1731; 8 March 1732 Cape of Good Hope; 19 May 1732, Mocha; 4 September 1732, Bombay; 29 October 1732, Coachin [Cochin, Kochi]; 10 December 1732, Gomberoon [Gombroon, Bandar Abbas]; 27 January 1733, Bombay; 22 February 1733, Tillicherey [Tellicherry, Thalassery]; 5 March 1733, Anjanga [Anjengo, Anchuthengo]; 23 June 1733, St Hellena [St Helena]; 22 October 1733, Deptford.Inscribed: 'A Journal Book Kept By me James Montgomery Commander of the Good Ship Monmouth Commencing The 29 of September 1731 being the Day Establish'd Commander and Bound to Mocha and now Lying In Capt. Thomas Brundons Dry Dock', and (in a different hand), 'This is my Origanall Jurnall, J. Mt.gomery' (folio 1).Marked: 'Recd. [Received] 9 Novr. [November] 1733' (folio 1).The journal contains daily entries in eight columns: [date and navigational details]; H [Hour]; K [Knots]; F [Fathoms]; Courses; Winds; Weather, and Remarkable Accidents [events]. A further column recording Depth or Soundings is also used occasionally. When the ship is at anchor entries appear in three columns: weekdays and months; winds; and remarks (the column headings are variously rendered). Symbols are occasionally used for the days of the week.The journal records: navigational information; weather; sea conditions; the ballasting, supplying, and provisioning of the ship; the maintenance of the ship; transport of Company officers and soldiers; details of the other ships with which the
Monmouthsailed in convoy; contact with other British ships; sightings of country ships and other vessels; occasional remarks on encounters with birds, fish, and other marine animals; commodities carried (e.g. timber for Bandar Abbas, and pepper); private trade; deaths of crewmembers; and general remarks.The journal also includes: a punishment for theft (folio 25); a 'dismall' account of deaths aboard a Dutch ship (folio 34); a report of the death of the Captain's son (folio 52); and details of cargo unloaded at Erith and Deptford (folios 150-152).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 153; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The file has foliations anomaly, f 61a.
Abstract: Journal of the East India Company ship,
Nathaniel, kept by Benjamin Dennis (until his death on 30 December 1707). The journal covers the ship's voyage from England to Sancta Hellenna [Saint Helena], Madrass [Madras, i.e. Chennai], and Bencoolen [Bengkulu, Sumatra] (dates are those of arrival): 14 May 1705, Sancta Hellenna; 3 September 1705, Madrass; 22 November 1705, Bantall; 3 December 1705, Bencoolen; 19 January 1706, Sillabarr Bay [Silebar]; 16 February 1706, Bencoolen; 2 March 1706, Bantall; 17 May 1706, Madrass; 18 July 1706, Callicutta [Kolkata]; 27 January 1707, Anjango [Anchuthengu]; 19 March 1707, Gombron [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]; 24 June 1707, Madrass; 30 July 1707, Polta Hugly River [Hooghly]; 27 November 1707, Madrass; 28 December 1707, Cuddalore; 28 March 1708, Cape [of Good Hope]; 4 September 1708, Texel; 28 October 1708, Deptford.The journal consists of daily entries in seven columns: Date, general remarks, H [Hour], K [Knots], K [Half-knots], Course, and Winds. The remarks column contains navigational data and notes on weather, land and ship sightings, employment of the crew, ship maintenance, and other miscellaneous information.The record is part of a volume containing three separate log books:
Nathaniel: Journal, Benjamin Dennis, Captain, 1702-04 (IOR/L/MAR/B/136A(1));
Nathaniel: Journal, Benjamin Dennis, Captain, 1704-08 (IOR/L/MAR/B/136(2));
Nathaniel: Journal, John Hunter, Chief Mate (IOR/L/MAR/B/136B).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at 1, and terminates at 146; it is part of a larger physical volume of different shelfmarks in which this shelfmark has been given its own separate foliation sequence, i.e. non-consecutive; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Journal of the East India Company ship,
Nathaniel, kept by Benjamin Dennis. The journal covers the ship's voyage from Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] to Bombay [Mumbai] and England (dates are those of arrival): 6 November 1702, Gombroon; 5 December 1702, Bombay; 14 December 1702, Surratt [Surat]; 1 January 1703, Carwar [Karwar]; 19 January 1703, Bombay; 14 February 1703, Carwar; 25 February 1703, Tellycherry [Thalassery]; 26 April 1703, Maritious [Mauritius]; 16 September 1703, Cape; 17 October 1703, St Hellena [Saint Helena]; 11 April 1704, Downs.The journal consists of daily entries in seven columns: Date, general remarks, H [Hour], K [Knots], K [Half-knots], Course, and Winds. The remarks column contains navigational data and notes on weather, land and ship sightings, employment of the crew, ship maintenance, and other miscellaneous information. When the ship is at anchor the entries consist of remarks only.The record is part of a volume containing three separate log books:
Nathaniel: Journal, Benjamin Dennis, Captain, 1702-04 (IOR/L/MAR/B/136A(1));
Nathaniel: Journal, Benjamin Dennis, Captain, 1704-08 (IOR/L/MAR/B/136(2));
Nathaniel: Journal, John Hunter, Chief Mate (IOR/L/MAR/B/136B).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at 1, and terminates at 90; it is part of a larger physical volume of different shelfmarks in which this shelfmark has been given its own separate foliation sequence, i.e. non-consecutive; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The item includes a sequence of blank pages, ff 71-90, which have not been digitised.
Abstract: Journal of the East India Company ship
Houghtonby Richard Walpole, Commander. The journal covers the ship's voyage from England to Bombay and China and its return to England, between 14 January 1755 and 13 September 1757.The journal contains daily entries in six columns: H [Hour], K [Knots], F [Fathoms], Courses Winds, Depth of water and Remarks. When the ship is at anchor, the entries consist of remarks only. The journal records navigational information, weather, contact with other East India Company ships and French ships, commodities carried, and other remarks. It also mentions wildlife such as birds and dolphins, and conflicts with French ships (ff 125-126). Part of the voyage was in company with the ship
Suffolkand
Godolphin.At the front of the journal (folio 1) is the inscription: 'This is my original journal Richard Walpole. Received 14 September 1757'.The journal records the ship's arrival at the following places: Deptford, 14 January 1755 (f 4); the Downs, 23 April 1755; St Jago [Santiago, Cape Verde], 22 May 1755 (f 17); St Augustin's Bay, 18 August 1755 (f 38); Magodoxa [Mogadishu], 24 September (f 45); Bombay, 1 December (f 62); Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās], 5 February 1756 (f 72); Bombay, 10 March 1756 (f 76); Surat, 2 April 1756 (f 79); Bombay, 17 April 1756 (f 81); Tellicherry [Thalassery], 7 May 1756 (f 83); Malacca, 17 June 1756 (f 92); Banksall Island [near Canton], 27 July 1756 (f 101); St Helena, 1 April 1757 (f 132); Leith [near Edinburgh], 27 June 1757 (f 151); and the Downs, 9 August 1757 (f 154).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 1, and terminates at f 159; it is part of a larger physical volume of different shelfmarks in which this shelfmark has been given its own separate foliation sequence, i.e. non-consecutive; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: Journal of the East India Company ship,
Hector, kept by Captain Stephen Kirwan. The journal covers the ship's voyage to Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] and Bombay [Mumbai] (all dates are those of arrival): 12 February 1751, Gravesend; 14 March 1751, Downs; 7 July 1751, St Augustine Bay, Madagascar; 28 August 1751, Gombroon; 27 September 1751, Bombay; 18 December 1751, Aurangabunda [Aurangabander, Sindh]; 18 January 1752, Bombay; 31 January 1752, Surat; 20 April 1752, Bombay; 18 September 1752, Culpee [Kulpi, near Kolkata]; 12 January 1753, Anjengo [Anchuthengu]; 25 January 1753, Cochin [Kochi]; 4 February 1753, Tellicherry [Thalassery]; 11 March 1753, Bombay; 29 April 1753, Tellicherry; 16 June 1753, Bourbon [Réunion]; 24 December 1753, St Helena; 28 April 1754, Downs; 1 May 1754, Blackwater Docks.At the beginning of the journal (folios 2-4) are four lists of those aboard. These are officers and seamen belonging to the ship, passengers heading to places abroad, people taken on board at St Helena who are working their passage home, and the East India Company's soldiers and galley men. Each list contains information on names, quality (i.e. profession), time of entry, and dates for any person who may have died, been discharged, or run away.The main body of the journal consists of daily entries in seven columns: H [Hour], K [Knots], F [Fathoms], Courses, Winds, Weather, and a remarks column. When the ship is at anchor the entries are remarks only. The remarks column contains the date and information on weather, courses, distances, land sightings, ship sightings, ship maintenance, rigging, employment of the crew, and some navigational data. Occasionally other miscellaneous notes are made, such as the names of the deceased, flora and fauna seen from the ship, and any unusual occurrences.At the end of the journal (folio 135) Stephen Kirwan, Captain, has signed his name in testament to it being his original journal. It is witnessed by John Webster.Crew List; Passenger List; Soldier ListPhysical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 1, and terminates at f 145; it is part of a larger physical volume of different shelfmarks in which this shelfmark has been given its own separate foliation sequence, i.e. non-consecutive; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: 'The Journal of a Voyage by God's Permission in the Ship Wilmington from the Port of London, to Mocha & Bombay and Other Places and Parts in the East Indies commenced ye 23rd Sep:br 1736 at Deptford Cpn Mr Charles Massey Commander. Rec. 12th May 1739' and 'The Diary of the Most Material Transactions Signals and Passages during my Commandoreship over the Marine Squadron belonging to the Hon:ble East India Company at Bombay'. The first journal records the following (dates are those of arrival):The daily entries made during the ship's voyage from Deptford to Gravesend (6 October 1736), the Downs (2 November 1736), Praia (3 January 1736/37), Table Bay (13 March 1736/37), Joanna [Anjouan] (3 May 1737), Aden (5 June 1737) and Bombay [Mumbai] (2 July 1737)The daily entries made during the ship's voyage from Bombay to Mangalore [Mangaluru] (16 October 1737)The daily entries made during the ship's voyage from Mangalore to Garia [Girye] (9 November 1737), Dabull [Dābhol] (11 November 1737), Dunde Rogi Pore [?] (13 November 1737) and Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] (9 December 1737)The daily entries made during the ship's voyage from Gombroon to Bombay (26 January 1737/38)The daily entries made during the ship's voyage from Bombay to Tellecherry [Thalassery] (6 March 1737/38), Cochin [Kochi] (10 April 1738), Anjanga [Anchuthengu] (15 April 1738), Sadrassapatam [Sadras] (4 May 1738) and Madras [Chennai] (4 May 1738)The daily entries made during the ship's voyage from Madras to St Helena (27 November 1738), the Downs (8 April 1739), Westcott Bay (12 April 1739), Sheerness Point (17 April 1739) and Poorfleet [Purfleet] (18 April 1739).The journal contains daily entries in six columns: H [Hour], K [Knots], F [Fathoms], Winds, Courses, and Calendar Date, weather conditions and other observations. The entries consist of remarks only when the ship is at anchor. The journal provides navigational information, notes of sightings of other vessels, and other observations, and all dates are given in both old and new style.The second diary records the most material transactions, signals and passages during Captain Massey's command over the East India Company's Marine Squadron based at Bombay. The diary contains further observations on the ship's passage from Bombay to Mangalore, Annanore [Kannur], Dunde Rogi Pore, Gombroon, Bombay and Tellicherry.Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 241; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The volume includes a sequence of blank pages, ff 155-225, which have not been digitised.
Abstract: Journal of the voyage of the East India Company ship
Wilmingtonfrom England to Bombay and back (Captain Charles Massey), 28 March 1734 to 22 August 1735. The
Wilmingtondeparted from the Downs on 28 March 1734, and the journal covers the ship's visits to the following destinations (dates are those of arrival): 18 August 1734, Joanna [Anjouan]; 22 September 1734, Bombay; 23 October 1734, Surratt [Surat]; 22 November 1734, Gombaroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās]; 22 December 1734, Bombay; 3 Feb 1734/5, Tellichery [Thalassery]; 11 February 1734/5 Anjango [Anchuthengu]; 26 April 1735, Cape [of Good Hope]; 24 May 1735, St Helena; 18 August 1735, Downs.The main part of the journal is a log book containing daily entries (although not for every day of the voyage) in seven columns: [Latitude by Observation, Latitude by Account, and Meridian Distance from a stated location], H [Hour], K [Knots], F [Fathoms], Courses, Winds, and a final column containing the date, remarks, and navigational observations. When the ship is at anchor the entries consist of remarks only. Information provided by these notes includes observations of weather and currents, sightings of land or other vessels, employment of the crew, and other miscellaneous remarks.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 1, and terminates at f 140; it is part of a larger physical volume of different shelfmarks in which every shelfmark has been given its own separate foliation sequence, i.e. non-consecutive; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The volume includes a sequence of blank pages, ff 115-134, which have not been digitised.
Abstract: The volume is part of the Marine Department Records, Ships’ Journals. Inscribed: ‘A Journall [Journal] kept by me John Vian from England to Endie [India] and Persia and from there backe agayn [back again] in the good ship Discoverie [Discovery], Capt. John Bickell, Commander in the yeare. [year] Anno: 1629.’ A note on the front cover also states ‘25 March 1629. Discovery, Charles, Reformation, London, Samuel Pinnace.’ The log provides navigational information; notes of sightings of other vessels, Dutch ships in particular; and general remarks.The journal covers the voyage of the East India Company ship
Discoveryfrom England to Surat and Persia, and back, 1629-31, including the following places: Cape Bonsperance [Cape of Good Hope]; Island of St Larence [St Laurence/Madagascar]; the Island of Mayotos [Mayotte]; the Island of Molala [Mohilla]; the Coast of Endies [the Indies]; Surrat [Surat] port; port of Swalie [Swalley/Suvali]; Comoron [Bandar ‘Abbas, also known as Gombroon at this time]; St Johns along the Coast of Endies [Indies]; the Moritissis [Mauritius]; St Augustine [Bay of St Augustin]; Island of Johana [Anjouan]; Bassen [Bassein/Vasai]; Porsia [Persia]; Bay of Saldanie [Saldanha Bay]; and the Island of St Hellna [St Helena].The three types of navigational information mentioned are, Lat [Latitude], Log [Longitude], and Mrc [Mercator/ Mercator projection, which is a type of a flat map of the globe, devised by Gerardus Mercator in 1569].Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 46; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This volume is the Diary and Consultation Book of Thomas Waters, 'Supravisor' of the East India Company's activities in Persia and the Persian Gulf. The volume contains diary entries and consultations held at Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] including: a consultation with William Henry Draper and John Fothringham, following the arrival of the
Fort St GeorgeGalley, about the ‘utmost disorder’ prevailing in the Company’s business; the arrival of a vessel supposedly belonging to the Imaum of Muscatt [Imam of Muscat, Muhammad bin Nasir al-Ghafiri], under the command of Noquedah Shaik Mahmud Ben Jessas [Nakhuda Shaikh Mahmud bin Jassas], the instructions provided to Captain Walley Echelin to keep the
Fort St Georgein a ‘posture of Defence’, and a request from the Governor of Gombroon for the Galley to prevent a ‘Moor Ship' from being captured by Nakhuda bin Jassas; the ‘advices’ to be carried by the
Futtacadarin[Futuh al-Qadirin] to the Presidency of Bombay, and those to Owen Phillipps at Spahaun [Isfahan] on the remittance of the ‘whole Amo[un]t of their Arrears’; a proposal for William Cordeaux to be ‘call’d in to take his place at the [Gombroon] Board, the balance due to Kessourjee [the] Broker [Kisurji Dallal Hindi], ‘remains of goods in Warehouses belonging to the H[onourable] Comp[any]’, ‘Publick Papers & Registers being now dispos’d in good Order’, and the ‘Rogums [Ruqum or Raqams: royal grants confirming specific trading privileges] found among the old Papers in the Office’; a List of ‘Rogums granted [to] the Hon[oura]ble East India Company by the Kings of Persia’ (1635-1714); The List of ‘Authentick Coppys’ of Ruqum granted to the Company by the Kings of Persia (1677-1726); the Register of ‘Sundry Books and Papers remaining in the Factory at Gombroon’, including the ‘Gombroon Journalls & Ledgers’ (1700-25), ‘Spahaun Journalls and Ledgers’ (1700-07/8, 1716-20, 1721-22), ‘Bussorah [Basra] Journalls & Legers’ (1723-25), ‘Gombroon Consultations & Diarys’ (1698-1726), ‘Spahaun Consultations & Diarys’ (1712-22), ‘Bussorah Consultations & Diarys’ (1723-24), ‘Letters Inwards & Outwards’ (1616-1726), ‘Invoice & Freight Books’ (1705-26), and ‘Broker’s Acco[un]ts with H[onourable] Company’ (1722-26); the perceived decline of Gombroon and diversion of its trade to Bassidore [Basa‘idu], ‘occasion’d through the Artifices and Crafty management of Shaik Rachide’ [Shaikh Rashid bin Matar al-Qasimi]; the Prince Sultan Mahmud Mirza [Sultan Muhammad Mirza Safavi’s] design of ‘raising forces against the Ophgoons’ [Afghans]; a request from the Supravisor to Shaikh Rashid to return the ‘Tranky’ hired by Cordeaux; the revolt of the Province of Jarroon [Jahrum] and closure of the trade routes to Shyrash [Shiraz]; a report from Lhor [Lar] that the Ophgoons had made ‘two attempts on the Turks lying before Spahaun’; the news that Shaw Achmat [Shah Ahmad Khan Mar‘ashi Safavi] has ‘got a few forces together’; the return of Mirza Zeid Alley [Mirza Zahid ‘Ali Lari] as Shawbunder [Shahbandar] of Gombroon; the delayed departure of the Galley for the ‘Mocha Service’; the request of William Brewer to the Supravisor for permission to return to Bombay with the Galley; the charges against Captain Forbes and the ‘withdrawal’ of the English Factory from Bussorah as related in the 'Bussorah Diary'; the delivery by Isaac Houssaye of the ‘Books of Acco[un]ts [and] Papers of Publick Registers’ and the ‘Invoice of Treasure’ on board the
Victoria; the presentation by the Dutch East India Company of the ‘Bills drawn by the Gentlemen at Spahaun’; a letter from Dr Arthur Forbes to the Supravisor on the ‘Chest of Physick’ that came by the Galley; the demand of Governor Mirza Mahmud Salley Beg [Mirza Muhammad Zal Beg] from the Supravisor, on behalf of Sultan Mahmud Mirza, of goods belonging to Mirza Zeid Alley; the charges brought by Isaac Houssaye and William May against Captain Martin French; the departure of the
Good Neighbourunder the command of Master James Ford for Bombay, and the present sent to 'Cojee Salim [Haji Salim] Governor of a Village in ye Road to Carmania’; the arrival of the Brigantine
Princecommanded by Master John Garland from Bengall [Bengal]; the reports that Shaw Ashoph(e) [Shah Ashraf Ghilza’i] had ‘intirely routed’ the Turks outside Isfahan; the answer of Martin French to the charges of Houssaye and May; the march of Shaw Thomas [Shah Tahmasb II Safavi] against Shaw Achmat with 30,000 men; the order for the suspension of Martin French and his removal as ‘one of ye Councill in the Gulph’; a report from the Noquedah of a ‘Small Dingee’ about an English ship cast away off Muscatt Harbour; the arrival of the Tellicherry Grab with a ‘Gruff Cargoe & a few Bengall Peice Goods’; the dispatch of letters to Mr Williamson, Mr Veitch and Captain West with the Frigate
Deane;a letter from the Governor of Lhor conveying ‘ye regard he has for the English Nation’, and enclosing a letter by ‘Shah Ashophe from Spahaun relating to the Engagement he had with the Turks’; the permission for French to travel to Bussorah to signal resentment at the ‘ill usage’ of the Company; the arrival of the boatswain of the
Marygold, confirming the news about the English ship cast away at Muscatt; the ‘Gen[era]l advices’ passed on to the
Ballsby the
Britanniaat a meeting near Bombay; the arrival of the
Britanniaunder Captain John Benson, after having captured a Grab from Muscatt, making it necessary to induce ‘ye Imaum to believe We are not Aggressors & prevent any ill Consequences’; a remonstrance with ‘Abde Rahman Bashaw [Abd al-Rahman Pasha] of Bussorah’; the withdrawal of protection from Cossum the Wool Merchant [Qasim Beg Tajir Kermani]; the remonstrance with Mahomet Eman Caun, Athamdoulet [Muhammad Amin Khan, I’timad al-Dawlah]; a resolution requiring Houssaye’s compliance with an order for the repayment of 150,100 Shahis; a letter from the Supravisor to the Imaum of Muscatt, ‘concerning his Vessels [
Futtehoyand
Sabahoy Cayree, i.e.
Fattahiand
Sabahal-Khayri]’, and the arrival of the
Jamesunder command of Captain Bizell [Charles Bissell] en route to Bussorah.Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 43; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers.
Abstract: The volume is in the form of a diary, which contains records of consultations at the Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] Factory. The Chief Agent, Alexander Douglas, and the Factory's Council member Dymoke Lyster headed the consultations. They recorded the daily activities, the administrative decisions made, and letters sent and received. Records of significant political and military operations in the region are also preserved. Folios 2-4 are mistakenly dated 2-3 December 1762, considering how the diary is dated from folio 5 onward, the correct date of folios 2-4 should have been 2-3 December 1761.The diary contains records of letters, sundry interrogatories and testimonies between the Factory and the Bussorah [Basra] Residency Staff members regarding the following: the dismissal of William Shaw and Robert Garden from the charge of the Residency; the delivering over the charge of the Residency and all 'merchandize' books, papers and cash belonging to the Company; the case of the contract between Mr Shaw and a contractor called Hadjee Eusuph [Haji Yusuf]; the state of affairs at Bussorah; the Company's packets to be sent via Bagdat [Baghdad] to Aleppo; the woollen goods supplied to Bussorah market; the trade with the Turks; the status of the roads and the activities of the Arab tribes between Bagdat and Aleppo; managing the estates of the late Bussorah Residents Martin French and James Stuart, respectively; the activities of the Turkish governors in the region; and relations with local merchants.The diary includes records of letters exchanged with the Court of Directors for Affairs of the East India Company at Bombay [Mumbai], and sundry paragraphs received from Bombay and details of their contents including: news of the death of King George II, in October 1760, and the proclamation of George III as the King of Great Britain, France and Ireland; news of the formation of a Presidency at Fort Marlborough, and the names of its Council members; notes on the prohibition of ophium [opium] import upon the west coast of Summatra [Sumatra] and Gombroon; the case of wounded soldiers from Bengall [Bengal]; records of the names and positions of dismissed and appointed staff at the Company's councils; discussing accounts books received from Gombroon; and records of the cash accounts and balance.The diary also includes records of the state of affairs and military operations in a number of provinces in Persia including: Carmenia [Kerman], Assehannon [probably al-Sana south of Būshehr, also written as Aschannon, and Acchannon], Schyrash [Shiraz], Tairun [Tehran, also written as Tarroun], Spahaun [Eṣfahān], Yazd, Kaderabaud [Qaderabad and Qadirabad], Taberez [Tabriz], and Carazoon [Khorāsān]. Among the governors and families involved in the operations are: Carem Caun [Karīm Khān Zand, Vakil of Persia, also written as Carim], Sadduek Caun [Sadiq Khān Zand, Governor of Shiraz, and brother of Karīm Khān], Ahmet Shaw [Ahmad Shah Afghan Dorrani, known as Ahmad Shah Abdali r 1747-1772], Fatally Caun [Fath Ali Khān Afshar, Persian Military General], Moolah Ally Shaw [Mulla Ali Shah], Nassir Caun [Nāsir Khān Āl Mazkūr, Shaikh of Būshehr, ruled 1162-1203/c 1749-1788], Jaffer Caun [Ja‘afar Khān Āl Mazkūr, Governor of Gombroon and brother of Nāsir Khān], the Julfar Arabs [Julfār, in what is now Ra's al Khaymah], Benimines [Banu Mu‘in] of Bunderick [i.e. Bandar-e Rīg] and Ormuse [Jazīreh-ye Hormoz, Hormuz, Ormuz] and the Charrack Arabs [Al-‘Ali, based at Charrack, modern Bandar-e Chārak].Among other issues and news recorded in the diary are: the activities of Dutch and French vessels; the shipment of wool from Carmenia; letters exchanged with commanders of the Company's ships along with sailing orders; indent of woollen goods proper for the Persian market including the type of cloth, amount and colours required; accounts of damaged goods delivered out of the Company's warehouse; list of account salaries due to the Company's staff at Gombroon; news of the sudden death of Bussorah Resident James Stuart on 21 July 1762; and the appointment of Dymoke Lyster as the new Resident at Bussorah.The diary includes records of the arrival and departure of ships, including the
Swallow, the
Drake, the
Earl of Elgin, the
Speedwell, the
Dadely, the
Berkshire Snow, the
Monmouth, and the
Fanny Snow.Ships sailed mainly to and from Gombroon, Bombay, Bussorah, Bengall, Muscat, Charrack, Madrass [Madras, i.e. Chennai], China, the Malabar Coast, Ormuse, Bushire, and Batavia [Jakarta].In addition, the diary includes abstracts of the standard account disbursements for each month. These cover the following: garrison charges, hospital charges, stable charges, merchandised charges, the Afseen [Afsin] Garden, extraordinary charges, servants' wages, house rent, house repairs, house expense, and ships' charges.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 104; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading flyleaf.Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: Diary, consultations, and accounts of the East India Company merchants in Persia [Iran], specifically factories at Gambroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās, Laristan, Iran], written and signed by Nathaniel Whitwell (Agent and Council) and Henry Savage (succeeding Agent and Council) respectively, countersigned by various officials, St George Pack (Steward), Walter Ray, Thomas Dorrill (Warehouse Keeper), Danvers Graves, John Hope (Steward and Secretary), Cowan Henry Draper, and Francis Wood (Steward). Comprised of multiple dispatches spanning the period 1 August 1746-31 July 1752, with a supplementary account on the affairs at the Persian court:Folios 4r-78r. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed Nathaniel Whitwell (Agent and Council) and Henry Savage (succeeding Agent and Council), countersigned by St George Pack, Thomas Dorrill (Warehouse Keeper), Danvers Graves, John Hope (Steward and Secretary), covering period 1 August 1746-31 July 1747. Received 3 August 1749, by ship
Orford. Title page lostFolios 79r-99r. Dispatch copying the supplementary account entitled ‘Journal of the most material Occurrences During Nadir Shaw’s Residence at Carmenia [Kerman],’ written and signed by Danvers Graves, covering period 26 February 1747-23 March 1747Folios 101r-170v. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed Henry Savage (Agent and Council), countersigned by Danvers Graves, John Hope (Steward and Secretary), covering period 3 August 1747-31 July 1748. Received 3 August 1749, by ship
Orford. Title page lostFolios 171r-250v. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed Henry Savage (Agent and Council), countersigned by John Hope (Steward and Secretary), and Cowan Henry Draper, covering period 1 August 1748-31 July 1749. Original dispatch received 13 September 1749, by ship
Drake Ketch. Present copy received 13 June 1750, by ship
Durrington. Title page, ‘Gambroon Diary and Consultations’ (f 171r)Folios 251r-335v. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed Henry Savage (Agent and Council), countersigned by Danvers Graves, Cowan H Draper, and Francis Wood (Steward), covering period 1 August 1750-31 July 1751. Received 15 August 1752, by ship
Eastcourt. Title page lostFolios 336r-392v. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed Henry Savage and Danvers Graves (Agent and Council), countersigned by Francis Wood (Steward), St. George Pack, and Walter Ray, covering period 1 August 1751-31 July 1752. Received 18 June 1753, by ship
Stretham. Title page lost.Accounts cover the movements and changes between EIC officials at Gambroon; movements and changes between EIC officials at Shiraz, Carmenia or Carmania [Kerman], Busheir [Bushire], Bagdat [Baghdad], and Bombay [Mumbai]; relations with and news from EIC ports, presidencies, council and directors (India); English, French, Dutch, Arab and Indian shipping; salaries, financial compensation, banking through financiers (especially Bania communities); copies and translations of letters, treaties, and official documents; monthly and annual accounts; officers’ debts and estates of the deceased; assessments of market trading conditions; trade, valuations, and details on commodities (copper, sulphur, lumber) and processed or manufactured products (English, French, Dutch, Russian, Indian, and Chinese), especially gunpowder, wool, plain and fine textiles, as well as livestock, horses, food and drink (such as rice, China sugar, Java sugar, sugar candy, coffee, and alcohol); dearth of food; physical and mental ill-health; swarming insects; weather and sea conditions; observations on festivities and ceremonies (‘Id and Nowruz); gifts; and the import of enslaved people from Africa.Substantial portions of accounts contain reports on ongoing conflict between Persian authorities and troops at Julfar [Ra's al-Khaymah, UAE], local Arabs, and the Imaum of Muscatt [Imam of Muscat]; reports from Persia of military and political developments leading to the murder of Nadir Shaw [Nadir Shah Afshar] treated in a supplementary account (‘Journal of the most material Occurrences During Nadir Shaw’s Residence at Carmenia’), the competition for power between his successors, as well as the rise of Careem Caun [Karim Khan Zand]; reports of developments in Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Timurid (Mogul [Mughal]) India, with particular reference to increasing tensions between the EIC and the Nabob of Bengall [Nawab of Bengal].Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 395; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.