Abstract: The statement gives the following information for each tribe listed:Name of the tribeName of its ChiefIts place of headquartersNumber of subdivisionsPopulationAmount of tribute paid to Amir Faisul ibn Turki al-Sa'udNumber of horses procurable by each tribeRemarksThe remarks relate to the expectation that the Chief of each tribe would each year give horses to Amir Faisul. The amount of horses is determined by the number of Jama (subdivisions) the tribe had; in return the chief would receive clothes, weapons and dates from the Amir. A further remark notes that those tribes who pay no tribute are expected to protect the Nejd [Najd] frontiers and to go on any expeditions that the Amir wishes them to.Physical description: The folio has to be folded out in order to be read.
Abstract: The account gives details of the route taken through Lingah [Bandar-e-Lengeh], Kishm [Qeshm] and Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas] , and provides geographic information on the areas travelled through, information on the peoples inhabiting the areas and information on local trades with particular focus on mining for Salt, Nahptha, Sulphur and Red Ochre.Physical description: 7 folios
Abstract: The statements were originally intended to form Appendix 12 of Colonel Pelly's Riyadh report No.57 dated 15 May 1866 and were produced following a request from the British Government for Pelly to go through William Gifford Palgrave's book and verify the truth, or otherwise, of accusations, assertions and claims made by Palgrave about the places he visited and people he met.The principal statements that Pelly addressed were as follows:That the native agent at Shargah [Sharjah], an Armenian named Hajee Yacoob, was encouraging the slave trade whilst operating as a representative of the British Government. This claim was refuted by Pelly firstly as Hajee Yacoob was a musselman, secondly as he had recovered more slaves than 'any other man in the Gulf' and thirdly as succesive residents considered him to be a most energetic and reliable man who was not as Palgrave supposed responsible for the suppression of slavery in Shargeh but was in fact the arbitrator of the maritime truce there.That Palgrave and his companion had travelled openly as Christians and been welcomed as such. Whereas Pelly had witness testimonies, including from his agent at Muscat, that Palgrave had disguised himself as a mussulman and used assumed names in order to travel and had even been seen worshipping in mosques.Claims as to the extent of the territories of Oman, that Bahrein and Qatar (amongst other places) paid tribute to Oman, that Said Saeed [Thuwaini bin Said] divided his territories up between his three sons in his will, alleged tensions between these sons and claims relating to Said Soulem [Salim II bin Thuwaini], son of Said Saeed, being a young boy. Several of these claims such as the extent of Oman's territories and the way in which they were divided up following Said Saeed's death were refuted through treaties and agreements that already existed such as Lord Canning's of 1861 which separated Muscat and Zanzibar, and a loan agreement of 1856 in which Persia agreed to lease some places to Oman. The remaining claims were refuted by Pelly's personal and detailed knowledge of Muscat and through Said Torki [Turki bin Said],son of Said Saeed who was a guest of Pelly's in Bushire at the time of his writing the responses to the statements, including that Said Soulem was actually a grown man, not a young boy, and had recently been accused of murdering his father,Also included in the file are a draft version of the statements and a copy of the witness statement of Mr Rozario, agent at Muscat, regarding Mr Palgrave passing himself off there as a mussulman called Aboo Mahmood and that he had observed him attending mosques and outwardly observing the fast.Physical description: Foliation: The file has been foliated in the front top right corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: The statement contrasts the information provided for the years 1826 and 1831.Physical description: The item has been foliated in the front top right corner of the page with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: The sketch map shows the rough boundaries and areas of responsibility of the seven principal groups of tribes and peoples living around the coast of the Gulf as given in Lewis Pelly's report No.67 of 13 April 1863.The map was lithographed in the Quarter Master General's Office in Poona, India on 02 June 1863.Physical description: The map has been foliated in the top right corner of the folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: The papers relate primarily to the Royal Geographical Society who published Pelly's account of his journey to Riyadh and invited him to submit a talk to be read on his behalf at a Society event.There is also correspondence relating to the botanical specimens collected during the expedition and an article on Wahabism, the sect of Islam followed by the Najd tribes.Physical description: Foliation: The papers have been foliated in the front top right corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: Political Department report No. 67 of 1863 from Lewis Pelly to the Chief Secretary to Government, Bombay, giving specific details based on his personal observation and hearsay concerning the tribes, trade and resources of the Gulf littoral which are divided into seven areas according to political administration. The report also includes statements of Imports and Exports for the region, a Sketch map and statements relating to the activities at Joasmee [Qasimi] Ports covering various dates ranging from 1826 to 1864.Physical description: Foliation: File foliated in the front top right corner of each page with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: Report from Pelly to the Chief Secretary to Government in the Political Department, Bombay, compiled in Bushire 13 April 1863.The report details the tribes, trade and resources of the Gulf Littoral which is divided into seven areas according to their political administration. The report also includes a list of detailed statements of imports and exports at Bushire.Physical description: Item foliated in the front top right hand corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: Copy of a letter regarding Pelly's expedition to Riyadh for which all correspondence and communications were for the secret department only, and his apprehensions about Dr Colvill accompanying him on the expedition.The letter goes on to give details of a journal and other correspondence which were offered to the Royal Geographical Society, and which also appeared in other reviews, which had been kept and recorded by Dr Colvill and sent to a correspondent in England, thereby violating the instruction that all matters relating to the expedition be considered secret and confidential.Also enclosed with the letter are:Copy of a memo of three letters from Colvill on the request of Mr Spottiswoode.Copy of a letter from Pelly to the St James Club, 14 August 1865, concerning Colvill's conduct.Copy of further notes by Pelly from the
Edinburgh ReviewNo.250 October 1865.Copy of a letter from Pelly to Colvill, 13 February 1865 concerning Colvill's conduct during Pelly's absence and asking him to refrain in future from giving any instructions. Also attached is a copy of a note of order given to Mr Lucas, Pelly's interpreter, by Colvill.Copy of a letter from Colvill of 13 February 1865 in response to Pelly's letter of same date, explaining his conduct.Copy of a letter from Pelly to Colvill 13 February 1865 in response to Colvill's letter of same date in which Pelly further clarifies his position and further reprimands Colvill.Copy of a letter from Colvill to Pelly, 14 February 1865 in response to Pelly's second letter of 13 February in which he expresses his regret for his conduct and requests to join Pelly on his forthcoming trip.Copy of a letter from Pelly to Colvill, 14 February 1865 in which Pelly permits Colvill to accompany him on his trip to Riyadh and instructs him to collect specimens of rocks and flowers.Physical description: 13 folios
Abstract: Statement of the principal exports from Bushire to Bombay during the season 1862 to 1863 contrasted with that of 1863 to 1864, and the probable exports of the season 1864 to 1865 with explanatory remarks.The statement includes: cotton, opium, silk, wool-Arab, wool-Persian, gallnuts and horses.Physical description: Item foliated in the front top right corner of the page with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: Material includes extracts from a letter by Pelly regarding questions relative to the interior of Arabia discussed by the Royal Geographical Society 22 February and 14 March 1864 and the published copy of Pelly's full report of his visit to Lingah, Kishm [Qeshm] and Bunder Abbass [Bandar Abbas], with maps, which was read before the society 27 June 1864Physical description: Foliation: The contents of the file have been foliated in the front top right hand corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: Handwritten report, in Lewis Pelly's handwriting about the history of the Shat el Arab [Shatt al Arab] watercourse from the point where it commences at the uniting of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers through to where it flows into the Persian Gulf.The reports goes on to describe the agriculture along the watercourse; the deserts beyond; and information about Basrah [Basra] including architectural descriptions and the ruined city of Zobeir [Zubayr].The report also includes accounts of attacks on the area by nomadic Bedouins who travel the area in winter searching for pastures; the development of a settlement, trade and a Government at Khote [Kuwait], including a description of Pelly's visit there en-route to Riadh [Riyadh]; and giving detailed descriptions of the Sheikh, conversations about Pelly's proposed trip and details of the hospitality Pelly received there.The report concludes by recounting a story told by Sheikh Sabba [Sabah II bin Jabir Al-Sabah] of two slave girls and their families' efforts to find and be reunited with them.The report itself is undated, but would have been written sometime after Lewis Pelly's trip to Riyadh which took place February to March 1865.Physical description: 40 folios