Abstract: Article printed in a Bombay newspaper, and originally taken from the
Bengal Hurkaru, 30 December 1865 regarding the dangers of Wahabeeism [Wahhabism] and concerns over the British Government's attitude towards the potential threat.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: The notes contain an extract of a letter from Pelly to the Political Secretary to the Government of Bombay regarding the lack of awareness of the interior of Arabia, the lack of scientific accuracy in the location of the Wahabee [Wahhabi] Capital and other points of interest and the assumption made by the society.These assumptions included the perceived difficulty for Europeans in entering Arabia, which he intended to correct or dispel by his journey through Khuwait [Kuwait] to visit the Ameer of the Wahabees at his capital Nejd [Najd] in order to develop polite terms, and potentially more friendly relations with the Wahabee Government and to attempt to mediate the differences between the Wahabees and the Sultan of Muscat.Pelly also makes reference to the duties of Dr Colvill, Residency Surgeon, on the trip, who was responsible for collecting plants and rocks as samples to be sent back to England for study.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: The appendices include:A. Approximate annual imports by sea from India to Busreh [Basra] and BaghdadB. Approximate annual imports by sea from England to Busreh and BaghdadC. Approximate annual imports by sea from Europe overland to BaghdadD. Approximate annual imports from Persia to BaghdadE. Approximate annual exports from Busreh and Baghdad to India and EuropeF. Dates exported to countries other than India and EuropePhysical description: This item has been foliated in the front top right corner of each page with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: The file contains three separate statements regarding William Gifford Palgrave's travels throughout Arabia, all relating to the disguises and aliases that Palgrave used to travel and his willingness to assume the religion of whichever place he was travelling through.The first statement is a translation of an account by Aboo Eesa, the guide who took Palgrave to Riyadh, of how he came to encounter Palgrave, their journey to Riyadh and time spent there and their further travels on to Katif and Bushire. The statement also contains details of their aliases and disguises and includes postscripts to the original statement regarding a paper which Palgrave gave to Eesa regarding a scheme to 'revolutionize the country and institute another religion among the Wahabis (ff 1-5)The second statement was written by Mr Rozario, the Medical Charge at the Muscat Political Agency who encountered Palgrave in Muscat in 1863 and provided him with assistance as he was living as a mussulman but was having difficulty in observing the fasting period owing to suffering from fever and was permitted to use Mr Rozario's home in order to partake of food and wine. Mr Rozario's statement is dated 25 April 1866 (ff 6-7)The final statement is a letter from Eusuf ben Bedr written in Arabic, 18 December 1865, and translated into English regarding his conversation with the individual who took Palgrave to Riyadh (Aboo Eesa). The statement within the letter is a shorter version of Aboo Eesa's first statement (ff 6-7) and was received at the Residency in Bushire 25 January 1866Physical description: Foliation: The file has been foliated in the front top right corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.The file also has original foliation consisting of large pencil numbers in the top right corner of each folio. This foliation sequence runs from 189-195 and only covers the first 7 folios of the file.
Abstract: Political Department Reports regarding Pelly's concerns over the conduct of Assistant Surgeon Dr William Henry Colvill.Colvill is accused of having assumed unauthorised responsibility for Pelly's duties during his absence in England and for giving secret and personal information to the Royal Geographical Society regarding Pelly's trip to Riyadh.Physical description: FoliationThe contents of this file have been foliated in the front top right corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: The fair copy of the diary is not complete and only covers the entries for 18-21st, 24th and 26th-27th February.The entries for each day give the distances travelled, how long each stage took, longitude & latitude co-ordinates for their destination each day, comments on the availability of water, descriptions of the landscapes, observations on people and tribes encountered on route and some rough estimations of the number of pilgrims that travel there from Busreh [Basra], Kowait [Kuwait], Lahsa and DamascusSee F126/57 for the complete journal containing more detailed descriptions for each day's entry.Physical description: Foliation: The file has been foliated in the top right fron corner of each folio with a number in pencil enclosed in a circle
Abstract: Correspondence regarding accusations that Dr Colvill assumed Pelly's duties and pursued lines of policy without Pelly's permission to do so, and corresponded with government under these assumptions without producing proof of his right to do so.The letter gives details of Pelly's previous experiences of permitting Dr Colvill to undertake Pelly's duties during periods of absence, highlighting the problems caused during these absences and his reasons for naming his uncovenanted assistant alongside Dr Colvill during his most recent absence in an attempt to mitigate potential problems.A true copy of Pelly's letter to Colvill regarding his name having been put forward to act for him during his absence is also enclosed with the letter.Physical description: 5 folios