Abstract: The file contains letters received by Major Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire, from Arthur Malet, Secretary (later Chief Secretary) to the Government of Bombay in the Political Department, Bombay Castle and written between January and December 1847.Arthur Malet’s letters contain information, guidance and instructions from the Governor in Council of Bombay to the Resident. Several of his letters are followed by enclosures, some of which are dated 1845 and 1846.The majority of the correspondence relates to the suppression of the maritime slave trade between the East Coast of Africa and the Persian Gulf and includes:English version of the Treaty between Great Britain and the Imam of Muscat, dated 2 October 1845 and signed at Zanzibar by Saeed Saeed bin Sultan [Sa`id bin Sultan Al Sa‘id], Sultan of Muscat (the Imam of Muscat) and Captain Atkins Hamerton (British Consul and East India Company Agent in the dominions of the Imam of Muscat);Letter dated 1846 from Lord Palmerston, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, London to Henry Wellesley (1st Earl Cowley) and Colonel Justin Sheil, both British representatives at Tehran and Constantinople respectively, asking them to persuade the courts of Persia and Turkey to issue firmans (royal decrees) prohibiting the slave trade in Persian and Turkish ports of the Persian Gulf;Instructions (an undated copy) from the Lords of the Admiralty to the Commanders of Her Majesty’s ships about the seizure of slave vessels under the terms of the new treaty with the Imam of Muscat, also letters of instruction dated 1847, from the Bombay Government to the Superintendent of the Indian Navy and the British Political Agent, Aden about issuing similar instructions for their own warships, also the procedure to be followed with regard to seized vessels and slaves sent to Aden;English translation of an Arabic letter of congratulations dated 22 November 1847, from George Russell Clerk, Governor of Bombay to the Imam of Muscat, about the seizure of eleven Muscat slave ships at sea, made by Captain Lowe, Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, under the terms of the Treaty between Great Britain and the Imam of Muscat dated 2 October 1845.Physical description: Foliation: the contents are numbered 1B, 2-40, from the front to the back of the file. The numbering is written in pencil on the recto, in the top right corner and encircled. The front cover of the file is numbered 1A. The inside of the back cover is numbered 41. There is an unnumbered folio between folios 13 and 14.Pagination: the contents are also irregularly numbered 31-33, 59, 74-106, 111, 217-224, 234, 295-297, 310, 365-368, 391-395, 411, 426-427, 433-434. The numbering is written in ink, usually on both the recto and verso; in the top right and left corner respectively. All blank pages and the majority of pages containing brief details such as the name of the sender or the date the letter was sent, are unnumbered.Condition: holes and tears in the margins and along the outer edges of many folios have caused a slight loss of the text of documents.
Abstract: The volume contains printed monthly memoranda of information received by the Government of India 'regarding external affairs other than those relating to the North-West Frontier, Afghanistan, and Persia' for the months of January to March 1905 inclusive (folios 4-17); memoranda of information received 'regarding external affairs relating to Arabia' for the months of April to December 1905 inclusive (folios 18-54); and memoranda of information received 'regarding external affairs relating to the North-East Frontier, Burma, Siam, and China', for the months of April to December 1905 inclusive (folios 55-108). A note accompanying each memorandum states that they are 'based upon reports, the accuracy of which it is not always possible to guarantee'.The combined 'other external affairs' reports (folios 4-17) relate to Arabia (Aden), Turkish Arabia, the Persian Gulf, China, Tibet, and Bhutan; the Arabia memoranda (folios 18-54) relate to Aden, Turkish Arabia, and the Persian Gulf; and the North-East Frontier etc. memoranda (folios 55-108) relate to Tibet, Bhutan, China, Siam [Thailand], Nepal, Burma, and Assam.Memoranda covering the Persian Gulf include intelligence reports concerning Maskat [Muscat], Koweit [Kuwait], Nejd [Najd], Bahrein [Bahrain], Katif [Al-Qatif], El Katr/Katar [Qatar], the Arab Coast, Musandim [Musandam], and the Pirate Coast.The memoranda relating to Arabia include references to the following subjects: political intelligence, tribal affairs, relations with the Ottoman Government, frontier settlement, pearl fisheries, quarantine, and slavery.The memoranda regarding affairs on and beyond the North-East Frontier of India cover a similar broad range of political and economic intelligence.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 112; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This printed memorandum, compiled on 1 November 1887 by E Neel at the Secret and Political Department of the India Office, contains excerpts of correspondence sent and received by the Government of India between 14 February 1873 and 19 August 1887.The main subject is the extension of the British Protectorate scheme to tribes on the Hadramaut [Hadramawt] Coast, between Muscat and Aden.On folio 139 there is a reference to 'Map of Arabian Coast from Shaikh Said to Oman (Muscat)' which says: 'See IOR: Maps W/LPS/18/B.47 (i)'.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at f 136, and terminates at f 139, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 5-149; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same poistion as the main sequence.
Abstract: This memorandum was written by Sir Frederic Arthur Hirtzel in January 1917. Its purpose is to explain 'why the exclusion of Italy from Western and Southern Arabia and the Red Sea littoral is important in British interests'. It notes the importance of Arabia lying as it does along two of the main approaches to India from Europe. Hirtzel's memorandum also notes the absence of an effective state in Arabia, and the concomitant influence of tribes and their chiefs.It reviews the strategic importance of Aden and its protectorate along with the significance of the Aden-Yemen frontier in the context of British relations with the Imam of Sanaa and Turkey (paragraphs 4-5). It notes that the Italian ambitions are mainly focused on the Yemen and that the Italo-Turkish war made Italy the most unpopular 'Christian power' in the Muslim world. It analyses the implications of any British consent to an Italian occupation of the Yemen.It concludes that the 'present war has shown the use that may be made against us of Islam' and contends that the success of H M Government in the Middle East 'depends to a large extent on the transfer of the Caliphate from Turkey to Arabia. This in turn depends on the possibility of making the ruler of the Hejaz sufficiently strong to be able to pose as an independent sovereign. This again depends upon keeping the Christian powers at a sufficient distance.' The memorandum finishes by noting that it was for these reasons Britain took the precaution of inserting in the Anglo-French convention [Sykes-Picot agreement] that the British and French Governments agree that they will not themselves acquire and will not consent to a third Power acquiring territorial possessions in the Arabian peninsula with a sphere of influence being seen as equivalent to territorial possession.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; 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 booklet also has an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: A historical memorandum relating to Egyptian claims to sovereignty over the Somali coast, written by A W Moore, Assistant Secretary to the India Office, in two parts, submitted 26 February 1876 and 11 October 1879.The first part of the memorandum provides a historical narrative of events leading from the discovery in June 1870 of an Egyptian warship at Berbera on the Somali coast, with consequent suspicions that the Egyptian Government wished to occupy that place, up to the production of a draft Somali Coast Convention in 1876. The memorandum reproduces correspondence between the Resident at Aden, the Secretary of State for India, and the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in which the authors consider the impact of Egyptian and Turkish influence at Berbera on British trade interests at Aden; on the independence of local Somali tribes; and on British efforts to suppress the slave trade. The memorandum also includes the terms by which HM Government agree to recognise Egyptian sovereignty.Appendices to the first part of the memorandum reproduce several 'Treaty Relations with Tribes on the African Coast' and 'Geographical Notes'.The second part of the memorandum opens with an account of events which preceded the signing in 1877 of the Somali Coast Convention by the British Government and by the Egyptian Khedive, describing the Khedive's attempts to extend the limit of proposed Egyptian sovereignty as far south as the Juba River, and subsequent British threats to enter into agreements with Somali chiefs independently of the Khedive.The memorandum goes on to describe renewed discussions in connection with the procedure in Constantinople necessary to give validity to the Convention after it was signed by the Khedive, and reproduces a note issued by the Ottoman Porte, which asserts Turkish sovereignty over the territory covered by the Convention, but falls short of providing assurances against ceding any of that territory to other foreign powers.The memorandum closes with the reproduction of correspondence discussing the text of a proposed firman, to be issued by the Ottoman Porte, which would give validity to the Convention signed by the Khedive.Appendices to the second part of the memorandum reproduce the text of the 'Somali Coast Convention' and an 'Agreement in regard to the Island of Socotra'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 31; 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 printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:View of the ‘North Pass’, or Baab el Yemen, at Aden. This probably depicts a pass between the main British settlement at Crater and Khormakser. “Inside” may refer to the location the drawing depicts, or to the fact that it depicts the south side of the pass, i.e. within the British-controlled area.A path winds from centre foreground into a steep gulley; several barely sketched-in figures appear to walk along it. In the background at upper centre a bridge, viaduct or aqueduct is visible. At the top of the ridge at upper right a rectangular shape may indicate a man-made structure that leads down to the structure at centre.Inscriptions:Recto, in pencil, along lower edge: 'The North Pass of Aden or Baab el Yemen. “Inside”'Verso, in pencil, along upper edge: ‘WD3475’Temporal Context:This sketch was probably made between January 1939, when Stafford Bettesworth Haines seized Aden, and 1854, when he was recalled to Bombay to face embezzlement and fraud charges, during which time Haines administered Aden.Physical description: Dimensions:128 x 185 mmMaterials:Pencil on paperCondition:Light surface dirt coats the recto and verso, but otherwise the paper is in good condition. A large stain in the upper-right corner is of unknown origin.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, orders, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political and military letters from the Government of Bombay. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; the Court of Directors of the East India Company; the Bombay Military Board; the Government of India; and Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Waddington, Chief Engineer at Aden.The item concerns the appointment of Waddington as Chief Engineer at Aden, and his opinions on the progression of Aden’s defence works. Waddington also recommends a reduction in the establishment at Aden, and the following appointments are mentioned:Lieutenant Kennedy to become Executive Engineer at Aden, following Lieutenant Close’s temporary appointmentCaptain Kilner to succeed Kennedy as Engineer at SuratLieutenant Southey to succeed Kilner as Engineer at Ahmednugger [Ahmednagar]Lieutenant Suart to succeed Waddington as Commanding Engineer at Aden.The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 7623’, ‘Collection No 8’ and ‘Draft 67/52’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 829, and terminates at f 863, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The main document is a note written by Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Fenton Jacob, First Assistant Resident, Aden, and outlines the current situation in Aden with a view to encouraging the British Government to take military action against the 'Turkish incursion' in Yemen. In the attached covering letter which is forwarded to the Secretary of State for India, William Crawford Walton, the Acting Political Resident for Aden, confirms his support of the points put forward by Jacob and urges for decisive action in the region before another Western power takes action and, in turn, takes responsibility for the area. The documents support the institution of a progressive plan by Britain which will involve the construction of public facilities such as roads, railways, schools and hospitals with a view to encouraging support for, and therefore protection of, the Protectorate.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 30, and terminates at f 32, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:This full-length seated studio portrait of a young Somali woman is intended to demonstrate an ethnic or class ‘type’. In particular, this image is intended to illustrate the habits of dress as described previously by Frederick Mercer Hunter (p. 45). Hunter describes these as follows:‘The women wear a single garment like that of the men, but it is put on differently, being fastened round the waist like a petticoat, with a number of folds behind; one end is then brought up across the left or right shoulder, and a lappet is left, which can be brought over the head like a hood. The breeze is apt to discompose this drapery, and girls before marriage wear a piece of string round the waist to prevent the upper portion of their robe from becoming indecorous. Married women are not so particular. The petticoat portion is open in front, and very frequently the leg is exposed far above the knee.’Elsewhere, on page 62, Hunter describes the ‘ornaments’ worn by Somalis, however, those descriptions do not accurately reflect what is worn by the woman in this photograph, except inasmuch as she wears what are perhaps ‘Zanud’ armlets above the elbow. Her earrings are hooped and appear to be of metal, while her necklace(s) consists of three strands of varying sized beads, which may be amber, coral, metal or some other natural bead. The shortest necklace with the smallest beads is close about her neck, the next is made of evenly sized large beads also close about her neck, while the longest necklace is made of unevenly sized beads of various materials. All three strands may be suspended from her hooped earrings. She wears a turban-like twisted fabric about her head which conceals her hair entirely.Although less overtly erotic in character, the woman is posed with one ankle exposed and seated on a patterned carpet in a fashion similar to erotic Orientalist genre paintings.Inscriptions:In pencil, upper left corner adjacent to print: ‘9’Physical description: Dimensions:89 x 61 mm [portrait]Format:1 albumen print pasted to backing paper and mounted between pp. 50-51Materials:Silver printing-out paper, albumen printCondition:The print is unevenly hand-cut, with one long crease from 1.5cm along upper edge to 5.5cm along right edge. There are a series of minor surface losses from 1.3cm to 4.3cm from lower edge along left-hand edge. A small number of dark spatter marks on the left-hand side of the image originate in printing.Foliation:‘9’Process:Albumen print
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, memoranda, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The main correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; the Government of India; the Military Department of the Government of Bombay; and Lieutenant Colonel Grant.The item concerns the proposed fortifications to Aden, particularly:The question of placing a battery at Seera Island [Sira Island]Constructions in Western BayThe battery at Munsooree [Al-Mansoura]Conversion of Flint Island into a coal depot, and the suitability of armament for the harbour defenceThe proposed battery on Ras Morbut [Ra's Marbut] being overlooked by an adjacent hillThe number of extra labourers required from India, and the question of their transport to Aden.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 293/47, P.C. [Previous Communication] 5565’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 755, and terminates at f 831, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence cited in, or enclosed with, extracts of two Military Letters from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 4 September and 16 October 1850 respectively.The item relates to the delay in supplying the Court of Directors with plans and [cross] sections of the seaward defences at Aden. The Military Board, Bombay, put forward their reasons for this delay and outline the information they require from the Home authorities before they can suggest the points on the defences which would be best suited for armament. There is also discussion about the need to supply plans and sections for works being carried out on the isthmus.Correspondents: the Court of Directors; the Military Board; and the Government of Bombay.Folio 789a verso contains a stamp which reads: 'RECEIVED. 26 NOV. [1]850. SOUTHHAMPTON'.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Military', 'P.C. [Previous Communication] 7172, Draft No. 123 of 1851', 'Collection No 2', and 'Military Department 1850'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 787, and terminates at f 796, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio. The sequence contains one foliation anomaly: f 789a.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, memoranda, and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. The principal correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; the Resident at Mocha, Captain Gilbert Hutchinson; and the Imaum of Senna [Imam of San'a, Yemen, al-Mahdī ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad bin ‘Alī].The item concerns the differences between the Arabic and English versions of the Treaty of 15 January 1821, which William Bruce, Resident at Bushire [Būshehr], negotiated with the Imaum of Senna. The differences are:Whether the reduction in customs duty to two and a quarter percent applies only to English merchants (as in the Arabic version) or to all merchants trading under the British flag (as in the English version)In the English version, the dependents of the British Factory are to be under the protection of the Resident (omitted in the Arabic version)In the English version, in the case of a dispute between dependents of the Resident and the Imaum, the Dola [Governor] of Mocha and the Resident are to adjudicate and the offender is to be punished by their own authority (all omitted in the Arabic version).The discussion primarily concerns the second difference, which the British are most eager for the Imaum to agree to. The East India Company Broker’s business transactions with the Americans and the Imaum’s debts owing to him are extensively discussed in this context. The Resident also reports on his visit to Aden with a view to moving the Residency there.The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Political No. 9, Draft 496, P.C. 154, [Season] 1823/4, Examiner’s Office ‘23’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 28, and terminates at f 201, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.