Abstract: The volume's correspondence and other papers document British officials' attempts to suppress the slave trade in the Gulf, and their procedures for dealing with liberated slaves. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Captain Felix Jones), H. L. Anderson, Secretary to the Government in Bombay, and representatives of the Persian Gulf Squadron of the Indian Navy, primarily Commodore Griffith Jenkins, Commanding Officer of the Persian Gulf Squadron.A number of subjects comprise the volume, as follows:1. British operations against the slave trade in Bahrain, including the retrieval of two slave girls from the Sheikh of Bahrain, and the recovery of one-hundred dollars from the Sheikh of Bahrain, as compensation for the seizure of two slaves from Shargah by the Sheikh of Al Bidda, whose actions are the responsibility of the Sheikh of Bahrain (folios 4a-5);2. The surrender of four slaves by Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar [Saqr] of Sharjah, a result of the efforts of Lieutenant Robinson and the British Agent at Sharjah, Hajee Yacoob (folios 10-29);3. The lack of success in the suppression of the slave trade during the 1857 season, due to there being no British vessels available to intercept boats returning from Zanzibar and the African coast (folios 33-36);4. Attempts to suppress the slave trade during the 1859 season (folios 40-110). This subject contains extensive correspondence back and forth between the Resident (Jones) and the Senior Naval Officer (Jenkins), which becomes heated as disagreements arise, over resources for the patrol of the Arab coast and the suppression of the slave trade. Commodore Jenkins thought it derogatory for his vessel (
Falkland), displaying his pendant, to be involved in the interception of slave-trading boats (folios 48-49). Jones refers the matter to the Governor in Council, who rules that any notion of slave suppression duties being derogatory is 'mistaken.' Jenkins reports the following year on his attempts to suppress the slave trade from Africa, reporting that his two cruizers liberated a single female slave (folio 59). In a letter to Jenkins, Jones calls the operation 'fruitless' (folio 69), prompting Jenkins to draw Jones' attention to the personal sacrifices made by his crews, including Lieutenant Robinson who is 'seriously ill' as a result of the 'sickly climate' (folio 71-72);5. Expenses related to the disposal of liberated slaves at Bassidore. The British Government retained a slave agent at Bassidore, where liberated slaves were retained prior to their despatch to Bushire. Correspondence in this subject relates to the expenses for the maintenance and passage to Bushire of these liberated slaves (folios 115-144);6. Batta [subsistence allowance] given to a British slave searcher, granted on his proceeding to the Residency (folios 152-55);7. Miscellaneous correspondence relating to the slave trade (folios 159-76).Physical description: Foliation: Foliation starts on the front cover of the volume and continues until the inside back cover, using circled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 30a, 30b, 37a, 37b, 41a, 98a, 150a, 150b, 150c, 156a, 156b. Folio 68 is a fold-out.
Abstract: The file relates to the appointment of Mehta, who had previously acted as Agent for British India Steam Navigation (BISN) at Dibai [Dubai], to a position in the Hamalbashi Branch of the Customs at Shargah [Sharjah], responsible for the collection of customs revenue, and ensuring the correct quantity and condition of all merchandise arriving by sea and subject to customs duty, at a salary of 15% of net income from customs. The position is also referred to in the papers as 'Financial Adviser to the Sheikh of Sharjah'. The papers consist of correspondence between the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Office of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, January-February 1933, together with copies of earlier correspondence on the subject dated November-December 1932.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 9; 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 between ff 2-8; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file consists of contemporaneous copies or summaries of letters received by the Resident in the Persian Gulf (usually based at Bushire but temporarily residing on the Island of Corgo, following an outbreak of the plague) from a number of East India Company native agents, including those at Shargah [Sharjah], Muscat, Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh] and Shiraz. Named correspondents include Moollah Houssein [Mullā Husayn], Native Agent at Shargah, and Mirza Ally Ackbar [Mirza Ali Akbar], Native Agent at Shiraz. Most of these letters are in fact summaries (in the file they are referred to as 'substances') of letters, rather than complete copies of letters, which have been produced by a member of the Residency staff.In addition, there are a number of substances or extracts of letters from local rulers, including: Sultan bin Suggur [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī, ruler of Ra's al-Khaymah and Sharjah]; Shaik Tahnun [Shaikh Tahnun bin Shakhbut Āl Nahyān] of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]; and Saood bin Ally [Saud bin Ali], Governor of Burka [Barkā’, Oman].Subjects covered in this file include: the imprisonment of the Imam of Muscat's [Sa‘īd bin Sultān Āl Bū Sa‘īd's] son and nephew by Saood bin Ally; relations between Sultan bin Suggur and Shaik Tahnun; an outbreak of plague in Bushire; the British Government's alliance with the Imam of Muscat; the reported seizure by Sultan bin Suggur of three forts on the Batinah [Al-Bāṭinah] coast belonging to the Imam of Muscat.The file includes one item of outgoing correspondence: a copy of a letter (see ff 8-11), dated 25 May 1832, from Samuel Hennell, Assistant to the Resident in the Persian Gulf, to Charles Norris, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, in which Hennell recounts his recent visits to Sohar [Ṣuḥār], Sowek [As Suwayq], Burka and Muscat.Physical description: Pagination: There is an original but incomplete pagination sequence, which is written in ink, in the top outermost corners of each page.Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio with content (i.e. text) and terminates at the last folio with content; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. This is the sequence which has been used by this catalogue to reference items within the file.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence relating to the employment and activities of British Agents responsible to the Persian Gulf Residency at Bushire. The correspondents include: Felix Jones, British Resident at Bushire; the Government of Bombay; Captain Christopher Palmer Rigby, British Consul and Agent at Zanzibar; Syed Thuweynee [Thuwaynī bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Sultan of Muscat; the British Agency at Muscat; Commanders of the Persian Gulf Naval Squadron; the British Agency at Sharjah; the British Agency at Shiraz; Prince Tahmasp, Governor of Fars; Charles Murray (later Charles Alison), British Minister at Tehran; and Lieutenant R W Whish, Commander of the
Mahi.The volume is organised into sections, each relating to a different topic, as follows:Subject 1: Relates to the British Agent at Muscat, covering the following matters:the dismissal of Heskael bin Yusuf as Agent due to lack of communication and inefficiency;the appointment by Jones of Henry Chester as Agent, and his subsequent removal because of the need for officers of his rank in the navy;the argument, put forward by Jones, for the need for a British-born agent at Muscat because of the sensitive political situation (the political split between Zanzibar and Muscat), a new telegraph station at Muscat that requires the expertise to operate, the slave traffic in Oman, and the growing influence of foreign powers (France) in the country;the appointment of William Pengelley as Political Agent at Muscat.The section contains (folios 24-32) detailed instructions for new agents at Muscat and a discussion of the protection to be given to banyans (Indian traders) in the region and the extent of British jurisdiction.Subject 2: relates to friction and disagreement between Jones and Hormuzd Rassam, appointed temporarily as British Agent at Muscat, caused by the former communicating directly with the Sultan of Muscat and the latter considering himself under the authority of the Residency at Aden, not Bushire.Subject 3: relates to Hajee Yacoob [Ḥājī Ya‘qūb], British Agent at Shargah [Sharjah], including praise and reward for his good service, and compensation paid to the family of Hajee el-Mir [Ḥājī al-Mīr], a munshi who drowned off Sharjah and was employed at the Agency.Subject 4: also relates to Ḥājī Ya‘qūb, specifically the transferral of a boat in store at Bassadore [Bāsaʻīdū] to Sharjah for the use of the Agent.Subject 5: relates to the position of British Agent at Shiraz after the Anglo-Persian War. Matters covered include:the re-appointment of Meerza Mahomed Hussun Khan [Mīrza Moḥamad Ḥasan Khān] as agent by Jones and his subsequent dismissal in favour of Hajee Mahomed Khuleel [Ḥājī Moḥamad Khalīl], who had been appointed by Charles Augustus Murray, British Minister at Tehran;the disagreement between Jones and Murray following these events;the routes of communication with India to be used and whether, if Shiraz is bypassed, to retain an agent there.Subject 6: relates to the resignation of Ḥājī Moḥamad Khalīl as agent at Shiraz and a cholera epidemic affecting the city.Subject 7: relates to the appointment of E N Castelli as British Agent at Shiraz, his retirement shortly afterwards, and the re-appointment of Moḥamad Ḥasan Khān. Also briefly covers Charles Murray's return to Europe on sick leave.Subject 8: consists of correspondence between the Resident at Bushire and Castelli, Agent at Shiraz, on miscellaneous topics, including the case of a Persian merchant in Bombay, naturalised as a British subject, seeking legal protection in Persia, and the death of Mirza Mahomed Ali Khan [Mīrza Moḥamad ‘Ali Khān] Nawabi Hindi.Subject 9: relates to the work of several munshis employed by the British Government, including:interpreter Meerza Mahomed Jawad [Mīrza Moḥamad Jawād] joins a mission to Muskat [Muscat];praise for the work of Abdool Kurrem [‘Abdul Karīm];Abdool Cassim [‘Abdul Qāsim] transferred from the
Cliveto the
Aucklandto be appointed the Commodore's munshi.Subject 10: relates to a claim by Khulfan Rattonsee on the estate of the deceased brother of Moolla Ahmed [Mullā Aḥmad], British Agent at Lingah and complaints made about former Muscat Agent, Hezkiel.Subject 11: relates to leave granted to Khodadad bin Mahomed [Khudādād bin Moḥamad], Slave Agent at Bāsaʻīdū, in order to perform the pilgrimage to Mecca.Physical description: Foliation 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 2, and ends on the inside of the back cover, on number 303. There are the following irregularities: f 55 is followed by f 55A; f 90 is followed by f 90A; f 106 is followed by ff 106A-B; f 158 is followed by f 158A; f 162 is followed by f 162A; f 195 is followed f 195A; f 207 is followed by f 207A; f 218 is followed by f 218A; f 237 is followed by f 237A; f 238 is followed by f 238A; f 255 is followed by f 255A; f 267 is followed by f 267A; f 278 is followed by f 278A; f 280 is followed by f 280A; f 286 is followed by f 286A.
Abstract: A collection of letters received by David Anderson Blane, Resident in the Persian Gulf, between 6 April 1833 and 9 April 1834. Two of the letters are from Commodore John Pepper, Senior Officer of the Indian Navy. Pepper reports both on his trip to Sharga [Sharjah], where he sought to obtain redress for incidents of piracy, and on his concerns regarding the numerical portion of European strength on board the vessels of war in the Gulf. Two letters are from Charles Norris, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, acknowledging receipt of earlier letters concerning the Wahabee [Wahabi] tribe. One letter is from John Bax, Secretary to Government, Bombay, acknowledging receipt of a letter and a translation of Blane's correspondence with the Government Agent at Sharga, regarding the jurisdiction of the Wahabee chief on the Russul Kheema [Ra's al-Khaymah] coast.Physical description: Foliation: An original incomplete foliation sequence with gaps is present in the file between folios 1 and 6; these numbers are written in ink, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The complete foliation sequence commences at the first folio with content (i.e. text) and terminates at the last folio with content; these numbers are written in pencil, and are also located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. This is the sequence used by this catalogue to reference items within the file.
Abstract: This item consists of a despatch to the Secret Committee, 18 July 1839, from John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai], containing a series of numbered enclosures. The despatch itself (not included) is numbered 1 and is followed by an abstract of contents, numbered 2. This is followed by despatches, numbered 3-8, from Captain Samuel Hennell, Political Resident, Persian Gulf, to Willoughby, with relevant enclosures.The papers chiefly relate to Hennell’s efforts to check the perceived extension of Egyptian influence on the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf, particularly in the province of Oman, and to bring about the expulsion from Shargah [Sharjah] of Sued bin Mooktluk [Sa‘d bin Mutlaq al-Muṭayrī], the self-professed agent of Khorshid Pasha [Khūrshid Pasha], Commander of the Egyptian Forces in Nedgd [Najd, also known as Nejd].The majority of the item comprises Hennell’s report of his tour of the Arabian coast, in the
Hugh Lindsay, providing details of his meetings with: Shaik Abdoollah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], Chief of Bahrein; [Bahrain] Shaik Kuleefa bin Shakboot [Shaikh Khalīfah bin Shakhbut Āl Nahyān] Chief of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi], Chief of the Beniyas [Bani Yas]; Shaik Mukhtoom [Maktūm I bin Buṭṭī bin Suhayl Āl Maktūm] of Debaye [Dubai]; Abdoollah bin Rushid [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Rāshid al-Mu’allā], Shaik of Amulgavin [Umm al-Qaywayn]; and Shaik Sultan bin Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī], Chief of Rasel Khymah [Ra’s al-Khaymah, also spelled Rusil and Rasil Khymah in this item], Chief of the Joasmees [al-Qawāsim]. He also reports his communications with the chiefs of the Naeem [al-Na‘īm] tribe regarding their opposition to Sued bin Mootluk’s plans to capture the fort of Brymee [Al Buraymi].Hennell’s disussions with the Arab Maritime Chiefs cover: the reasons behind the Chief of Bahrein’s agreement recognising the superiority of Mahomed Ally [Muḥammad ‘Alī Pasha al-Mas‘ūd bin Āghā] Governor of Egypt; the extent of the communications of the chiefs with Sued bin Mootluk; on-going conflicts between the chiefs and their mutual accusations of collusion with bin Mootluk; Hennell’s extraction from the chiefs of declarations of loyalty to the British Government and opposition to the ‘aggressions’ of Khorshid Pasha and Mahomed Ally (copies enclosed with the report); the supply of ammunition and provisions to the chiefs of Brymee and promise to post a British Agent there; pressure on Sultan bin Suggur to effect the expulsion of Sued bin Mootluk from Shargah [Sharjah]. Hennell concludes his report by suggesting formal remonstrances be made by British Government representatives in Cairo, and that blockades and destruction of towns and vessels should be the threatened consequence of any maritime chief assisting Sued bin Mootluk.Also included in the item is: Hennell’s protest to Khorshid Pasha regarding Sued bin Mootluk’s claims to have taken over the government of Oman, against the apparent policy of Mahomed Ally; Hennell's request to Bombay for musket powder and lead; Hennell's report of his arrival in Muscat and discussions with the son and nephew of the Imam of Muscat in which he encourages Muscat to assist the Naeem against any attack by Sued bin Mootluk on Brymee; news of the removal of Mirza Assad as Govenor of Bushire [Bushehr] and his replacement by the authorities at Shiraz with Mirza Mahomed Houssein [Muḥammad Ḥusayn], the son-in-law of the Wuzier [Vizier] [of Shiraz?], Mirza Ahmed Khan [Mirza Aḥmad Khan].Physical description: 1 item (37 folios)
Abstract: The file concerns the presence of European women in certain parts of the Persian Gulf, and fears over the effects of their interaction with local communities.Folios 19-32 relate to the concern of British officials that Imperial Airways passengers at Shargah [Sharjah] had been going into the town, including one woman who done so wearing beach pyjamas. The papers record that the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Trenchard Craven William Fowle) intervened with both Imperial Airways and Shaikh Sultan bin Saqar [Sultan bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī], Ruler of Sharjah to ensure that passengers, especially women, were prevented from entering Sharjah without permission. British officials felt that European women in particular were at risk of being insulted or molested by members of the local population, with attendant political consequences for relations with the ruler.Folios 13-18 concern the proposed temporary residence of a British woman, Mrs Winifred J Howard-Clitty in Bahrain and Kuwait. The papers record that the Political Resident asked British Government officials to ensure that in future he should be consulted first before visas were issued to women travellers to the Gulf, particularly if they intended to reside in any of the Arab shaikhdoms. The Foreign Office and the Passport Office agreed to the proposal.Folios 2-12 concern a request from Imperial Airways that the Station Superintendent at Sharjah be allowed to have his wife live with him in Sharjah during the winter. The Political Resident vetoed the request because of similar concerns to those previously expressed in folios 19-32, and to avoid setting a precedent for such action in other parts of the Gulf that were as yet considered unsuitable for European women to live in.The file includes a divider, which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 34; 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 1-34; these numbers are printed, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This part contains correspondence relating to the salaries of HM consular and diplomatic officers, mainly those employed in Persia.The correspondence mostly consists of: letters from the Foreign Office to the India Office, including enclosed Foreign Office correspondence; draft letters from the India Office to the Foreign Office; correspondence by telegram between the India Office and the Foreign Department of the Government of India; and internal India Office correspondence. The enclosed correspondence in letters from the Foreign Office largely consists of correspondence between the Foreign Office and the Treasury, and between the Foreign Office and HM Minister, Tehran.The correspondence mostly relates to the payment of exchange compensation allowance or temporary salary increases, to HM Legation Tehran, and to diplomatic and consular staff in Persia generally (due to the high prices and the low rate of exchange caused by the First World War), and the Secretary of State for India in Council accepting a moiety of the cost as a charge on the Indian Exchequer. The file also includes some correspondence relating to the extension of exchange concessions to Maskat [Muscat], Bahrein [Bahrain] and Shargah [Sharjah].Most of the correspondence dates from 1916 to 1918, but the file also includes copies of correspondence from December 1908 to June 1909, regarding the payment in Persian currency at a fixed rate of exchange of the rupee salaries of non-gazetted consular establishments and of the telegraph staff in Persia (folios 236 to 250).Physical description: 1 item (250 folios)