Abstract: This volume is the Diary and Consultation Book of William Henry Draper, 'Cheif for Affairs of the British Nation in the Gulph of Persia'. The volume contains diary entries and consultations at Gombroon [Bandar-e ‘Abbas], including: the appointment of John Fothringham to take 'Charge of the Warehouse', and William May as Steward, who will also assist St George Pack with the 'Secretary's business'; a remonstrance by the President of Bombay to the Bashaw of Bussorah [Pasha of Basra], and a letter from the Factory at Gombroon to the Court of Directors, delivered by Captain Martin French, on his way to Bussorah; the departure of the Supravisor Thomas Waters for Bombay [Mumbai], and the appointment of Draper as Chief Agent; a letter from John Courtney recommending two 'Mogull' passengers travelling with the
Sallamat Rust, and requesting a convoy between 'Kishmish' [Qeshm] and Bussorah; a report that 'the Arabs [are] fitting out two Large Shipps w[i]th a Design to Cruize'; the instructions of Captain French to levy a duty on 'all Pepper imported at Bussarah'; the return of the Frigate
Britanniaafter escorting the Supravisor to Jasques [Jask]; the letters to Owen Phillipps and the English Factory in Spahaun [Eşfahān], informing them of ‘the Supravisors Departure and the orders he had left behind’, and the Presidency's disapproval of their slackness in securing the release of the personnel at Spahaun; the orders to the commander of the
Britannia, Captain Benson, to cruise between Cape Musseldom and Kishmish; the departure of a ship belonging to the Dutch East India Company for Bussorah carrying over 10,000 Tomans [Tumans]; a report about Prince Sultan Mahomed Mirza [Safavi] and 'Rice Jungie [i.e. Ra'is Jangi] the head of the Balooches' [Mir Abd Allah Khan Baluch] marching towards Gombroon to prevent its takeover by the former Shawbunder Mirzah Zaid Ally [Shahbandar Mirza Zahid ‘Ali Lari]; the news of 'Shaik Jeebarrah [Shaikh Jibarah bin Yasir al-Nasuri] declaring for the "Ophgoon interest" [Ghilza’i Afghans] and joining Mirzah Zaid Ally at Lhor [Lar]'; the orders to Captain Benson to prevent a vessel flying English colours from calling at Bassidore [Basa'idu]; a letter from Shaw Thomas [Shah Tahmasb II Safavi] on his siege of Carmania [Kerman] and intention to take Syde Achmat Caun [Sayyid Ahmad Khan Mar’ashi Safavi] prisoner; the instructions to Benson on any ships he encounters in 'Bassidore Road belonging to Cutch [Kutch] [and] Syndee [Sindh]'; the letters of Shaw Ashroph [Shah Ashraf Ghilza’i] to the Governor of Shyrash [Shiraz]; a letter from the Presidency of Bombay demanding payment from Shaikh Rashid and the suppression of trade at Basa'idu; an exchange of messages between Draper and the Governor of Gombroon; a message from Shaikh Rashid to Draper requesting that the
Britanniacease diverting vessels away from Bassidore; the decision for Draper to take charge of the expedition to Bassidore and the preparation of a 'Memorial' to Shaikh Rashid; the conference between the Factory's linguist [interpreter] and the Governor of Gombroon; the letters from Abde’ Rahman Bashaw [Abd al-Rahman Pasha] and the Kyah of Bussorah to the Supravisor; the refusal of the Governor Mahomed Sally Begg [Muhammad Zal Beg] to hand over half of the customs; the relocation of Mirza Zahid ‘Ali to Sullgar 'a Large village near Lhor'; the arrival of the first Caphilah [qafilah, caravan] from Spahaun since 1722; the imprisonment of the merchant Hossein Begg [Husayn Beg]; the arrival of Sultan Muhammad Mirza Safavi's soldiers; the visit of the Governor of Gombroon to the Dutch Factory; a letter from the 'Cawzy' [i.e. Qazi / Qadi, or Judge] of Gombroon on Sultan Muhammad Mirza's reaction to the Bassidore expedition, and his decision to besiege the Factory at Gombroon; the letter from Draper to the 'most Illustrious Prince Sultan Mahomed Mirzah'; the diversion of the
Fatteramania[Fath’-i Rahmani] and two other vessels from Bassidore; the mission of Rice Jungie's son to arrest Muhammad Zal Beg and besiege the Factory; the instructions to Cordeaux on the defence of Gombroon; an order from Sultan Muhammad Mirza to Muhammad Zal Beg to apprehend the merchants from Spahaun; the demands of the Grand Seigniour [Ottoman Sultan Ahmed III] from Shah Ashraf Ghilza’i, calling on him to surrender 'Casbin [Qazvin], Guilpagon [Gulpaygan?], & Sava [Savah]', return the 'Artillery, Money, Tents, & goods' captured from Gürcü Ahmed Pasha, and mint coins in the Sultan's name acknowledging him as the 'Emperour of the Muslemen'; the letters of Shaikh Rashid and the 'Principal Merchants at Bassidore'; a letter dispatched by Mirza Zahid Ali to Draper from Congo [Kong]; a letter from Shaikh Rashid thanking Draper for recalling his ships from Bassidore; the refusal of Captain Benson to comply with Draper's instructions; the arrival of the
Fame,
Fort St George,
Salamanderand a ship belonging to the 'Emamum' [Imam] at Mocha; the advices to the Court of Directors carried by a 'Moors [i.e. Arabs'] Grabb' to Bussorah; the orders to Captain Phillip Peers, Commander of the
Bengall[Bengal] Galley, to proceed to Lhoft [Laft]; the arrival of the Harrison with the Bashaw of Bussorah’s answer to the President's remonstrance; a letter from Sultan Muhammad Mirza to Draper appointing him Shahbandar of Gombroon; a letter from Draper to Abde Rahman Basahaw [Abd al-Rahman Pasha], Governor of Bussorah; the arrival of the
Wakefieldunder the command of Captain Thomas Dixon; the instructions of the Chief Agent to Captain Peers and Captain Benson for a cruise to Bassidore, Asilo [Asaluyah], Charack [Charak], Bunder Bourchier [Bandar-i Bushihr] and other ports; the duel fought between Fotheringham and Draper outside the Factory in Gombroon; the declaration of Draper to Sergeant William Sharp, Sergeant Thomas Boyden and the military; the depositions of Sharp and Boyden concerning the duel and Cordeaux's appeal to the soldiers; the letter from Draper to French in Bussorah, ordering him to return at the 'very first opportunity'; the arrest of Cordeux by a 'file of Musqueteers'; and the breakup of Sultan Muhammad Mirza's camp, and his march to join Mir Abd Allah Khan Baluch.Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 86; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.