« Previous |
1 - 12 of 59
|
Next »
Number of results to display per page
Search Results
1. 'Referring to a Correspondence with Admiral Drury respecting the advantages that might result from a Ship of War occasionally visiting the Gulph of Arabia'
- Description:
- Abstract: The item consists of correspondence between the Government of Bombay and Rear Admiral William O’Brien Drury, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station, regarding a proposal for increased British naval presence in the Gulf of Arabia [Red Sea] in order to resist French influence in the region.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 287, and terminates at f 294, 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 printed pagination sequence.
2. 'French intrigues in Persia and Attempts of the French to acquire the Island of Cameran in the Red Sea'
- Description:
- Abstract: The item consists of correspondence and extracts of papers relating to French influence and activities in the Red Sea (often referred to as the ‘Arabian Gulph’) and Persia [Iran], sent to the Chairman of the Court of Directors, Charles Grant, and the Secret Committee.Matters covered include:French efforts to establish a trading and military settlement on the island of Cameran [Kamaran] through the agency of Syed Mahomed Akil [Sayyid Muḥammad ‘Aqīl]The preparations for and progress of an expedition to the Red Sea to counter French activitiesThe plunder and destruction of the American ship Essexby Syed Mahomed Akil and his followersDiscussion of the legality of seizing Syed Mahomed Akil and his shipsAntoine-Alexandre Romieu’s mission to the Court of Persia as an agent of FranceFrench influence in Persia, Bagdad [Baghdad], and AleppoThe impact of any agreement reached between France and Persia on Anglo-Persian relationsA second French embassy to the Court of Persia following Romieu’s death in TehranHajee Mohsen’s [Ḥājī Muḥsin] deputation to Tehran to gather intelligence on French activities and to try and counter their influenceThe proposal of Sir Harford Jones, Resident at Bagdad, that he travel to Persia as British EnvoyThe dispatch of a Persian Embassy to FranceHostilities between Russia and Persia along the latter’s northern frontier.Correspondence regarding the Red Sea comes from the following: the Government of Bombay; Sir Edward Pellew, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station; the Government of Bengal; Lieutenant Charles Court, Commander of the Panther, at Mocha; the Government of Madras; Searkrun/Searkum Kirjee, East India Company Broker at Mocha.Correspondence regarding matters in Persia comes from the following: Samuel Manesty, Resident at Bussorah [Basra]; John Barker, Consul General at Aleppo; Harford Jones, Resident at Bagdad, and John Hine, Acting Resident at Bagdad; William Bruce, Acting Resident at Bushire [Bushehr]; Alexander Stratton, Ambassador at Constantinople; Leopold Sebastiani, Prefect of the Catholic Mission in Ispahan [Isfahan]; and Lord Viscount Castlereagh, First Commissioner for the Affairs of India.Physical description: The papers are arranged in rough chronological order, from the left to the right.
3. 'Vol 8 Bushier [Bushire] Records 1805 & 1806'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume consists of chronological diary entries containing transcripts of correspondence sent and received, and notes on the arrival and departure of vessels at Bushire. The Resident during the period covered was William Bruce (acting).The correspondence sent is entered under the date the letter was written; that received is entered under the date of receipt at Bushire. The correspondence is mostly between the Resident and other East India Company officials, particularly officials of the Government of Bombay; the Resident at Bagdad [Baghdad] (Harford Jones); the Resident at Muscat (David Seton); officials in charge of the Residency at Bussora [Basra] (John Law and Lieutenant William Eatwell); and commanders of ships of the Bombay Marine (the East India Company's navy).The records of shipping consist of a note of the day of arrival and departure of ships of the Bombay Marine and country ships (privately-owned merchant ships, which operated under licence from the East India Company), and information on their port of origin and destination. The term 'imported' is used to indicate the arrival of a vessel.General topics covered in the volume include:political developments in the Gulf;movements of ships;piracy;sale of East India Company merchandise;appointments;personnel matters;accounting and financial matters;administrative matters;relations with the Court of Persia;relations with local rulers and Persian officials;the activities of the French in the region;reports of political and military developments in Europe.Specific topics include:correspondence concerning the activities and whereabouts of a French officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Alexandre Romieu, former minister at Corfu, who had made his way from Constantinople into Persia on a mission the objectives of which were unclear, entries for 27 September - 22 November 1805 (folios 14-32v);correspondence relating to the recovery of cargo from the merchant ship Hector, 29 October - 22 November 1805 (folios 23v-32v);letter from Lieutenant W Eatwell, Bombay Marine, commanding the Fury, at Bussora, dated 20 October 1805, reporting the death of John Law, Resident of the Factory at Bussora and stating that he had taken temporary charge of the Residency there (entry for 31 October 1805, folio 28v)correspondence from the Political Department of the Government of Bombay concerning the Persian Embassy, particularly relating to an affray that had taken place on a road near Bombay in November 1805 between an East India Company officer cadet and two servants of the Persian Ambassador, 26 January 1806 (folios 60-89v).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1A on the front cover and terminates at 92 on the back cover. The numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and appear in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Foliation anomalies: ff. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F; ff. 21, 21A; ff. 35, 35A.Pagination: an original pagination sequence written in ink numbered 1-178 is present between ff. 1F-89. These numbers appear in the top right or top left corners of each page.Condition: there is a hole measuring approximately 60x50mm in the top centre of folio 1F, probably caused by the oxidisation of iron gall ink. This hole reappears, diminishing in size, in the following nine folios (to f. 10). The holes have caused loss of text between ff. 1F-9. There is also minor damage to the edges of some folios, but this has not caused any serious loss of text. The entire volume was conserved, probably in the 1980s, in the form of an appliqué-coated guard book.
4. 'Translation of a letter from His Excellency Askar Khan, His Majesty Fath Ali Shah's Embassador Extraordinary at the Court of Paris, to His Excellency Meerza Bozurg, dated the 21 Sefer, about the 1st April 1809'
- Description:
- Abstract: Translation of a letter from the Persian Ambassador to France, Askar Khan [Askar Khan Afshar], to the Vizier of the Crown Prince of Persia [Iran], Meerza Bozurg [Mirza Buzurg], of 1 April 1809. The letter details the news of the day from Paris, particularly the plans for the marriage of Napoleon Bonaparte to the daughter of the Emperor of Austria, Marie Louise. The letter also relates to the activities of two Persian merchants at Constantinople [Istanbul], the arms and money sent to Persia by the British, and Franco-Austrian plans to wage war against Russia.The letter was enclosed in HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, Sir Harford Jones’s secret letter of 14 September 1810, which was received on 6 February 1811.Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
5. 'Translation of a letter from Askar Khan the Persian Ambassador at Paris to H E Meerza Bozurg, received at Tauris on the 17 April 1810 and copied by Sir Harford Jones with the permission of H E Meerza Hassan on the 18 following'
- Description:
- Abstract: Translation of a letter from Askar Khan, Persian Ambassador to France, to the Vizier of the Crown Prince of Persia [Iran], Meerza Bozurg [Mīrzā Buzurg], received at Tauris [Tabriz] on 17 April 1810. The letter contains representations concerning Franco-Persian relations, including:The French willingness to retain Askar Khan in Paris to maintain the appearance of Franco-Persian friendshipThe departure of the mission of General Gardanne [Gardane] from PersiaThe appointment of a Persian ambassador to EnglandAccounts of Askar Khan's conversations with the Foreign Minister of France, Jean-Baptiste de Nompère de Champagny, and the Emperor of France.The letter also contains details regarding the ongoing conflict in Europe, including an account of the Battle of Wagram, the dispatch of French peace proposals to England, and the movement of French soldiers and artillery to Spain.The letter was enclosed in HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, Sir Harford Jones's letter of 23 May 1810, which was received on 4 October 1810.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
6. 'Translation of Firman from His Majesty Fath Ali Shah to the Prince Royal Abbas Meerza'
- Description:
- Abstract: A translation of a Firman [edict] from Fath Ali Shah [Fath-ʻAlī Shāh Qājār], Shah of Persia [Iran], to Abbas Meerza ['Abbās Mīrzā], Prince Royal (Crown Prince), sent from Tehran and dated Zeekadah [Zū al-Qaʿdah] 1224 (December 1809-January 1810). Following the conclusion of an alliance with Britain [Preliminary Treaty of Friendship and Alliance, 1809], the Firman orders that Jouanin, a French representative in Persia, should be dismissed, and accommodation should be provided for Sir Harford Jones, HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia. The Firman also requests that any news from Meerza Abdul Hassan [Mirzā Abul Hassan], Persian Ambassador to London, should be passed on immediately.The translation was enclosed in Jones's Letter No. 1 to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 3 February 1810.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
7. ‘Cession by the King of Persia to the French of the Port of Gombroon.’
- Description:
- Abstract: The item consists mostly of copies of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, letters to and from the governments of Bengal and Bombay. It concerns news of French activities in Persia and the Gulf, and the measures to be taken to protect British interests.In particular, the item addresses reports of a French mission to Persia, of an agreement made between Persia and France, and concerns about the threat this might pose to British interests in the Gulf. It is alleged that Persia has agreed to cede the port of Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] and the islands of Ormus [Jazīreh-ye Hormoz], Kishm [Qeshm], and Kharick [Kharg] to France, and that a French fleet is heading to the Gulf to take possession of these territories. As a result, plans are made for the formation of a naval force to intercept the French fleet.The primary correspondents are: Owaness Paitkym [Hovhannes Paitkhim]; Moohummud Hossein Khan [Mirzā Muḥammad Ḥusayn Khān Bahādur Jang, also referred to as Mirzer Moohummaud Hooseyn Khan]; Jafer Ali Khan [Ja’far ‘Ali Khan], Native Agent, Shiraz; Nicholas Hankey Smith, Resident at Bushire [Bushehr]; Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay; Rear Admiral Sir Edward Pellew, Commander in Chief, East Indies; Captain John Ferrier; Nusuroola Khan [Naṣr Allāḥ Khān Qarāguzlū, also referred to as Nusur Oolla Khan and Nassuralla Khan], Vazir of Fars [incorrectly identified as Beglerbeg of Fars in the item]; and His Royal Highness the Prince Regent at Sheraze [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fārs].The title page (f 264) of the item contains the following references: ‘Political No. 14, Season 1808/09, Draft 178, Para. 61’; and ‘Examiner’s Office, July 1808 and September and December’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at 315, and terminates at 407, 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 file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
8. 'LETTERS FROM THE RESIDENT BUSSARAH 31. JAN. 1793 TO 21. JUNE 1803 VOL 8'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume chiefly comprises letters to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company from the Resident and Factor at Bussora [Basra], Samuel Manesty. The letters are dated 31 January 1793-21 June 1803 and the date each letter was received is recorded on the back of it.From 31 January 1793 to 2 August 1794 (ff 1-38), many letters are also signed by Harford Jones, who acted as Assistant Resident and co-Factor up to 1794. Between 3 January and 25 September 1796 (ff 51-192) there are letters which overlap with Manesty’s, written by [George] Nathan Crowe and Peter LeMessurier [Le Mesurier], who were appointed to run the Bussora Residency and Factory following the suspension from office of Manesty by the Court of Directors on 1 January 1796. The suspension was in connection with Manesty’s dispute with the Ottoman authorities originating in 1791, which had led him to remove the Residency to Grain [Kuwait] in 1793. Manesty had actually re-established himself in Bussora by September 1795, before Crow and LeMessurier arrived from Bombay [Mumbai], and he was officially reinstated in July 1796. However, Crow and LeMessurier only transferred back control of the Residency when they received orders to return to Bombay in September 1796.Letters dated 31 January to 27 April 1793 are written from Maghil [Al Maqal] ‘near Bussora’. Manesty left the city at the end of April 1793 and from 18 July 1793 to 5 March 1795 he writes from Grain (ff 2-43). From 9 October 1795 (f 45), following Manesty’s return in the previous month, his letters are written from Maghil or Bussora.The enclosures Manesty refers to are mostly not included in the volume, although his letters regularly incorporate extracts of his communications to the President in Council, Political Department [Bombay] and the Governor-General in Council [Bengal]. Manesty occasionally writes to individual members of the Court of Directors, lobbying for an increase in his pay and allowances and lamenting his pecuniary difficulties and unsettled claims upon the Company (see ff 356-359, ff 478-482, and ff 524-525).The letters concern matters including:The re-establishment of the Bussora Residency, notably Manesty’s detailed account, dated 28 August 1796 (ff 80-184), of his negotiations between February and October 1795 with the Bacha [Pāshā] of Bagdat [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā of Baghdad] for the restoration of the Factory and Residency at Bussora and re-establishment of relations. The negotiations were via their respective mediators, Coja Cawork Doud [Khawājah Kevork Dāwūd], the Company’s ‘broker and linguist’ (f 82) at the Bussora Residency, and the Mussaleem of Bussora [Mutasallim, Ottoman Governor of Basra]. The account details Manesty’s dispute with the Ottoman authorities, which developed following the murder in Bussora of a wealthy Jewish merchant in March 1791, the arrest of an Armenian subject, protracted sectarian clashes between Jews and Christians in Bussora, and the Ottoman authorities’ rebuttal of Manesty’s claims that Armenians came under British protectionManesty’s objections to Crow and LeMessurier, regarding control of the Bussora Residency and Factory in 1796The movement of, and events concerning, Company ships and private merchant vessels trading to, from and via Bussora, and the conveyance and landing of their cargoes, notably woollens imported to Bushire [Bushehr] and Bussora from BengalThe marine conveyance, via Bussora, of mail packets (official Despatches to and from to the Court of Directors in London and British government in India, and other mail), including: routes taken; delays; lost or missing items; and packets captured or stolenThe overland transmission of mail packets, via Aleppo, notably matters concerning: routes; security; couriers; and Manesty’s communications with the Company’s agents at Aleppo, including Louisa Abbott, who took on duties of the Agent (f 368) following the death of her husband Robert Abbott in 1799 until the appointment of John BarkerManesty’s management of the Residency and Factory, including: communications with the British embassy at Constantinople [Istanbul] and relations with Peter Tooke, Company Agent there; increasingly fractious relations with Harford Jones (appointed first Company Resident in Bagdat in September 1798) notably over the latter’s official status; and relations with the Ottoman authorities in Bussora and BagdatVarious events, and Manesty’s activities, within Ottoman territory and the seas between Bussora and India, in relation to the wars with France [French Revolutionary Wars 1792-1802], notably: the monitoring of French ships, and intelligence communications with British naval officers; surveillance of French emissaries such as Abbé Beauchamp [Pierre-Joseph de Beauchamp]; efforts to combat French influence in the Ottoman Empire and Persia [Iran], especially after the French invasion of Egypt in 1798 headed by General Buonaparte [Napoleon Bonaparte]; the activities of John Lewis Reinaud (former Assistant Resident at Bussora) to influence the Bacha of Bagdat against the French; Manesty’s highlighting of the potential threat to British dominance in India and recommendation that an English military force be despatched to protect British interests; the defeat of French forces by a British fleet at the Battle of the Nile, August 1798; the unsuccessful French siege of St Jean d’Acre 1799 [Akko or Acre]; the British fleet and army sent against the French in Egypt, March 1801; and the Convention for the Evacuation of Egypt and the Definitive Treaty of Peace between Britain and France [Treaty of Amiens, signed 25 March 1802]Affairs in the Persian Gulph [Gulf], notably trade relations with Muscat and efforts to avert the establishment of a French presence there, and Manesty’s proposals for stationing intelligence officers at Muscat and Bushire (f 373)Internal Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq] affairs, including: political conflicts; relations with local tribes; and the Bagdat Bacha’s expeditions against the Whahabee Shaik [Wahhābī Shaikh] Abdul Aziz [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin Muḥammad Āl Sa‘ūd, Emir of Diriyah]Intelligence relating to the Company’s campaign in India against Tippoo Sultan [Tīpū Sulṭān, Ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore], including reports of Tippoo’s defeat in May 1799 (f 406)The spread of plague in Ottoman Turkey from 1800 and Manesty’s actions in July 1802 to secure the British establishment at Bussora and preserve communications and trade between India and Europe following the arrival of plague at Bagdat, including requisition of the Teignmouthas a floating Factory and removal of Bussora Factory staff to Maghil (ff 556-606)Harford Jones’s deteriorating relations with the Bacha of Bagdat in July 1801, and Manesty’s apparent efforts to restore the British reputation and the position of the Bagdat Residency (ff 498-516)The death of the Bacha of Bagdat (f 568) in 1802 and arrangements for his successor, Ali Bacha [‘Alī Pāshā]Manesty’s temporary embarkation of the Bussora establishment on the Furyin June 1803, following a rupture with the Ottoman authorities [he does not elaborate, however the incident arose over the apparent ‘violation’ of the ‘honour’ of an allegedly Egyptian Christian woman] (ff 606-607).Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 608; 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, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves.The sequence contains one foliation anomaly, f 16a.
9. 'Letters and Enclosures from Sir Harford Jones (His Majesty's Envoy to Persia) to The Right Honble Robt Dundas (President of the Right Honble The Commissioners for the Affairs of India.), from 12th June 1807 to 8th Sep 1808, Vol: 1.'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains copies of correspondence, journal extracts, and intelligence reports relating to Sir Harford Jones’s diplomatic mission to Persia [Iran] in 1808.The papers reflect the purposes and practicalities of the mission and cover the following matters:Jones’s progress from England to Bushire [Būshehr, in this volume also written Abusheher, Abushehr and Busheer] via Funchal, Cape Town, and Bombay [Mumbai]The purpose of, and uncertainty caused by, another diplomatic mission to Persia under Brigadier-General John Malcolm and sent by the Governor-General, Lord Minto [Gilbert Elliot Murray Kynynmound]Relations between France and Persia, specifically British fears regarding the presence and influence of a French Embassy in Teheran [Tehran, in this volume also written Tehraun]The mission of Captain Charles Pasley, Malcolm’s Secretary and sometime Acting Envoy, to Shiraz [in this volume also spelled Sheraz, Shirauz, Sherauz, and various other spellings] and failure to open negotiations with the Persians (folios 114-121 comprise extracts from Pasley’s journal)Discussion of the terms of any agreement to be made with the Persian GovernmentPolitical and social affairs within Persia, both locally and nationallyThe presence of Russian and French diplomatic agents in PersiaEuropean politics, specifically the closing of Portuguese ports to British shipping following the former’s alliance with France during the Napoleonic WarsRequests for money and details of costs from Jones.Principal correspondence is from Jones, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia, to Robert Dundas, President of the Board of Control. Enclosures, which constitute the bulk of the volume, include correspondence between Jones; Lord Minto, Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William; Brigadier-General John Malcolm, Government of India Envoy to the Court of Persia; and Captain Charles Pasley, Malcolm’s Secretary and sometime Acting Envoy. Further correspondence, sometimes in summary form, is between Jones; Meerza Sheffee [Mirza Muhammad Shafi Mazandarani], Grand Vizier of Persia; Nasr Oolah Khan [Nasrallah Khan], Chief Minister of Fars; Prince Hoossein Ally Meerza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā], Governor of Fars; Jaafer Ali Khan [Ja‘afar ‘Alī Khān], ‘Native Agent’ [a non-European employed by the British as a representative and broker, among other things] in Shiraz; and Mohammed Nebee Khan [Muḥammad Nabī Khān Shirāzī], Governor of Bushire [in this volume, also written Abusheher, Abushehr, Busheer]. Other correspondents include Claudius James Rich, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], and William Bruce, Acting Resident in Bushire.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 462; 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.Pagination: the file also contains multiple original pagination sequences.The sequence contains two foliation anomalies, at f 242 and f 433a.
10. 'List of Enclosures in the Bengal Secret Letters dated 9th February, 31st March, 3rd May + 6th June 1808, relative to Persia'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume relates to affairs in Persia [Iran] and contains copies of letters, extracts and translations of letters, intelligence reports, and proceedings of Governor-General in Council meetings at Fort William, Calcutta [Kolkata], being enclosures to several despatches sent during the first half of 1808 (9 February, 31 March, 3 May, and 6 June) to the Secret Committee, in London, from the Secret Department of the Bengal Presidency, Fort William.A list of the enclosures is included at the beginning of the volume (folios 3-4), including enclosure number, date written, summary of content, and a page reference (to the original pagination). This is followed (folios 5-10) by a separate ‘list of packets’ for the 9 February, 31 March, and 3 May despatches. Each is a list of the numbered enclosures that were included within each packet when sent. Not all items contained in these lists are present within the volume.The papers deal with a range of matters, including:British fears of French ascendency in Persia, including a suspected plan to invade India from PersiaThe outbreak of war between Britain and Denmark, and the subsequent occupation of Danish colonies in India by BritainAffairs in Bagdad [Baghdad], including relations with the Pacha [Pasha]Appointment of Brigadier-General John Malcolm as Political Agent in Persia and his diplomatic mission to the Persian Court in 1808Events connected to the Napoleonic Wars including the evacuation of British forces from Alexandria in September 1807, the surrender of the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, and the Treaty of Tilsit, 1807, between France and RussiaInternal affairs of PersiaFrench plans for a trading settlement in the Persian GulfBritish plans for stationing a naval force in the GulfRelations between the British Resident at Muscat, Captain David Seton, and the Imaum [Imam Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd]Affairs in Afghanistan.Correspondents include the following: Lord Minto [Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound], Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William; Neil Benjamin Edmonstone, Secretary to the Governor-General, Fort William; Nicholas Hankey Smith, Resident, Bushire [Būshehr]; Captain Court Schuyler, Resident, Goa; John Hine, Acting Resident, Bagdad; President and Council, Fort St George, Madras [Chennai]; Samuel Manesty, Resident, Bussora [Basra]; Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai]; Raphael de Picciotto, Austrian Consul, Aleppo; John Barker, Consul of the Levant Company, Aleppo, writing from exile in Haussa [Harissa, Keserwan, Lebanon]; Captain Benjamin Hallowell, Commander of the Tigreand Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s Sea Forces on the Coast of Egypt; Brigadier-General John Malcolm, Political Agent in Persia and Envoy to the Persian Court; and Jafer Ali Khan [Ja‘afar ‘Alī Khān], Agent at Sheraze [Shiraz].Folios 196-201 comprise extracts, translated extracts, and summarised intelligence taken from intercepted letters to Monsieur Frezel, a French Engineer and Aide-de-Camp to General Gardanne [Claude Matthieu de Gardane], the French Envoy to the Court of Persia.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 207; 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 includes an original pagination sequence.
11. Papers of Sir John Malcolm relating to India and Persia
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume chiefly comprises letters to Malcolm during the periods 1796, 1801-02, 1807-15, and 1830-32, when Malcolm served in either a military or administrative capacity for the East India Company in India and on diplomatic missions to Persia [Iran] (1808 and 1810), and when he was in England between 1812 and 1815.The papers stamped 1-98 relate to official business, and personal and private matters (of both the correspondent and Malcolm). Most of the correspondents were employees of the East India Company. The papers notably cover:British diplomatic missions in Persia [Iran], the role of Malcolm, Sir Harford Jones and Sir Gore Ouseley (at various times Envoys on Missions or Ambassadors to the Court of the King of Persia [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār] in Tehran)The Russo-Persian War (1804-13), campaigns led by Persian Crown Prince Abbas MirzaPersian relations with France and the Napoleonic Wars in EuropeAdministrative and personnel matters relating to the Indian Civil Service and military appointments, including requests (memorials) for Malcolm’s assistance, support, introduction, or recommendation (in career, legal and financial matters)Matters of finance and accounts, including salaries and allowances in the Indian colonial servicesState of affairs and news and events in various parts of India, notably Mysore and Madras [Chennai], including numerous complaints of officers in the Madras Army concerning its management and administration and lack of career progression opportunities (there was a mutiny of British officers of the Madras Army in 1809).The last group of documents, commencing with document stamped number 99, relate to the case of Moro Ragonath, which was the immediate cause of the quarrel between the Government of Bombay, under General Sir John Malcolm, and Sir John Grant, the Chief Justice of HM Supreme Court of Bombay, regarding the Court’s jurisdiction (see The Life and Correspondence of Major-General Sir John Malcolm, GCB... by John William Kaye, Volume II, p 507 et seq.). The documents, dated 18 July-c 30 September 1828, (folios 339-457) comprise:Malcolm’s ‘Notes of what past (sic) regarding the arrest or summons and taking away of Moro Ragonath a Minor Chief of the (left blank) class of the privileged orders in the Deccan’ (document 99)Correspondence between Malcolm, Mr John A Dunlop, Agent for Sirdars at Poona [Pune]; Sir Edward West; Richard Mills, Acting Collector and Magistrate, Poona; John Bax, Secretary with the Governor, Political Department; John Warden, Deputy Agent; Sir Thomas Bradford, Acting Resident; William Newnham, Chief Secretary; James Dewar, Acting Advocate-General; E C Morgan; J P Le Geyt; J W Brown, solicitor; F Leggatt, Deputy Sheriff, Bombay; A C Ferrier (Prothonotary); Thomas Jefferies, solicitor; H Rowe, Clerk of the CrownCopies and extracts of Magistrate’s Court and Supreme Court case documents including depositions, orders and witness statements.The letters stamped 1-98 are listed below in alphabetical order by surname. They are originals and are addressed to Malcolm unless otherwise stated. The ranks and positions of correspondents have been added where they were possible to ascertain. Subject information has been added before folio numbers (in a few cases this has been transcribed from the index at the front of the volume).Peter Abbott, British Consul at Beyrout [Beirut, Lebanon], to John Bedwell, Foreign Office, London, 9 June 1830, enclosing his report for Lord Aberdeen (one of HM’s Principal Secretaries of State), on trade, communications, industry, etc., on the country between Beyrout and the Persian Gulf, notably covering Bagdad [Baghdad], Damascus and Palmyra routes. (Referred to as ‘Report on Asia Minor’ in the index) (ff 298-304)John Adam, administrator, East India Company, 29 March 1809, Persian Missions (ff 111-117)Lieutenant-Colonel David Barr, Bombay Army, 10 April 1831 (ff 316-317)General Brathwaite (the letter is incomplete and lacks the correspondent’s signature. ‘? General Braithwaite’ has been annotated in pencil probably around 1900-1920s), 5 February 1802 (ff 20-21)John Briggs, Board of Commissioners, Government of Mysore, 7 May 1832, anarchical state of affairs in Mysore (ff 329-330)George Buchan, Chief Secretary to the Governor of Madras, 1 May-21 August 1808, Persian Missions (ff 73-78, 85-88, 98-103)M D Cadell, 5 November 1832 (the first page contains an account, written in a different hand, of a mutiny in the Bangalore troops) (ff 335-336)Lieutenant-Colonel John Carfrae (the signature is illegible and the name has been written in pencil adjacent to it probably around 1900-1920s), 15 March 1831, regarding the Court of Directors case against him for alleged financial misdemeanours in past paymaster posts in India (ff 310-314)John Chamier, Fort St George, 23 April and 12 June 1802 (ff 37-39, 46-47)Lieutenant Charles Christie, 16 October 1810-12 October 1812, Russo-Persian War and British military involvement in support of the Persian King, and British diplomatic missions (ff 170-173, 193-196, 235-236) (Christie commanded Persian infantry during the war and died during fighting in Azerbaijan on 31 October 1812)Colonel Barry Close (later General), East India Company, 1 April 1809-12 March 1810, recall of Malcolm’s Mission to Tehran, trouble with officers at Haiderabad [Hyderabad], operations against ‘Meer Chan’ [Amir Khan] near Nagpur (ff 119-120, 141-144, 151-160)Arthur Henry Cole, East India Company (later Resident in Mysore 1812-27), 23 March 1808 (ff 71-72)Dr John Cormick, British physician to Crown Prince Abbas Mirza of Persia, 24 September 1811-3 December 1814, news from Europe on war with Napoleon; Persian affairs, Russo-Persian War including accounts of military actions (ff 237-244), intelligence on Sir Harford Jones’s and Sir Gore Ouseley’s movements, news relating to Napoleon Bounapart [Bonaparte], the armistice and treaty between Persia and Russia, Ouseley’s trip to St Petersburg to negotiate on forfeited Persian territories (ff 178-180, 181-182, 183-186, 187-190, 203-205, 206-209, 218-221, 226-244, 261-263, 266-267)Framjee Cowasjee [Framji Cowasji Banaji, Parsi landowner and businessman], 31 November 1831 (ff 318-321)Note by J M Dickinson on Colonel Gilbert's appointment, no date, c 1831 (f 309)Colonel J Doveton, 18 June and 13 July 1809, Madras Army troubles (ff 123-124, 129-130)Jonathan Duncan, Governor or Bombay, 11 June 1802 (ff 42-44)Neil Benjamin Edmonstone, Chief Secretary to the Government of India, 27 January and 14 October 1811, including criticism of Sir Harford Jones and his level of competency (ff 174-177, 210-213)H Ellis, 22 August 1814, Journey to Persia, Sir Harford Jones, and Sir Gore Ouseley in St Petersburg (ff 264-265)Mountstuart Elphinstone, Resident at Poona, 23 December 1814, Gurkha and Pindari campaigns, death of General Robert Rollo Gillespie on 31 October 1814 (Anglo-Nepalese War) (ff 272-283)William Erskine, first Secretary of the Literary Society of Bombay, to John Leyden, Scottish Indologist, 15 July 1808, on Malcolm’s Mission to Persia, praise for Malcolm, and stinging criticism of Sir Harford Jones’s capabilities (ff 93-95)Lieutenant E Frederick, Bombay Army, 19 March 1811, his geographical sketch of Koordistan [Kurdistan] (ff 183-186)Enclosure in missing letter from a Mr Grant, no date, c 1810 (f 169)R B Gregory, Indian Army in Nepaul, [Nepal], 17 December 1805, duplicate letter (ff 296-297)[Dr?] William Ingledew, in Mysore, 29 March 1814, including Tippoo [Tipu] Sultan ‘Tiger of Mysore’ (ff 256-260)George Johnstone, Resident at Lucknow, 12 August and 26 October 1796 (ff 10-17)Sir Harford Jones, extract of a letter to Jafir Ali Khan, Native Agent employed by the East India Company, at Tauris [Tabriz], 27 November 1810, regarding his rejection of Jones’s offer to procure for him the appointment of Agent to England. (This letter is not in the index) (f 216)Lord Lake (General Gerard, 1st Viscount Lake), 13 July 1802 (ff 54-55)Writ issued to Stephen Langrish, in an action regarding property at Portsmouth, c 1828 (the date is obscured within the volume’s binding) (f 337) (See also: Morgan)J Leith, at Madras, 3 March 1802 (ff 22-29)J Little, 4 April and 19 May 1832, Bombay news, gossip and sundry matters (ff 326-328, 331-332)J Lumsden, at Calcutta [Kolkata], 13 May 1811 (ff 191-192)John Macdonald Kinneir, Madras Infantry (formerly attached to Malcolm’s 1808-09 Persian Mission), 9 and 23 March 1813, his stay in Sweden and account of ‘Bernadotte’ [Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte then de facto Regent of Sweden] (ff 248-250)Sir James Mackintosh, Recorder of Bombay and founder of Bombay Literary Society, 17 May 1808-2 December 1809, Madras Army troubles, views on Persian Mission, Lord Minto and Sir Harford Jones (ff 79-84, 145-150)Colonel William Macleod, Madras Army, 10 July 1809, Madras Army troubles (ff 125-128)Captain James MacMurdo, 9 June 1810, experiences in Kathiawar, surveying routes via Rhadunpoor [Radhanpur] and Jhodpoor [Jodhpur] (ff 161-168)G M MacNeill, 25 May 1832, regarding his removal from post at Bushire (ff 333-334)Charles Malcolm (brother of John Malcolm), 17 October 1830 and 31 December 1831 (ff 305, 322-325)Unsigned letter from Malcolm to the Earl of Buckinghamshire, 21 January 1815, regarding eligibility to apply for the KCB, citing his military experiences in 1803 and 1805 (ff 284-285)Writ issued to J Morgan in an action regarding property at Portsmouth, c 1828 (the date is obscured within the volume’s binding) (f 338) (See also: Langrish)A Munro, East India Company, 22 June 1802 (ff 48-49)Captain John Noble, 18 June 1809, Madras Army troubles (ff 121-122)Sir Gore Ouseley, HM Ambassador to Persia, 29 May-30 December 1811, Persian Missions, journey through and conditions in Persia, activities of Sir Harford Jones. Includes copy of Ouseley’s letter to Lord Wellesley (f 222), 30 December 1811, concerning Malcolm being presented with the Star of the Order of the Sun and Lion by the Persian King (ff 197-202, 222-225)Admiral Peter Rainier, 8 August 1802, Superiority of Trincomalee, Ceylon [Sri Lanka] as a Naval Station (ff 58-60)Hugh Scott, 19 July 1809, Madras Army troubles (ff 131-134)Lieutenant-Colonel William Scott, Resident at Lucknow, 4 August 1801 and 29 July 1802 (ff 18-19, 56-57)J Stewart, 27 November 1810 (ff 214-215)A Stock, 23 January 1831, soliciting Malcolm’s advice regarding his recent appointment to command troops in the service of the King of Persia (ff 307-308)R Strachey, 26 March 1809, account of the Mission to Shah Shuja [Shah Shuja-ul-Mulk, Afghan Ruler] at Peshawar, led by Mountstuart Elphinstone, British Envoy to the Court of Kabul, Afghanistan, including journey and terrain, the Royal Court, meeting with and description of the King, Shuja’s financial needs and political aims in Afghanistan (ff 106-110)Colonel A W Taylor, 27 July and 1 August 1809, Madras Army troubles (ff 135-140)John Peter Wade, Bengal Medical Service, 4 July 1802, his geographical account of Assam (published as An Account of Assamin 1927) (ff 50-53)Francis Warden, 11 December 1814, his private views on Sir Evan Nepean, Governor of Bombay (ff 268-271)Colonel Mark Wilks, 5 April 1802-25 October 1808, news and events in Madras and Mysore, historical account of Fort St George, Madras, arrangements for his Residency when he leaves Mysore. Includes copy of a letter from Malcolm to Wilks 5 April 1802 (f 30) (ff 30-36, 40-41, 61-64, 65-70, 89-92, 96-97, 104-105)J Young, 25 February 1815, includes reference to the Nepal War [Anglo-Nepalese War 1814-16] (ff 286-295)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 460; 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 original pagination sequence dating from the 1920s is also present in parallel between folios 10 and 457; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. This sequence correlates to the description found in Samuel Charles Hill's Catalogue of the Home Miscellaneous Series of the India Office Records(London: HMSO, for the India Office, 1927).
12. Papers of Sir John Malcolm relating to his diplomatic missions in Persia and to the country and history of Persia
- Description:
- Abstract: The papers relate to British relations with and diplomatic missions to Persia [Iran], notably John Malcolm’s missions of 1799-1801, 1808 and 1810, Anglo-Persian relations 1812, and the geography and history of Persia as affecting Britain’s position in India.The contents of the three volumes are covered by one list of contents (in the Volume Part 1), which includes the document number stamped at the commencement of each document (1-72), the date, name of correspondent and (in most cases) the subject. The letters are originals unless otherwise stated.Although not bound in this order, the five rough groups of papers are described here below in chronological order for purposes of narrative clarity, followed by the historical surveys.Captain John Malcolm’s letters to Sir George Barlow,with related correspondence,16 January 1801-4 April 1802. (Documents stamped numbers 1-40, ff 8-99.)During this period Malcolm was Private Secretary to Lord Mornington [Richard Wellesley, later Marquess Wellesley], Governor-General of the (Bengal) Presidency of Fort William, at Calcutta [Kolkata], and Barlow was a member of the Supreme Council of Bengal (appointed Provisional Governor-General in 1802). Malcolm’s letters were written during and after his return from his Mission to Persia [Iran] having arrived at Tehran in December 1799 and negotiated political and commercial treaties with the King of Persia [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār] (signed January 1801).The letters notably relate to:Malcolm’s journeys to and across IndiaAdministrative and financial mattersA tiger hunt Malcolm joinedLetters of introduction for patronageAffairs of the merchants at PatnaInstructions from Wellesley for BarlowThe recently ratified treaty with PersiaFinancial relief for the indigo contractors at CalcuttaA request for C Buchanan’s position as Chaplain to the Residency at Calcutta to be made official so that Buchanan can draw allowancesArrangements for the return of Lord Clive (Edward Clive, Governor of Madras) to Europe by seaArrangements for couriers and shipping of Wellesley’s official dispatches to EnglandCommendation for the recent army and navy action against Egypt.General Malcolm’s letters, to Barlow, George Buchan, Secretary to the Governor of Madras, and Lord Minto, Governor-General of the Bengal Presidency at Fort William, Calcutta, 16 April 1808-9 January 1809, and 6 October 1810. (Documents stamped numbers 41-52, ff 100-209.)During this period Malcolm undertook two diplomatic missions to Persia, as envoy appointed by Lord Minto. Arriving at Bushire in May 1808 he did not get any further due to the predominating influence of the French at the Persian Court. After returning to India Malcolm travelled to and gathered a force at Bombay in readiness to either bolster or attack Persia or Turkey if either enabled the French to invade India through their territories. In March 1809, owing to the change of situation in Europe with France occupied in Spain, the British under Harford Jones’s embassy were able to conclude successful political and commercial preliminary treaties. Lord Minto re-appointed Malcolm in 1810 but although he was received by King he made no substantial progress.The letters up to January 1809 cover:Malcolm’s preparations for potential military action against Persia from the Gulph [Persian Gulf], including personnel and escort, and his journey to BombayBritish policy towards the PersiansBritish policy towards the French regarding their apparent ambitions in IndiaNews of French military advances and Napoleon Bonaparte’s plansFranco-Persian relationsProgress of the Russo-Persian warDispatches for Lord MintoActivities and dispatches of Sir Harford Jones, regarding his more successful mission in Persia promoting Anglo-Persian alliances and military collaboration against Russia.Followed by Malcolm’s lengthy account to Lord Minto on Persian affairs, dated 6 October 1810, (sent to Lord Minto from Bagdad [Baghdad]). It incorporates his analysis and opinion of the state of the Persian Empire, its history, geography, ruling dynasty (including character sketches of the King and major princes), the Persian Court, economy, society and culture. Particular attention is paid to: the territories between and routes through Persia and India; background to the current Russo-Persian war; the state of the Persian Army; the King’s policy towards his sons and chief ministers; political prospects for Persia after the King’s death; British and Persian policy towards each other since 1798 with particular reference the campaigns of Napoleon Bounapart [Bonaparte], and Russia and Turkey; diplomatic missions and Anglo-Persian agreements and alliances concluded by Malcolm and Harford Jones; Malcolm’s plan to attack Persia or Turkey from the Gulf, with a small force amassed in Bombay in January 1809, in the event of a French invasion of either country. Malcolm concludes with his suggestions for Britain’s future policy towards Persia, including a proposal to transform the irregular Persian Army into a standing army with British advisors and commanding officers as a means of repelling any invasion of India via Persia. He hints at the possibility of having to make Persia a dependency of Britain in the long-term. (Document 52, ff 142-209)Copy official letters from Charles Pasley, Political Agent, Abushahr [Bushire], to Neil Benjamin Edmonstone, Chief Secretary to the Government of India (numbered 1-7, ff 396-460), and to Brigadier-General John Malcolm (numbered 1-10, ff 461-504), 17 January-7 April 1810, with related intelligence and translated Persian letters from members of the Persian Royal family and Persian ministers. (See also volume IOR/H/733 for related material). (Documents stamped numbers 71-72, ff 396-504.)The letters relate to:Pasley’s journey from Bushire to Shirauz [Shiraz] to see Prince Hassan Ally Meerza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā], Governor of FarsThe progress of Sir Harford Jones’s Mission to TehranMalcolm’s departure from Bombay on a parallel Mission to PersiaRelations between the two different embassiesPolicy of the Prince at Shirauz and Persian Court towards MalcolmMalcolm’s activities and preparations at Bushire for advancing towards the King’s Court and uncertainty over whether or not to take valuable giftsSir Harford Jones’s successful negotiations with the King and Crown Prince Abbas Meerza [Abbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] and arrangement for a subsidy to the Persians to be funded from the Residency at BushireConfusion regarding instructions from HM Government, the Court of Directors and Lord Minto, Governor-General of India, to Harford Jones and Malcolm, the collision of authority and the impression given of the Government of IndiaSir Harford Jones’s establishing of his overriding authority over Malcolm’s embassy and the Bushire ResidentProgress of the Russo-Persian War and relations between Turkey and with Persia.Additional correspondents: John Briggs, Assistant; Jaafur Ali Khan [Ja‘afar ‘Alī Khān], Native Agent at Shiraz, providing intelligence from Shirauz; HE Meerza Shuffeea [Mirza Muhammad Shafi’ Mazandarani, Sadr-i A’zam (Prime Minister)]; HE Hajee Mahomed Hoossein Khan, Ameen ud/oo Dowlah [Hāji Muḥammad Ḥusayn Khān Isfahāni Amin al-Dawlah], a senior minister of state; Mahomed Nebbie Khan [Muḥammad Nabī Khān Shirāzī], Governor of Bushire; HRH Hoossein Ally/Ali Meerza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā], at Shirauz, Governor of Fars; Prince Abbas Meerza, heir apparent (to his brother in Shirauz); Dr Andrew Jukes, East India Company official travelling with Pasley and subsequently onwards to Tehran acting for Malcolm; Sir Harford Jones, HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.Includes copies of Harford Jones’s renewal of his September 1807 authority from HM Government as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Tehran, 6 November 1809 (f 494) and account of expenses in relation to the subsidy of 60,000 tomans to be provided to the Persian government (f 497)Copy letters from Sir Gore Ouseley, HM British Ambassador to Persia, to Marquis Wellesley [Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley], Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (officially he had very recently resigned that post), Sir George Barlow, Governor in Council, and William Ouseley, with related documents, 15-26 March 1812. (Documents stamped numbers 53-56, ff 210-238.)During this period the British Government directed diplomatic relations directly from London via their ambassador in Tehran.The letters relate to the definitive (i.e. detailed) political treaty between Britain and Persia, notably background, motivation, difficulties met, role of Hartford Jones in concluding the initial preliminary treaties (political and commercial), reasoning behind each treaty article, its ratification by the Persian King (see f 227) and the supply of 30,000 English muskets (from India and England) for the standing army of 50,000 disciplined troops under Crown Prince Abbas Mirza, Heir Apparent. A copy of the political treaty of twelve articles to be ratified by the Heir Apparent is included (ff 228-238)Document 53 (ff 210-211) comprises a letter from Ouseley to British Orientalist William Ouseley, 15 July 1812, instructing him, on behalf of Fateh Ali Shah [Fath-Ali Shah Qajar, Shah of Iran ‘the King’] and the East India Company, to examine the Persian shore of the Caspian Sea for suitable sites to build docks in which to construct a flotilla of war vessels, to examine the forests in the adjacent area for types of timber, the large harbours and rivers connecting to the Caspian Sea, iron and coal mines in Mazenderan [Mazandaran], local geography, and the state of ship building and commerce in the ports visited.Copies of historical, geographical, socio-cultural, economic and political papers on Persia, compiled by British officials of the East India Company. (Documents numbered 57-70 and 72, ff 239-394, 505.)‘An account of Futty Aly Khan [Fath’ ‘Ali Khan Qajar, Ilkhani of Qajar Tribe], great grand-father of the present majesty, Futty Aly Shah [Fath-Ali Shah Qajar], and of his actions’ (wars) with a history of the dynasty’s territorial acquisitions and losses and conquest of Mazenderan, c 1798-1810, author not identified (ff 239-243)Report on Trade between Bombay and Persia, P S Maister, Custom Master, Bombay, and H Fawcett, for Jonathan Duncan, President and Governor in Council, Bombay, 3 December 1799 (ff 244-257)Report on the ‘Persian Gulf pirates’, history and religion, customs, of the Whabee [Wahabis], Turkish copper, and French trade, by Harford Jones, for G C Osborne, Political Secretary to Governor of Bombay, 1 December 1799 (ff 258-269)‘Sketch of the History of Georgia during the last ten years to elucidate the rise and progress of the Russian connection with that country’, chronological account covering 1795-1804, by Charles Pasley, Political Agent, Abushahr, dated 20 Jan 1805, sent to Samuel Manesty, Resident at Bussora [Basra], 1 February 1805 (ff 270-289)Letter from Malcolm to Neil Benjamine Edmonstone, Secretary to the Governor, Bengal, 12 August 1807, setting out his sentiments on a ‘proposed attack of the Turkish Empire by an expedition fitted out from India against Bussorah [Basra] and Bagdad [Baghdad]’, a preventive policy in the Middle East to deter attacks on India from European powers (ff 290-306)‘Rough Memoir respecting The Political Intercourse of France with Persia. [Taken from the correspondence]’, covering 1805-07, notably the French Mission in April 1805 under Envoy Antoine-Alexandre Romieu (who reached Tehran in September 1805 but died shortly after meeting the Shah) followed by the Mission led by Claude Mathieu de Gardane (1807-09), by unidentified author, c 1808-1812 (ff 307-333)Extract of a letter to the Governor-General at Fort William, containing information on the Persian Royal Family, with fold-out ‘Genealogical Table of the family of Kureem Khan of Persia [Karīm Khān Zand]’, by unidentified author, 7 May 1808 (ff 334-337)Letters from Captain Monier Williams, Surveyor-General, Bombay, to Malcolm, Osborne and Duncan, 13 Apr 1808-23 January 1810, containing geographical and topographical information relative to the countries between Persia and British possessions in India, particularly the southern part of Sind [Sindh] to the western frontiers of Goojerat [Gujarat] and Jhodpoor Territory (Jodhpur, also known as Marwar), i.e. where military operations were likely to take place should a French invasion occur, noting the strength of their armed forces in those areas (ff 338-365)‘Memoir of the Construction of a Map of Persia and Countries lying between the Araxes [also known as Aras], Tigris, and Indus extending from Latitude 230 400 North and Longitude 440 to 700 East’, by William Wilke, Assistant Surveyor, 1 January 1812 (ff 366-379)Account of a visit to the ruins of Babylon, including historical background, undated and author not identified c 1800-1812 (however see W B Selby, Memoir of the Ruins of Babylon, 1859) (ff 380-394)Statement of the ‘Superficial content of each province [of Persia] in English square miles’ (f 505, Paper No. 72).Physical description: Foliation: this file consists of three physical volumes. The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover of volume one (ff 1-200), through volume two (ff 200-350), and terminates at the inside back cover of volume three (ff 351-509); 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 original pagination sequence dating from the 1920s is also present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil and some are also circled, but as they have been superseded are therefore crossed out. This sequence correlates to the description found in Samuel Charles Hill's Catalogue of the Home Miscellaneous Series of the India Office Records(London: HMSO, for the India Office, 1927).