1. Vol 31: Letters Outward

Description:

Abstract: The volume consists of letters sent outwards from the office of the Resident in the Persian Gulf. The subject matter focuses on British relations with various powers in and around the Persian Gulf during 1823; more specifically, on enforcing the provisions of the General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf (1820), and talk of an intended Persian invasion of Bahrain. It also outlines the outcome of a tour of the Arabian coast by John Macleod in January 1823.Other matters covered include the state of the Residency house at Bushire, and an investigation into William Bruce's involvement in the case of Muḥammad Nabī Khān, along with some limited reporting on the possibility of Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rasūl Khān being removed from the position of Governor of Bushire by Prince Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences on the first page of text and continues through to the 3rd folio from the back of the volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: A pagination sequence also runs through the volume between ff 2-191; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the top outermost corners of each page.

2. Vol 35: Letters Outward

Description:

Abstract: The volume consists of letters sent out by Ephraim Gerrish Stannus, the Resident in the Persian Gulf, and James Pringle Riach, the officer placed in charge of the Bushire Residency during his absences; the Resident is required to make a number of trips to the Arabian Coast during the period covered by this volume.The subject matter covered includes political activity in Persia principally relating to Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rasūl Khān, the Shaikh of Bushire, and Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā, the Prince at Shiraz; this includes some discussion concerning a possible Persian expedition to retake Bahrain, and the insecure position of Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rasūl Khān at Bushire. The impact and consequences of an earthquake, which occurred at Shiraz are also reported.A great deal of correspondence is related to the Resident's role in enforcing the General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf 1820, which aims to curb piracy in the Gulf. There is therefore a great deal of material relating to mediating a dispute between the dependants of Sa‘īd bin Sultān Āl Sa‘īd, the Imam of Muscat (principally Shaikh Ṭaḥnūn bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān), and Sulṭān bin Saqr. There is also some material concerning the arrangement of transportation for the Resident's trips to the Arabian coast.Captain William Owen's efforts to suppress the slave trade in East Africa are covered to a degree by the correspondence; the Captain's authorised declaration of a British Protectorate over Mombasa is reported, along with his threats against other dependencies of the Government of Oman (for example, Zanzibar). There is also a limited amount of material concerning the Imam of Muscat's threats to blockade the port of Basra.Physical description: Condition: The front cover of the volume is detached from the binding, which is itself in poor condition, and many sections are loose. Much of the body of the volume is in good condition, but care must be taken as some of the folios are very fragile.Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The volume contains the following amendments to the foliation; 1, and 1A; 20, and 20A; 90, and 90A.Pagination: The volume contains an original pagination sequence written in ink between ff 2-140; these numbers are located in the top centre of each page.