Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. It is the first in a series of three items about a negotiation by William Bruce (the others are IOR/F/4/894/23289 and IOR/F/4/895/23290). The correspondents are the Government of Bombay; William Bruce, Political Agent in the Persian Gulf; Hoossain Ali Mirza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fārs]; Lieutenant John Macleod; Captain French of the sloop
Sophie.The item concerns:William Bruce’s unauthorised visit to Shiraz at the behest of Hoossain Ali MirzaThe treaty that Bruce agreed with Mirza, which included acknowledging Persian sovereignty over Kishm [Qeshm] and Bahrein [Bahrain], providing cruisers to the Persians, and obliging the Uttobees [‘Utūb] to stop carrying the flag of the friendly ArabsThe Government of Bombay’s disapproval of Bruce’s actions and the proposed agreementThe Government of Bombay’s actions to mitigate the damage done by Bruce, including replacing Bruce as Political Agent in the Persian Gulf with John MacleodThe orders given to the cruisers to counteract piracyThe furniture in the Bushire [Būshehr] Residency.The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Political No. 2, Draft 293, P.C. 362, Season 26/7, Examiner’s Office 1824’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 128, and terminates at f 226, 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 pagination sequence.
Abstract: The letterbook is comprised of correspondence sent between the Resident in the Persian Gulf, Captain Arnold Kemball, and the Chief Secretary of the Government in Bombay, Arthur Malet, relating to events at Bahrain (folios 1-61), on the Arabian Coast and Muscat (folios 63-256), and the slave trade (folios 258-414).Correspondence relating to Bahrain, the Arab Coast and Muscat, chiefly concerns relations (including conflicts and settlements) between the Arab tribes, occasional breaches of the maritime peace, and the movements of a Wahhabi army eastwards from the Arabian interior, towards Al-Buraimi and Muscat. Correspondence relating to the slave trade chiefly concerns instances of slaves being imported into Persia from Zanzibar, occasionally via the Batinah and Arab coasts.Physical description: Foliation: The letterbook has been split into two volumes, ending at folio 208 in the first volume, and picking up at folio 209 in the second. Foliation begins on the first page of text in the first volume, and ends on the last page of the original letterbook in the second volume. The foliation system uses pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. An original pagination system, written in ink in the top-left corner of versos and the top-right corner of rectos, runs through both volumes.The front cover, inside cover, front flyleafs, rear flyleafs and inside back cover of each volume are unfoliated.The following foliation anomalies occur: 41A, 74A, 74B (no 74), 179A, 179B (no 179), 184A, 184B (no 184), 187A, 194A, 194B (no 194), 196A, 196B (no 196), 203A, 263A, 282A, 282B (no 282), 295A, 295B (no 295), 331A, 331B (no 331).
Abstract: The volume’s contents fall into two categories:Reports and memoranda on Bahrain, dated 1875, including a report on the rulers of Bahrain (folios 2-7); a history and genealogy of the Uttoobee [ʿUtūb] tribe (folios 9-10); names of the ʿUtūb rulers (folios 11-13); a memorandum on Bahrain (folios 15-44) covering etymologies of the islands’ names, its inhabitants, political character, and history from the earliest known period to the present day; and a list of some of the principal families in Bahrain (folios 45-46). The first three of these reports are ascribed to an individual called Hajee Abdool Cassim, and are present in the volume in Arabic original and English translation. The author of the last two reports is unclear.The second part of the volume contains correspondence relating to arrangements for the excavation of Bahrain’s tumuli. There are a number of letters dated 1879 (folios 49, 52, 53, 58, 59-60) exchanged between Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Ross, Resident in the Persian Gulf, and the Principal Librarian of the British Museum (Edward Bond), the latter being eager to initiate excavations of the tumuli at Bahrain, and forwarding funds of £100 sterling for the project. Later correspondence covers arrangements for the purchase and delivery of pickaxes to Bahrain for the excavations (folios 61-74), and arrangements and letters of recommendation to Shaikh Esau bin Khuleefah [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah] for Theodor and Mabel Bent to visit Bahrain in 1889 to undertake excavations (folios 91-98).Note that Durand’s notes on the antiquities of Bahrain, cited in the original file title, are not themselves included in the volume.Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated from the front cover to the inside back cover, using pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a, 1b, 1c.
Abstract: A translation of a proposed agreement between Mohamed Zikie Khan [Muhammad Zakī Khān Nūrī], Vizier to Hossein Ali Mirza [Husayn ‘Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fārs], and William Bruce, Resident at Bushire [Būshehr], dated 8 August 1822.The terms of the agreement concern:Efforts to sustain friendly relations between Britain and the Government of FarsThe Bani Atoobee [‘Utūb] of Bahrein [Bahrain], in particular the issue of a distinguishing flagRestitution for the inhabitants of Lingua [Bandar-e Lengeh] and Charrack [Bandar-e Chārak] for losses caused by British forcesThe reinstatement of Bruce as Resident in BushirePermission for British forces to occupy an island in the Gulf for a period of five years, under conditions.The agreement was enclosed in the letter of Major George Willock, Acting Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 15 October 1822 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/121).A duplicate of the agreement can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/69/131.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from William Bruce, Resident in Bushire [Būshehr], to Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], sent from Shiraz and dated 3 September 1822.The letter reports events at the Court of the Prince-Governor of Fars [Husayn ‘Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā], in particular Bruce’s conclusion of an agreement with the Government of Fars (IOR/L/PS/9/69/124). It also discusses Bruce’s proposed lease of a British cruiser to Persia [Iran] and a likely expedition from Fars against Bahrein [Bahrain].The agreement was enclosed in the letter of Major George Willock, Acting Chargé d’Affaires in Persia, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 15 October 1822 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/121).Physical description: 1 item (5 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay [Mumbai], to James Parish, Secretary to the Government of Bombay, sent from Poonah [Pune] and dated 27 October 1822.The letter concerns the agreement concluded between William Bruce, Resident in Bushire [Būshehr], and the Government of Fars at Sheraz [Shīrāz] (IOR/L/PS/9/69/124 and 131), disavowing the agreement as contrary to the policies of the Government of Bombay on issues including Kishm [Qeshm] and Bahrein [Bahrain]. It contains instructions for Bruce’s dismissal and the removal of the occupying forces on Kishm to be replaced by naval patrols. It also forwards draft letters to regional rulers on the issue of the disavowed agreement (IOR/L/PS/9/69/132-134).The letter was enclosed in the letter of Major George Willock, Acting Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 25 January 1823 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/126).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from James Parish, Secretary to the Government of Bombay [Mumbai], to William Bruce, Resident in Bushire [Būshehr], sent from Bombay Castle and dated 1 November 1822.The letter reprimands Bruce for making an agreement with the Government of Fars at Shiraz (IOR/L/PS/9/69/124) without orders from the Government of Bombay, disavows the agreement, and dismisses Bruce from his post as Resident.The letter was enclosed in the letter of Major George Willock, Acting Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 25 January 1823 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/126).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from William Bruce, Resident in Bushire [Būshehr], to Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], sent from Shiraz and dated 3 September 1822.The letter reports events at the Court of the Prince-Governor of Fars [Husayn ‘Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā], in particular Bruce’s conclusion of an agreement with the Government of Fars (IOR/L/PS/9/69/124 and 131). It also discusses Bruce’s proposed lending of a British cruiser to Persia and a likely expedition from Fārs against Bahrein [Bahrain].The letter was enclosed in the letter of Major George Willock, Acting Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 25 January 1823 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/126).A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/69/125.Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
Abstract: A translation of a proposed agreement between Mohamed Zikie Khan [Muhammad Zakī Khān Nūrī], Vizier to Hossein Ali Mirza [Husayn ‘Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fārs], and William Bruce, Resident at Bushire [Būshehr], dated 8 August 1822.The terms of the agreement concern:Efforts to sustain friendly relations between Britain and the Government of FārsThe Bani Atoobee [‘Utūb] of Bahrein [Bahrain], in particular the issue of a distinguishing flagRestitution for the inhabitants of Lingua [Bandar-e Lengeh] and Charrack [Bandar-e Chārak] for losses caused by British forcesThe reinstatement of Bruce as Resident in BushirePermission for British forces to occupy an island in the Gulf for a period of five years, under conditions.The letter was enclosed in the letter of Major George Willock, Acting Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 25 January 1823 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/126).A duplicate of the agreement can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/69/124.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: A draft letter from Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], to Hoosain Alli Mirza [Husayn ‘Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fārs], undated.The letter concerns the agreement concluded by William Bruce, Resident in Bushire [Būshehr], with the Government of Fars at Sheraz [Shīrāz] (IOR/L/PS/9/69/124 and 131), which is disavowed by Elphinstone as unauthorised. It also describes the Government of Bombay’s policies on issues covered in the agreement, including the flag of the Utoobees [‘Utūb] and the status of Kishm [Qeshm], and informs the Prince of Bruce’s dismissal from his post as Resident.The letter was enclosed in the letter of Major George Willock, Acting Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 25 January 1823 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/126).Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
Abstract: A draft letter from Major-General William Grant Keir, Commander of the 1819 expedition to the Persian Gulf, to the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat [Sa’īd bin Sultān Āl Bū Sa’īd] dated 19 March 1820. Keir acknowledges the receipt of the peace proposals between Muscat and the Atoobees [‘Utub] of Bahrein [Bahrain] [IOR/L/PS/9/18-19], pledging to forward these to the Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], and urges the Imam to make peace.The letter was enclosed in the letter of Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, dated 17 April 1820 [IOR/L/PS/9/69/14].Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A translation of a letter from the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat [Sa’īd bin Sultān Āl Bū Sa’īd] to Major-General William Grant Keir, Commander of the 1819 expedition to the Persian Gulf, undated. The letter concerns the Imam’s peace negotiations with Syed Abdul Jaleel [‘Abd al-Jalīl bin Yāsīn al-Ṭabāṭabā’ī], Ambassador of the Atoobees [‘Utūb] of Bharein [Bahrain], and forwards a copy of the proposed peace terms [IOR/L/PS/9/69/20].The letter was enclosed in the letter of Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, dated 17 April 1820 [IOR/L/PS/9/69/14].Physical description: Condition: the letter was perforated in an attempt to stop the spread of disease.