Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Major Samuel Hennell, British Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Saeed bin Tahnoon, Shaik of Aboothabee [Sa‘īd bin Ṭaḥnūn Āl Nahyān, Shaikh of Abu Dhabi]. It is the sixth in a series of twenty items on the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2180/106055, IOR/F/4/2180/106056, IOR/F/4/2180/106057, IOR/F/4/2180/106058, IOR/F/4/2180/106059, IOR/F/4/2181/106061, IOR/F/4/2181/106062, IOR/F/4/2181/106063, IOR/F/4/2181/106064, IOR/F/4/2181/106065, IOR/F/4/2181/106066, IOR/F/4/2181/106067, IOR/F/4/2181/106068, IOR/F/4/2181/106069, IOR/F/4/2181/106070, IOR/F/4/2181/106071, IOR/F/4/2181/106072, IOR/F/4/2181/106073, and IOR/F/4/2181/106074).The item concerns an accusation, later fully retracted, by Saeed bin Tahnoon that Moollah Houssein [Mullā Ḥusayn], British Agent at Shargah [Sharjah, written as Sargah in the title], has been taking bribes to conceal information from Hennell. The item also briefly mentions the deterioration in relations between Aboothabee and Debaye [Dubai].The item contains a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 282/47, P.C. [Previous Communication] 5573, Coll[ection]: 10, Collection No 6 of No 140’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 954, and terminates at f 965, 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 volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, a political letter from the Government of Bombay, which appears in IOR/F/4/2445/134344. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Saeed ben Guzeeb, [Sa‘īd bin Qāzib], Governor of Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh]. It is the eleventh in a series of twenty-one items on events in the Persian Gulf.The item concerns the exoneration of the British Agent at Lingah from a charge of having accepted a bribe from the owner of two enslaved people.The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft N 34 – 1852’, and ‘Collection No 32’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 222, 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 item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 81 of 1847, dated 30 September 1847. The enclosures are dated 14 June-14 August 1847.The primary documents are despatches of Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia [Iran], to the Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, forwarding for the information of the President and Governor in Council, Bombay, and the Governor-General of India, copies of his despatches to Viscount Palmerston, HM Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The enclosures in Sheil’s despatches notably include copies of his correspondence with the Persian Prime Minister, Hajee Meerza Aghassee [Ḥājjī Mīrzā (ʿAbbās Īravānī) Āqāsī], and copies of correspondence of or with: Major Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, Political Agent, Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq]; Major Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Keith Edward Abbott, HM Consul in Tehran; and Lord Cowley, HM Minister at Constantinople [Istanbul].The despatches cover numerous matters, including the following:1) The involvement of Sheil, Richard White Stevens, the British Consul in Tabreez [Tabriz], the Governor of Bagdad [Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad], and Rawlinson, in the reconciliation of Rassool Pasha [Rasūl Pāshā], the ex-Meer of Rewandooz [Mīr of Rawandiz, Iraqi Kurdistan], with the Governor of Bagdad, subsequent to the former’s unsuccessful attempt at rebellion (ff 5-8).2) The Persian Government’s political tensions with the Turkish Government [Ottoman Porte] notably regarding:Military preparations of the Porte for the reduction of the ‘insurgent’ Bedr Khan Bey [Badr Khān Beg], Chief of Bohtan [also known as Buhtan and Bokhti], and the approach of a detachment of the Turkish Army to Van (bordering north western Persia)The slow progress of peace negotiations at Erzeroom [Erzurum] and Persian suspicions concerning perceived favouritism by the mediating powers (Britain and Russia) towards TurkeyThe potentially disastrous effect on Persian inhabitants (notably in religious places such as Kerbella [Karbala]) of new Ottoman regulations prohibiting the subject of any foreign power acquiring property of any kind in the Turkish dominions and the intention to apply the regulations retrospectivelyThe allegation that Persian ‘Mahomedan’ [Muslim] subjects are treated less favourably than Russian ‘Mahomedan’ by Turkey with regard to the passport taxes enforced by the Governor of BagdadThe refusal of the Turkish Government to remove their Guard Ship near Mohemmera [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammera, also spelled Muhammera in this item] to a position further up the Shat-ul-Arab [Shatt al-Arab River].3) Sheil’s annoyance with Hennell for asking Rawlinson to obtain from the Ottoman Porte orders for the authorities at Bussorah [Basra] to seize all Persian vessels taking refuge in the Shat-ul-Arab which have committed acts of ‘piracy’ or ‘outrage’ in the Persian Gulf, since the privilege was given discreetly by the Governor of Fars without the knowledge of the Persian central government who may withdraw it should it become widely known (ff 18-20).4) Sheil's concerns regarding the apparent extension of Russian influence in Asterabad [Gorgan] and his suggestion that Mr Abbott, HM Consul in Tehran, visit that place since no one of the British Mission has been there since 1845 (f 25).5) Sheil’s efforts to persuade the Persian Government to adhere to its alleged promise to replicate the action of the Ottoman Porte and issue a firman [edict] for ‘the abolition of the traffic in slaves in the Persian Ports of the Persian Gulf’ (f 37), including: the claim of the Shah [Muḥammad Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] that his refusal is for religious reasons; Hajee Meerza Aghassee’s claim that the Shah’s true motive is irritation at the delay in concluding treaty negotiations at Erzeroom (which he apparently blames on mediators Britain and Russia); Sheil’s conviction of Hajee Meerza Aghassee’s responsibility for the evasion originating in his influence over the Shah; the Shah’s agreement that since the ‘Queen of England has ordered her ships of war to stop and seize all slaving vessels…there is an end to the trade no more slaves will be brought to Persia’; and reports that since the Treaty of Erzeroom, Mohemmera has become a Persian market for enslaved persons (ff 27-43 and 79-90).6) Sheil’s report that Messrs Alexander Hector and Co, British merchants in Bagdad, HM Consul in Tehran, and Mr Mills an English merchant of Sheeraz [Shiraz], have all concluded agreements to each supply 200,000 muskets to the Persian Government, noting that as the latter cannot afford the cost the manufacturers should not import the entire amount (f 57).7) Disapproval expressed by Sheil and Abbott with regard to Hector and Co acquiring the legal title to a thirty-year old debt originally owed to Gaspar Khan [Gaspar Khān], a Turkish subject, by Mahomed Ali Meerza, Prince Governor of Kurmanshah [Muḥammad ‘Alī Mīrzā, Prince Governor of Kermanshah], a Persian subject, as it could draw the British Government into inappropriate litigation (ff 96-101).8) The agreement concluded by HM Consul in Tabreez, between the Governor of Oroomeeya [Urmia, or Orumiyeh], Afshar Chiefs and proprietors, and Daood Khan [Daud Khān] (a Christian nominated by Sheil and the Russian Minister Count Medem [Aleksandr Ivanovich Medem] to superintend the Nestorian Christians of Oroomeeya) for a more equitable arrangement for both ‘Mahomedans’ and Christians (ff 53-60).9) Hindrances to the ratification, by the Persian and Turkish Governments, of the Treaty concluded at Erzeroom on 31 May 1847, notably: the objections of the Persian Government and Prime Minister to the Porte’s ‘needless’ insistence that Persia officially declare that Turkey’s cession of Mohemmera does not imply the abandonment of any other territory or port belonging to Turkey, and that Turkish territory in which Persian tribes have settled is not devolved to Persia, and agree to the non-fortification of the Shat-ul-Arab. Included is Sheil’s correspondence with Hajee Meerza Aghassee (ff 62-67 and 117-126).10) Sheil’s complaint to Hajee Meerza Aghassee regarding the detention in Asterabad, on the orders of Sulieman Khan [Sulaymān Khān, also spelled Saleeman Khan in this item], Governor of Asterabad, of a reply messenger sent by the Khan of Khiva with gifts and letters for Sheil, and demand for the recall to Tehran of Sulieman Khan, an apology, and the reimbursement of the messenger's losses (ff 68-79).11) Detailed observations by Sheil on the composition, condition and strength of the artillery force of Persia (ff 102-112), specifically the regular and the irregular infantry and cavalry. In his critical assessment Sheil alleges corruption, poor conditions, incompetence, indiscipline, insubordination, lack of training, defective arms, poor uniforms, lack of medical facilities, poor transport, and badly administered systems of food distribution and pay, whilst praising the soldierly quality of ‘a native of Persia’ as ‘robust, healthy, cheerful and full of alacrity, patient of hunger, cold and fatigue, in short of every hardship excepting thirst…’ (ff 104-105).12) Sheil’s opinion that a general state of disorganisation is creeping over Persia, notably: detailing various disturbances in the province of Khorassan [Khorasan] and Khuzistan [Khuzestan]; criticising the ‘corruption, deceit, incompetency, falsehood, ignorance, poverty of the Government and people and ….mutinous troops’; and lamenting the role of the elderly Hajee Meerza Aghassee whom he asserts monopolises every function of government but has ‘ceased to possess the energy mental or bodily, for even a partial performance of its duties’ (f 115).13) The movement of Persian troops to Khorassan which has lately been cut off from all communication due to the ‘marauding’ incursions of the Toorkomans [Turkoman or Turkmen people], and rumours of a force collected by ‘rebel’ Jaffer Koolee Khan [Jaʿfar Qulī Khān, also spelled Jaffir Koolee Khan in this item], Chief of Boojnoord [Bojnord] to threaten Persia, including: confirmation that infantry and guns have marched from Tehran but are ordered to wait at Bestam [Bastam, also spelled Bastian in this item] (half way to Meshed) for reinforcements who refuse to march without receiving arrears of pay from the Persian Prime Minister; and Sheil's fear that the disorganised and untrained Persian force would lose in any engagement with Jaffer Koolee Khan.Physical description: 1 item (129 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay, Secret Department, to the Secret Committee, Number 15 of 1850, dated 16 March 1850.The enclosed papers, dated between 15 and 17 January 1850, concern affairs in the Ottoman Pachalic [Pashalik] of Bagdad [Baghdad]. They comprise a despatch sent by Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Acting Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq] to the Government of India, Foreign Department, enclosing copies of Kemball's letters to Sir Stratford Canning, British Ambassador to the Ottoman Government, Constantinople [Istanbul].Several matters are covered by the papers, including:The alleged financial malpractices of Nijib Pasha [Mehmed Necib Pasha, or Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā], former Ottoman Governor of BagdadThe perceived apathy and indolence of the current Governor, Abdi Pasha [Abdul-Karim Pasha, or ‘Abd al-Karīm Pāshā]Administration of the tribes in the Hindieh [Al-Hindiyah] districtRequired repairs for the Hindieh dike [dyke].Physical description: 1 item (9 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay, Secret Department, to the Secret Committee, Number 19 of 1850, dated 3 April 1850.The enclosed papers, dated between 9 January and 14 February 1850, concern affairs in the Ottoman Pachalic [Pashalik] of Bagdad [Baghdad]. They comprise correspondence between Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Acting Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq]; the Government of Bombay; the Government of India, Foreign Department; and Sir Stratford Canning, British Ambassador to the Ottoman Porte, Constantinople [Istanbul].The papers cover several matters, including:Kemball's recent request for the presence of East India Company ships at Mohamrah [Khorramshahr] to support the work of the Turco [Ottoman Iraq]-Persian Boundary CommissionThe return of Abdi Pasha [Abdul-Karim Pasha, or ‘Abd al-Karīm Pāshā], the Governor of the Pachalic to Bagdad from Hindieh [Al-Hindiyah]The financial malpractices of former Governor, Nijib Pasha [Mehmed Necib Pasha, or Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā]The announcement by the Ottoman Government of a full census of the population of the Pachalic and the suspicions of the people about the Government's motivation for doing so.Physical description: 1 item (11 folios)