Abstract: Translations of three Persian letters received by Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad]:1. A letter from Meerza Bozurg [Mīrzā ‘Īsá Khān Farāhānī], Persian [Iranian] Minister, concerning the mission of Meerza Mehedi Ally Khan [Mīrzā Mahdī ‘Alī Khān Bahadūr, Resident in Bushehr] to the Persian Court.2. An extract of a letter from a merchant at Yezd [Yazd] dated 1 Zulhajee [Dhū al-Hijjah]/5 May 1799. The letter reports rumours that Zeman Shah [Zamān Shāh Durrānī, Ruler of Afghanistan] engaged in combat with the Mahrattas [Marathas] and was defeated, and that Zeman Khan [Zamān Khān], former Governor of Herat, has returned to that city.3. A letter from Hajee Hossein Kerem Ali [Ḥājjī Ḥusayn Karīm ‘Alī], a Persian merchant charged by Jones to collect information from Candahar [Kandahar]. The letter reports that several people have arrived in Tabbas [Tabas] claiming to have taken part in combat between Zeman Shah and the Mahrattas, in which Zeman Shah was defeated and forced to flee.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This item contains three documents:1. A copy of a letter from Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], sent from Bombay Castle and dated 4 May 1799.In response to Jones’s letter of 25 March (IOR/L/PS/9/76/60) concerning an embassy rumoured to be travelling across Persia [Iran] to the Court of Baba Khan [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār], Duncan discusses the mission of Meerza Mehedi Ally Khan [Mīrzā Mahdī ‘Alī Khān Bahadūr], Resident in Bushire [Bushehr] in Persia.2. An extract of a letter from Yezd [Yazd] dated c. 1 July 1799, translated by Harford Jones. The letter reports that Shah Zeman [Zamān Shāh Durrānī, Ruler of Afghanistan] has returned from India. It also reports that Baba Khan is said to be in Meshed [Mashhad], has summoned the son and brother of Shah Zadeh Mahmood [Mahmūd Durrānī] who are in exile in Tabbas [Tabas], and has dispatched troops towards Herat.3. An extract from a letter from Jones to the President (Governor) of Bombay dated 13 February 1799. The letter reports that firearms and sabres from Turkey [Ottoman Empire] and the Crimea are being exported to Bombay.Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
Abstract: This item contains copies of three letters:1. A letter from John Raymond, Conductor of Stores in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Samuel Manesty, Resident in Bussora [Basra], sent from Bagdad and dated 27 September 1804. Raymond describes a quarrel between himself and Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad, following an alleged threat to Coja Mookiel ibn Minas [Khawājah Mikaeil bin Minas], East India Company Linguist in Bagdad, from the Kia [Deputy Governor] of Bagdad.2. A letter on behalf of Manesty to Raymond, sent from a camp near Bagdad and dated 28 September 1804. Manesty recommends that Raymond continue to perform his duties as Conductor of Stores but obey orders from Jones.3. A letter from Raymond to Manesty, sent from Bagdad and dated 1 October 1801. Raymond transmits correspondence concerning his quarrel with Harford Jones and asks Manesty to forward this to India.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Copies of five letters between Lord Elgin, HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, and Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad]:1. A letter from Elgin to Jones, sent from Constantinople [Istanbul] and dated 16 November 1799. The letter announces Elgin’s arrival in Constantinople and assumption of his duties, offers assistance, and asks for information regarding Bagdad and Persia [Iran]. A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/103.2. A letter from Elgin to Jones, sent from Constantinople and dated 21 December 1799. The letter orders Jones not to open or read any letter addressed to Elgin from India. A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/103.3. A letter from Elgin to Jones, sent from Constantinople and dated 21 December 1799. Elgin renounces the use of cyphers in his communications with India. A duplicate of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/104.4. A letter from Jones to Elgin, sent from Bagdad and dated 17 January 1800. The letter reports the transit of Elgin’s dispatches to India via Bagdad and Bussora [Basra] and congratulates Elgin on his appointment as Ambassador. Jones also outlines the policy of the British Government in India towards Persia [Iran], reports on events in Afghanistan, and describes British interests in Bagdad. It also reports a rumour that the Shereef [Sharīf] of Mecca has offered to read the khutbeh [Friday prayer sermon] in the name of Baba Khan [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] instead of the Grand Signior [Sulṭān of the Ottoman Empire] in exchange for money. A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/105.5. A letter from Jones to Elgin, sent from Bagdad and dated 17 January 1800. Jones acknowledges the receipt of Elgin’s letter of 21 December and pledges not to open or read letters addressed to Elgin from India as instructed. A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/107.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Lord Elgin, HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], sent from Constantinople [Istanbul] and dated 3 August 1801.The letter concerns a dispute between Jones and the Pashaw [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad], admonishing Jones for some aspects of his conduct but agreeing with Jones’s speculation that the dispute was provoked by French agents. Elgin also stresses the need for the Bagdad Residency's privileges to be established in law.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Lord Elgin, HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], sent from Constantinople [Istanbul] and dated 31 July 1801.Elgin undertakes to reply to correspondence concerning a dispute between Jones and the Pashaw [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] at a later date and expresses faith in Jones’s abilities.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from John Robinson, Member of Parliament, to Laurence Sulivan, Chairman of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, sent from Syon Hill [Isleworth, Middlesex] and dated 30 August 1781.The letter passes on a petition from a Mr Burke, regarding the treatment of his relative Mr W Burke who has not been allowed to travel from Bussora [Basra] to India with Gilbert Seton, and asks the Court of Directors to instruct William Digges Latouche, Resident in Bussora, to facilitate W Burke’s passage.Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from John Robinson, Member of Parliament, to Laurence Sulivan, Chairman of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, sent from Syon Hill [Isleworth, Middlesex] and dated 31 August 1781.Following on from his letter of 30 August (IOR/L/PS/9/76/21), Robinson suggests sending orders to William Digges Latouche, Resident in Bussora [Basra] via Constantinople [Istanbul].Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Robert Rickards, Secretary to the Government of Bombay, to George Hilaro Barlow, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bengal, sent from Bombay Castle [Mumbai] and dated 5 June 1801.The letter concerns the conduct of Samuel Manesty, Resident in Bussora [Basra], who chartered a ship owned by himself to carry dispatches to Bombay [Mumbai] at the East India Company’s expense.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: English and Farsi copies of a note from Suleiman Pashaw [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], received by Jones on 20 October 1801.The Pashaw dismisses accusations against Jones (see IOR/L/PS/9/76/163) as groundless and affirms renewed trust in and esteem for Jones.Physical description: 1 item (1 folio)
Abstract: A translation of a letter from Samuel Manesty, Resident in Bussora [Basra], to the Bacha [‘Alī Pāshā al-Kahyah, Governor of Baghdad], dated 12 October 1804.The letter concerns a dispute between Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdat [Baghdad], and Coja Johannes Rafail Babick [Khawājah Hovhannes Rafael Babik, Armenian merchant in Trieste] arising from the commission charged by Jones to execute the estate of Babick’s late brother, Coja Stephen Rafail Babik [Khawājah Stepan Rafael Babik, Armenian merchant in Baghdad].A Farsi version of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/361.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Samuel Manesty, Resident in Bussora [Basra], to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdat [Baghdad], sent from a camp near Bagdat and dated 11 October 1804.The letter concerns a dispute between Jones and Coja Johannes Rafail Babick [Khawājah Hovhannes Rafael Babik, Armenian merchant in Trieste] arising from the commission charged by Jones to execute the estate of Babick’s late brother, Coja Stephen Rafail Babik [Khawājah Stepan Rafael Babik, Armenian merchant in Baghdad]. Manesty asks Jones for an explanation.A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/366.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)