1. ‘Persian Gulf. Affairs. Vol: 6’

Description:

Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2324/120974. The main correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Major Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Hajee Jassim [Ḥājjī Jāsim], British Agent at Bahrein [Bahrain]. It is the sixth in a series of six items on the Persian Gulf.The item concerns:Hennell’s tour of the Trucial Coast and conversations with the shaikhs of Bahrein, Rasel Khymah [Ra’s al-Khaymah], Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn], Debaye [Dubai], Ejmaun [Ajman], and Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi], including their relations with each other and accusations of minor incidents both of trading enslaved people and detaining vessels in their ports unlawfullyThe secession and subsequent reconciliation of four influential merchants from Bahrein who went to Kenn [Kish Island] and Hennell’s role in mediating the dispute between them and the Sheik of Bahrein, Mahomed bin Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammed bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah]False reports of the death of Captain Atkins Hamerton, British Consul and Agent in the Dominions of the Imam of Muscat.The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft no 776/49’, ‘Coll[ection] 13’, and ‘Collection No 1 of No 78’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 8, and terminates at f 36 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.

2. ‘Persian Gulf. Affairs of.’

Description:

Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2174/105546. It is the twenty-seventh in a series of forty-five items on the Persian Gulf.The correspondents are: Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; Moollah Hussein [Mullā Ḥusayn], Native Agent at Shargah [Sharjah]; and Commodore John Croft Hawkins, Commanding Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf.The item concerns:The death of Shaik Suggur bin Sultan [Shaikh Ṣaqr bin Sultān al-Qāsimī], following an attack on Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn], and the request of Shaik Sultan bin Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī] for Hennell to mediate between the different tribesThe arrival of Commodore Hawkins at Shargah, and the brokering of a truce between Shaik Sultan bin Suggur and the rulers of Debaie [Dubai], Ejmaun [Ajman], and Amulgavine. It includes a copy of the truce, concluded on 19 April 1846.The item contains a table of contents (f 528), and the title page (f 527) contains the following references: ‘P C [Previous Communication] 5507, Coll. 7, Vol. 27’, ‘D/t 197/47’, ‘Collection No. 3 of No. 75’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: ​Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 527 and terminates at f 538, 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.

3. ‘Persian Gulf. Overtures made by the Chief of Koweit to the Ruler of Bahrein for a reconciliation with his Grand Uncle, the Ex-Chief of that Island. Vol: 25’

Description:

Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2302/118727. The correspondents are the Government of Bombay and Major Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. It is the twenty-fifth in a series of fifty-one items on the Persian Gulf.This item concerns the mediation by Shaik Soobah of Koweit [Shaikh Sabāh II bin Jābir I Āl Sabāh of Kuwait] between Shaik Mahomed bin Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah], the current ruler of Bahrein [Bahrain] and his great-uncle Shaik Abdoollah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], the ex-ruler of Bahrein. Shaik Mahomed rejects the offer of reconciliation but offers to provide for Shaik Abdoollah on condition that he stay in Koweit.The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Collection No 4 of No 169’, ‘Coll[ection]: 17’ and ‘Draft no 465 of 49’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 533, and terminates at f 536, 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.

4. ‘Translation of a Letter addressed by H.E. Meerza Abool Hassan Khan to the Right Honorable Charles Williams Wynn, President of the Board of Controul’

Description:

Abstract: Translation of a letter from Meerza Abool Hassan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī, Foreign Minister of Persia] to the President of the Board of Control, Charles Watkin Williams-Wynn, dated September 1827. The letter is nearly identical to Meerza Abool Hassan Khan’s letter to the Court of Directors of the East India Company (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/59). Meerza Abool Hassan Khan discusses the outbreak of the ongoing war between Persia [Iran] and Russia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], placing the blame for the war on the ‘Russian Frontier Authorities’ [the Russian Government in Georgia], in opposition to the wishes of the Emperor of Russia, and indicating that Persia had sought to avoid war but had been rebuffed by the frontier authorities. He reports that the Shah of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] intends to send him to St Petersburgh [St Petersburg], via Vienna or London, to effect a reconciliation between Russia and Persia, indicating a wish for British mediation in the endeavour.This document was originally enclosed in the letter of the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 22 September 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/50).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)

5. ‘Translation of a Letter addressed by H. E. the Moatemid ed Dowleh, to Lord Dudley, His Majesty’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.’

Description:

Abstract: Translation of a letter from Mirza Abdul Wahaub, the Moatemid ed Dowleh [Mīrzā ‘Abd al-Wahhāb Nishāṭ Iṣfahānī, Mu‘tamid al-Dawlah] to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Lord Dudley, dated September 1827. Mirza Abdul Wahaub discusses the outbreak of the ongoing war between Persia [Iran] and Russia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], placing the blame for the war on the ‘evil designs’ of the ‘Russian Frontier Authorities’ [the Russian Government in Georgia]. He indicates that the Governor-General of Georgia at the time [General Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov] had prohibited direct communication with the Russian Government and that attempts by Persia to reach an understanding with the frontier authorities were unsuccessful. Mirza Abdul Wahaub reports that the Shah of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] intends to send the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mirza Abool Hassan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī] to Russia to re-establish peace between Russia and Persia, indicating a wish for the support and advice of the British Government.This document was originally enclosed in the letter of the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 22 September 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/50).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)

6. ‘Visit of Lieut’t Cruttenden, Assistant Political Agent at Aden, to Berbera’

Description:

Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-6 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 13 January 1848. The enclosures are dated 24 November 1847-6 January 1848. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to a visit to Berbera by Lieutenant C J Cruttenden, Assistant Political Agent at Aden, with the hopes of improving relations with and between the Aial Ahmed and Aial Unus [Reer Ahmed Nur and Reer Yunis Nur, sub-clans of the Habr Awwal], and to meet with Hadi Ali Shermarkhi Saleh [Haji Shermarke Ali Saleh], Governor of Berbera and Zeyla [Zeila]. The correspondence also references efforts to end the trade in enslaved persons in the Gulf, including the seizure of a ship believed to belong to Shermarkhi. The primary correspondents are the Political Agent and Assistant Political Agent at Aden, and the Government of India.Physical description: 1 item (14 folios)

7. ‘Affairs of Aden’

Description:

Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-10 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 2 March 1848. The enclosures are dated 18 January-1 March 1848. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Aden and reports received there of events elsewhere, including:Reported hostilities between the Imam of Sana [Sana’a] and Hussain ibn Ali Hyder, Sheriffe [Sharif] of Mocha, and a request from the Imam for a British ship to be sent to protect Hodeida [Al Hudaydah]A report of the death of Sallah Selassie, King of Shoa [Sahle Selassie, Negus of Shewa], and bloodshed in Shoa over the successionA reported dispute between the Egyptian Governor of Mussowah [Massawa] and the French ConsulA visit to Berbera by the Assistant Political Agent at Aden, with the hopes of improving relations with and between the Aial Ahmed and Aial Unus [Reer Ahmed Nur and Reer Yunis Nur, sub-clans of the Habr Awwal]The arrival in Aden of Henry Hardinge, Viscount Hardinge, on his return trip to the UK after having served as Governor-General of India.The primary correspondent is the Political Agent, Aden.Physical description: 1 item (16 folios)

8. ‘Aden. Return of the schooner “Mahi” from Berburra and intention of the Political Agent to despatch his Assistant to visit the elders of the contending parties on the Somali Coast.’

Description:

Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, which form partial enclosures to a letter from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 15 January 1846. A copy of this letter can be found at IOR/F/4/2142/102302.The item relates to a report by Commander Lieutenant A Macdonald, Commander of the Company schooner Mahi, on his recent visit to Berbera during which he attempted to facilitate peace amongst the ‘tribes’ [clans] of the Somali coast in order to preserve the trade in the region. He reports on his communications with: Sheik Hadjee Shermarki Alli, Governor of Zeyla [Ḥājjī Sharmārkī ‘Alī Ṣāliḥ, Governor of Saylac]; the Governor’s son, Mahomed [Muḥammad]; and the elders of the ‘tribes’.Macdonald mentions in particular the ‘tribes’ of Mejertherjn (also rendered ‘Mejertheyn’ [Majerteen?]) and Ayul Unuss (also rendered ‘Ayul Hamud’).The item also mentions the intention of Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Captain in the Indian Navy and Political Agent at Aden, to send Assistant Lieutenant Charles John Cruttenden to the Somali Coast in order to facilitate peace.The correspondents are: Haines; Thomas Grere Carless, Commander and Senior Naval Officer at Aden; Macdonald; and the Government of Bombay.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5264, Draft 494/46’, ‘Collection N. 8 of N. 5, Vol: 4’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 165, and terminates at f 169, 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.

9. 'Extract of a letter from Mr Hine to Sir Harford Jones dated Bagdad Dec 20th 1806'

Description:

Abstract: Extract of a letter from John Hine, Acting Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Sir Harford Jones, late Resident in Bagdad. The letter concerns Jones's suggestion that the British broker a reconciliation between Russia and Persia [Iran].Physical description: 1 item (1 folio)

10. Persian Affairs

Description:

Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 25 of 1844, dated 25 March 1844. The enclosures are dated 20 February 1844.The enclosures chiefly comprise despatches from Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Chargé d’Affaires at Tehran, to the Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General, enclosing copies of his despatches to the Earl of Aberdeen [George Hamilton Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen] Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with their respective enclosures notably letters from Sheil to E W Bonham, HM Consul at Tabreez [Tabriz], Lieutenant-Colonel Williams at Erzeroom [Erzurum], and Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Farrant, agent in Bagdad [Baghdad] for HM Ambassador in Constantinople [Istanbul].A wide variety of subjects are covered, notably including:Matters relating to the Persian Gulf, including: Persian [Iranian] plans to build fortifications at Bushire [Bushehr] (as well as Asterabad [Gorgan, formerly Astarabad] and Mazanderan [Mazandaran]); Persian objections to the British coaling station on the island of Karrack [Kharg] on the basis that Russia could use it as a pretext for establishing a fuelling station on one of the islands near Asterabad; and the arrival at Bushire of Sheikh Abdoollah [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], the former Chief of Bahrein [Bahrain], requesting assistance from the Resident and from the Governor of Sheeraz [Shiraz] to help restore him to possession of the islandThe conflicting claims of Persia and Ottoman Turkey with regard to possession of Mohemmera [Khorramshahr], particularly the tribe of Chaab [Banū Ka‘b tribe?] and the revenue of Fellaheea [Fellahiah] in Chaab territory. Includes reference to the memorandum by Major Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia, on the background to the dispute (a copy of the memorandum is in IOR/L/PS/5/428 ff 437-487)Concerns of Sheil and the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Meerza Abool Hassan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī, Īlchī Kabīr] concerning the increase of ‘aggressive’ Russian influence over the Shah and the Persian Government, notably: the local Russian Consul by-passing the authority of the Governor of Resht, province of Geelan [Rasht, Gilan]; Russian intimidatory activities in Asterabad and on the Toorkoman [Turkoman] coasts; and continued pressure by Count Medem [Aleksandr Ivanovich Medem], Russian Minister Plenipotentiary at Tehran, on the Shah and Persian Prime Minister Hajee Meerza Aghassee [Ḥājjī Mīrzā Āqāsī, Ṣadr-i Aʿẓam] for the abrogation of Article 14 of the Treaty between Russia and PersiaProgress of the negotiations between Persia and Turkey at Erzeroom [Erzurum], mediated by Britain and Russia, regarding frontier disputes, notably: arbitration of tribal incursions; arrangements for the return of plundered property; ineffectualness of the Turkish and Persian plenipotentiaries (representatives) at Erzeroom; Persian claims against Turkey over the capture of Kerbela [Karbala] and demands for the dismissal of the Governor of Bagdad [Baghdad]; rumours that Turkey is amassing a military force near Erzeroom and Persian response in kind; arguments over territorial rights in Sooleimanieh [Sulaymaniyah], Van, Kars, and Akhilska [Akhaltsikhe?]; and attempts by the Persian Prime Minister to make the Persian plenipotentiary at Erzeroom tone down his territorial demands and to confer with the British and Russian commissioners. Includes translations of letters from the Persian Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and the Shah (ff 405-416)Information conveyed to Sheil by HM Consul General at Tabreez, regarding the conflict in Daghistan [Dagestan] between Russian and Lesgee [Lezgian, also spelled Lezgee in this item] forces (Persia had ceded Daghistan to the Russian Empire in the Treaty of Gulistan 1813 but was pro-Lesgee), notably: rumours of severe losses on both sides; the Lesgee attack on Russian forces at Avran [Yerevan?], capture of the Governor of Georgia and besieging of Derband [Derbent]; rumours of Russian plans to send 40,000 troops under the command of General Yermaloff [Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov], to the Caucasus to invade Daghistan as soon as weather permits; and Persia’s desire to drive Russia out of Georgia.Physical description: The enclosure numbers 3-4 are written on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure, which also contain an abstract of the contents of the enclosure.

11. Persian Affairs and Persian Gulf Affairs

Description:

Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 8 dated 16 January 1856. The enclosures are dated 3-22 December 1855.The item comprises copies of despatches, with relevant enclosures, from Charles Augustus Murray, HM Envoy in Persia [Iran], to the Earl of Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, forwarded to the Government of Bombay and the Government of India, and from Commander James Felix Jones, Indian Navy, Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf, to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay.Murray’s despatches relate to his suspension of diplomatic relations between the British Mission in Tehran and the Persian Government in connection with: the opposition of the Sadr Azim [Ṣadr-i Aʿẓam, Persian Prime Minister, spelled in various ways in this item] to Murray’s appointment of Meerza Hashem Khan [Mīrzā Hāshim Khān] to the British Agency at Sheeraz [Shiraz]; the Sadr Azim’s imprisonment of Meerza Hashem Khan’s wife; and the ‘insults’ and ‘calumnies’ circulated by the Persian Government against Murray and other British officials in Tehran. Notably covered are:Murray’s assertion of the Sadr Azim’s excessive influence over the ShahThe purported feud between the families of Meerza Hashem Khan and the Sadr AzimThe Sadr Azim’s contention that there has never been a British Agent at Shiraz and that Meerza Hashem Khan was in the pay of the Persian Government and therefore ineligible for employment by the BritishAttempts by Nicolas Prosper Bourée, French Consul at Tehran, to mediate between Murray and the Persian GovernmentMurray’s decision to haul down the flag of the British Mission in TehranMurray’s vehement denial of Persian claims that both he and William Taylour Thomson, the former Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of Persia, had affairs with the wife of Meerza Hashem Khan (see ff 101-102, 103-106 and 116-117) and that Thomson originally took Meerza Hashem Khan under the protection and employment of the British Mission for this reasonMurray’s refusal to rehoist the flag unless the Meerza’s wife is released and an apology is received from the Sadr Azim for the ‘gross and groundless’ ‘calumnies’ (f 98)Murray’s arrangements for the withdrawal the British Mission to Turkish [Ottoman] Territory, and (despite the opposition of the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs) for HM Consul, Richard Stevens, to remain in TehranThe Persian Government’s insistence on its continued friendship with the British Government.The despatches include copies of Murray’s correspondence with the Sadr Azim and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and copies of notes written by the Shah.Also covered in Murray’s despatches are:Rumours of the death of Dost Mahomed Khan [Emir Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy]Reports of the seizure of Herat by Prince Mahomed Yoosuf [Muḥammad Yūsuf Khān, Regent of Herat] and the apparent state of ‘civil war’ in Afghanistan (f 67)Intelligence from the British Agent at Meshed [Mashhad] relating the story of Hassan Ali Khan [Ḥasan ‘Alī Khān] in Bokhara [Bukhara] concerning his encounters with a man he suspects is a European [‘Perhaps Ferguson’ is noted in the left hand margin of folio 64]Russian incursions into the territory of the Khan of Khokand [Muḥammad Khudāyār Khān, Khān of Kokand]The Imam of Muscat’s letter asking Murray to mediate in his dispute with the Persian Government concerning ownership of Bender Abbass [Bandar Abbas].Jones’s despatches cover his reaction to the news of the suspension of diplomatic relations between Britain and Persia, including his: concerns about the defences of Bushire [Bushehr] and a potential conflict there with Persia; communications with Commodore Richard Ethersey, Commanding the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, with regard to strengthening the squadron in the Bushire Roads to protect British subjects; and measures to establish good communications with Murray. Also included is a copy of a ruckum [raqam] from HRH Prince Tamasp Meerza Prince Governor of Fars [Shāhzādah Ṭahmāsp/Ṭahmāsb Mīrzā Muʾayyid al-Dawlah], to the News Writer and Agent for Foreign Affairs, Bushire, intimating he has no quarrel with the Resident.Physical description: 1 item (76 folios)

12. Vol 63: Draft Native Letters Outward

Description:

Abstract: The volume consists of draft letters outwards from the British Resident in the Persian Gulf; up to 1831 the office holder is David Wilson, but following his departure Samuel Hennell fills the position — in an acting capacity — until the end of the volume.The correspondence can be divided into two broad categories. The first being letters addressed to the Resident's Native Agents throughout the Persian Gulf at Bahrain, Carrack [Bandar-e Chārak], Muscat, Sharjah, and Shiraz. A great deal of this material is of a routine nature; for example, praise for good conduct, reprimands for poor conduct, instructions to forward correspondence, and authorisation for leave. Solicitations for information on a range of topics such as local political affairs, the slave trade in the Gulf, and suspected piratical activity are also common.The second category is made up of letters addressed to various rulers throughout the Persian Gulf. The principal recipients being Shaikh Sulṭān bin Saqr, Hakim of Ra's al-Khaymah; Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah, Hakim of Bahrain; Shaikh Tanoon [Ṭaḥnūn bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān], Hakim of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]; Sa‘īd bin Sultān Āl Sa‘īd, the Imam of Muscat; and Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rasūl Khān, Governor of Bushire. Much of this correspondence is related to to the Resident's efforts to maintain peace in the Gulf, and ensure the suppression of piracy. It also covers attempts by the Resident to investigate suspected acts of piracy, to facilitate recompense for property plundered at sea, and calls to punish offenders. To a lessor extent, it includes applications for redress for injuries inflicted against British agents, and matters affecting British trade.It should be noted that ff 67-89 are blank folios.Physical description: 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 foliation amendments: f 66, and f 66A.Pagination: The volume also contains an original pagination sequence (1-128) between ff 3-66A; these numbers are written in ink, and are located in the top outermost corner of each page.