1. 'The Debai incident'

Description:

Abstract: This handwritten memorandum concerns the Debai [Dubai] Incident of 1910-1911. The memorandum gives a background on British treaty relations with the Sheikh Buṭtī bin Suhayl Āl Maktum of Dubai, the arms blockade on the Trucial coast, and a narrative of the incident that occurred on 24 December 1910 and subsequent events. Printed copies of the principal telegrams relating to the Dubai Incident appear between folios 49-51.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this memorandumcommences at folio 41 and terminates at folio 51, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between folios 7-147; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.

2. 'File 9/50 (B 16) The Debai Incident'

Description:

Abstract: This file contains reports and correspondence relating to an attack on British soldiers by Arab inhabitants of Dubai. The reports and correspondence are mainly between Lieutenant-Colonel P.Z. Cox (Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and His British Majesty's Consul General), The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department at Calcutta and Sheikh Butti-bin-Soheil (Chief of Dubai) and discuss the reparation terms demanded by the British.The file includes a naval report of the landing at Dubai by armed British soldiers and seamen led by Major Heriot of the Royal Marines Light Infantry, dated 25 December 1910, together with two pencil sketch maps of Dubai drawn from memory, showing buildings, the shore line, military positions and direction of fire during the attack, dated 26 December 1910 (folios 18-25).The file also includes several letters in Arabic, mainly from Sheikh Butti of Dubai to Colonel Cox, together with English translations. Among them is a witness statement containing an account of the incident, together with the signatures and seals of 83 principal residents of Dubai attesting to its veracity, dated 5 January 1911 (folio 60).Physical description: There are two different foliation sequences in the file.Original foliation sequence: every folio in the file, except two folios at the start and end of the file, have been numbered sequentially in the top right hand corner, starting at the front of the file. Folios 1 to 115 are numbered in pencil, folios 116 to 197 in red crayon and folios 198 to 241 in blue crayon.Second foliation sequence: every folio in the file has been numbered sequentially in pencil, in the top right hand corner, starting at the front of the file.