Abstract: Copy of a letter from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mirza Abul Hassan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī]. Macdonald Kinneir reports that following news of the arrival of the money intended for payment to Russia as reparations, as stipulated in the peace treaty to end the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], at Mianna [Mianeh], the Russian General-in-Chief [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia] intends to name somewhere near Mianna to meet to sign the peace treaty. Macdonald Kinneir indicates that the General-in-Chief will decide on the location in the next couple of days and will then invite Mirza Abul Hassan Khan and Abbas Mirza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] to attend the conference.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 2 in enclosure No. 7, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 16 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/201).Physical description: 1 item (1 folio)
Abstract: Copy of a note from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Turkemanshee [Turkamanchay], to the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Meerza Abul Hussan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī], of 26 February 1828. Macdonald Kinneir reports that he is ready to advance the sum of 200,000 tomans for the purpose of paying reparations owed to Russia as part of the peace treaty ending the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], in return for the abrogation of the third and fourth articles of the Definitive Treaty existing between Britain and Persia.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 7 in enclosure No. 7, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 16 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/201).Physical description: 1 item (1 folio)
Abstract: Receipt from Prince Kondocheff for three crores of tomans to be paid by Persia [Iran] to Russia as reparations, as stipulated in the peace treaty negotiated to end the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], dated 14 January 1828 [Old Style] and 26 January 1828 [New Style] at Kasvine [Qasvin]. Prince Kondocheff indicates that the money will be taken from Meana [Mianeh] to the house of the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, at Tabriz where it can be stored until it is handed over to the Russian Government.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 3 in enclosure No. 10, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 16 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/201).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
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.
Abstract: This file consists of a series of telegrams regarding Britain's relations with Persia in the aftermath of the First World War. Almost all of the correspondence is conducted between Sir Percy Zachariah Cox [Acting British Minister to Persia] and Earl Curzon [George Nathaniel Curzon, Acting Foreign Secretary in the absence of Arthur James Balfour, who was attending the Paris Peace Conference]. Other correspondents include the Viceroy of India [Frederic John Napier Thesiger], the Foreign Secretary [Balfour], the India Office, and the Secretary of State for India [Edwin Samuel Montagu].The telegrams document negotiations – running concurrently with the Paris Peace Conference – between Cox and the Persian Government for an Anglo-Persian Treaty. Cox's telegrams notify Curzon of the details of a draft agreement; Curzon's telegrams to Cox make requests for revisions to the wording and, in certain cases, to the essence of the draft.Topics of discussion include: the Persian Government's desire for the frontiers of Persia to be rectified in certain localities and Britain's policy on this issue; Persian claims to compensation for damage suffered during the war at the hands of the other belligerents; the likelihood of the Persian case being heard at the Paris Conference; details of a proposed new loan to the Persian Government from the British Government, and the Secretary of State for India's concerns about the implications of this loan for the division of expenditure on Persia between Imperial and Indian revenues.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 187, and terminates at f 204, 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Translations of three letters from the Kaim Mukam [Mīrzā Abū al-Qāsim Farāhānī, Qā’im-Maqām] to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir. The letters concern the negotiation of the peace treaty to end the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], detailing:The assent of the Shah of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] to the articles of the proposed treatyThe Shah’s orders for the Prince Royal, Abbas Meerza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia], to be present at the signature of the treaty and for it to be signed in his nameThat ‘our people’ in Tehraun [Tehran] have ‘misrepresented matters to the Shah’The payment of reparations to Russia to ensure the evacuation of Persian territory occupied by Russia [the Province of Azerbaijan].This document was originally enclosed, numbered 1 in enclosure No. 11, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 16 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/201).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Translation of a despatch from Meerza Abul Hussan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī, Foreign Minister of Persia] to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir. Meerza Abul Hussan Khan reports the arrival of three crores of tomans, which is part of the reparations to be paid to Russia as stipulated in the peace treaty to end the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], at Zinjan [Zanjan]. He indicates that he will meet Macdonald Kinneir at Zinjan in several days’ time, and requests that Macdonald Kinneir inform General Rozen [Grigory Vladimirovich Rozen] of the arrival of the money, so that the latter may inform the Russian Commander-in-Chief [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia], and so confirm the truth of Meerza Abul Hussan Khan’s report of the same nature.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 1 in enclosure No. 7, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 16 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/201).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Translation of a letter from Manutcher Khan [Manūchihr Khān Gurjī, Mu‘tamid al-Dawlah] to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir. The letter concerns the delivery of five crores of tomans, in instalments of gold and silver, to Russia as part of the peace treaty negotiated to end the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. Manutcher Khan reports the various arrangements for the delivery of the money, giving details and requesting Macdonald Kinneir to send one of his assistants to help in the delivery of the money.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 2 in enclosure No. 12, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 16 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/201).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Translation of a letter from Mirza Abul Hussan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī, Foreign Minister of Persia] to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir. Mirza Abul Hussan Khan thanks Macdonald Kinneir for his services in the payment of reparations to Russia as part of the peace treaty to end the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], and indicates that two crores of tomans have arrived at Zinjan [Zanjan] and that he will forward them imminently. The letter originally enclosed a copy of a letter from the Russian Commander-in-Chief, General Paskevitch [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia], to Mirza Abul Hussan Khan, which he forwards to Macdonald Kinneir (not included in this item).This document was originally enclosed, numbered 4 in enclosure No. 7, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 16 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/201).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Translations of two letters from Meerza Abul Hassan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī, the Foreign Minister of Persia] to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir. The letters concern the payment of reparations by Persia as part of the peace agreement to end the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. In the first letter (IOR/L/PS/9/71/165 (1)), Meerza Abul Hassan Khan comments on the fact that he has received no reply to his previous letters to Macdonald Kinneir, and also indicates that Dr John McNeill is preparing a payment of five crores of tomans [Persian currency] to Russia.In the second letter (IOR/L/PS/9/71/165 (2)), Meerza Abul Hassan Khan reports that he has begun his journey to Azerbijan [Azerbaijan] with the money for the ‘final settlement of Peace’, and has met with a Russian representative, who has seen the money and ‘accomplished the end for which his journey was intended’.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 9 in 79, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 10 January 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/154).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Letter from Dr John McNeill, in Teheroun [Tehran], to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, of 16 January 1828. McNeill discusses the payment of reparations demanded by Russia as part of the peace agreement to end the ongoing war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. He reports the acquiescence of the Shah of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] to pay five crores of tomans, and details arrangements for the payment of the money, including the plan to pay in instalments owing to concerns that the money might be plundered by Persian soldiers stationed at Meanna [Mianeh]. McNeill indicates his belief that the Shah will not pay more than the five crores agreed, and argues against any further attempt to convince him to do so. He also reports rumours, including of the purported outbreak of war between Russia and Turkey [the Ottoman Empire], which he believes might impede the successful payment of the money, and his decision to leave M Valkhofsky [Vladimir Dmitriyevich Volkhovsky], who has been deputed by the Russians to ensure the payment of the money, in Teheroun to provide General Paskevitch [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia] with reliable information.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 1 in dispatch No. 83, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 14 February 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/184).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Letter from Dr John McNeill, in Teheroun [Tehran], to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, of 18 January 1828. McNeill reports his departure from Teheroun and the dispatch of the remainder of the five crores of tomans that is being paid by the Shah of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] in reparations as part of the peace agreement to end the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828] (see IOR/L/PS/9/71/186). He also indicates that the Kaim Makum [Mīrzā Abū al-Qāsim Farāhānī, Qāʾim-Maqām, the Vizier of the Crown Prince of Persia] will remain in Teheroun to acquire another crore of tomans which is required to pay the reparations.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 2 in dispatch No. 83, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 14 February 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/184).Physical description: 1 item (1 folio)