1. ‘Vol: VI. Persian Gulph [Gulf]’

Description:

Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, extracts of the Government of Bombay Political Consultations. The item is concerned with multiple issues pertaining to the political situation in the Persian Gulf, in particular:Reports and discussions of the hostilities between the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat and the Chief of Bahrein [Bahrain] in one conflict and between Sultan bin Suggar [Shaikh Sulṭān bin Ṣaqr Āl Qāsimī, Ruler of Ra's al-Khaymah] and Shaikh Tanoon [Shaikh Ṭaḥnūn bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān, Ruler of Abu Dhabi] in anotherAttempts by Major David Wilson, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to de-escalate the above conflicts; his instructions for several East India Company ships to gather information whilst delivering packets along the Arabian side of the Gulf and their subsequent reportsDubious activities of the Greek vessel Hellasat Mocha; the detaining of the Company's ship Trois Freresby the Dowlah [Dola, Governor] of Mocha due to his suspicion of its involvement with the Hellas; the intervention of the Native Agent at Mocha and Captain Robert Moresby, Captain of the Company ship Thetis, to secure the release of the Trois Freres; the subsequent establishment of a Committee to investigate the character of Nicolo Chiefala, Captain of the HellasReports of piracy on the merchant vessel Carnaticby subjects under the control of the Imaum of MuscatSultan bin Suggar's killing of the 'pirate' Mooslim bin Rashid [Muslim bin Rashīd al-Qāsimī], the capture of his crew, and the debate between the Imaum of Muscat and the Government of Bombay as to whether certain members of the crew should be released.The item also touches on other matters including: the charging of pilotage at Bushire; the financial drain of hosting an Envoy from the Pacha of Bagdad [Baghdad] at Bussorah [Basra]; the introduction of two men to Wilson by the Prince of Sheraz [Shiraz] and his request that Wilson provides them with every assistance; the granting of aid to an esteemed Jewish merchant who wishes to remove his property from Bagdad and settle in Bombay.A section (ff 129 verso - 131 verso) of the item, which pertains to the forced collection of money from the people of Burburra [Berbera] by Captain Frederick W Greer, of the Company ship Elphinstone, has been crossed out with pencil.The item consists mainly of correspondence between Wilson and William Newnham, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay. Other correspondents include: W Clerk, Acting Persian Secretary; Major Robert Taylor, Political Agent at Bussorah; Shaik Syeb Ibraheemjee [Shaikh Sahib Ibrahimji], Native Agent at Mocha; numerous officials of the Marine for the Government of Bombay; Secretaries to the Supreme Government, the Government of Mauritius and the Government at Fort St George; the Imaum of Muscat, the Prince of Shiraz, Sultan bin Suggar, the Dowlah of Mocha and several of their agents.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘P.C. 783, Draft 477, Season 1829/30’ and 'Examiner's Office 1830’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 4, and terminates at f 140, 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.

2. ‘Mirrors consigned for the King of Persia – Conduct of Lt. Maillard, Commander of the Company’s Cruizer Thetis in having thrown 35 cases overboard in consequence of the ship’s having sprung a leak on her passage from Bombay to Bushire, has been approved by a Court of Enquiry’

Description:

Abstract: This item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, letters to and from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai].The item relates to an incident in which thirty-five cases containing mirrors for the Shah of Persia [Iran], while being transported on the Thetisfrom Bombay to Bushire, were thrown overboard when the ship sprang a leak. It includes details regarding the request for and consignment of the mirrors; the findings of an initial investigation into their loss carried out by Henry Meriton, Superintendent of Marine; and the proceedings of a subsequent Court of Inquiry into the conduct of Lieutenant Charles James Maillard, Commander of the Thetis.The title page (f 121) of the item contains the following references: ‘Political No. 5, 1819/20, Draft 100’ and ‘Examiner’s Office July 1818’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at 121, and terminates at 154, 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.

3. ‘Vol: 3 Proceedings adopted in consequence of the depredations committed by the Joasmee Pirates in the Persian Gulph’

Description:

Abstract: This item consists mostly of copies of correspondence, minutes and memoranda cited in, or enclosed with, letters to and from the Government of Bombay. It is the third in a series of eight items on the subject of the alleged piracy of the Joasmee [al-Qawāsim, also referred to as Joassmee] (the others are: IOR/F/4/648/17850, IOR/F/4/649/17851, IOR/F/4/650/17853 and 17854, IOR/F/4/651/17855, and IOR/F/4/652/17856 and 17857). The main subjects are:Reports of the appearance of Joasmee pirates off the coasts of Cutch [Kutch] and Kattivar [Kathiawar], and the organising of ships to protect the trading vessels sailing to and from the ports along these coastsAccounts of the activities of British ships sent to cruise the coastlines of Guzerat [Gujarat] and Scind [Sindh] in search of Joasmee pirates. It includes depositions from the members of the crews of two suspected pirate ships that were captured, and from two residents of Mandavie [Mandvi], where the ships were detained (ff 168r to 171v)Arrangements for providing convoys for trading vessels travelling along the Indian coast, and those sailing from India to MochaSuspicions that the Joasmee pirates are being assisted by communities along the coast of Makran, and that pirates from Dwarka are perhaps also activeReports of attacks by and engagements with Joasmee pirates in the Persian Gulf. It includes an extract from the log book of the Arielfrom 15-17 September (ff 146v to 148r); and a list of questions put to and answers by Joasmee prisoners captured by Captain Francis Erskine Loch, Commander of the Edenand Senior Officer of His Majesty’s Navy in the Gulph [Gulf] of Persia (ff 223r to 225v)The capture by the Joasmees of a number of female prisoners, suspected to be variously of Indian and European origin, and efforts to get them released from Ras ul Khima [Ra’s al-Khaymah], Bahrein [Bahrain], and Sharga [Sharjah] where they are being held. It includes a table with details of ten Joasmee prisoners to be offered as part of a prisoner swap (f 322r)Reports of efforts by Joasmee pirates to intercept, in the Gulf of Aden, trading ships sailing from India to Mocha, and the actions taken to protect this tradeA report by Captain George Forster Sadleir, dated 18 November 1819, on his travels in the Arabian Peninsula and his meetings with Ibrahim PashaThe case of a merchant ship at Muscat that was illegally flying the King’s coloursDiscussions regarding the legal basis of claims to prize property captured in the Persian Gulf.The main correspondents are: Henry Meriton, Superintendent of Marine; William Bruce, Resident at Bushire; Charles William Elwood, Agent at Porebunder [Porbandar]; James Macmurdo, Resident in Cutch; Lieutenant James Arthur, Commander of the Ariel; Lieutenant Thomas Tanner, Commander of the Thetis; Captain George Robson, Commander of the Prince of Wales; Captain D D Conyers, Commander of the Mercury; Sheikh Abdallah ben Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], Sheikh of Bahrein; and Sheikh Hassan ben Ramah [Shaikh Ḥasan bin Raḥma al-Qāsimī], Chief of the Joasmees.The title page (f 138) of the item contains the following references: ‘PC 16, Draft 383’, 1821/2’; and ‘Examiner’s Office 1821’.Physical description: There is no chronological order.