Abstract: Volume of outgoing copy correspondence from William Bruce, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to various correspondents within the East India Company discussing financial, administrative and political matters relating to the running of the residency at Bushire. Particular attention throughout the correspondence is given to questions of Piracy with the raiding of East India Company vessels in the Persian Gulf and matters relating to the finances of the Bushire Residency.Key correspondents include Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to the Government at Bombay; John Kaye, Accountant General at Bombay; James Morier, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia and Richard Morgan, Secretary to the Marine Board at Bombay.Physical description: Foliation: The volume has been foliated in the front top right hand corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle. Foliation begins on the first folio of correspondence and ends on the last.
Abstract: This file contains letters written and received by Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire. Most of the letters written by Hennell are addressed to His Excellency Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil CB, Her Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Persia, Tehran. In addition, there are the following items: a small number of letters addressed by Hennell to Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, in which Hennell forwards copies of his letters to Sheil; a couple of letters from Hennell to Commodore John Patterson Porter, Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf; a letter from Hennell to James McAlister, Civil Surgeon at Bushire; a letter from Hennell to the Assistant Collector at the Stationery Department, Bombay; and a letter from Hennell to J Malcolm, Armenian Merchant, Bushire. The received letters consist entirely of Sheil's responses to Hennell. The letters from Hennell to Sheil report on recent events in Bushire and the surrounding area. Hennell also forwards enclosures from the British Agent at Shiraz, which describe in detail events in and around Shiraz. Subjects covered in Hennell's and Sheil's letters include: a recent incident in which slaves were imported into Bushire; several acts of piracy committed in the Persian Gulf; the removal of Sheik Nasir Khan from his position as Governor of Bushire; Sheil's suspicions regarding the conduct of the British Agent at Shiraz, Mirza Mahmood.Physical description: There is an original pagination sequence and a foliation sequence.Pagination: The pagination sequence is written in ink, in the upper left hand corner of each page. It begins on the first page after the title page. The sequence skips pages where no text is present and pages which contain only abstracts of letters and original reference numbers. The sequence repeats numbers 60-79 so these appear twice; it also skips 266.Foliation: The foliation sequence is written in pencil, in the top right corner of each folio. It begins on the title page, on number 1; then 2-88; 89A and 89B; and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 225. Due to a foliation error, there is no number 157 in this sequence. This is the sequence that has been used for cataloguing this file.
Abstract: The volume consists of letters sent out by Ephraim Gerrish Stannus, the Resident in the Persian Gulf, and James Pringle Riach, the officer placed in charge of the Bushire Residency during his absences; the Resident is required to make a number of trips to the Arabian Coast during the period covered by this volume.The subject matter covered includes political activity in Persia principally relating to Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rasūl Khān, the Shaikh of Bushire, and Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā, the Prince at Shiraz; this includes some discussion concerning a possible Persian expedition to retake Bahrain, and the insecure position of Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rasūl Khān at Bushire. The impact and consequences of an earthquake, which occurred at Shiraz are also reported.A great deal of correspondence is related to the Resident's role in enforcing the General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf 1820, which aims to curb piracy in the Gulf. There is therefore a great deal of material relating to mediating a dispute between the dependants of Sa‘īd bin Sultān Āl Sa‘īd, the Imam of Muscat (principally Shaikh Ṭaḥnūn bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān), and Sulṭān bin Saqr. There is also some material concerning the arrangement of transportation for the Resident's trips to the Arabian coast.Captain William Owen's efforts to suppress the slave trade in East Africa are covered to a degree by the correspondence; the Captain's authorised declaration of a British Protectorate over Mombasa is reported, along with his threats against other dependencies of the Government of Oman (for example, Zanzibar). There is also a limited amount of material concerning the Imam of Muscat's threats to blockade the port of Basra.Physical description: Condition: The front cover of the volume is detached from the binding, which is itself in poor condition, and many sections are loose. Much of the body of the volume is in good condition, but care must be taken as some of the folios are very fragile.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 amendments to the foliation; 1, and 1A; 20, and 20A; 90, and 90A.Pagination: The volume contains an original pagination sequence written in ink between ff 2-140; these numbers are located in the top centre of each page.
Abstract: The file consists of letters sent outwards from the British Residency in the Persian Gulf; the position of Resident in the Persian Gulf is held by Samuel Hennell during this period, with the exception of a brief period at the start of the file when the position is held James Morrison. This correspondence is predominantly addressed to the following recipients: John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Secret and Political Departments of the Government of Bombay; and the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors, London. The remainder consists of correspondence sent to various officers/officials of the British Government, and the East India Company, with a tiny minority being addressed to the officials/rulers of other powers. The subject matter relates to affairs affecting the position of the British in the Persian Gulf.Material concerning British relations and trade with Persia is heavily featured in the file; it covers events leading up to, and shortly subsequent to the withdrawal of the British Residency from Bushire in March 1839. Therefore, it also concerns itself with the British occupation of the island of Karrack [Khārk, Jazīreh-ye], which was undertaken without the permission of the Persian Government, and the reaction of the authorities of Bushire in response; the British view this response as hostile to their interests, and it is used to justify their withdrawal. The Persian siege of Herat (1837-1838) is also briefly discussed due to the impact it has on diplomatic relations between Britain and Persia; much of the material in the file therefore relates to the possibility of a diplomatic rupture between the two states.The expansion of the influence of Muhammad Ali Pasha [Muḥammad ‘Alī Pāshā] of Egypt into Central Arabia as a result of the conquest of Nedgd [Najd] by Khurshid Pasha [Khūrshid Pāshā] — Commander-in-Chief of Egyptian forces in Najd — is another prominent topic in the file; Khurshid Pasha successfully defeating and imprisoning Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣul], the Wahabi Chief. Much of the material therefore concerns the attempts of the Resident to thwart the expansion of this influence to Bahrain, and the Maritime Arabs of the Arabian Coast (Trucial Oman), which he fears would undermine British influence in the Gulf.Other subjects covered more briefly include:The return of property belonging to Prince Ruza Kooly Mirza, which was left on deposit in the Residency Treasury at Bushire.British fears that the Russians are using Armenian priests as spies against British India.The arrival of Nawab Hajeah, widow to the late Prince at Shiraz with some of her descendants, and their wives, and children, followed by their detention by the Governor of Bushire, and their subsequent flight — with the assistance of the Resident — to Bussorah [Basra].The position of Shaikh Nasir [Shaykh Nāṣir], former Governor of Bushire, at Karrack; the Shaikh fled Bushire following a rupture with the Government of Fars, which he feared would seek to imprison him.The Resident's efforts to affect a settlement between Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah, Chief of Bahrain, and his 'revolted dependant' Esa ben Tareef [‘Isá bin Ṭarīf].The file contains an original index, which can be found at the front of the volume.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 are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The file contains the following foliation errors: 34, and 34A; 79, and 79A; 98, and 98A.Pagination: An original pagination sequence is also present in the volume between ff 3-126; these numbers are written in ink, and are located in the top outermost corner of each page.
Abstract: The volumes consist of letters outwards from the British Residency in the Persian Gulf. Most of these letters were originally penned by Samuel Hennell (Resident), with a few towards the end of the second volume penned by Thomas Edmunds (Assistant Resident). Most of these letters are addressed to John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government of Bombay in the Political and Secret Departments; Lestock Robert Reid, Acting Chief Secretary to the Bombay Government; George Barnes Brucks, Commodore of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf; the Secret Committee of the Court of the Directors of the East India Company, London; and Robert Taylor, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia, Bagdad [Baghdad]. The remaining correspondence is directed towards various officers/officials/servants of the British Government and the East India Company. Some letters also have translations of correspondence to and from various rulers in and around the Persian Gulf enclosed.Much of the correspondence concerns the conquest of Nedgd [Najd] by Khorshed Pasha [Khūrshid Pāshā], Commander of Egyptian Forces in Central Arabia, and the establishment of Ameer Khalid [Amīr Khālid] — also known as Khaled ben Saood — as ruler of that province. Much of the correspondence therefore concerns itself with Khorshed Pasha's efforts to extend Egyptian influence throughout the rest of the Arabian Peninsula and therefore extend the power of its ruler Mahomed Ally Pasha [Muḥammad ‘Alī Pāshā]; the British are specifically concerned about Bahrein [Bahrain], Bagdad, Bussora [Basra], Koweit, and the various rulers of Oman submitting to becoming vassals of Egypt. Much of the subject matter therefore relates to the Resident trying to check the advancement of Egyptian power in order to maintain Britain's dominant position, its reputation, and prestige in the Persian Gulf. A specific example being the removal of Sued ben Mootluk, an Agent to Khorshid Pasha operating in Oman; the agent was claiming to have been empowered to rule Oman on Khorshid Pasha's behalf.Another major topic concerns political relations between Britain and Persia. A diplomatic rupture between the two states takes place, and all communications between the Resident and the Government of Fars is therefore suspended. The correspondence covers events in Southern Persia leading up to — and following — the removal of the British Residency from Bushire on 29 March 1839 to Karrack [Khārk, Jazīreh-ye]; a diary of events leading up to the removal of the Residency is enclosed. The correspondence also concerns itself with the British force stationed — without the permission of the Persian Government — on the island of Karrack, along with subsequent reports of disturbances surrounding Shiraz and Bushire.Other matters featured in the volumes include a visit to the Persian Gulf by Sir Frederick Maitland, Commander-in-Chief of the East Indies and China, aboard HMS
Wellesley; efforts by the British to prevent the abduction of Africans for sale as slaves in the Persian Gulf; and discussions relating to the deployment of the ships of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Gulf.It also contains material of a routine nature such as the transmission of letters, packets, and parcels; and the issuing of disbursements.The volumes appear to have been subjected to a degree of weeding, as evidenced by the gaps present in the original pagination. As a result, some letters are only present as fragments (i.e. only the opening or ends of some letters remain).Physical description: Condition: The volumes are by and large in good condition, though on a small number of folios the ink has faded; in consequence, the text is therefore difficult to read on these folios. A very small number of folios have also suffered physical damage at the edges, and therefore a small proportion of the text has been lost.Foliation: The foliation sequence runs through two physical volumes. This sequence commences at the first folio of the volume one and terminates at the back cover of volume two; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The volumes contain the following foliation corrections; f. 111, and ff. 111A-F.Pagination: There is an original pagination sequence, which is written in ink, that is also present in the volumes between ff. 1-220; these numbers are located in the top outermost corner of each page. There are a large number of gaps in this sequence, indicating that a degree of weeding has been undertaken at some point in the past.
Abstract: The file contains letters sent outwards from the British Residency in the Persian Gulf by Samuel Hennell (the Resident), and Thomas Mackenzie (Acting Assistant in Charge of the Residency). The main recipient being John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Political Department of the Bombay Government. Other significant recipients are Edward M Wood, Secretary to the Military and Steam Departments of the Bombay Government; John McNeil, HM Minister Plenipotentiary and Minister Extraordinary to the Court of Persia; and the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company in London.The correspondence includes material of a routine administrative nature; such as the movement of company ships, the transportation of mail, personnel matters, and so on. The trials of Noor Mahomed Beg [Nūr Muḥammad Beg] in conveying packets between Bushire and Tehran are outlined in more detail; a list of expenses he incurred in the process is also included. Additional topics covered include the suitability of various locations — Anjar, Bundar Maculla, Karrack [Khārk, Jazīreh-ye], and Muscat — for establishing a coal depot; the viability of relocating the base of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf from Bassidore [Bāsaʻīdū] to Anjar; the temporary occupation of Karrack by British forces; and the testing of the navigability of the Euphrates river through the ascent of an iron steamer.Included in the file are reports on the Resident's annual tour of the Arabian Coast. The main object being the renewal of the Maritime Truce, and its extension from a period of eight to twelve months. The Resident is also involved in trying to get the Arab Chiefs to formally recognise the restrictive line in the Persian Gulf; a neutral zone within which no hostility at sea will be tolerated.The efforts of the Resident to suppress the trade in slaves in the Persian Gulf is also featured; this being prompted by a complaint alleging that traders of the Joasmee [Āl Qāsimī] tribe had abducted women from the coast of Barbarah [Berbera] for the purpose of selling them as slaves. It also covers the Resident's efforts to prevent hostilities at sea between Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] and Debaye [Dubai], as a result of Shaikh Khuleefa bin Shakboot's [Khalīfah bin Shakhbūṭ] attack on the Sea Tower of the Fort of Debaye.In a similar vein, the file includes correspondence related to the Resident's efforts to mediate a settlement between the Chief of Bahrain, and his revolted dependants — Esa ben Tareef [‘Isá bin Ṭarīf], and Ibn Salamah [Ibn Salāmah] — residing at Aboothabee. It also discusses the complete abandonment of Wukrah [al Wakrah] by the Boo Eymeen [Bu Ajman] tribe, and their relocation to Aboothabee, and a request from the Beni boo Ally [Banī Bū ‘Alī] for a reconciliation with the Beni boo Hoossun [Banī Bū Ḥusayn].The file also covers the advances of Ameer Khaled [Amīr Khālid] — with the support of the Muḥammad ‘Alī Pāshā of Egypt — against Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣul], the Wahabi Chief, in Nedgd [Najd], and the resulting threat this poses to the Chief of Bahrain, Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah.The correspondence also concerns itself with the perceived hostility, and obstructive attitude of the Prince of Shiraz against the British at Bushire. The replacement of Shaikh Nasir [Shaykh Nāṣir] as Governor of Bushire by Mirza Abbas [Mīrzā ‘Abbās], and his subsequent replacement with Mirza Assadoollah [Mīrzā Assad ‘Allāh] following a dispute with the merchants of that place.Included is list of equipment received from India on the requisition of Sir Henry Bethune showing their subsequent distribution, along with another list estimating the cost of building a coal depot with a capacity for 1000 tons of coal.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the cover and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: An original incomplete pagination sequence is also present in the file between ff 2-91. These numbers are located in the top outermost corner of each page. Please note that there are significant gaps present in this sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of a despatch to the Secret Committee, 31 July 1839, from John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai]. The despatch itself (not included) is numbered 1 and is followed by an abstract of contents, numbered 2. The abstract of contents is followed by despatches, numbered 3-24, which are chiefly from John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai], to the Secretary with the Governor-General of India, (with some responses from the latter), and from Willoughby to Captain Samuel Hennell, Political Resident, Persian Gulf. Other despatches comprise minutes of the Governors in Council, Bombay, and single despatches to the Bombay Government from: Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland, Naval Commander-in-Chief in the East Indies; Lieutenant-Colonel Stratford Powell, Adjutant-General of the Army; and (the final despatch) Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Campbell, HM Consul-General in Egypt, based in Alexandria.The main subjects covered are:Observations, approbation and instructions by the Government of Bombay and Government of India relating to the actions that Hennell and the Assistant Resident, Lieutenant Thomas Edmunds, have recently undertaken in the Persian Gulf (as described in IOR/L/PS/5/376, ff 279-409) with regard to halting the perceived encroachments of Egypt in the Persian Gulf, in particular efforts to effect the expulsion from Shargah [Sharjah] of Syed bin Mootlook [Sa‘d bin Mutlaq al-Muṭayrī], the self-professed agent of Korshid Pasha [Khūrshid Pasha, also spelled Khorshid, Kurshid, and Kourschid Pacha in this item], Commanding the Egyptian Forces in Nedgd [Najd, also known as Nejd], and encouragement of the Chief of Bahrein [Bahrain] to break his treaty agreement with Kurshid PashaThe removal of the Residency from Bushire [Bushehr] to the island of Karrack [Kharg, also known as Khark, also spelled Kharrack in this item] following a dispute with Mirza Assad, Governor of Bushire, including: approbation of the actions of Rear-Admiral Maitland, on the
Wellesley; Hennell’s suspension of communications with the Government of Fars; the honouring, by the Shah of Persia [Iran] of Mirza Assad for his recent actions and consequent British suspicions concerning the Shah's professed desire for the restoration of friendly relations with BritainThe removal of Sheik Nassir [Shaikh Nāṣir Āl Mazkūr II, a former Governor of Bushire] from Bushire, notably concern that Lieutenant-Colonel James Shirreff [also spelled Sheriff in this item], Commanding the Field Force at Kharrack, acted beyond his powers; and the Governor-General’s recommendation that Hennell arrange compensation for Sheik Nassir, maintain his residency on Karrack in good condition and inform him of the possibility of his return to the island in futureIntelligence relating to the condition and movements of the Persian ArmyThe removal to India of the British military detachment recently serving in Persia under Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin Shee, and whether the Government of Bombay should have first consulted Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Chargé d’Affaires in PersiaThe vesting in Shirreff of powers of courts martial and capital punishment, authorizing the execution of death sentences in certain circumstances, on condition of consultation with the Political ResidentThe communication, obtained by HM Consul-General in Alexandria, from Mehemet Ali [Muḥammad ‘Alī Pasha al-Mas‘ūd bin Āghā, Governor of Egypt] to Kourschid Pasha to suspend military interference in the island of Bahrein, including a copy in [Ottoman] Arabic and translation (into French) of the order (ff 653-655).Physical description: 1 item (53 folios)
Abstract: This item consists of a despatch to the Secret Committee, 18 July 1839, from John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai], containing a series of numbered enclosures. The despatch itself (not included) is numbered 1 and is followed by an abstract of contents, numbered 2. This is followed by despatches, numbered 3-8, from Captain Samuel Hennell, Political Resident, Persian Gulf, to Willoughby, with relevant enclosures.The papers chiefly relate to Hennell’s efforts to check the perceived extension of Egyptian influence on the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf, particularly in the province of Oman, and to bring about the expulsion from Shargah [Sharjah] of Sued bin Mooktluk [Sa‘d bin Mutlaq al-Muṭayrī], the self-professed agent of Khorshid Pasha [Khūrshid Pasha], Commander of the Egyptian Forces in Nedgd [Najd, also known as Nejd].The majority of the item comprises Hennell’s report of his tour of the Arabian coast, in the
Hugh Lindsay, providing details of his meetings with: Shaik Abdoollah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], Chief of Bahrein; [Bahrain] Shaik Kuleefa bin Shakboot [Shaikh Khalīfah bin Shakhbut Āl Nahyān] Chief of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi], Chief of the Beniyas [Bani Yas]; Shaik Mukhtoom [Maktūm I bin Buṭṭī bin Suhayl Āl Maktūm] of Debaye [Dubai]; Abdoollah bin Rushid [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Rāshid al-Mu’allā], Shaik of Amulgavin [Umm al-Qaywayn]; and Shaik Sultan bin Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī], Chief of Rasel Khymah [Ra’s al-Khaymah, also spelled Rusil and Rasil Khymah in this item], Chief of the Joasmees [al-Qawāsim]. He also reports his communications with the chiefs of the Naeem [al-Na‘īm] tribe regarding their opposition to Sued bin Mootluk’s plans to capture the fort of Brymee [Al Buraymi].Hennell’s disussions with the Arab Maritime Chiefs cover: the reasons behind the Chief of Bahrein’s agreement recognising the superiority of Mahomed Ally [Muḥammad ‘Alī Pasha al-Mas‘ūd bin Āghā] Governor of Egypt; the extent of the communications of the chiefs with Sued bin Mootluk; on-going conflicts between the chiefs and their mutual accusations of collusion with bin Mootluk; Hennell’s extraction from the chiefs of declarations of loyalty to the British Government and opposition to the ‘aggressions’ of Khorshid Pasha and Mahomed Ally (copies enclosed with the report); the supply of ammunition and provisions to the chiefs of Brymee and promise to post a British Agent there; pressure on Sultan bin Suggur to effect the expulsion of Sued bin Mootluk from Shargah [Sharjah]. Hennell concludes his report by suggesting formal remonstrances be made by British Government representatives in Cairo, and that blockades and destruction of towns and vessels should be the threatened consequence of any maritime chief assisting Sued bin Mootluk.Also included in the item is: Hennell’s protest to Khorshid Pasha regarding Sued bin Mootluk’s claims to have taken over the government of Oman, against the apparent policy of Mahomed Ally; Hennell's request to Bombay for musket powder and lead; Hennell's report of his arrival in Muscat and discussions with the son and nephew of the Imam of Muscat in which he encourages Muscat to assist the Naeem against any attack by Sued bin Mootluk on Brymee; news of the removal of Mirza Assad as Govenor of Bushire [Bushehr] and his replacement by the authorities at Shiraz with Mirza Mahomed Houssein [Muḥammad Ḥusayn], the son-in-law of the Wuzier [Vizier] [of Shiraz?], Mirza Ahmed Khan [Mirza Aḥmad Khan].Physical description: 1 item (37 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 79 of 1841, dated 30 September 1841. The enclosures are dated 14 June-14 September 1841.The principal correspondents are: Captain Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; Commodore George Barnes Brucks, Indian Navy, Commanding the Naval Squadron in the Gulf of Persia, on the EIC [East India Company’s] ship of war
Coote; the Acting Secretary to Government, Bombay; and the Secretary and the Officiating Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay.The item covers and includes the following:A letter from the Agent at Shiraz conveying intelligence from that area, including the arrival of Hubeel Olloh Khan [Ḥabīb Allāh Khān, also spelled Habeeb Oolla Khan in this item], Commandant of Artillery at Tuft [Taft], near Yezd [Yazd], en route to Kerman with eight guns and 6000 troops (ff 145-146), ostensibly on a mission which was initially to invade and destroy Kerman and was revised to destroying and plundering only the towns that had sent adherents to Aga Khan [Ḥasan 'Alī Shāh, Āqā Khān-i Awwal] and then to return to FarsHennell’s report of the hostile conduct of Shaik Nasir, Governor of Bushire [Āl Madhkūr, Shaikh Nāṣir II, Governor of Bushehr], towards British government officials there, including: an intimation that no officers from Karrack [Kharg Island, also known as Khark Island, also spelled Karrak and Kharrack in this item] are allowed to visit Bushire; punitive measures taken against the pilot of the
Braemarwho sailed to Bussorah [Basra] ignoring Shaik Nasir’s orders for the ship’s detention in Bushire harbour; and the unsuccessful attempts by Shaik Nasir to prevent the transmission of supplies to Karrack (where Hennell is currently stationed)Hennell’s requisitions to Brucks to undertake a tour of the Persian Gulf during the current pearl fishery season (ff 147-153) including instructions for: one war ship to accompany the
Coote; the route and the stops Brucks is to take along the Arabian coast from Bahrein [Bahrain] to Muscat, with the war ship calling at Bassadore [Basaidu] and Lingah [Bandar Lengeh] on its return to Karrack; delivering presents to the principal ‘Arabian chiefs’; investigating the political and military situation in Kateef [Qatif]; and for investigating and seeking redress for two acts of ‘piracy’ allegedly committed by subjects of Shaik Abdoolah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain] as described in a letter from the Native Agent at Bahrein (ff 154-155). This is followed by a series of reports by Brucks to Hennell (ff 156-173) notably describing: the state of affairs in Katiff [Qatif] and Nedged [Najd]; a ‘war’ on the coastal area between Rass-ul-Khyma [Ras Al Khaimah] and Abothabbee [Abu Dhabi]; his actions regarding the two cases of ‘piracy’; his intentions in relation to the trade in enslaved persons allegedly carried on between the Lingah ‘chiefs’ and the families of the ‘chiefs’ of Rassul Khyma [Ras Al Khaimah] and Amulgaveen [Umm Al Quwain]; and the state of the pearl fisheriesThe agreement of the Government of India with the Government of Bombay that it is inexpedient at present to withdraw the European part of the force from the Island of Karrack, in view of the purported intentions of Persia [Iran] towards Afghanistan (f 174)Correspondence regarding: arrangements for the conveyance of an important packet (letter), in duplicate, from the Government of India to Sir John McNeill, HM Envoy to Persia, via the Government of Bombay and Hennell, utilising both HMS
Endymionand the HC [Honourable Company’s] schooner
Emily; and arrangements for the receipt of McNeill’s reply, emphasising the importance of its arrival at Aden in time for the November mail. The letter instructs McNeill to ascertain the attitudes and plans of Persia towards Afghanistan and gives him authority to withhold the order to evacuate Karrack ‘until perfectly satisfactory assurances shall be obtained from the Shah in these respects’ (f 178) (ff 174-196)Hennell’s views regarding the need for an enhanced naval presence in the Gulf to increase British influence over the maritime Arabian states (ff 197-199), and the Government of Bombay’s confirmation that it cannot make any permanent addition to the Gulf Squadron but that HMS
Endymionhas recently proceeded to the GulfInstructions by Hennell and Brucks for surveillance of Asseeloo boats [Bandar-e Asaluyeh, also spelled Assaloo in this item] which are suspected of intercepting supplies to the Island of Karrack and interrupting ‘the free navigation of the Gulf’ (f 203).Physical description: 1 item (69 folios)
Abstract: Copies of correspondence and papers relating to the relocation of the British Residency at Bushire [Būshehr] to the island of Karrack [Khark, also known as Kharg] at the end of March 1839, and the events leading up to it, including:Deterioration of the Political Resident’s relations with Mirza Assad, Governor of Bushire, over: the latter’s alleged attempts to cut off communication between the Residency and the anchored British vessels of war; the ‘unfriendly and insulting’ behaviour towards Rear Admiral Sir Frederick Lewis Maitland, commanding HMS flagship
Wellesley; and Mirza Assad’s construction of a tower in the landing place adjacent to the Residency hitherto used by British shipsAccounts, by the Resident, Admiral Maitland, and Commodore George Barnes Brucks, Commanding the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, of the occurrences that took place between 22-29 March 1839, including the fracas on 25 March when shots were fired and a hostile crowd attacked the Admiral with stones (ff 148-158, 174-184, 209-215)Roles of Bakir Khan, Chief of Tungestan [Baqir Khan Tangistani, Chief of Tangistan], the merchants and moollahs [mullahs] of Bushire, and Sheikh Hussain the Cazee [Shaikh Husayn, Qazi of Bushehr], in relation to the Political ResidentRole of the Indian Navy in escorting the Resident and guarding the Residency buildings following the decampment to Karrack, notably reports of Captain John Croft Hawkins, Commander of the EIC Company Sloop of War the
Clive, on his negotiations with the Governor of Bushire and the Chief of TungestanCommunications with the Firman Firma, Prince Governor of Fars, Prince at Shiraz [Fereydūn Mīrzā, Farmanfarma, Prince Governor of Fars]Approbation of the Government of India for the Resident’s actions.Also included are copies of correspondence and papers relating to British policy towards HE Khorshid Pasha [Khūrshīd Pāshā], Commander of Egyptian Forces in Nedgd [Najd, also known as Nejd] with regard to the latter’s purported aggressive intentions against the island of Bahreen [Bahrain, also spelled Bahrein in this volume] and in the Persian Gulf. The papers chiefly concern the appointment of Captain Henry Smith, commanding HMS
Volage, as both a messenger to Admiral Maitland and potential commander of British vessels of war in the Persian Gulf that could be sent to deter Khorshid Pasha (ff 187-207).The principal correspondents are: Captain Samuel Hennell, Political Resident, Persian Gulf; Captain Hawkins; Commodore Brucks; John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai]; Rear Admiral Maitland; and Captain Smith.Physical description: The papers are not in chronological order.
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 154 of 1846, dated 31 December 1846. The enclosures are dated 14 September-21 November 1846.The enclosures concern events following the recent murder of Shaik Saadoon [Shaikh Sa‘dūn, also spelled Sadoon in this item], Governor of the Districts of Roodhilla [Dehrud-e Olya], also spelled Rodhilla in this item], by two of his relatives with assistance from members of the Beni Hajir [Banū Hājir] tribe, including: the consequent fierce conflict between the Beni Hajirs and the forces of Bakir Khan, Chief of Tungistoon [Bāqir Khān Tangistani] who was connected with Shaik Saadoon; the fear of Sheik Nasir [Shaikh Nāṣir II Āl Madhkūr], Governor of Bushire [Bushehr], and the inhabitants of that town, of being attacked and plundered by the neighbouring tribes of Tungistan [Tangestan]; and the general ‘disturbed state of the district in the vicinity of Bushire’.The principal correspondent is Major Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.Physical description: 1 file (10 folios)
Abstract: This item consists of copies of enclosures to a General Despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secretary of State for India, dated 24 April 1874, regarding the claim put forward by the Governor of Bushire [Būshehr] for one-third of the cargo of the British Steamer
Mesopotamiaas salvage.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 3 and terminates at f 4, 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.