1. 'Book No. 46. 31 July 1826 to 19 February 1827'

Description:

Abstract: Correspondence from Ephraim Gerrish Stannus, the Resident in the Persian Gulf, primarily to William Newnham, Chief Secretary to Government at Bombay and Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonald, Envoy to the Court of Persia.The main subject of correspondence within the volume is the relationship between the British Government and the Government of Persia, centering on the attitude of the Prince of Shiraz (Ḥosayn-‘Alī Mīrzā) and the Government of Bushire to the British Officers based there.Affairs at Bushire are the main topic of discussion, with the abduction by the Imam of Muscat (Saʻīd bin Sulṭān) of the former Governor Abdool Russool Khan [‘Abd al-Rasūl Khān], the seizure of the Government of Bushire by Shaikh Ahmed [Aḥmad bin Khamīs] from Shaik Hussein [Shaikh Ḥusayn Khan], and the counter attack by Shaikhs Hussein and Nassir [Nasir Khan] which resulted in threats of violence against the Residency at Bushire, the Prince of Shiraz's troops occupying the town, and the Resident being forced to leave the limits of the Bushire Residency until the acts committed by the Government and its supporters against the Residency are acknowledged.Other tensions between the British Officers in Persia and the Prince of Shiraz and his Prime Minister Zekee Khan [Zakī Khān] are also discussed, including the seizure of packets and baggage by the Customs House at Shiraz and accusations made against the officers in relation to the abduction of Abool Russool Khan, which were unfounded.The correspondence also details the daily financial administration of both His Majesty's Mission to Persia and the Residency at Bushire and includes statements of accounts and registers of Bills, along with communication with the Accountant General and Civil Auditor at Bushire on financial matters; the movements of British vessels in the Gulf; and the situation on the Arab Coast including the Imam of Muscat's intention to attack the fort at Derah [Ad Dir‘īyah] and remove its inhabitants from that place; an encounter between Rahma bin Jabir and vessels from Bahrein [Bahrain] which resulted in Rahma bin Jabir's death; and the blockade of Bussorah [Basra] by the Imam of Muscat's forces, and subsequent mediation of the situation by the Resident at Bussorah, Captain Robert Taylor.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence is circled in pencil in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio after the front cover, on number 2, and ends on the inside of the back cover, on number 140. There is also a former pagination sequence numbering 1-272, which is written in ink in the top left corner of each page and runs through folios 3-139.

2. Vol 16 Letters outward

Description:

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.

3. Vol 22: Letters Outward

Description:

Abstract: This volume consists of letters written from the Bushire Residency. The first eighty-two items are attributed to William Bruce; the remaining items, with the exception of a few letters written by Bruce from various locations, are written by James Dow, Assistant Surgeon at the Bushire Residency, who was in charge of the Residency during William Bruce's absence. Most of the letters are written to representatives of the Government of Bombay, with the most common recipients being John Wedderburn (Accountant General, Civil Auditor and Military Accountant), Richard Morgan (Secretary to the Marine Board), Francis Warden (Chief Secretary to the Government) and Mountstuart Elphinstone (President and Governor in Council, Bombay). In addition, a significant number of letters are addressed to army officers, including Major General Sir William Grant Keir and Captain Thomas Perronet Thompson. Many of the letters to Bombay concern the routine sending of bills and receipts relating to expenses (the most common of which being supplies for East India Company ships) incurred by the Residency. Other subjects covered in the volume include: William Bruce joining HMS Edenon her voyage along the Arab coast in search of Wahhābī boats; news and speculation regarding Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mīrzā's plans to launch an attack against Bahrain; relations between Arab chieftains following the General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf of 1820; details of the Residency complying with requests for funds or supplies for the British troops stationed at Ra's al-Khaymah, and later, at Qeshm; details of a treaty between the Imam of Muscat (Sa‘īd bin Sultān Āl Sa‘īd) and the Shaikhs of Bahrain, as relayed to Bruce by Rahma bin Jabir; the death of a crew member of the Elizacountry ship and the subsequent investigation into the treatment received on board that ship; presents sent by His Highness Ebrāhim Khan, Governor of Kermān, to Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay; the death, on 10 November 1821, of Dr Andrew Jukes, Political Agent in Persia.Physical description: Pagination: There is a pagination sequence, which is written in pencil in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos. It runs from 1 to 175.Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio after the front cover, on number 2, and ends on the inside of the back cover on number 95. This is the sequence used by this catalogue to reference items within the file.

4. Enclosure in Letter from Major George Willock to the Secret Committee of 15 Oct 1822

Description:

Abstract: A copy of a letter from William Bruce, Resident in Bushire [Būshehr], to Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], sent from Shiraz and dated 3 September 1822.The letter reports events at the Court of the Prince-Governor of Fars [Husayn ‘Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā], in particular Bruce’s conclusion of an agreement with the Government of Fars (IOR/L/PS/9/69/124). It also discusses Bruce’s proposed lease of a British cruiser to Persia [Iran] and a likely expedition from Fars against Bahrein [Bahrain].The agreement was enclosed in the letter of Major George Willock, Acting Chargé d’Affaires in Persia, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 15 October 1822 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/121).Physical description: 1 item (5 folios)

5. Enclosure in Letter from Major George Willock to the Secret Committee of 25 Jan 1823

Description:

Abstract: A copy of a letter from William Bruce, Resident in Bushire [Būshehr], to Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], sent from Shiraz and dated 3 September 1822.The letter reports events at the Court of the Prince-Governor of Fars [Husayn ‘Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā], in particular Bruce’s conclusion of an agreement with the Government of Fars (IOR/L/PS/9/69/124 and 131). It also discusses Bruce’s proposed lending of a British cruiser to Persia and a likely expedition from Fārs against Bahrein [Bahrain].The letter was enclosed in the letter of Major George Willock, Acting Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 25 January 1823 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/126).A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/69/125.Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)

6. Enclosure in Letter from Henry Willock to the Secret Committee of 17 Apr 1820

Description:

Abstract: A draft letter from Major-General William Grant Keir, Commander of the 1819 expedition to the Persian Gulf, to the Prince of Sheerauz [Husayn 'Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fārs] dated 20 March 1820. In response to the Prince’s earlier letter [IOR/L/PS/9/67/16], Keir states his desire for continued friendship between Persia [Iran] and Britain, asserts that 'tranquility' has been restored to the Gulf by the British campaign, and addresses the Prince’s complaints regarding the persecution of the ‘pirate’ Rahma ben Jauber [Raḥmah bin Jābir al-Jalhamī] and the failure to supply warships as the Prince had previously requested.The letter was enclosed in the letter of Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, dated 17 April 1820 [IOR/L/PS/9/69/14].Physical description: Condition: the letter was perforated in an attempt to stop the spread of disease.

7. Enclosure in Letter from Henry Willock to the Secret Committee of 17 Apr 1820

Description:

Abstract: A translation of a Firman [edict] from Hossein Ali Meerza Mirza [Husayn 'Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā], Prince of Sheraz [Prince-Governor of Fārs] to Major-General William Grant Keir, Commander of the 1819 expedition to the Persian Gulf, received at Bushire [Būshehr] 18 March 1820. The Prince remonstrates with Keir about the burning of vessels from the ports of Linga [Bandar-e Lengeh] and Charack [Bandar-e Chārak], the persecution of the ‘pirate’ Rahma ben Jauber [Raḥmah bin Jābir al-Jalhamī] who is now in the employ of the Prince, and the failure to provide warships for an expedition to Bahrein [Bahrain] as the Prince had previously requested.The letter was enclosed in the letter of Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, dated 17 April 1820 [IOR/L/PS/9/69/14].Physical description: Condition: the letter was perforated in an attempt to stop the spread of disease.

8. Enclosure in Letter from Henry Willock to the Secret Committee of 17 Apr 1820

Description:

Abstract: A translation of a paper of proposals to the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat [Sa’īd bin Sultān Āl Bū Sa’īd] by Syed Abdul Jaleel [‘Abd al-Jalīl bin Yāsīn al-Ṭabāṭabā’ī], Ambassador of the Atoobees [‘Utūb] of Bahrein [Bahrain]. The paper describes proposed terms of peace between Bahrein and Muscat, including an annual payment with the British acting as guarantors, the release of prisoners and captured boats by the Imam, and guarantees of non-aggression by the Imam and the ‘pirate’ Rahma ben Jauber [Raḥmah bin Jābir al-Jalhamī].The letter was enclosed in the letter of Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, dated 17 April 1820 [IOR/L/PS/9/69/14].Physical description: Condition: the letter was perforated in an attempt to stop the spread of disease.

9. Enclosure in Letter from Henry Willock to the Secret Committee of 29 Mar 1820

Description:

Abstract: A copy of a letter from Major-General William Grant Keir, Commander of the 1819 expedition to the Persian Gulf, to Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay [Mumbai], sent from HMS Liverpooloff the island of Kenn [Kīsh] and dated 24 February 1820. Following his suppression of ‘piracy’ on the Arab shore of the Gulf, Grant addresses the Persian [Iranian] shore. Subjects covered in the letter include: acts of ‘piracy’ originating from Persian ports including Charrack [Bandar-e Chārak], Mogoo [Bandar-e Moghūyeh], and Lingua [Bandar-e Lengeh]; relations of Persian ports with the Joasmees [al-Qawāsim]; the return of Keir’s troops to India and the forces required in the event of hostilities on the Persian coast; the question of pursuing the ‘pirate’ Ramah ben Jauber [Rahmah bin Jābir al-Jalāhimah]; and the participation of the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat [Sa’īd bin Sultān Āl Bū Sa’īd] in the proposed expedition to Bharein [Bahrain] of the Prince of Sheraz [Husayn 'Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fārs].The letter was enclosed in the letter of Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, dated 29 March 1820 [IOR/L/PS/9/69/1].Physical description: Condition: the letter was perforated in an attempt to stop the spread of disease.

10. Enclosure in Letter from Henry Willock to the Secret Committee of 6 Jul 1820

Description:

Abstract: A copy of a letter from Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, to Major-General William Grant Keir, Commander of the 1819 expedition to the Persian Gulf, sent from Bombay Castle and dated 28 February 1820.The letter transmits the observations of the Governor of Bombay [Mountstuart Elphinstone] following the Gulf expedition. Subjects covered include: the release of Indian captives; the proposed appointment of Captain Thomas Thompson as a Political Agent in the Gulf; the future of Ras-ul-Khyma [Ra’s al-Khaymah]; Keir’s proposed action against Ramah bin Jauber [Rahmah bin Jābir al-Jalāhimah] in response to reported attacks on Persian [Iranian] ships; relations with the Persian Government in regard to ‘anti-piracy’ actions on the Persian coast; and hostilities between the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat and Bahrein [Bahrain].The letter was enclosed in the letter of Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 6 July 1820 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/26 and 29).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)

11. Copy of a Letter from Major-General Sir William Grant Keir, aboard HMS Liverpooloff Sharga, to HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia, Henry Willock

Description:

Abstract: Copy of a letter from Major-General Sir William Grant Keir, aboard HMS Liverpooloff Sharga [Sharjah], to HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, of 2 February 1820. The letter originally enclosed:Copy of Captain Francis Augustus Collier’s instructions to Captain Lock (Captain Francis Erskine Loch) of 3 January 1820 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/246)Copy of Captain Lock’s dispatch to Captain Collier of 26 January 1820 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/248)Copy of a paper by the Shaik of Bahrein [Shaikh of Bahrain], Abdulla bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah] (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/247)Copy of Keir’s letter to Captain Collier of 1 February 1820 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/249).The letter also details the ongoing British expedition against the Joasmees [al-Qawāsim] and their allies, including:Keir’s orders to Captain Lock to attack the vessels of Rahma Bin Jauber [Shaikh Raḥmah bin Jābir al-Jalhamī] in retaliation for an attack on a Persian vesselThe Shaik of Bahrein’s agreement not to harbour vessels from the ‘Piratical Ports’Keir’s having advised the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat against his proposed attack on Bahrein.The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company, of 13 March 1820 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/244), which was received on 13 July 1820.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)