1. ‘Letters from Mr Murray received Aug:4.1856’

Description:

Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from HM Minister to Persia, Charles Augustus Murray, residing at Baghdad (20 and 26 June 1856, Numbers 57 and 59-60).The subject matter consists of the advance of the Persian Army against Herat, the policy of the British Government towards Afghanistan, and negotiations underway at Constantinople regarding the diplomatic rupture between Britain and Persia.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)

2. 'Memorandum on the proposed Turkish telegraph line from Taiz [Ta‘izz] to Aden.'

Description:

Abstract: Memorandum, written by Adolphus Warburton Moore, 8 January 1878, with later amendments up to 12 April 1882, regarding the proposal for a Turkish telegraph line from Taiz [Ta‘izz] to Aden.The memorandum discusses British policy towards the tribes surrounding Aden, and attempts by Turkish officials in Yemen to extend sovereignty over them, particularly following the capture of Senaa [Sanaa] in 1872; and offences by Turkish forces against the tribes in 1873, which were stopped by British forces from Aden.The memorandum, which includes excerpts of letters to the Foreign Office, subsequently discusses the first proposals for a telegraph line, which were raised in 1875, the objections of the Resident at Aden, General John William Schneider, to the proposals; the possibility of using the proposal for a telegraph line to settle with the Porte (Ottoman Government) the situation with regards to the tribes near Aden under British protection; the suggestion that should the telegraph line be constructed, those parts passing through protected territories should be constructed by British agencies, and paid for by the Ottoman Government; the appointment by Turkish authorities of a telegraph agent at Aden in July 1875; a report from the Director of the Telegraph Department for the Ottoman Empire stating that the construction of such a telegraph line was not contemplated and would present many difficulties, November 1875; and the re-opening of the proposals in January 1878.A postscript to the memorandum records the continuing discussion on the matter up to 12 April 1882, including Lord Salisbury (Secretary of State for India)'s opinion that although the Government had no objections to the scheme, there were concerns regarding the territories occupied by those tribes under British protection, and that any proposal which would involve Turkish troops or officials there could not be agreed to; as well as suggesting that a submarine cable might be laid instead. These views were communicated via the Foreign Office to the Porte in March 1878 and the subject lay dormant until February 1882 when Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, Lord Dufferin was again informed of the intention to construct a telegraph line from Taiz to Aden, to which he replied with the same objections as in 1878 and again proposed that a submarine cable might be equally suitable.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at folio 56 and terminates at folio 65, 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. The main 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.

3. 'File II. IRAQ (3) Vol. 2 Shaikh of Kuwait's Date Gardens on the Shatt-al Arab'

Description:

Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to three main topics.The first main topic discussed is the Shaikh of Kuwait's date gardens on the Shatt al-Arab (ff 3-162). The discussion in the volume relates to the Shaikh's concern about the repair of embankments and the actions of Turkish soldiers in dismantling the embankments in proximity to their fort. Included in the volume is a hand-drawn plan (folio 135) of the fort, garden, embankments and marshlands in relation to the Shatt al Arab waterway.The second main topic discussed is registration of Shaikh Mubarak's property at Faddaghiya (ff 163-311). The volume includes the Arabic version with English translation (ff 165-182) of the preliminary agreement between Shaikh Mubarak al-Sabah and Abdul Wahab bin Qirtass concerning 'the property known as Fadhagiya' as well as the final deed relating to the purchase. Also included is an Arabic copy (folio 251) of 'receipts passed for land revenue paid by Shaikh Mubarak on his Faddaghiya estate'.The third main topic discussed is the dismissal of the Mudir of Fao for overstepping his authority.The principal correspondents in the volume include the Political Agent, Kuwait (Stuart George Knox; William Henry Irvine Shakespear); the Political Resident in Persian Gulf (Percy Zachariah Cox); the Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department (Sir Louis Dane); the First Assistant Resident, Bushire; HBM's Consul at Basrah; and the Ruler of Kuwait (Shaikh Mubarak bin Sabah al-Sabah).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 340; 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 file also contains a hand written pagination sequence (ff 3-339).

4. Letter from Harford Jones to Lord Elgin

Description:

Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Lord Elgin, HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, sent from Bagdad and dated 1 January 1801.The letter concerns Elgin’s grant of a Birat [commission] to Morad (also known as Mordechai) Coen, a Jewish merchant in Bagdad, and the reaction to this of Soliman Pashaw [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad]. It also discusses the replacement of the Baghdad Janissary Aga [Commander of the Janissary corps].Attached are English and Ottoman Turkish copies of a letter from Soffian Aga [Sufyān Āghā], Agent of the Pashaw of Bagdad in Constantinople [Istanbul], to Soliman Pashaw. The letter advises Soliman Pashaw that the Birat granted to Morad Coen can be withdrawn if Soliman Pashaw writes to Samuel Manesty, Resident in Bussora [Basra].Physical description: 1 item (5 folios)

5. Copy of a Letter from Sir Harford Jones, Envoy to Persia, to David Morier

Description:

Abstract: A letter from Sir Harford Jones, British Envoy Extraordinary to Persia [Iran], to David Morier, British diplomat in Constantinople [Istanbul], sent from Tehran and dated 14 April 1809. The letter instructs Morier to inform Sir Robert Adair, Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, of the decline in French influence in Tehran, reports the dispatch to Britain of a Preliminary Treaty signed by Jones and Persian ministers, and asks Adair to assist the Persian Envoy in Constantinople and to inform Jones of the diplomatic situation relative to Turkey [Ottoman Empire], Russia, and Persia.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)