Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2174/105546. It is the thirtieth in a series of forty-five items on the Persian Gulf.The correspondents are: the Government of India and Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf.The item concerns:The claims of Hajee Mahomed Ally Suffur [Ḥājjī Muḥammad ‘Alī Ẓafar] against the Chief of Kishm [Qeshm], and Hennell’s efforts to bring about a settlementThe receipt by the Government of India of a report by Hennell on the state of affairs on the Arabian coast of the Gulf.The item contains a table of contents (f 548), and the title page (f 547) contains the following references: ‘P C [Previous Communication] 5507, Coll. 7, Vol. 30’, ‘D/t 197/47’, ‘Collection No. 6 of No. 75’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 547 and terminates at f 550, 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 item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2174/105546. It is the thirty-fifth in a series of forty-five items on the Persian Gulf.The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; and Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf.The item concerns a sum recovered from the Sheik of Kishm [Shaikh of Qeshm] as compensation to the merchant Hajee Mahomed Ally Suffur [Ḥājjī Muḥammad ‘Alī Ẓafar] for items said to have been taken from the wreck of a ship in 1838.The item contains a table of contents (f 632), and the title page (f 631) contains the following references: ‘P C [Previous Communication] 5507, Coll. 7, Vol. 35’, ‘D/t 197/47’, ‘Collection No. 4 of No. 119’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 631 and terminates at f 634, 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 item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: Memorandum providing an overview of the British connection with Basidu [Bāsa ‘īdū](on the island of Kishm [Qeshm]) in terms of status and rights from c 1820-1928. Covering:introduction to the location of Basidu and its strategic importance;extent of the British Concession;status of Basidu – control by the Imam of Muscat, British settlement, Persian protest against British occupation, recognition of Kishm as Persian territory, and the legal position of Basidu;1868-1926 – consideration of British options, and the decisions made;1926-28 reassertion of Persian claims – status of concessions including coaling stations, and the Persian threat to occupy British Basidu August-September 1928, and resulting British naval precautions.It includes a summary detailing the legal position in regard to Basidu and the value of retaining the coaling station. In addition, a list of points referred to in connection with the Persian Gulf Sub-Committee, and the view expressed by the Government of India are also given.Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 57, and terminates at f 59, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 93 of 1840, dated 31 October 1840. The enclosures are numbered 3-244 and are dated 13 January to 31 October 1840. Enclosure numbers 20-31, 121-26, 234-37, and 241-43, listed in the abstract of contents, are not included in this item, as noted on folio 261. The enclosures mostly consist of correspondence, and relate to the Euphrates Expedition, and affairs in various places, including Sinde [Sindh, also spelled Scinde in this item], Cutch [Kutch or Kachchh], Pahlunpore [Palanpur], Kishm [Qeshm], Egypt, Afghanistan, Muscat and Nepal.The enclosures concern matters including:The request of the Superintendent of the Indian Navy for permission to engage an Acting Master and an Acting Second Master for each of the steam vessels employed on the River Euphrates, in addition to the Lieutenant in Command, Henry Blosse Lynch, due to a lack of commissioned officersThe objections of the Bombay Military Board to twelve bills in Commander Lynch’s expenses, due to the nature of the charges not being in accordance with the rules of the Indian NavyThe scale of pay and allowances for Lieutenant Lynch, the commissioned and warrant officers, and engineers of the Euphrates Expedition under his commandThe position in which the Superintendent of the Indian Navy should consider Commander Lynch, while he is commanding the Euphrates ExpeditionA private letter from Lieutenant Campbell, in charge of the Euphrates steam flotilla, to the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq], Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Taylor, regarding the strength of the crews of the vessels on the rivers of the Mesopotamia, and suggesting that the Superintendent of the Indian Navy be instructed to supply the needs of the Euphrates flotilla as far as lies in his powerThe survey of the western side of the Indus by Captain Le Messurier, and his request to be provided with surveying instrumentsThe Political Agent in Lower Sinde [Sindh, also spelled Scinde in this item], Captain James Outram, forwarding specimens of the depreciated currency introduced at Hyderabad, and the Assay Master’s report on the specimensThe proceedings of the Political Agent in Cutch regarding a representation made by the Rana of Parkhur [Nagarparkar] to the Ameers [Amīrs] of SindeThe request of the Rao of Cutch that the position of Civil Surgeon at Bhooj [Bhuj] is not abolishedThe allowance to be assigned to the state prisoner Ghoolam Hyder Khan [Ghulām Ḥaydar Khān]The question of whether the value of the boat and cargo belonging to the Sheik of Kishm [Shaikh of Qeshm], which have been seized under the embargo ordered against his vessels, is sufficient to cover the demand of Government against himThe Political Agent in Turkish Arabia forwarding intelligence received from Syria to the Government of IndiaThe opinion of the Resident in the Persian Gulf on the measures which it would be advisable to adopt for establishing an overland communication via Bagdad [Baghdad] and Constantinople [Istanbul], in the event of a rupture of relations with the Pasha of EgyptThe Accountant General, Bombay forwarding certain statements required by the Government of India of the expenses incurred on account of the force from the Bombay Presidency employed in Afghanistan and SindeThe Commissary General, Bombay, forwarding two documents containing information on the resources of Kurrachee [Karachi] and Sukkur and their dependencies to the Government of BombayAdditional military aid placed at the disposal of the Government of Bombay by the Government of MadrasThe sending of reinforcements of troops for service in SindeMeasures adopted for obtaining camp followers for the use of the force moving to Sinde, and the purchase of camels for service in Upper Sinde.The primary correspondent is the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Lestock Robert Reid. The various other correspondents, mostly military and political officials, include: the Superintendent of the Indian Navy, Captain Robert Oliver; the Political Agent in Cutch, Peter Melvill Melvill; the Political Agent in Lower Sinde, Major James Outram; the Secretary to the Government of India; the Bombay Military Board; the Quarter-Master General of the Bombay Army, Lieutenant-Colonel Neil Campbell; the Political Commissioner and Resident for Guzerat [Gujarat], W S Boyd; and the Political Superintendent, Pahlunpore [Palanpur], C B Prescott.Physical description: 1 item (623 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 18 of 1841, dated 26 March 1841. The enclosures are dated 10 August 1840 to 27 March 1841. They mainly consist of copies of correspondence sent and received by the Government of Bombay, relating to the Persian Gulf and Zanzibar.The correspondence is mostly between the following: the Secretary to the Government of Bombay (John Pollard Willoughby); the Secretary to the Government of India (Thomas Herbert Maddock); the Resident in the Persian Gulf (Samuel Hennell); the British Agent at Muscat (Captain Atkins Hamerton); the Superintendent of the Indian Navy (Captain Robert Oliver); and Commodore G B Brooks, Commanding the Indian Naval Squadron in the Gulf of Persia.The correspondence discusses matters including:The claim for compensation by Hajee Mahomed Ally Suffur (also spelled Hajee Mahomed Aly Jaffer) against the Shaikh of Kishm [Qishm, also spelled Kishin] for a quantity of sugar belonging to him, said to have been taken from the wreck of the buggalow
Futeh Ool Ruhman(also spelled
Futteh Ool Rahimanin this part) on the Island of QishmCaptain Hamerton proceeding on a mission to Zanzibar, and a deputation allowance of ten Rupees per day being granted to himThe suggestion of the Resident in the Persian Gulf that some small vessels should be attached to the Indian Naval Squadron in the Gulf, for the conveyance of important despatches to the Government of Bombay received via the Persian Gulf routeIntelligence received from Shiraz, including an account by the News Writer at Shiraz (Mirza Reza) of the ‘great disturbances’ which had recently taken place in the city, and news from other parts of Persia [Iran], including Kerman [Kirmān],Tehran, and Bushire [Būshehr]The proceedings of the Resident in the Persian Gulf in regard to the piracy stated to have been committed by Jubbur Rugragee (also spelled Jubber Ragragee) upon a boat belonging to Rasel Khyma [Ras Al Khaimah]The measures adopted by the Resident in the Persian Gulf for settling demands made against the Chief of Debaye [Dubai, also spelled Debayee], Shaikh Mookhtoom [Shaikh Maktoum bin Bati ibn Suhayl, also spelled Muckhtoom in this part], on account of the reported infractions of the maritime truce by his subjectsThe proceedings of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian GulfThe commanders and crews of the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat’s ships
Carolineand
Peidmontesebeing rewarded for the assistance they provided to the East India Company’s schooner
Emilyin March 1840, when it was in danger of being shipwrecked in Muscat CoveDr Thomas Mackenzie, the Civil Surgeon of the Residency in the Persian Gulf, being granted permission to proceed to Europe on furlough, and Assistant Surgeon Andrew Weatherhead being appointed to succeed him as Civil Surgeon.This part also includes enclosures relating to Oman, Bahrien [Bahrain, also spelled Bahrein in this part], and the Nejddee Country [Nejd, also spelled Nejdee in this part].Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-40, on folios 391-397. These numbers are repeated for reference on the last verso of each enclosure.
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 84 of 1847, dated 30 September 1847. The enclosures are dated 9 June-11 September 1847.The primary documents are despatches of Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to the Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, and for the information of the President and Governor in Council, chiefly forwarding copies of reports and letters received, and his correspondence with various officials, notably: Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Persia [Iran]; Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, Political Agent, Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq]; and Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Acting Political Agent, Turkish Arabia. The correspondence of the latter two notably include letters addressed to them by Lord Cowley [Henry Wellesley, 1st Earl Cowley], HM Minister Plenipotentiary at Constantinople [Istanbul].The despatches cover numerous matters, including the following:1) The apparent designs of the Ottoman Empire to extend its authority and influence over the Island of Bahrein [Bahrain], including: a report from Commodore John Croft Hawkins, on the HC [Honourable Company] Steam Frigate
Queen, describing a visit on board the ship by the Sheik of Bahrein [Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain] and confirming the non-appearance of either the Turkish vessel or Turkish agent said to have been proceeding towards the island; and the emphatic refusal, by Nejib Pasha, Governor of Bagdad [Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad], to recognize a letter apparently addressed to the Sheik of Bahrein by the Mootesellim [Mutasallim] of Bussorah [Governor of Basra], inviting the former to put himself under the protection of the Ottoman flag.2) The temporary detention at Shiraz, by an informant of Sheil, of a messenger said to be carrying a letter addressed to the Shah [Muḥammad Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] from an ‘influential Prince of India’ inviting him to ‘invade Hindoostan by the way of Affghanistan [Afghanistan], and assuring him of every support and cooperation’ (f 139), and Sheil’s dismissal of its seriousness.3) British measures in relation to effecting the abolition of the ‘African Slave Trade’, notably:The announcement to the Ottoman Porte that Hennell has obtained the consent of the ‘Independent Maritime Chiefs of the Arabian Coast’ (f 142) to the total abolition of the trade in enslaved persons from Africa (the agreement to come into effect at the end of the next year)Arrangements to be made by the Ottoman authorities regarding registration of crews of all vessels belonging to Bussorah and Koweit [Kuwait]Hennell’s desire, following reports that large numbers of ‘Hubshees or Abyssinian [Ethiopian] slaves’ (f 147) have been imported from the coast of Berbera, to bring the measures agreed with the Ottoman Sultan, Independent Maritime Chiefs of the Arabian Coast and the Imam of Muscat into full effect immediately, and his suggestions to strengthen the British naval presence and powers of inspection in the vicinity of Zanzibar, Berbera and Zelah [Zeila] and in the Gulf, and to make seizures of ‘contraband cargo’ to deter Persians from further trade in enslaved personsThe concerns of Hennell and Kemball regarding amended instructions issued by the Turkish [Ottoman] Government to Nejib Pasha, for the disposal of enslaved persons who are liberated under the recent convention, specifically the option that ‘rescued’ Africans may remain in Ottoman territory if they choose to rather than being conveyed on board a British vessel. Included is a translated copy of the Turkish Government’s instructions to the Governor of Bagdad directing that the ‘liberated... [ones] must be allowed to stay where they please’ (ff 155-156)Hennell’s advice to the senior naval officer at Bushire [Bushehr] to only take measures against a vessel belonging to a subject of the Imam of Muscat, lately arrived with ‘a cargo of 30-40 negro [Black African] and Abyssinian slaves from Muscat for sale’ (f 160), once it has left Bushire Harbour, as it is a foreign (Persian) portHennell’s and Kemball’s desire to ensure the swift implementation of instructions issued by Nejib Pasha to the Mootsellim of Bussorah (ff 204-205) regarding the measures to be taken against Turkish vessels and Turkish merchants involved in the exportation of enslaved persons from Africa, and for the speedy removal of manumitted persons from Bussorah temporarily to Bushire and Bassidore [Basaidu], and subsequently to India.4) Hennell’s mediatory involvement in the affair of the ‘plunder’ in 1846 of the wreck of the large bugla [buggalow]
Akab, belonging to the Sheik of Kishm [Shaik of Qeshm], near Bushire Harbour, including: the complaint by the Sheik that the boatmen of Bushire plundered the boat’s rigging and stores; and the return in 1847 of plundered articles, via Sheik Nassir of Bushire [Shaikh Nāṣir of Bushehr], including a list of plundered articles (f 171) and a list of items handed in to Sheik Nassir by each Nakoda [Nakhuda, a boat captain or master] (f 175).5) Rumours that the officers of a Turkish vessel visiting ports of the Arabian coast are claiming they are going to replace British with Turkish influence in the Gulf, notably: the alarm of Shaik Muctoom (Debay) [Maktūm bin Butti bin Suhail, of Dubai]; the apparent exultation of Sultan ben Sugger (chief of the Joasmee [al-Qāsimī] tribe) [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī, Ruler of Sharjah and Ra’s al-Khaymah, al-Jazirah al-Hamra and Ar Rams, variously]; the general concern of the independent Arab rulers on the coast of the Gulf; and Hennell’s dismissal of the story, insisting that the Turkish functionaries are only protecting their trade and preventing the importation of enslaved persons.Physical description: 1 item (75 folios)