1. ‘Vol 250 Wrecks, Maritime outrages’

Description:

Abstract: The volume contains correspondence relating to nine cases of shipwreck, plunder, piracy, or other maritime outrage, each assigned in the volume under the ‘Heading VIII: Wrecks, maritime outrages, etc.’ and each taking place during the period 1857 to 1861. Correspondence includes the original reports of each case, the Resident’s instructions to naval officers in the Gulf to investigate the incident, and to retrieve stolen property, identify the culprits, or obtain compensation, where appropriate, the Resident’s report of the incident to the Bombay Government, and the Bombay Government’s response, frequently containing extracts of resolutions or official notes relating to the incident. The chief correspondents in the volume are Captain (James) Felix Jones, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Henry Lacon Anderson, Secretary to the Government of Bombay, and various officials of the Persian Gulf Squadron.The cases are numbered as subjects 10 to 19, and are summarised on the cover sheet that precedes each set of correspondence, as follows:10: ‘Illegal intention of an Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] vessel by the Al Ali chief’ (folios 1D-27);12: ‘A boat belonging to a subject of Congoon [Bandar-e Kangan] chief wrecked in Dec/57 near Somaysmah on Guttur [Qatar] coast, & plundered. The Chief of Bahrain, on Resident's requisition, made over to Resident 1000 M. S. [Muhammad Shah] Rs [rupees] as an indemnity to the sufferers’ (folios 28-32);13: ‘Regarding an Asseloo Ghoncha [boat] plundered off Dihiffar near Makullah [Al-Mukallā] east of Aden’ (folios 33-46);14: ‘No vessel available to recover fines from Aboothabee. Tigrisand Constanceat last afforded’ (folios 47-61);15: ‘Three Nejdees [Najdis] thrown overboard by nakhuda Oobeyah of Debaye [Dubai] & others in his boat. Two drowned, one saved who became informer’ (folios 62-108);16: ‘Alleged outrage on a wrecked vessel by the inhabitants of Bokha [Bukhā]. The Chief of Bokha & his people exonerated by Lieut[enant] Dyer Commanding Tigris’ (folios 109-14);17: ‘Seizure by Sheikh of Mohumrah [Khorramshahr] of a Sharjah vessel by way of retaliation for fraudulent act committed by a native of Sharjah who carried off to Sharjah a vessel & property confided to his charge by the Sheikh of Mohumrah. Mutual restitution effected at last’ (folios 115-27);18: ‘Regarding plunder of the town of Limah by several boats from Ras el Khymah [Ra’s al-Khaymah], killing several men. Inaccuracies of Gulf charts’ (folios 128-41)19: ‘Piratical outrage perpetrated by Raschid i. Dubbanee of Ras el Khymah’ (folios 142-47)Subject 11, which precedes subject 10, has a cover sheet, entitled ‘Piracy on a Hindyan boat by divers from Bahrein [Bahrain]’, but contains no papers.Physical description: Foliation: The main 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. Foliation anomalies: 1, 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D; 23 and 23A; 46 and 46A; 63 and 63A; 141 and 141A.

2. Papers of Brigadier-General John Jacob (East India Company) Mainly Relating to the Anglo-Persian War (1856-1857), and the Aftermath

Description:

Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence, memoranda and other papers relating to the Anglo-Persian War (1856-57), and events following the Armistice signed in Paris, 4 March 1857, notably intelligence, military, administrative, diplomatic and financial matters. A large proportion of the letters are originals, but the volume also includes copy letters and copy Persian letters.There is no overall index; however, there are five internal ‘indexes’, or contents lists, which cover the majority of the volume. The titles of groups of papers are transcribed directly from the indexes, in single inverted commas.The papers are bound as follows:Folio 9: ‘Intelligence index’ comprising a list of items numbered 1-2Folios 10-45 (including title page for index item No. 1): ‘Intelligence received from Major H Ballard’, Intelligence Department, 25 February 1856-28 June 1857. Includes ink and watercolour plan of Persian positions near the ‘Haft Moolla Pass’ (folio 15) and Memorandum of Intelligence from Captain Lewis Pelly, Intelligence Department, June 1857 (folios 39-42)Folios 46-133 (including title page for index item No. 2): ‘General Intelligence’. Notably:Memorandum by Major John Hill, Commanding Engineer, Persian Field Force, to Assistant Quartermaster-General, Persian Field Force, Camp Bushire, 8 January 1857, containing estimate of force required for the expedition against Shuster [Shushtar] on the Karoon [Karun] River (folios 47-51)Intelligence received and forwarded to Brigadier-General John Jacob, Commander of the Persian Expeditionary Field Force in Bushire, by Captain Felix Jones, Political Agent and Resident in the Persian Gulf, and correspondence between Jones and Jacob, including translated intelligence from local chiefs, Mahomed Hassan Khan [Muhammad Husayn Khan?], British Agent in Shiraz [also spelt Sheeraz in the volume], and Meerza Hassan Ali Khan [Mirza Hasan ‘Ali Khan], British Agent at Shiraz now at Bushire, March-August 1857, and purport of extract from Tehran Gazette, 12 March 1857 (folios 52-73, 95-97, 116-117, 122, 126-133)Cutting from The Sindian Extra, 20 May 1857, on the ‘horrible massacre [of the English] at Delhi’ (folio 74)Letters from J Scott in Kurachee [Karachi], to Jacob, 23 May and 7 June 1857, on loyalty of the troops at Moultan [Multan], calm situation in the Punjab and Scott’s general comments on the 'mutiny' in India (folios 75, 114-115)Intelligence from J Gibb in Kurachee, to Jacob, 22 May-7 June 1857, notably on the 'mutiny' at Merrut [Meerut] and Delhi and reporting on troops and native population in Lahore (folios 76-77, 102-105, 112-113)Manuscript copy of telegraphic message from Agra for Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram, Commander-in-Chief, Persian Expeditionary Force: ‘Lady Outram and her son are quite safe. They were not at Delhi’ [May 1857] (folio 78)Three intelligence reports, two translated by James McAdam Hyslop, Assistant Political Agent in Turkish Arabia, containing news on the state of Persia, February and March 1857, and copy letter from Stratford de Redcliffe, British Ambassador at Constantinople, to Earl of Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, 30 March 1857. All papers forwarded for the attention of Outram (folios 79-91)Letters from Commander James Rennie, Senior Naval Officer, Commanding Persian Gulf Squadron, to Jacob, June-July 1857, mostly forwarding intelligence from Lieutenant James Tronson, Senior Naval Officer at Mahumura [Mohammerah, now Khorramshahr], commanding the Falkland(folios 92-94, 98-99, 119-120, 123-125)Extract of letter from Lord Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay, to Henry Bartle Frere, Commissioner of Sinde [Sindh], 30 May 1857, forwarding instructions for the recall of Outram and Jacob and a large part of the force at Bushire, to India (folios 100-101)Letter from Commander D W Macleod in Lahore, to Commissioner in Sind [Sindh], 15 May 1857, reporting, for the Court of Directors of the East India Company, on the state of affairs in India following the outbreak of the 'mutiny' (folios 106-109)Letter from H Ebden to Colonel Sir R Shakespear, 31 May 1857, on the spread of the 'mutiny' (folios 110-111)Manuscript copy of telegraphic message from 'The Resident' (at Bushire) to Jacob, stating that the agent at Shiraz is permitted to proceed and resume his post, 28 June 1857 (folio 118)Letter from [W?] Gardiner, Commanding the Clifton, notifying Jacob of the transport ship’s arrival at Kurachee, 2 July 1857 (folio 121) Folios 134-135: ‘Index Miscellaneous’ comprising a list of items numbered 1-18, as follows:Folios 136-138 (including title page for index item No. 1): ‘Correspondence touching the progress of the war in Persia, etc.’ Letter from Thomas A Collier, Bushire, to Jacob, 24 December 1856Folios 139-141 (including title page for index item No. 2): ‘Trial experiment of the “Jacob Rifle”’, Letter from Charles Hay to Jacob, 14 November 1856Folios 142-203 (including title page for index item No. 3): ‘Applications for appointments under Brigadier-General John Jacob [to the Persian Field Force], recommendatory letters for, etc.’ Authors based in various locations, notably Bombay, Kurachee and London, December 1856-February 1857 (in this order): Henry Munro; J Outram; Lieutenant G S Morris; Lieutenant C M Ducat; Major Edward Green; G Nicholetts; Lieutenant W A Battine, Bengal Army; Captain [G?] E Ashburner; Captain James Young, 4th Regiment Bengal North India; E King; J Thatcher; H Young; Hugh Elliott, [T H Rantely?]; W G Mainwaring; R H Irvine; Captain Stuart Beatson, First Regiment [Light?] Cavalry; Lieutenant W R Alexander; George Montgomery; Lieutenant Quintin Battye, 56th Regiment Bengal Infantry; J W [Reviler?]; W W Davidson; [G Durrill?]; [C?] Stewart; W F Johnson; J Rennie; Hastings Fraser, 4th Cavalry; C Constable; Ensign John G Watts; Colonel P MelvillFolios 204-209 (including title page for index item No. 4): ‘Correspondence of congratulation’, from J Scott to Jacob, 14 January 1857; P H Le Geyt to Outram, 4 January 1857; and J Stirling to Jacob, 30 April 1857 (thanks for commendation of his regiment)Folios 210-244 (including title page for index item No. 5): ‘Correspondence relative to supply of provisions, tonnage and capacity of shipping, transports, munitions of war, etc.’ Correspondents mainly Rennie, Durrill, [Reviler?], W T Johnson and Captain Lewis Pelly, Political Secretary and Persian Interpreter, 25 January to 24 July 1857Folios 245-247 (including title page for index item No. 6): ‘Regarding the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel Jacob with the rank of Brigadier-General Persian Expeditionary Field Force’, 12 January 1857. Copy letter and General Orders, forwarded by R E H Birch, Secretary to the Governor of India, Military DepartmentFolios 248-256 (including title page for index item No. 7): ‘Correspondence regarding the state of the troops in Persia and other Bazar and Police arrangements’ [in Bushire]. Between Lord Elphinstone, Jacob, Jones and Pelly, 1 April-1 August 1857. Includes Persian letter from Sultan Mahomed Najjaff Meerza [Sultan Muhammad Najaf Mirza Hindi], Jahanabad [Jehanabad], to Jacob (folio 255) with Jacob’s replyPapers described in the index as numbers 8-17 are not bound in this volumeFolios 257-259: Title pages only to index items No. 16 ‘Relative to the employment of individuals in the Quartermaster and Adjutant Generals Department’, and No. 17 ‘Regarding Prisoners’Folios 259-297 (including title page for index item No. 18): ‘Miscellaneous Correspondence’. Between Jacob, Henry Scott, Walker, Macdonald, Colonel J S Ramsay and Pelly, 1 December 1856-26 December 1857. Includes news from Pelly on Mohammura [Mohammerah, i.e. Khorramshahr], Sir James Outram and views on the Peace Treaty (folios 284-297), and extracts from the Bombay Government Gazette, 15 and 29 January and 30 June 1857 (folios 268-271)Folio 298: Map of a section of Abyssinia [Ethiopia] (no indication why this map has been bound in this volume apart from separating two indexes)Folios 299-300: ‘Index of Compilation’ comprising a list of items numbered 1-13Folios 301-359 (including title page for index item No. 1): ‘Correspondence regarding employment of General Jacob in Persia. Observations on the state of the troops and the coast of Persia, of the appointment of General Sir J Outram, political views on the nature of Britain’s relations with Persia and Russia’. Documents dated 18 November 1856-25 January 1857, chiefly Outram’s letters to Robert Vernon Smith MP, Sir George Clerk, Colonel Sykes, J H Edmonstone, Secretary to the Governor of India, Foreign Department, Lord Dalhousie and Jacob; Malcolm Green’s letters to Jacob; and copy of a telegraphic message from the Governor-General to Outram regarding JacobFolios 360-410 (including title page for index item No. 2): ‘Correspondence regarding the appointment of different officers, the distribution of the Brigades, etc., their several requirements in the event of their occupying named localities towards the furtherance of schemes determined on’. Documents dated 28 December 1856-28 December 1858, chiefly correspondence between Outram and Jacob, letters from Malcolm Green and from Lord Elphinstone, to Jacob, and a 'Plan of Operations' (in Persia) by Outram (folios 365-367)Folios 411-451 (including title page for index item No. 3): ‘Regarding the probable demands for munitions of war. Provisions and other necessaries, etc., required by the Troops in Persia’. Documents dated 18 March-12 May 1857, chiefly letters to Jacob from Outram, A M Boileau, Brevet Major Commanding ‘B’ Company of Madras Sappers and Miners, Rennie and JonesFolios 452-503 (including title page for index item No. 4): ‘Correspondence regarding the Expedition against Mohamreh [Mohammerah, i.e. Khorramshahr] and its capture, and of arrangements for raising and organising “Arab Levies” and other proposed arrangements regarding the dispersal of the troops subsequent to the above action’. Documents dated 13 March-9 May 1857, chiefly letters to Jacob from Outram (written from Mohammerah) and Colonel Edward Lugard, Chief of StaffFolio 504-509 (including title page for index item No. 5): ‘Information of movements of the Expeditionary detachment to Ahwaz [Ahvaz] and other correspondence following the fall of Mohamreh and the action at Ahwaz’. Letters from Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Political Agent in Ismailiyah [Ismailia], to Outram, and from Outram to the Earl of Clarendon, 30 March-5 April 1857 Folio 510 (title page for index item No. 6): ‘Reflections on the policy of the action at Mohamreh which was originally intended to facilitate the progress of the British forces into the interior of Persia’ (no papers present)(Title page and papers for index item No. 7 not present)Folios 511-518 (including title page for index item No. 8): ‘Regarding proposed modifications and other important arrangements for the permanent defence of the frontiers of Sind’. Two documents, both addressed to ‘My Lord’, authors not identifiedFolios 519-525 (including title page for index item No. 9): ‘General correspondence from Lord Elphinstone’. Letters to Outram, notably mentioning coals for English steam ships, cholera between Madras and Bangalore, and rifle ammunition, 3 and 4 April 1857Folios 526-531 (including title page for index item No. 10): ‘Refutation of assertions regarding the “panic” supposed to have occurred subsequent to the action at Burazgoon [Borazjan]’. Letter from Outram to Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Somerset, Commander-in-Chief, Bombay Army, 11 April 1857, including extracts from intelligence reports dated 18 and 25 February 1857 regarding enemy casualtiesAlso after index item No. 10 (not covered by the index):Folios 532-535: copy of letter of congratulation on Persian victories from Vernon Smith to Outram, with forwarding letter by Hyslop, Political Agent, Bagdad [Baghdad], April 1857Folios 536-538 (including title page for index item No. 11): ‘Correspondence of congratulation, offer of presents, to the Native Troops by the Nawab of Oude from Bagdad’. Summary translation of undated letter from the Nawab Ikbal-ood-Dowlek to Captain Kemball, congratulating the British Indian troops in action at Bushire and BorazgoonFolios 539-558 (including title page for index item No. 12): 'Correspondence regarding the Sirkisheekchee [Sarkisheekchee] Bashee, etc’, (Mirza Mahomed Khan, Persian Commander-in-Chief and Plenipotentiary). Chiefly letters from Outram to Jacob, 12 April-15 June 1857 Folios 559-597 (including title page for index item No. 13): ‘Relative to the state of affairs in India and the measures which it would be advisable to adopt for the maintenance of British influence in the Bombay Presidency, etc.’ Chiefly letters from Lugard, Outram and Vernon Smith to Jacob; Lugard to Outram; and Outram to the Governor-General of India, the Earl of Clarendon and Vernon Smith, 28 June-15 July 1857Folios 598-689 (including title page for index item No. 2): ‘Relating to the Deputation of Ahmed Beg from Persian Camp and further correspondence regarding Meerza Agha’ (Persian Secretary to Charles A Murray, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to His Majesty the King of Persia, at Bagdad). Chiefly original and copy letters, including Persian letters from Meerza Agha [Mirza Agha] (folios 602, 614, 626), relating to his dismissal by Jacob who accuses the former of unprecedented ‘insolence’ contained in a letter to Captain Felix Jones regarding the Deputation of Ahmed Beg. Correspondence is largely between Jacob, Outram, Jones, Murray and Meerza Agha. Murray, who strongly defends Meerza Agha, an employee of the British for over eighteen years, believes there is a campaign to smear his secretary’s character. Murray also dismisses Mahomed Hassan Khan, the Agent at Shiraz, who accuses Meerza Agha of threatening him. Covering dates c 25 April-31 August 1857Folios 690-691: ‘Index Sirkasheekchee Bashee’, comprising a list of items numbered 1-11Folios 692-733 (including title page for index item No. 1): 'Regarding the Treaty Armistice etc., Convention proposed to be entered into – line demarcation proposed and explained etc.' Documents dated c 22 April-7 May 1857, chiefly correspondence between Outram, Meerza Mahomed Khan, Sarkisheekchee Bashee, Persian Commander-in-Chief and Plenipotentiary [Mirza Muhammad Khan Davallu, Kishikchi Bashi], and Jacob, regarding news of the armistice reached between Britain and Persia in Paris, 4 March 1857, and terms of the truce concluded between Outram and Meerza Mahomed Khan (to extend to 4 June 1857). Includes original, copy, Persian (folios 695-697, 717-723 and 729-731) and translated letters from all correspondentsFolio 734: Note stating items ‘No. 2 and 3 transferred to Separate Compilations. No. 2 Regarding Meerza Agha [see folios 598-689]. No. 3 Regarding the Persian spy or Engineer officer [see IOR/H/550]’Folios 735-736 (including title page for index item No. 4): ‘Regarding the procuring of corn provisions, etc.’ Letter from Jones to Jacob, 13 May 1857Folios 737-741 (including title page for index item No. 5): ‘Correspondence regarding Nawab Mahomed Ali Khan’. Letter from Jones to Jacob, copy letters in Persian from Jones and from Shuja ul Mulk [also spelt Shooja ool Moolk], April 1857Folios 742-743 (title page for index item No. 6): ‘Correspondence from and with the Khan of Khelat [Kalat]’. Letter from Jones to Jacob, 5 June 1857(Index item No. 7 is filed out of order, on folios 775-814)Folios 743-746 (including title page for index item No. 8): ‘Regarding the return of Mohamed Hussan Khan [Shiraz Agent] to Shiraz’. Letter from Jones to giving instructions to the former, 29 June 1857Folios 747-748 (including title page for index item No. 9): ‘Regarding permission to persons of British camp to purchase horses from Persian camp at Borazjoon [Borazjan]’. Request from Jacob to the representative commanding the Persian forces, 8 July 1857Folios 749-752 (including title page for index item No. 10): ‘Request for restoration of certain baggage animals captured in the action at Borazjoon.’ Correspondence between Jones, Jacob and Mihr Ali Khan, Shooja ool Moolk, 5-9 July 1857Folios 753-755 (including title page for index item No. 11): ‘Regarding the escape of certain persons who attempted to murder a woman on purpose to rob her.’ Letter from Jones to Meerza Mohammed Khan, Sirkisheekchee Bashee, with his reply, 10 and 17 July 1857(Folios 756-774 do not appear to be covered by the index)Folios 756-774: Correspondence and papers relating to general matters in Bushire. Documents dated 23 June-22 August 1857, including intelligence from Mahomed Hassan Khan, Shiraz Agent, his letters to Jones, August 1857, and notice of termination of his employment and the temporary appointment of Hajee Mahomed Khuleel [Ḥāji Muḥammad Khalīl]; correspondence of Jones and Jacob with Mihr Ali Khan, Shooja ool Moolk; Meerza Mahomed Alee Khan [Mirza Muhammed Ali Khan], Nawabi Hindee [Hindi]; and Sheikh Noshin Khan, Sirhauz of the First Order [Shaikh Nushin Khan, Sarbaz (soldier) of the First Order], Persian Force, notably regarding garrisoning of Bushire by different Persian regiment and permission for conclusion of commercial transactions with the locals by soldiers of previous Persian regiment. Persian letter from Alee Khan to Jacob (folio 766)Folios 775-814 (including title page for index item No. 7): ‘Regarding the deputation of Haji Sheikh Noshin Khan, Sirhauz of the First Order, from Persian Camp and of Brigadier Trevelyan, Commandant of the Artillery, from British Camp, and other proceedings touching the mission to the Persian Camp’, to re-establish friendly relations following the transfer of supreme power at Bushire from Outram to Jacob. Correspondence, dated 15 June-10 July 1857, chiefly between Jacob, Jones and Meerza Mahomed Khan, including Persian letters (folios 777-779, 793, 805-806 and 810) and translationsFolio 815: ‘Index’ comprising a list of items numbered 1-3. No. 2 and 3 are filed before No. 1. They are all preceded by the correspondence on folios 816-832Folios 816-832: Mainly formal correspondence, dated 20 July-28 August 1857, regarding dispersal of treasury no longer needed at Bushire, including shipment of ten lacs of rupees on the steamer Chusanfrom Bushire to Kurachee (for Bombay), a portion to Sinde [Sindh] and one lac to the Baghdad treasury. Correspondence is between Jacob; H L Anderson, Secretary to the Government, Bombay; E E Elliot, Accountant General; B E Frere, Commissioner in Scinde [Sindh]; Captain Annesley, Paymaster, Persian Field Force, Bushire; Jones; and PellyFolios 833-841 (including title page for index item No. 2): ‘Miscellaneous demi official correspondence’. Letters from Jones to Jacob on various matters in Bushire, including ill-treatment of animals that went to the Persia Camp and attempted robbery of a “Bagdad lady of easy virtue”, 9-13 July 1857Folios 842-849 (including title page for index item No. 3): ‘Miscellaneous correspondence regarding the Pioneerand Feroze.’ Concerning delay in delivery of Kurachee mails on the Pioneerand allocation of Ferozeto go to Bombay, 11 July-2 AugustFolios 850-886 (including title page for index item No. 1): ‘Audits on abstracts by the Paymaster Persian Field Force.’ Correspondence relating to recouping salary allowances erroneously paid to Jacob during the Persian Campaign, chiefly correspondence between Jacob; Annesley; Major H J Barr, late Field Paymaster, Persian Expeditionary Force; the Military Department in Bombay; and Colonel Melvill, Secretary to the Government, c June 1857-April 1858Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 889; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: The original pagination sequence dating from the 1920s is also present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. This sequence correlates to the description found in Samuel Charles Hill's Catalogue of the Home Miscellaneous Series of the India Office Records(London: HMSO, for the India Office, 1927).

3. Papers of Brigadier-General John Jacob (East India Company) Mainly Relating to the Anglo-Persian War (1856-1857), and the Aftermath

Description:

Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence, reports, memoranda, petitions, registers and other papers relating chiefly to events following the Anglo-Persian War (1856-1857) Armistice, signed in Paris 4 March 1857, notably the military withdrawal, diplomatic, political, logistical and security-related matters. A large proportion of the letters are originals, but the volume also includes copy letters and copy Persian letters.There is no overall index, however the content of the volume is partially covered by four internal ‘indexes’, or contents lists. Where covered by an index, the titles of groups of papers are transcribed directly from the index, in single inverted commas.Note: there is a certain amount of internal duplication of subject and copy documents, and between this volume and IOR/H/549.The papers are bound as follows:Folio 9: list of commended ship officers, including name of ship, surname of individual and remarksFolios 1-110: Correspondence and papers principally relating to: fulfilling the peace treaty terms with regard to withdrawal of Persians from Herat and Afghanistan and British from Mohammerah [now Khorramshahr, variously spelt in this volume Mohammera, Mohamera, Mohamra and Mohamrah] and Bushire; British relations with the Persian authorities; Turkish claims on Mohammerah vis-a-vis the latter sending a vessel of war to the port prior to British withdrawal. Also covered are arrangements for packet (mail) couriers; strained relations between Brigadier-General John Jacob, Commanding the Persian Field Force, Bushire, and Charles A Murray, British Envoy to the Court of the Shah of Persia (near) Tehran, over timing and manner of British withdrawal, notably Jacob’s scathing doubt of Murray’s warning of a Persian plot to attack embarking British troops (folios 63-64); arrangements for Persian prisoners of war; intelligence, via Bombay, relating to uprisings against the British in India and their suppression; and use of remount agents for purchase of horses for the cavalry and artillery. The principal correspondents are Murray, Jacob, Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia (Baghdad), and Commander James Rennie, Senior Naval Officer, Commanding Persian Gulf Squadron. Additional correspondents are Captain Felix Jones, Political Agent with the Persian Field Force and Resident in the Persian Gulf; J G Taylor, Agent in Bassorah [Basra]; Malcolm Green, Military Secretary (then in Baghdad); and Sir Henry Rawlinson (then a crown director of the East India Company). Also included are translated extracts from the Tehran Gazetteand a letter from the 'Sudr Azim' [ṣadr-e aʿẓam, head of the Persian Government], to Murray, 1 August 1857, regarding precise fulfilment of the treaty termsFolio 111: ‘Victoria Cross Index’ comprising list of items numbered 1-2Folios 112-167 (including title page for index item No. 1 and No. 2): ‘Miscellaneous correspondence regarding the valor of individuals at different actions in Persia [Iran] and having therefore recommended for the “Victoria Cross” decoration’ and ‘Reports on the merits of officers and men of the Field Force at Bushire 14 June 1857’. Chiefly original correspondence and printed official extracts of letters, reports and commendation lists, dated May-June 1857, by Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram, late Commander Persian Expeditionary Force; Viscount Canning, Governor-General of India; Earl of Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Robert Vernon Smith, MP, President of the Board of Control; Ross Donelly Mangles, Chairman of the Court of Directors, East India Company; Edward Lugard, Chief of the Staff, Persian Expeditionary Force; and Jacob. Includes report on Poona Irregular Horse in the action at Kooshab [Battle of Khushab, February 1857], by Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Tapp, Commanding Poona Irregular Horse and 1st Cavalry Brigade at Kooshab, with names of those commended and reason; list of those recommended for the Victoria Cross for conduct at Kooshab under command of Outram, with names and detailed accounts of actions; further recommendations by Lieutenant-Colonel H W Trevelyan, Commanding Artillery Brigade, Persian Field Force; list of officers of meritorious conduct whilst under the command of Jacob in Bushire, post-conflict (for Jacob’s original handwritten recommendations see folios 150-163); notice of official thanks by George Frederick Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government of India, to officers presiding over the Bushire evacuation; printed specification of the award of the Victoria Cross issued 29 January 1856 (folios 130-131). There is some duplication of documents in this group of papers. (See also IOR/H/552, folios 148-156)Folios 168-169: ‘Secretary to Government Index’ comprising list of items numbered 1-7 (before the first item is a page entitled ‘Secret Department’)Folios 170-179 (including title page for index item No. 1): ‘Correspondence regarding Steamers and Tonnage, etc.’ Letters, dated 17 May-17 Jun 1857, by Jacob, H L Anderson, Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Captain H R James, Officiating Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, Punjab, and Rennie, on the expediency of moving as many vessels as possible to the Indus (river) for “the more pressing requirements of the Indian Empire” (folio 172)Folios 180-187 (including title page for index item No. 2): ‘Regarding the Turkish question in respect of Mahomera and the state in general of Persia’. Letters covering the neutrality of Turkey during the conflict and its claims on the port, February-April 1857, including a memorandum by Murray (at Basra), for the Earl of ClarendonFolios 188-206 (including title page for index item No. 3): ‘Relating to the views of the Russian cabinet in respect of the ratification of the Treaty. Release of Persian prisoners on the ratification of the Treaty. Russian troops on frontiers of Persia’. Chiefly copies of letters forwarded by Anderson to Outram. Also includes a report for the Earl of Clarendon, written by John Wodehouse, 1st Earl of Kimberley, British Envoy-Extraordinary to Russia in St Petersburg, concerning his dealings with Prince Gortchakoff [Prince Alexander Gorchakov], Foreign Minister of the Russian Empire, 3 April 1857; and intelligence supplied by Colonel Materazza in Tabreez [Tabriz], on the Persian army, politicians and finances, 13 February 1857 (see also IOR/H/552 folios 112-115)Folios 207-210 (including title page for index item No. 4): ‘Appointment of General Katenine as Governor of Orenburg’, following the resignation of General Peroffsky [Vasily Perovsky] on account of his health, April 1857 (copy letters)Folios 211-216 (including title page for index item No. 5): ‘Grant of extra allowances to certain individuals’. Notices forwarded by Anderson to Outram of special allowances granted to Mahomed Beshir, Native Zabit of Kharrack [Kharg Island], Assistant Surgeon James MacAlister, and Captain C P Rigby (when Civil Assistant Commissioner in Bushire), June-July 1857Folios 217-218 (including title page for index item No. 6): ‘Instructions for the evacuation of Bushire and further correspondence connected therewith. Arrangements etc. proposed thereafter’. (There is a note that this has been ‘transferred to separate file’). One copy letter from Anderson to Jacob notifying him that the Governor in Bombay intends to appoint him to the Command of a movable Column for active service in the Deccan (India), 23 July 1857Folios 219-223 (including title page for index item No. 7): ‘Correspondence regarding the embarkation of captured [Persian] cannon for India’. Includes letters from Jacob, July-August 1857Folios 224-286 (including title for index item No. 8 ‒ not included in the preceding index): ‘Miscellaneous letters transmitting correspondence to Secretary to Governors of Bombay and India’. Chiefly correspondence, dated July-October 1857, between Anderson, Jacob and Jones, relating to arrangements for the evacuation of British troops from Bushire, disposal of captured enemy cannon, use of remount agencies for purchase of horses in Persia and Arabia, matter of Persian officer who allegedly attempted to open secret communications with Hajee Ahmed (see folios 287-346), stationery allowances for officers, arrival of steamer Chusanat Kurrachee [Karachi] without the mails, and other minor matters. Includes copy of instruction to Jacob, 10 October 1857, to resume his command of troops and political duties on the frontier of Sind [Sindh] on return to IndiaFolios 287-346 (including title page for an index item No. 3 – displaced from volume IOR/H/549): ‘Regarding Meerza Mahomed Ali, an Engineer Officer of the Persian camp deputed with a letter to Hajee Ahmed, Arabic Secretary to the Resident in the Persian Gulf’. Concerns Jacob’s decision to arrest and imprison Meerza Mahomed Ali Meerza Mahomed Ali [Mirza Mahomed Ali Khan] and Tachee Ghuloon Hoossein [Haji Ghulam Husayn], a representative of Tungistoon [Tangestan] Chief Bawkir Khan, who were deputed by Meerza Mahomed Khan, Sirkischikchi [Sarkischeekchee] Bashee (Persian Commander in Chief), to deliver letters to Hajee Ahmed, a Secretary to the Resident in the Persian Gulf (Captain Felix Jones), which instructed Hajee Ahmed to undertake a survey of Bushire, the vicinity, and (Jacob thinks) the British camp. The two messengers are intercepted and Jacob accuses the Persian Commander-in-Chief of underhand tactics for not sending the messengers directly to him. The Persian Commander-in-Chief denies any duplicity and Envoy Murray insists it was merely an infraction of the rules of etiquette and appeals to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Clarendon), pressing the case for the prisoners’ release. Correspondence, dated May to July 1857, is chiefly between Jones, Jacob and Meerza Mahomed Khan, with additional letters from Jacob to Lugard; translated transcripts of the original intercepted letters for Hajee Ahmed written early in May; copy of Murray’s letter to Outram declaring Jacob’s actions to be inflammatory and an 'entire misconception of the intentions' of the Commander-in-Chief (folio 340); copy of Clarendon’s letter to Outram, 11 July 1857, approving Jacob’s course of action (folio 343)Folios 347-397 (not covered by any index): Correspondence, dated July-December 1857, relating to evacuation of occupying British forces from Bushire and Mohammerah, and arrangements for long-term garrisoning of Karrack [Kharg] Island. Chiefly Jacob’s progress and situation reports, July-October 1857, to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. (Jacob reports that the last portion of the Persian Expeditionary Force under his command embarked for Bombay on 2 October). Also includes Jacob’s detailed advice to Clarendon on how the British army can purchase horses in Persia at non-inflated prices; report by Jones to Jacob on the cholera outbreak at Kazeroon [Kazerun] and Murray’s activities; Jacob’s departing instructions to the Persian Commander in Chief; Clarendon’s mediatory letter to Jacob, 9 Dec 1857, regarding the strained relations between the latter and Murray during the recent operationsFolios 398-453: ‘Index’ comprising list of items numbered 1-5 (the contents of item No. 4 are different to those described in the index, and there are no papers for item No. 5)Folios 398-414 (including title page for index item No. 1): ‘Correspondence (relative to the withdrawal of the British troops) with the Governments of India and Bombay’. Copy of withdrawal instructions from Anderson to Jacob, dated 23 July, with Jacob’s reply on logistics; copies of Field Force Orders issued by Jacob for garrisoning of Karrack and withdrawal from Bushire; memoranda between various artillery and naval commanders including Lieutenant-Colonel Trevelyan, Rennie; and ‘List of vessels in the Bushire Roads 4 August 1857’ (folios 413-414)Folios 415-425 (including title page for index item No. 2): ‘Correspondence (relative to the withdrawal of the British troops from Mohammera and Bushire) with the Persian Commander in Chief’. Includes formal letters, dated 2-8 August 1857, between Jacob and Persian Commander in Chief and copy transcripts and translations of Persian letters (folios 422 and 426)Folios 426-445 (including title page for index item No. 3): ‘Correspondence with naval authorities, etc., touching the withdrawal of the War steamer from Mohammera’. Letters, dated August-September 1857, between Rennie, Jacob, Kemball, Jones, Lieutenant James Tronson, commanding Falkland, and Khandur Khan, Sirhang [senior military officer] at Boorazjoon [Borazjan], concerning departure of the Turkish war vessel from Mohammera to Shat ool Arab [Shatt al-Arab] on 20 August, subsequent British departure from the port, and delays in arrival of Persian force taking over in BushireFolios 446-452 (including title page for index item No. 4): ‘Weekly jail and police reports from the Superintendent of Bazars, town of Bushire’, July-August 1857, forwarded by the Superintendent of Camp Police and Bazaars (Captain C P Rigby, later Captain J B Dunsterville). Prisoner reports include name, nationality, crime and sentenceFolios 453-473: ‘Register of Inward letters’, 11 May-30 September 1857 and ‘Register of Outward letters’, 18 June- 24 September 1857Folios 474-491: ‘Index. Petitions. From various individuals in the camp and town of Bushire correspondence touching prisoners’. Documents dated June-August 1857, concerning cases of Jemsheed bin Ardashar, Eduljee Jumsedjee and other Parsi Merchants, and Ali bin Ismail. Also, notification to Jacob that Moonshi (secretary) Ali Akbar is being sent by Outram to assist himFolios 562-727: (Not covered by any index). Mainly original letters, April-September 1857, a portion of which relate to the preceding contents of this volume and to IOR/H/549, including a number of duplicate copy letters. Many of the letters are annotated in pencil with a number which probably refers to an index (in this or other unidentified volumes). The papers cover various matters connected to the British occupation and withdrawal from Persia after cessation of hostilities, notably administration; intelligence; condition and availability of steam transport ships; logistics of troop shipments out of Bushire; mail communications; new police establishment at Karrack under Captain Rigby; military commendations and testimonials relative to the campaign; arrangements of land transports of the armed forces (including assistance of wealthy merchant Hajee Yusuf bin Bedr of Kuwait [also spelt Yoosoof bin Budr of Koweit]); local trade and commerce in Bushire; matters relating to individual officers; activities of Murray at Tehran; salvage of wrecked ship Futteh Moobarek; apprehension of two locals who attempt to open General Foster Stalker’s grave, September 1857; and dismissal of Bushire signaller for neglect of duties. Correspondents include Jacob, Jones, Rennie, Captain Lewis Pelly (Aides-de-camp to Outram), Lugard, Anderson, Colonel P M Melvill, Secretary to the Government, Commander G G Wellesley, Tronson, Trevelyan, Lieutenant-Colonel R R Younghusband, Deputy Adjutant General, Major John Hill, Commanding Engineer, J A Ballard, Intelligence Department, Dunsterville, Commander Miller B Worsley, Major Henry Green, Assistant Adjutant General, R W Swinton, Superintendent of the Electric Telegraph, C Constable, Captain J Forbes, and Captain J C Graves, Commanding 3rd Regiment Bombay Light Cavalry.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 730; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: The original pagination sequence dating from the 1920s is also present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. This sequence correlates to the description found in Samuel Charles Hill's Catalogue of the Home Miscellaneous Series of the India Office Records(London: HMSO, for the India Office, 1927).

4. Papers Relating to John Jacob's Career in Sinde, to the Anglo-Persian War (1856-57), and Events in Kelat

Description:

Abstract: Papers mainly relating to Jacob’s career in Sinde [Sindh, also spelt Scinde and Sind in this volume], notably as Political Superintendent and Commandant on the Frontier of Upper Sinde before the Anglo-Persian War; terms of the Anglo-Persian peace treaty and post-war events 1857; political instability in Sind and Beloochistan [Balochistan] and the state of affairs in Kelat [Kalat, also spelt Khelat in this volume], 1857-72. Documents are copies unless otherwise stated.(There are no indexes, or lists of contents, in this volume.)Folios 9-10: Extracts of Brigade Orders, February 1840, by Brigadier Gordon, on transferring command of the troops in Upper Scinde to Brigadier Keverson, and by Major Billamore on breaking up of the force under his command, both praising the conduct of the troops and performance of Lieutenant John Jacob, commanding the artilleryFolios 11-36: Correspondence of and relating to Lieutenant Jacob, Bombay Artillery, dated 21 May 1840-1 December 1841, mainly regarding Jacob’s much-lauded report and map of his journey from Hyderabad to Nuggur Parkur, confirming it as a practicable route to march troops between Sinde and Guzerat [Gujarat], plus praise for his ability, endeavours and enterprise when he was based in Upper Sinde in 1839. Correspondents include Captain James Outram, Political Agent in Lower Sinde; Henry Torrens, Officiating Secretary to the Government in India; J P Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay; L R Reid, Chief Secretary, to the Government, Bombay; Lieutenant-Colonel P Wilson, Commanding 3rd Regiment Light Cavalry; J D Leckie, Assistant Political Agent in charge, HyderabadFolios 27-28: Two Revenue Department letters, June and September 1842, relative to Jacob's allowances whilst on foreign field service in AfghanistanFolios 29-33: Letters from Outram, praising the conduct of various officers including Jacob and his Sinde Irregular and Horse for quelling activities the of Northern Hill Tribe ‘marauders’ and bringing ‘tranquillity’ to that area in Cutchee [Kacchi, in Kalat, Baluchistan], Scinde and Afghanistan, October-November 1842Folios 34-75: Correspondence and papers, dated February 1848-September 1853, regarding Jacob's claim for the considerable costs he has incurred since 1847 in exercising political duties assigned to him as Political Superintendent (as well as Commandant) on the Frontier of Upper Sinde. Jacob notes that he has only been paid for his regimental command of the Sinde Irregular Horse, despite all his other work in bringing tranquillity to the previously violent territory and improving agriculture and the economy; he additionally complains of disadvantages from the post not having a permanent establishment. Chiefly, correspondence between the Henry Bartle Edward Frère, Commissioner in Sinde (who supported Jacob’s case), and Jacob; Frère’s letters to Viscount Falkland, Governor and Resident in Bombay; Jacob’s petitions to Frère and memorial to Marquis Dalhousie, Governor-General of India, 15 September 1853 (folios 66-75)Folios 64-65: The Court's ‘confidential’ letter to the Government of India, 22 June 1853, recommending Lieutenant-Colonel Outram, who had been recalled from his post as Resident in Baroda [now Vadodara, in Gujarat], for return to duties in India, and the circumstances of his recall from BarodaFolios 76-87: ‘Memoranda of a personal communication by Major Jacob to HH the Khan of Kelat at Mustoong [Mastung] on the 13th May 1854’ proposing a new Treaty between the Khan and the British Government; and copy, in English and Persian of ‘Treaty between the British Government and Nusseer Khan, Chief of Kelat’, concluded by Jacob on behalf of the Governor-General of India, 14 May 1854, ratification by the Governor-General 2 June 1854, and two amendments (1855)Folios 88-105: Letters, dated October 1856-January 1857, from Lieutenant-Colonel Jacob, Acting Commissioner in Sind, to Lord Elphinstone, Governor and President in Council, Bombay, regarding Major Frederic John Goldsmid, whom Jacob asserts is opposing his authority and has attempted to claim credit for the work of the Jagheer [jagir or jageer] Enquiry in Sind, when (Jacob states) the majority was undertaken by Captain Lewis Pelly whilst Goldsmid was on sick leave in Europe and then with the Turkish contingent in the Russian [Crimean] WarFolios 106-107: Letter (original) from Outram to Sir George Clerk, Under-Secretary of State for India, 20 November 1856, containing suggestions relative to the Persian ExpeditionFolios 108-109, 132-143: Letters from, and intelligence (originally sent to the Earl of Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) forwarded by the Secret Committee, East India Company to Lieutenant-General Outram, relative to conclusion of peace with Persia, the Paris Peace Treaty (4 March 1857), and Russian troops on the Persian Frontier, March-May 1857Folios 110-111, 120-121: Letters from Clarendon to Rt Hon Robert Vernon Smith, MP, President of the Board of Control, regarding the peace treaty and suitability of the British soliciting the assistance of disaffected ‘native tribes’ in Persia, March-April 1857Folios 112-115: Correspondence between Lord [John] Wodehouse, British Envoy Extraordinary to Russia in St Petersburg, and Clarendon, regarding Russian views on the British peace with Persia and the treaty ratification, including Wodehouse’s conversations with Prince Gortchakoff [Alexander Gorchakov], Russian Foreign Minister (see also IOR/H/550 folios 188-206), March 1857Jacob, regarding post-conflict dispersal of the British troops from Persia, 20 April 1857Folios 122-125: Letter from Outram to Clarendon, relating to the peace and dispersal of British troops from Persia, 22 April 1857Folios 126-127, 130-131: Letters (originals) from Outram to Jacob, relating to Persian acceptance of the treaty terms, May 1857Folios 128-129: Letter from Charles A Murray, in Baghdad, to Outram, regarding ratification of the treaty with Persia, 2 May 1857Folios 144-145: Extract from the Tehran Gazette, 6 August 1857, confirming the release of Afghans recently taken prisoner in Persia and granting of their free movement in any part of the country. (Forwarded by Captain Felix Jones, Political Agent, Persian Field Force and Civil Commissioner and Resident in the Gulf, to Jacob, 3 Sep 1857)Folios 146-147: Letter from Lord Elphinstone, Bombay, to Outram, relating to the peace treaty terms, 7 April 1857Folios 148-156: Accounts of bravery, recommendations for medals, and honourable mention of officers who served during the Persian war, May 1857 (see also IOR/H/550, folios 111-167)Folios 157-168: Memorandum by Frère, Commissioner in Sind, Kurrachee, dated 6 June 1857, detailing measures necessary for maintenance of order in and external defence of India (following uprisings and ‘mutiny’ against the British), and ‘Route between Hindioon or Endgaon on the Persian Gulf and Kalay Sadawut on the direct route from Bushire to Shiraz, turning and avoiding the passes of Kootoob-i-Muloo and Kootoob-i-Kanaredje’ (suitable for troops accompanied by artillery)Folios 169-170, 173-174: Letters from Jacob to Brigadier H W Trevelyan, Commandant of Artillery, ‘Late on Duty’, concerning the latter’s mission to the camp of Meerza Mahomed Khan [Mirza Muhammad Khan], Persian Commander in Chief, and relations between the British and Persian camps, 8 July 1857Folios 171-172, 203-204: Letters (originals) from Outram to Jacob, 7 and 14 July 1857, appearing to discuss arrangements for Outram’s return to India and Jacob’s role in Bushire (the handwriting is partly illegible)Folios 175-176: Letter, dated 11 July 1857, of commendation and congratulation from HM Government (Foreign Office) to Outram for his conduct of the campaign in PersiaFolios 177-178: undated middle section of a letter (probably from Jacob, based on handwriting comparisons in this volume and IOR/H/549-550), regarding troop transports in Bushire, c.1857Folios 179-202: Letter from Jacob to Clarendon, 11 July 1857, conveying reports on the recent mission to the Persian military camp by Trevelyan and Herbert Frederick Disbrowe, Assistant Resident Persian GulfFolio 205: Letter, 12 August 1857, from H L Anderson, Secretary to the Government, Bombay, to Jacob, confirming approval of the mission to the Persian campFolios 206-208: ‘Memorandum of portions of recent correspondence between the Acting Commissioner in Sind and Government relative to the attempts of the Persians to obtain a footing in Mekran and the aid afforded to the Persians by Azad Khan of Khursan [Khorasan]’, recording events December 1856 to April 1857Folios 209-245: Detailed report by Frère to Lord Elphinstone, on the ‘present state of affairs at Kelat’, dated 19 February 1857Folios 246-263: Documents on Kelat forwarded by Jacob to Frère on 28 May 1858, comprising letters from Henry Green, Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sind, to Jacob, 20-21 May 1858, and from Colonel H B Lumsden to Green, 13 May 1858. Plus, document (author not identified) relating events in the Kelat territory from August 1868, when Green was succeeded by Colonel R Phayre in August 1868, and from March 1869 when Captain Harrison became Political Agent in Kelat, with a ‘Table of routes in Upper Sind and Cutchee’ with distances between places, state of the roads, conditions for camps, supplies, forage and water (folios 256-263)Folios 264-299: Copies of Despatches from Sir Charles Wood, Secretary of State for India, (India Office, London) to the Governor-in-Council, Bombay, relative to the construction of the Mekran Line of Telegraph. The Despatches cover July-December 1862 and include reports and communications of Brevet Major Patrick Stewart, Bengal Engineers and Lieutenant-Colonel in Persia, and cover more generally telegraphic communications with India through Persia, extension of the line to Bussorah [Basra] and Bagdad [Baghdad], connection with the Turkish telegraph, and laying a submarine cable in the Persian Gulf (Set of despatches forwarded by Major William Lockyer Merewether, Acting Secretary to the Government, Bombay, to Major Malcolm Green, Political Agent in Khelat, 27 February 1863)Folios 302-304: copies of letters by the British India authorities relating to passports for British subjects passing to the West of the Indus (into ‘foreign territory’), 1863 Folios 305-319: Printed copies of correspondence, 12 December 1868-12 April 1869, between Colonel R Phayre, Political Superintendent, Frontier of Upper Sind, Colonel Sir W L Merewether, Commissioner in Sind, Captain R G Sandeman, Officiating Deputy Commissioner, Deyra Ghazie Khan, Rt Hon Sir William Robert Seymour Vesey-Fitzgerald, Governor and President-in-Council, Bombay, concerning ‘outrages’ committed by the Murree [Mari] tribe on the Sind Frontier, violent instability caused by warring Murree, Boogtee [Bugti], Doombkee [Dombki] and other Belooch [Baloch] tribes, and British relations with Khans of Khelat for purposes of alleviating the conflictsFolios 320-352: Report, dated 30 November 1872, by Colonel Phayre to Colonel Merewether, detailing his visit to the Frontier, including places visited, geography, inhabitants, warring tribesFolios 353-386: printed reports to Colonel Merewether, on disturbances in Kelat, notably conflict between Murree and Boogtees and British relations with the Khans of Kelat. Reports by Colonel Phayre, 15 February 1872, and Captain R Sandeman, on Special Duty in Jacobabad, 6 March 1872, accompanied by Merewether’s letters and detailed comments criticising the analysis and actions of both Phayre and Sandeman, January-March 1872Folios 387-401: Document ‘Notes on Persia’ by Lieutenant-Colonel J Holland, Quartermaster-General, Bombay, originally prepared for Lord Elphinstone in February 1854, with table of the ‘Route between Bushire and Shiraz’, covering terrain, climate, roads, villages, availability of supplies and water, assailability, value of possible British possessionsFolio 402: Coloured ‘Sketch showing the localities of the Tribes on the Frontier of Upper Sind', 1854Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 405; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the original pagination sequence dating from the 1920s is also present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. This sequence correlates to the description found in Samuel Charles Hill's Catalogue of the Home Miscellaneous Series of the India Office Records(London: HMSO, for the India Office, 1927).

5. Persian Expeditionary Force Papers

Description:

Abstract: The volume contains correspondence on various topics connected to the Persian Expeditionary Force sent to Bushire during the Anglo-Persian War of 1856-57. The correspondents include: Major-General Foster Stalker, Commander of the Persian Expeditionary Force; Rear Admiral Henry Leeke, Commander in Chief of the Indian Navy; Henry Lacon Anderson (later Alexander Kinloch Forbes), Secretary to Government at Bombay; Felix Jones, Political Resident at Bushire and Political Agent to the Persian Expeditionary Force; Lieutenant Herbert Frederick Disbrowe; Unnamed sheikhs of Rudhillah [Dehrūd ‘Ulya], Bender Reek [Bandar Rīg], Gunawa Huidyaw [Ganāveh], and Deylum [Deylam]; Commodore Richard Ethersey, Commanding Persian Gulf Squadron; George Frederick Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government of India; Brigadier John Jacob, Commander of the British Forces at Bushire; W F Marriott, Acting Military Secretary to Government of Bombay; Major Curtis, Director of Land Transport Corps at Baghdad; Captain Bowen, First Assistant Director of Land Transport Corps; Horfield Army Barracks at Bristol; Major Barr, Paymaster of the Persian Expeditionary Force; R L Taylor, Political Secretary to the Camp at Mohammerah [Korramshahr]; R L Brunton, Deputy Superintendent of Electric Telegraph; Captain MacLeod, Prize Agent to the Persian Expeditionary Force; and Commander James Rennie, Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf Squadron.The volume is divided into sections, each covering a separate topic, as follows:I. 10 - 'Assistant Resident's deputation to chiefs of ports north of Bushire; secret compacts and correspondence that grew out of them'. Disbrowe's mission to ports north of Bushire to procure the sheikhs' cooperation during the war with Persia, mainly in the form of helping to supply the armed forces. There follows a discussion over whether to destroy the written agreements obtained from the sheikhs by Disbrowe to avoid becoming 'politically encumbent'. Folios 12a-16b are Disbrowe's report on his mission.I. 11 - 'Neutral attitude of Persian tribes around Bushire; their fears of threats thrown out against them; anxiety felt by more ignorant population in Bushire and its immediate neighbourhood on account of the threatened approach of the Persian forces under the Prince of Sheeraz [Shiraz]; grain, forage, and draft cattle scarce; prohibition occasionally placed on exportation of articles of consumption - subsequent removal of all restrictions on ordinary trade of every description'. Discussion of trade restrictions imposed by Jones to relieve the poor during a time of shortage and their eventual lifting at the orders of Bombay.I. 12 - 'Respecting Commodore Ethersey's residing on shore for convenience of the public service'. Relating to Ethersey's move from ship to shore for ease of communication.I. 13 - 'Batta granted to Residency establishment and extra table allowance to Resident; Donation batta; Resident's memorial'. Discussion about whether employees of the Bushire Residency should receive the Persian Medal and batta (extra subsistence pay for soldiers on campaign).I. 14 - 'Correspondence with Land Transport Corps Department'. Mainly regarding the pay and discharge of a group of Kurdish muleteers.I. 15 - 'Respecting Electric Telegraph Communication between Shipping, Town, and Camp'. The proposal and implementation of Major Barr's plan to install a telegraph cable from anchorage to Residency and camp.I. 16 - 'Arrival at Bushire of Persian Consul from Bombay, his departure to Busreh [Basra]'. Covers the successful efforts to move the Consul (arriving by sea) onto Basra without landing at Bushire.I. 17 - 'Correspondence with Prize-Committee'. Discussion, following the capture of lime, of whether it was private (as Jones maintains) or state property (as the Prize Committee believe), the latter only being legitimate spoils of war.Physical description: Foliation: the sequence is written in pencil in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio of writing, on number 1, and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 198. There are the following irregularities: ff 12AB; ff 15A-B; ff 16A-B; ff 29A-B; ff 59A-B; ff 65-69 are all present but are out of sequence; ff 79A-B; ff 113A-B; ff 145A-C; ff 154A-B; ff 167A-C; ff 171A-B; no ff 173-177.

6. The Anglo-Persian War

Description:

Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 8 dated 16 January 1857. The enclosures are dated 9-16 January 1857.The papers comprise the following:A summary by the Secretary to Government in the Military Department, Bombay, regarding arrangements for detaching reinforcements to the Persian Expedition, keeping open communications, and replacing troops in the Bombay Presidency by transfers from Bengal and Madras [Chennai]General Orders to the Military Department, by the Governor in Council, Bombay, regarding the assembling of a second Division of the Expeditionary Force for service in Persia [Iran], including a list of the following: Field Force commanders; the personal staff of Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram; Head-Quarters Staff; First Division staff and Brigade Staff; and Second Division and Brigade Staff (ff 124-125)A letter to the Governor and President in Council from Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob, Acting Commissioner in Sind [Sindh], remonstrating against the proposed removal of one regiment of the Sind Irregular Horse serving on the Frontier of Upper Sind for service in Persia.Physical description: 1 item (15 folios)

7. The Anglo-Persian War

Description:

Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 3 dated 2 January 1857. The enclosures are dated 24-31 December 1856.The papers comprise the following:A copy of a letter from the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, to Major-General Foster Stalker, Commanding the Field Force in Persia [Iran], forwarding the Secret Committee’s letter announcing the appointment of Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram to the command of troops engaged in hostilities against the Government of Persia, and instructing Stalker to implement measures for obtaining supplies and transports both for Outram’s reinforcements and his own forces at Bushire [Bushehr]Minutes of the Governor and President in Council, Bombay, concurred in by the Board, relating to the preparation of reinforcements (Outram’s Division) for the forces in the Persian Gulf, required due to the extended range of operations which included the planned occupation of Shuster [Shushtar] and Mohamurah [Khorramshahr, also spelled Mohumra in this item] as well as Bushire and Karrack [Kharg island, also known as Khark]. The capability of the Bombay Presidency to supply the majority of the reinforcements and the potential requirement of a regiment of Sind Irregular Horse are also discussed.Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)

8. The Anglo-Persian War

Description:

Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 13 dated 16 January 1857. The enclosures are dated 23 December 1856-14 January 1857.The enclosures primarily are, or convey, the despatches of Major-General Foster Stalker, Commanding the Persian Expeditionary Force (with their relevant enclosures), to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, relating to the movements of the Persian Expeditionary Force since the commencement of operations up to the British capture and occupation of Bushire [Bushehr]. They are supplemented by copies of the political diary of Commander James Felix Jones, Indian Navy, Political Agent with the Forces and Resident in the Persian Gulf (also later Civil Commissioner in Bushire), from 29 November to 22 December inclusive.The papers notably cover and include:Details of the British: capture of Karrack [Kharg Island, also known as Khark]; landing at Halileh Bay [also spelled Hallila in this item]; defeat of the forces of Baukir Khan, Chief of the Tangistoon tribe [Bāqir Khān (Tangistānī), Governor of Tangistān, also spelled Tungistoon and Tungestoon in this item]; advance on the town of Bushire [Bushehr]; and receipt of the surrender of the Governor of Bushire and the remaining Persian [Iranian] garrison. Also included are two sketches depicting the attack on Rushire (Reishahr, five miles from Bushire) and the advance on Bushire (IOR/L/PS/5/490, f 170 and f 171)The stationing of a permanent British camp outside the walls of Bushire, including details of the health and condition of the troops, the construction of camp defences, and Stalker’s request for a small reinforcement of his troops as soon as possible in case of a dramatic change of weather or large scale illnessReconnaissance organised from Bushire, notably along the road to Feroozabad [Firuzabad], and to investigate the surrounding terrain and assess the attitude of local villagers towards the BritishStalker’s assessment of possible future military movements and the need for major reinforcements in order to effect a significant advance either to Mohumra [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah], up the Karoon [Karun] River to Shooster [Shushtar], or to Shiraz [also spelled Sheeraz in this item]Measures undertaken to deal with the shortage of forage (grass and hay) for the cavalry and artillery horses at Bushire and the expected reinforcements from BombayIntelligence regarding Persian military manoeuvres in the interior of Persia [Iran], including reports of troops amassing at Feroozabad and Shiraz and rumours of their movements towards BushireCommunications between Felix Jones and Baukir Khan, Chief of Tungistoon, (subsequent to the recent defeat of his tribe, the deaths of immediate family members and loss of his property), relating to arrangements for his future secret co-operation with the British and the provision of intelligence of Persian military plans and operations, particularly regarding Shiraz and Borazjoon [Borazjan]Intelligence received by the British Agent at Shiraz, now at Bushire, regarding Persian troop movements from Tehran and Shiraz especially since the British capture of BushireThe despatch of a small naval force under Commodore Richard Ethersey, Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, conveying Lieutenant Herbert Disbrowe, Assistant Resident, Persian Gulf, to the coastal villages north of Bushire up to Bunder Deylum [Bandar Deylam], in order to communicate and come to an ‘understanding’ with the ‘chiefs of the Persian ports’ that would secure supply lines, open their ports for free trade and expedite procurement of forage for the army (horses and cattle) at Bushire. Includes a translation of Felix Jones’s template letter of acceptance of terms to be signed by each ‘chief’ (ff 211-213).Physical description: 1 item (58 folios)

9. The Anglo-Persian War

Description:

Abstract: This item comprises one enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 19 dated 2 February 1857. The enclosure is dated 2 February 1857 and comprises the following two documents issued by the Secretary to Government of Bombay in the Military and Maritime Department:A summary, dated 2 February 1857, relative to the measures adopted for the organisation and despatch of a reserve force to join the expedition against Persia [Iran], detailing armaments, transport animals, troop units and personnel, vessels (including steam ships), and embarkation arrangementsA ‘List of the Ships engaged by Government as Transports for the Persian Expedition’, dated 22 January 1857. The list is organised under sub-headings ‘First Expedition’, ‘Second Expedition’, ‘Steamers on the First Expedition’ and ‘Steamers on the Second Expedition’, and details the tonnage, monthly charges, and date of engagement of each ship.Physical description: 1 item (7 folios)

10. The Anglo-Persian War: Despatch of a Regiment of Sind Irregular Horse to the Persian Gulf

Description:

Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 23 dated 2 February 1857. The enclosures are dated 17 January-2 February 1857.The item comprises correspondence, by letter and electric telegraph, of: the Secretary to the Government, Bombay; the Governor and President in Council, Bombay; the Secretary to the Government of India; and the Governor-General of India. Also included are: Minutes of members of the Council of the Governor, Bombay, and Minutes of the Commander-in-Chief, Bombay; Resolutions of the Board; and three letters from Brigadier-General John Jacob, Acting Commissioner in Sind [Sindh], to the Governor and President in Council, Bombay.The papers relate to arrangements for the despatch of a Regiment of the Sind Irregular Horse [also referred to as Sind Horse in this item] from the Frontier of Upper Sind for service in Persia [Iran] and the Persian Gulf. They notably cover and include:The discussion between senior members of the Bombay Presidency, regarding the original strong objection of Jacob to the withdrawal of a Regiment of Sind Irregular Horse from the Frontier of Upper Sind citing reasons of security, and the agreement of the Bombay Government and Commander-in-Chief with Jacob’s sentimentsThe proposals of the Governor and President in Council, Bombay, that: if the Punjab [also spelled Punjaub in this item] Cavalry cannot be spared for service in Persia then a temporary corps of irregular cavalry be formed for that purpose instead of sending a Regiment of Sind Horse; the temporary corps be drawn from the Poona Horse (200 men), Southern Maratha Horse (300 men) and Guzerat Horse (300 men) and placed under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel George Malcolm; and a further 500 soldiers are recruited to replace those lost from the latter three regimentsThe countermanding of the original order for the withdrawal of a Regiment of Sind Irregular Horse (f 328) from Upper Sind for service in the Persian Gulf; authorisation by the Government of India for the immediate organisation of the temporary irregular cavalry corps suggested by the Governor and President in Council, Bombay; and authorisation for Jacob to direct the Regiment of Sind Horse back to the Frontier of Upper SindJacob’s withdrawal of his previous objections, following an explicit request by Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram for his presence in Persia and that of the First Regiment of Sind Irregular Horse, as part of the Persian Expeditionary ForceA report by William Lockyer Merewether, Acting Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sind, detailing arrangements and establishments since the departure of the First Regiment of Sind Irregular Horse for service with the Persian Expeditionary Force (ff 349-354), including the suggestion to raise an additional body of Belooch [Baluch] Horse to assist in protecting the frontier and the civil charge of the District if the regiment cannot return immediatelyJacob’s endorsement of the proposal, in the absence of the First Regiment of Sind Irregular Horse on service in Persia, to recruit 200 additional Belooch Horse for service on the Frontier of Upper Sind under the command of Captain MerewetherCancellation of the countermand of the order regarding the despatch of the Regiment of Sind Horse to Persia, re-authorisation of their despatch to Persia, and arrangements for the recruitment and salaries of up to 1000 Belooch Horse, with four jemaders [jamadars, Indian officers in ‘sepoy’ regiments] to every one hundred men, and three European officersProposals and arrangements to send additional cavalry forces both to Upper Sind (from the Guzerat Irregular Horse) and to the Persian Gulf (from the Southern Maratha Irregular Horse and Aden Troop of Horse, under the command of George Malcolm), and authorisation of the enlistment of supernumeraries to fill the places of those withdrawn.Physical description: 1 item (64 folios)

11. Persian Expeditionary Force

Description:

Abstract: The volume contains correspondence relating to British forces sent to Bushire during the Anglo-Persian War of 1856-57. The correspondents include: Major-General Foster Stalker (later James Outram), Commander of British Forces in Persia; Henry Lacon Anderson, Secretary to Government at Bombay; Charles Augustus Murray, British Minister to Persia (in Baghdad during the war); James Rennie, Commander of the vessel Ferooz; John Darke, Commander of the vessel Hugh Lindsay; Arnold Burrows Kemball, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia and Consul General at Baghdad; Stratford Canning, British Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire in Constantinople; Meerza Hassan Ally Khan [Ḥasan ‘Ali Khān], Governor of Bushire; Brigadier Honner, Commander of the Second Light Infantry Brigade; Lieutenant Thain, Commander Deputed to Karrack [Kharg] Island; Rear Admiral Henry Leeke, Commander of the Naval Squadron of the Persian Expeditionary Force; George Frederick Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department; G I Fraser, Civil Surgeon at Ahmednagar, in charge of the Persian Prisoners of War; the Secret Committee, in London; the Foreign Office, in London; Lieutenant J Ballard, Intelligence Officer; Hajee Ahmed [Ḥājī Aḥmad], Arabic Secretary to the Political Resident at Bushire; and Bawkir Khan, Chief of Tungistoon [Tangestān].The volume is divided into sections, each containing correspondence pertaining to a particular topic, as follows:I. 1: This section contains no correspondence, but bears the title 'Expeditionary Force placed under the command of General Stalker, C. B.; Commander Felix Jones is nominated Political Agent to the Persian Field Force, and is further to retain the title and discharge the functions of Resident in the Persian Gulf'.I. 2: Relates to the appointments of Felix Jones as Civil Commissioner in the town of Bushire and Major Taylor as Stalker's assistant and interpreter.I. 3: Relates to the siege and capture of Bushire by British Forces, and their unopposed occupation of Kharg Island.I. 4: A diary of events at the Residency from 29 November 1856 to 5 April 1857.I. 5: Relates to the wartime policy regarding Persian and Arab merchants at Bombay who wish to trade with Persian Gulf ports.I. 6: Relates to Leeke's refusal to correspond directly with Jones, and the Government of India's disapproval of his behaviour.I. 7: Relates to where to send prisoners of war and their servants and effects. It contains several English cover letters for correspondence between prisoners and their families.I. 8: Contains extracts from Secret Committee and Foreign Office dispatches that outline on what terms Britain will agree a peace with Persia.I. 9: Contains correspondence and intelligence on the movements of Persian troops in the interior around Bushire and Shiraz, and what allegiance Britain can expect from the tribes of the area. Included are letters from several Persian and Arab leaders, most notably Bawkir Khan, Chief of Tangestān.Physical description: Foliation: the numbers in the sequence are circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio, on number 2, and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 218. There are the following irregularities: f 2 is followed by f 2A; f 12 is followed by f 12A; f 26 is followed by f 26A; f 48 is followed by f 48A; f 89 is followed by f 89A; f 98 is followed by f 98A; f 111 is followed by f 111A; f 126 is followed by f 126A; f 141 is followed by f 141A.

12. Vol 214 Persian Expeditionary Force: Cpt Felix Jones' Memorial and miscellaneous papers

Description:

Abstract: The file contains correspondence written during and just after the Anglo-Persian War of 1856-57. The correspondents include: James Felix Jones, Political Resident at Bushire; Henry Lacon Anderson, Secretary to Government at Bombay; Captain Dunsterville, Assistant Commissary-General to the Persian Expeditionary Force; John Hill; Brigadier-General John Jacob, a commander of the Persian Expeditionary Force; James Outram, Commander-in-Chief of the Persian Expeditionary Force; George Frederick Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government of India; Rear Admiral Henry John Leeke, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy; Major Green, Assistant Adjutant General of the Persian Expeditionary Force; G J Robinson, Commander of the Tigris; R W Houner, Commander of British Forces at Karrack [Kharg]; Ahmad Khan, Governor of Bushire; the Foreign Office; the Khan of Kelat [Kalat]; Sultan Mahomed Najjaff Meerza, Prince of Jahanabad; an unnamed 'native agent' at Bushire; Meerza Mahomed [Mirza Mohammed] Khan, Commander of the Persian forces; Shuja al-Mulk, a commander of Persian forces at Borazjoon [Borazjan]; and Charles Augustus Murray, British Minister at Tehran.The file is in two parts. The first pertains to a memorial (a kind of petition) from Felix Jones to the British Government following the omission of his name from a list of promotions and recipients of the Order of the Bath.The second covers a number of miscellaneous subjects, including:the idea to present two captured guns to Queen Victoria, as a gift;a detailed list of presents sent to Bushire to be used for gift exchanges;intelligence on Persian forces in the Bushire region;a request from the British to Shuja al-Mulk to purchase horses;the closure of the postal establishment at Bushire;the evacuation of Karrack [Kharg] Island by British forces as part of the conditions of the Anglo-Persian Peace Treaty.Folios 66-67 are instructions for the garrison and gate guards during the British military occupation of the town of Bushire.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 can be found in the top centre of the recto side of each folio. There are the following irregularities: 25 and 25A; 63 and 63A; 64 and 64A; 67 and 67A.