Abstract: The statement gives the following information for each tribe listed:Name of the tribeName of its ChiefIts place of headquartersNumber of subdivisionsPopulationAmount of tribute paid to Amir Faisul ibn Turki al-Sa'udNumber of horses procurable by each tribeRemarksThe remarks relate to the expectation that the Chief of each tribe would each year give horses to Amir Faisul. The amount of horses is determined by the number of Jama (subdivisions) the tribe had; in return the chief would receive clothes, weapons and dates from the Amir. A further remark notes that those tribes who pay no tribute are expected to protect the Nejd [Najd] frontiers and to go on any expeditions that the Amir wishes them to.Physical description: The folio has to be folded out in order to be read.
Abstract: Handwritten report, in Lewis Pelly's handwriting about the history of the Shat el Arab [Shatt al Arab] watercourse from the point where it commences at the uniting of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers through to where it flows into the Persian Gulf.The reports goes on to describe the agriculture along the watercourse; the deserts beyond; and information about Basrah [Basra] including architectural descriptions and the ruined city of Zobeir [Zubayr].The report also includes accounts of attacks on the area by nomadic Bedouins who travel the area in winter searching for pastures; the development of a settlement, trade and a Government at Khote [Kuwait], including a description of Pelly's visit there en-route to Riadh [Riyadh]; and giving detailed descriptions of the Sheikh, conversations about Pelly's proposed trip and details of the hospitality Pelly received there.The report concludes by recounting a story told by Sheikh Sabba [Sabah II bin Jabir Al-Sabah] of two slave girls and their families' efforts to find and be reunited with them.The report itself is undated, but would have been written sometime after Lewis Pelly's trip to Riyadh which took place February to March 1865.Physical description: 40 folios
Abstract: Two draft copies of a report written by Lewis Pelly of the coastline from Al Katif [Al Qatif] to Koweit [Kuwait] and his journey onwards from there to Riyath [Riyath]. The report contains names and descriptions of key geographic areas and features travelled through en-route.The contents of this draft report were included as part of Lewis Pelly's full report on his journey to Riyadh to meet with Amir Faysul [Faisal ibn Turki al-Sa'ud].Both draft copies contain crossings out and corrections.Physical description: 7 folios
Abstract: Incomplete memorandum, written in pencil, regarding the tribute that Amir Faisaul ibn Turki al Sa'ud of the Wahabees [Wahhabi] pays to the Porte and the revenues he receives both in terms of money and horses as well as in military aid.The memorandum also refers to agreements with other tribes who can travel unmolested through Nejd [Najd] territory.The verso of folio 74 contains the first line of a memorandum regarding writing to someone.The memorandum itself is undated, however the information contained within it would have been acquired by Lewis Pelly during his visit to Riyadh, February to March 1865.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: Brief notes written by Lewis Pelly, recording the lack of evidence of any practice of ceremonies based on sun or fire worship but highlighting some of the peoples in the region of Al Yamama [Al Yamāmah] who have names relating to the moon and stars.Enclosed with the notes is a report (folios 50-61) regarding the Selaib [Sebaih] tribe (of Qatif) and containing details of how the tribe got their name; how they commemorate festivals; their lack of ritual in relation to the burial of the dead; and their religious faith and beliefs.Physical description: 14 folios
Abstract: Memorandum regarding the diet of Bedouins in the interior of Nejd [Najd] and contrasting it with that of those in coastal areas.The memorandum focuses primarily on camel's milk, including the Bedouins' dependence on it during spring and its nourishing properties for both horses and goats.The memorandum goes on to discuss the tobaccos and other substances smoked by the Bedouins' where their pipes are purchases from, and the differing reactions to Bedouins smoking depending on where they are from.The memorandum itself is undated, however the information contained within it was most likely acquired by Lewis Pelly during his stay in Kuwait and subsequent visit to Riyadh January to March 1865.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Brief note about Koweit [Kuwait]'s main inland trade being with the Bedouins of Nejd [Najd] and that the trade consists of wood, weapons, coffee, rice, bamboo and piece goods as well as giving details on where these goods are brought from.Below the main note is a line about the climate in the Koweit neighbourhood.Although the note is undated, the information was most likely gathered during Pelly's visit there January to February 1865.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Note about the Mundwee [Mandvi] of Cutch [Kutch] and Occa including their names being derived from Medina and Mecca, and how this is believed to relate to the Prophet's tribe Kereish [Qureish].The memorandum goes on to discuss the family of the founder of the Wahabee [Wahhabi] sect, Abd al-Wahab, and how the spiritual power of the sect is now wholly apart from his family.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Memorandum, written by Lewis Pelly, about Mohammed ibn Saood [Muhammad ibn Sa'ud] who was the first ruler to conquer all of the Nejd [Najd] territory, as well as the provinces of Al Ahsa [Al Hasa], Khatif [Al Qatif] and part of the Omman [Oman] Coast.The memorandum also discusses his successors including his son Abdal al Azeex [Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad ibn Sa'ud] and grandson Saood [Saud bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad ibn Sa'ud] and the battles fought over the territory.The memorandum is undated, however it contains information most likely compiled by Lewis Pelly during his visit to Riyadh in March 1865.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: The file contains memorandums, draft reports, notes and sketches made by Lewis Pelly during his visit to Kuwait and journey to Riyadh January to March 1865.These papers include a history of the Shatt al-Arab watercourse; the history of the Sebaih tribe of Qatif; notes relating to questions of sun and fire worship; a description of the coastline from al-Qatif to Kuwait and onward journey to Riyadh; notes on Muhammad ibn Sa'ud and Faisal ibn Turki al-Sa'ud; and notes on trade between Kuwait and inland Nejd [Najd]. Some of the contents of these papers were used in the reports Lewis Pelly submitted to the Government of Bombay on his journey.Two cover notes (folios 1 and 1A) are also included in the file and relate to reports written by Lewis Pelly, copies of which can be found in the Political Department Library - only one report is named, Pelly's Riadh [Ryiadh] report. The two notes are dated 14 July 1927.Physical description: Foliation: The contents of the file have been foliated using a pencil number, enclosed in a circle, located in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. A small number of the folios have been renumbered, with the numbers formerly in use crossed through.Foliation anomaly: 1, 1AThe following folio needs to be folded out to be read: 77
Abstract: The recto of folio 75 and the verso of folio 76 contain rough geographical pencil sketches. The first shows a particular area of Nejd [Najd] in relation to key villages and towns; the second appears to show a valley, or other similar geographic feature, with place names and travelling directions also given.The recto of folio 76 contains a brief list of five placenames in Nejd, given in both English and Arabic.The sketches are undated, however the information contained within them would have been compiled by Lewis Pelly during his trip to Riyadh in February to March 1865Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: Draft notes, written in faint pencil, giving sections and headings for Lewis Pelly's report on his journey to Riadh [Riyadh].The notes contain details of comments and observations required for a sketch map of the route taken and make reference to the need to take notes on the country travelled through and the peoples and tribes encountered and told about en-route.The notes themselves conclude on folio 45, and the remaining folios are blank.Physical description: 6 folios
