Abstract: The file contains correspondence, circulars and other papers relating to visits by the Viceroy and Governor-General of India (the Marquis of Willingdon, Major Freeman Freeman-Thomas) and his wife Lady Willingdon (Marie Freeman-Thomas) to Bahrain and Sharjah in May 1934, while travelling by Imperial Airways from Karachi to Basra, and their return to both of these places on the return flight back to Karachi in August 1934. Correspondents in the file include: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle, the Political Agent at Bahrain, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, and the Residency Agent at Sharjah, Khan Bahadur ‘Īsá bin ‘Abd al-Latif.The file includes:correspondence concerning the arrangements made for the Viceroy and Lady Willingdon’s overnight stay at the RAF rest house at Sharjah, on the night of 16 May 1934, and their meeting with the Residency Agent and the Sheikhs of Sharjah (Sultan bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī) and Dubai (Sa‘id bin Maktum Āl Maktum);correspondence concerning the arrangements made for the Viceroy and Lady Willingdon to visit Bahrain on 17 May 1934, including: arrangements for the Ruler of Bahrain, Sheikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, to hold a coffee reception in a tent at the aerodrome; the presentation of a speech and gift to the Viceroy by Sheikh Ḥamad; the presentation of invited Arab and European/American guests to the reception, including a lists of invitees (ff 64-65), an invitation to (f 44) and responses from European and American guests (ff 159-167), which includes representatives of the Government of Bahrain, Bahrain Petroleum Company, and the American Mission at Bahrain; appropriate hot weather dress for the occasion;correspondence covering both visits, including: security arrangements; the organisation of gun salutes; gifts for the Viceroy;following the visits in May 1934: newspaper cuttings from the
Iraq Timesand
The Timesreporting on the visits to Bahrain (ff 101-102); correspondence regarding appropriate gifts to be given by the Viceroy to the Sheikhs of Bahrain and Sharjah; the Political Agent’s report on the Viceroy’s visit to Bahrain (ff 84-85), and the Residency Agent’s report on the visit to Sharjah (Arabic and English, ff 87-92); letters of thanks and appreciation from the Sheikhs;arrangements for stopovers by the Viceroy and Lady Willingdon at Bahrain and Sharjah in August 1934, which are to be private visits, including, at Bahrain, a visit to the house of Sheikh ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah for refreshments;following the visits in August 1934: reports of the respective visits by the Political Agent at Bahrain (ff 143-144) and the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Arabic and English, ff 145-148); arrangements for a gift of a pair of binoculars to the Sheikh of Sharjah;at the beginning of the file there is some correspondence relating to a visit to Bahrain in July 1933 by Lady Willingdon, who is passing through on an Imperial Airways flight (ff 2-7).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-167; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence relating to the flying of flags on Tamb island [Greater Tunb] and on Sirr Abu Nu'air [Şīr Bū Nu‘ayr]. In 1933 Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, encouraged the shaikhs of the Trucial Coast to fly their flags on these islands to prevent the Government of Persia from claiming ownership. This led to a dispute between the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Ruler of Sharjah over the erection of buildings on the islands. This dispute had previously surfaced during the Residencies of Percy Zachariah Cox and Arthur Prescott Trevor.The file contains a note written by Khan Bahadur 'Isa bin 'Abdul Latif, Residency Agent, Sharjah recording a conversation between Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan bin Zaid, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent, Bahrain. Also discussed is the attempt by the Shaikh of Ras al-Khaimah to collect tribute from Persians living on Tamb Island.Correspondence is mainly between Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Khan Bahadur 'Isa bin 'Abdul Latif, Residency Agent, Sharjah; Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan bin Zaid, Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Other correspondents include Edward Birbeck Wakefield, Political Agent, Bahrain; Cornelius James Pelly, Political Officer, Trucial Coast (Sharjah); William Rupert Hay, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. Some of the correspondence is conducted from the office of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, SS
Nearchus, at sea.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-23; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence mostly concerning the island of Sirri [Sirrī], as well as other Persian Gulf islands, including Tanb [Ṭanb] and Lesser Tanb, Farur [Farūr] and Lesser Farur, Dalmah [Dalmā], Halul island [Ḥālūl], Sir Abu Nu'ayr [Ṣīr Abū Nu‘ayr], and Sir Bani Yas [Ṣīr Banī Yās]. These papers contain details concerning the status of these islands, as well as geographical and topographical information, including details of mineral deposits.The correspondence in this file is between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; ‘Abd al-Laṭīf, Residency Agent at Sharjah; ‘Īsá bin ‘Abd al-Laṭīf, acting Residency Agent at Sharjah; Āghā Muḥammad Amīn Badr, Residency Agent at Lingah; Ṣaqr bin Khālid Āl Qāsimī, ruler of Sharjah; T J Malcolm, Bushire; and various British officials in the Foreign Department of the Government of India.There is a file index on folio 2. Subjects include: Muin's [Moin-ut-Tujjar] claims to Sirri (folios 103, 121); connection of Sirri question with that of fisheries (folio 15); Hajji Ali Akbar [Ḥājjī ‘Alī Akbār]'s attitude oxide at Sirri (folios 39-47, 79, 84, 124); Strick's enquiries on oxide at Sirri (folios 90-91); Abdullah bin Hassan Galadari [‘Abdullāh bin Ḥassan Jaladārī] (folio 55-56); German visits to Sirri (folio 73); status of Nabiyu Tanb island (folios 92, 100); status Farur and Nabiya Farur islands (folios 88, 100, 121); oxide on Dalmah island (folio 100); oxide on Sir Abu Nu'air island (folios 100, 130-131); oxide on Halul islands (folios 100, 115); manganese on Halul island (folios 130-131); Sir Bani Yas island (folios 130-131); note on Sirri island (folios 25-27); situation at Sirri Island in 1904 (folios 8-15); the Jowasimis [Āl Qawāsim] occupation of Sirri (folio 62).Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence commences at the cover and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A second incomplete mixed foliation/pagination sequence runs in parallel between ff. 4-143; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio, along with the corresponding top left (sometimes) of the verso side. The file contains the following foliation amendments: 109, and 109A; 114, and 114A; 116, and 116A.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence concerning the Persian claim to the island of Sirrī, as well as their claim to and occupation of that place. In addition there is information concerning rival claims by Trucial Coast rulers, details concerning Dubai pearl divers on the island and details concerning other Persian Gulf islands, including Abu Musa [Abū Mūsá] and Tanb [Ṭanb].The correspondence in this file is between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; ‘Abd al-Qasim and ‘Abd al-Laṭīf, Residency Agents at Sharjah; Āghā Muḥammad Amīn Badr, Residency Agent at Lingah [Bandar-e-Lengeh]; Ṣaqr bin Khālid Āl Qāsimī, ruler of Sharjah; Maktūm bin Ḥashr Āl Maktūm, ruler of Dubai; and various British officials in the Foreign Department of the Government of India. There are also copies of correspondence between India Office and Foreign Office officials.Folio 2 is an index, and folios 4-9 are a precis of documents within the file for folios 10-115. Subjects covered include: Persian flag hoisted on Sirri [Sirrī] (folios 18, 48); Persian refusal to remove the flag (folios 127-131); Memorandum by the Resident on Persian refusal (folios 141-144); Hajji Ahmad Khan [Hājjī Aḥmad Khān]'s Report (folios 80-93); Legation correspondence with the Persian Foreign Office (folios 70-77); Documents tendered in support of the Persian claim (folio 52-59); Shaikh of Shargah [Sharjah]'s claims to Sirri (folios 27-28); Persian claim to Abu Musa island (folio 80); Shaikh of Debai [Dubai] complains of pearl divers absconding to Sirri and the Persian Coast (folios 116-118, 154-160, 167-190); Chief of Ras El Khaimah [Ras al-Khaymah]'s claim to Tanb island (folios 22, 209).Notable documents within the file include: a precis of correspondence about occupation of the island of Sirri (folios 109-113); a report entitled
Question of the status of the Island of Sirri(ff. 165-166); a report by the Residency Agent at Lingah on the island of Sirri in Persian and English translation (ff. 200-202); correspondence with Sir Mortimer Durand regarding the island of Sirri (folios 211-215); and a statement by the Shaikh of Sharjah (f. 65).Physical description: Foliation: The foliation number is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the third folio after the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 227. The file contains the following foliation amendments: folio 1 is followed by folios 1A and 1B; no folio 3; folio 92 is followed by folio 92A; folio 156 is followed by folio 156A; folio 171 is followed by folio 171A.
Abstract: This volume contains copies of letters outward from the two successive Residents in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; Colonel Ephraim Gerrish Stannus, from April 1826 to March 1827, and Captain (later Major) David Wilson, from March 1827 to January 1829. There are also letters written by the Acting Resident Lieutenant Samuel Hennell between June and October 1828, a period when Wilson was in Bombay visiting Sir John Malcolm.The letters are addressed to notable figures in the Gulf region, including the Prince of Shiraz, the Imam of Muscat, the Prince of Fars and Agents in Bushire, Bahrein [Bahrain], Shiraz, Mogoo [Bandar-e Moghūyeh], Sharga [Sharjah] and other areas of the Gulf. The majority of letters begin by enquiring after the health and wellbeing of the recipient, and many letters extend offers of friendship and offer assistance in negotiating and maintaining peace between two parties. Subjects include an incident between Arrathoon Malcolm and his nephew, the habitation of Derah by the Soceedan Tribe, periods of conflict between Shaikh Tanoon [Ṭaḥnūn bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān] ruler of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] and Sultan bin Sugger [Sulṭān bin Saqr] ruler of Sharjah, Stannus's resignation as Resident and events preceding it, the matter of the Dumookh Tribe, the debt of Ibrahim the Shroff, several acts of piracy and the attempts made by the Resident and his Agents to seek the perpetrators and the calls to capture and punish offenders, cossids [official messengers] and their work and pay, and Wilson's voyage to Bombay with events that occurred in his absence.Physical description: Foliation: This item has two different foliation sequences. The first is part of an original foliation sequence which was applied to the whole volume. It is written in ink and appears at the top right (recto) or top left (verso) corner of the folio. The second number is a small pencil number enclosed in a circle which also appears in the top right corner (recto) only and starts at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; this is the foliation number that has been used in referencing this item. The original foliation sequence starts at number 21, indicating that the first ten folios are missing.Condition: The item has suffered from insect damage and is difficult to read in places as parts of the text are missing. The front cover is badly damaged by insects and detached, and many pages in the volume are loose. There are large holes through the first 13 folios, and text is missing. There are smaller holes throughout the remainder of the text, although this does not impede the reading of it. A few pages towards the end suffer from bleedthrough, but not enough to obscure the text. The edges of the pages are fragile.
Abstract: The file comprises of a letter from Ernerst Vincent Packer, Manager for Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Charles Geoffrey Prior) enclosing a copy of an amendment to the Sharjah Oil Concession agreement agreed with Sheikh Shaikh Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī. The amendment is in Arabic and English.Also enclosed is a letter from the Political Officer, Trucial Coast (Raymond Clive Murphy) to which includes details of an agreement reached between the Shaikh of Sharjah and the Chiefs of the Beni Qitab, which would grant Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited permission to operate in Beni Qitab territory in return for a share of the income derived from the oil concession agreement.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 7; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-6; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: This file concerns visits made by Marie Freeman-Thomas, Marchioness of Willingdon (referred to as Lady Willingdon), wife of Freeman Freeman-Thomas, Marquess of Willingdon, Viceroy and Governor-General of India, to Bahrain and Sharjah on stopovers in June 1933. The file contains correspondence between Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent at Bahrain; Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; ‘Īsá bin ‘Abd al-Laṭīf, Residency Agent at Sharjah; and Imperial Airways. Included is a report, dated 21 June 1933, by the Residency Agent, concerning Lady Willingdon’s visit and meeting with Shaikh Sultan bin Saqur [Sulṭān bin Ṣaqr Āl Qāsimī], ruler of Sharjah (ff 6-7) and a letter from Fowle thanking him for the hospitality shown towards Lady Willingdon (ff 8-9).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-9; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file comprises correspondence relating to Sharjah’s sovereignty over the islands of Abu Musa [Abū Mūsá] and Tunb, chiefly in response to a Persian challenge to this sovereignty over Abu Musa. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel William Rupert Hay); British Embassy representatives at Tehran; and representatives of the British Navy, including the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, and Captain Richard Courage of HMS
Flamingo.The file contains:correspondence relating to reports of the visit of a Persian warship at Abu Musa in February 1951, including: initial reports of the intention of Persian officials to visit Abu Musa to take a census of the population and distribute identity cards (f 36); British arrangements to send a vessel to investigate the claims, including discussion of whether the Ruler of Sharjah should accompany them; a report by Captain Richard Courage of HMS
Flamingoof his visit to Abu Musa in March 1951, with notes on red oxide mining operations on the island, ownership of the island, the visit of a Persian warship on 25 February 1951, and details of a conversation held between a Persian officer and a shopkeeper on the island (ff 15-17); the Political Resident’s recommendation that the new ruler of Sharjah should visit Abu Musa more frequently;correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain (William Scott Laver) and the Political Resident, November 1951, relating to efforts to trace papers on the history of the ownership of Tunb island in the Residency archives. A copy of a note on the ownership of Tunb, undated, is also included (ff 5-6).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 37; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 3-36; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file comprises correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Political Officer on the Trucial Coast and the Foreign Office, regarding a new civil air agreement for Sharjah, which was signed on 15 November 1951.The file covers the negotiations for the agreement with Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr al Qasimi [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī], until his death in March 1951, and the conclusion of negotiations - focusing primarily on increased pay for the airfield guards and rent for an extension to the airfield - with the new ruler Shaikh Saqr bin Sultan [Saqr bin Sulṭān Āl Qasimī] from March 1951 onwards.The file contains draft copies of the agreement and associated documents in English and Arabic, along with the final signed copy at folios 122-143.Also included in the file are details of new landing and housing fees introduced at Bahrain and Sharjah in 1951, and a request from the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Ethiopian Air Lines to use Sharjah airport as a technical stop on flights from Addis Ababa to Karachi and Dhahran.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 2-5.Physical description: The main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 144; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 6-115; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file comprises a signed copy of the Sharjah Civil Air Agreement with accompanying air navigation regulations, and an exchange of letters between the Shaikh of Sharjah (Shaikh Saqr bin Sulṭān Āl Qasimī) and the Political Officer on the Trucial Coast (Arthur John Wilton).Also included in the file is correspondence between the Political Officer on the Trucial Coast and the Political Agent at Bahrain, which concerns the following: an agreement for free facilities for the despatch ingof telegrams, which are to be granted to the Shaikh of Sharjah; information on how to publicly announce a written law in Sharjah.Physical description: The main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 36; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-35; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The correspondence in this volume consists of letters from the Resident at Bushire (Lieutenant-Colonel Ephraim Gerrish Stannus; Captain David Wilson) and the Assistant Resident at Bushire (Samuel Hennell) mainly to the Secretary to the Government of Bombay (William Newnham); The Accountant General at Bombay (John Wedderburn); The Shaikh of Bushire (Shaikh Nassir [Nasir]); the Envoy to the Court of Persia (John Macdonald); and the Senior Marine Officer in the Gulf of Persia (Captain Walker).The main subject of the correspondence concerns relations between the Residency and authorities in Bushire following threats made by Shaikh Hossein [Shaikh Ḥusayn] to attack the Residency; the decision by the Resident, Lieutenant-Colonel Ephraim Gerrish Stannus, to withdraw from Bushire for a time; and the Residency's re-establishment in Bushire in late March 1827, under the command of the new Resident, Captain David Wilson, following the Prince Governor of Fars (Ḥusayn Ali Mirza) decision to agree to the removal of Shaikh Hossein [Shaikh Ḥusayn] in order to resolve the situation.Interspersed throughout the volume are financial accounts for the Residency, relating particularly to payments for the return of soldiers to India, disbursements for the British Mission in Tehran and accounts of expenditure accrued by the Resident whilst on tour or in camp.other items of interest within the volume include:A Letter from Stannus to the Secretary to Government at Bombay observing that the recent offensive against the Residency had highlighted the helpless state of the location of the Residency, particularly as it was within 200 yards of the Towns towers, and 2 miles from the nearest fresh water (ff 20-21).The movements of the vessels in the Persian Gulf Squadron around the Gulf, including ensuring the availability of a British vessel to patrol the pearl banks during fishing season and for the Resident's annual tour.The seizure by the Imam of Muscat of the former Shaikh of Bushire Abdool Russool, and his eventual releaseRelations between Tannoon [Tahnun bin Shakbut[, Shaik of Aboothabee [Shaikh of Abu Dhabi] and Sultan ben Suggar [Sultan bin Saqr], Shaikh of Sharga [Shaikh of Sharjah] including their attacks on each others towns, and their ongoing attempts at peace, as well as their understanding of Sir William Keir Grant's Treaty with the Arab Tribes, January 1820 and how it affects such actions.The seizure by Persian authorities of a number of Jews in Bushire, including the Residency Shroff (banker) and attempts to take them to Shiraz (f 98v).A letter from the Arch-Bishop of Persian and Indian Armenians in Julfa requesting the appointment of Menatsaken Ter Stephens, a vaccinator of Cow Pox in Baghdad, and formerly from Julfa to undertake vaccination work in Isfahan, July 1827 [f. 103]Correspondence with the Imam of Muscat (Sa‘id bin Sulṭān) regarding the Sultan's attempts to claim Mombassa and the island of Seuee [Siyu] and his attempts to prevent French vessels from acquiring slaves along the East African coastline [ff 105v-108].Correspondence with Captain Robert Taylor, Political Agent at Bussorah [Basra] regarding the Imam of Muscat's intentions of aiding the Chaub's [Bani Ka'b] in attacking Bussorah, and his having amassed a fleet at Muscat for that intention [ff 122v-127].The last letter, on folio 128 is incomplete.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence, which should be used for referencing, is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 128. Foliation errors: f.70 is followed by f.70A. Pagination: There is a pagination sequence, which is written in ink in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos.Condition: There are signs of insect damage throughout the volume, which have left small holes on most of the folios. None of the damage obscures the contents of the correspondence.
Abstract: The file is concerned with the financing and construction of a rest house at Sharjah for the use of the passengers of Imperial Airways. It contains correspondence authorising expenditure, outlining the procedure to be followed for making payments, and reporting on the progress of construction. It also contains statements of expenditure submitted periodically by the Persian Gulf Political Resident to the Secretary of State for India, for subsequent submission to the Air Ministry. These statements generally outline the following: allowances made against the construction of the rest house, the personal subsidy paid to the Shaikh of Sharjah, rent paid to the Shaikh of Sharjah for the aerodrome, pay for guards at the aerodrome, and an allowance paid for additional accounting work undertaken at the Persian Gulf Residency.The file also contains two reports, dated between 1932-33, related to early difficulties encountered by Captain Kenneth Mackay, Supervising Engineer, in the construction of the rest house: see folios 97-112 and 131-143. Particular attention is given to the attitude of the Residency Agent for the Trucial Coast, Khan Bahadur Isa, and the attitude of local rulers.The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 168; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.