Copy of a Letter from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia, Henry Willock, in Tehran, to Major-General Sir William Grant Keir
Date:
1820/1820
Description:
Abstract: Copy of a letter from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to Major-General Sir William Grant Keir, of 10 March 1820. The letter concerns the British aim of establishing a base in the Persian Gulf from which to suppress ‘piracy’ following the British expedition against the al-Qawasim and their allies, with a particular interest in the island of Kishma [Qeshm], over which the Persian Government disputes sovereignty with the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat. Willock details his communications with the Persian Ministers on the subject, in absence of the Shah, who is at Kashan. He also relates the Persian concerns regarding British expansion into the Gulf, and offers proposals for inducing the Persians to acquiesce to a British base on Kishma.The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 17 March 1820 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/254), which was received on 13 July 1820.Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)