Abstract: Report from Pelly to the Chief Secretary to Government in the Political Department, Bombay, compiled in Bushire 13 April 1863.The report details the tribes, trade and resources of the Gulf Littoral which is divided into seven areas according to their political administration. The report also includes a list of detailed statements of imports and exports at Bushire.Physical description: Item foliated in the front top right hand corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: Genre/Subject MatterThird of three journals covering Amherst’s service with his regiment and furloughs in India and Europe between 1867 and 1873.Watercolour, pen and ink and pencil drawings interspersed throughout the journal. There are four unidentified watercolour views loose in the album, the latest of which is dated 'April 1876'.There are a number of blank pages, especially at the end of the volume, as the journal finishes two-thirds of the way through on 25 April 1873.1 ‘Part of the village of Lamayuri from the Cashmere Rd. August 3rd 70’2 ‘Peculiar formation of rocks opposite Corbu August 3rd 1870’3 ‘Buddist idol near Skergol. August 4th’4 ‘Capt C. at Marshag. May 22nd 71’; pasted into volume5 ‘Aden – Oct. 22nd /71’; pasted into volume6 ‘Baxters mixture Dec’ 1’871 [
sic]’. ; pasted into volume; caricature7 ‘Bunter alias Fireworks Dec’ 1871’; pasted into volume; caricature8 Group of small drawings: one figure, one head and four profile/character studies, one sketch of a triangular sail9 View, possibly Alexandria10 ‘On the Mahmoudieh Canal Dec’ 28th /72’11 ‘My ride into Alexandria Dec’ 20th /72’12 ‘Our Arab Reis on board the Erin.’13 ‘Where we ran aground above Atfeh December 29th’14 Group of four small drawings: ‘On the bank of the Mahmoudieh Canal Dec’ 29th’; untitled [male figure from behind standing on the cargo of a loaded boat]; ‘Charlie A in pursuit of snipe’ and ‘Rosetta Jan. 1st /73’15 ‘Sunset on the Mahmoudieh Canal. Jan 3rd /73.’16 Group of seven small drawings of Egypt: ‘An ex-captain of the Eton eight on the Kayan Tantaras – Jan 14th’; ‘At the Opera Cairo Jan 7th’; ‘Jos nearly shoots another lynx Jan 18th’ [see below]; untitled [Arab man riding a donkey]; untitled [water fowl]; ‘Our consul – Jan 3rd’; untitled [Arab woman carrying a vessel on her head]; and the following account: ‘Jos’ account – “As I was walking home in the moonlight a large beast crept out of the bushes before me. I cornered him with my gun and was about to pull, when a second evidently terrified figure made its appearance &c &c &c”’17 ‘The false Pyramid from Whasta Jan 11th /73’18 ‘View from our camp at El Edwa, Fayoom’; table denoting game killed while at Ed Edwa19 ‘From under the Bal el Nasr. Cairo Feb 3rd’20 ‘Louley and Co’; pasted into volume; man seated next to donkey, inscribed ‘Tebiz 73’21 Street scene from below taking in mashrabiya in silhouette, possibly Cairo22 ‘In the straits of Messina March 31st’23 ‘In the Straits of Messena [
sic] March 31st’24 ‘SE Cape of Sicily from the Straits March 31st’25 ‘Stromboli March 31st’26 Group of three small drawings, respectively, one sketch of two figures, one portrait, one profile: ‘March 30th’; ‘Madame Veritas’; and ‘He would swing confound him March 29th’ 27 ‘Turin 21st April /73’ [unfinished drawing]28 ‘From my Garden – Algiers April 1876’; loose29 Unidentified landscape scene depicting vineyards, six figures at far right; loose[not numbered] Unidentified maritime scene: two boats at sunset, bell tower and other buildings in silhouette; loose[not numbered] Unidentified landscape at sunset; loose[not numbered] Unidentified watercolour sketch of cruciform gravestone, flowers; held within unsealed envelope, marked with monogram and address: ‘45, Rutland Gate, S.W.’; looseLabelsLetterpress affixed to inner rear endpaper:‘FromBowden & Co.314, Oxford Street,Corner of HarewoodPlace,London, W.’Physical description: DimensionsVolume: 21 x 17 cm
Abstract: Copy of a letter regarding Pelly's expedition to Riyadh for which all correspondence and communications were for the secret department only, and his apprehensions about Dr Colvill accompanying him on the expedition.The letter goes on to give details of a journal and other correspondence which were offered to the Royal Geographical Society, and which also appeared in other reviews, which had been kept and recorded by Dr Colvill and sent to a correspondent in England, thereby violating the instruction that all matters relating to the expedition be considered secret and confidential.Also enclosed with the letter are:Copy of a memo of three letters from Colvill on the request of Mr Spottiswoode.Copy of a letter from Pelly to the St James Club, 14 August 1865, concerning Colvill's conduct.Copy of further notes by Pelly from the
Edinburgh ReviewNo.250 October 1865.Copy of a letter from Pelly to Colvill, 13 February 1865 concerning Colvill's conduct during Pelly's absence and asking him to refrain in future from giving any instructions. Also attached is a copy of a note of order given to Mr Lucas, Pelly's interpreter, by Colvill.Copy of a letter from Colvill of 13 February 1865 in response to Pelly's letter of same date, explaining his conduct.Copy of a letter from Pelly to Colvill 13 February 1865 in response to Colvill's letter of same date in which Pelly further clarifies his position and further reprimands Colvill.Copy of a letter from Colvill to Pelly, 14 February 1865 in response to Pelly's second letter of 13 February in which he expresses his regret for his conduct and requests to join Pelly on his forthcoming trip.Copy of a letter from Pelly to Colvill, 14 February 1865 in which Pelly permits Colvill to accompany him on his trip to Riyadh and instructs him to collect specimens of rocks and flowers.Physical description: 13 folios
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 47 of 1856, dated 25 June 1856. The enclosures are dated 22 April-13 May 1856.The enclosures comprise copies of despatches sent by Richard W Stevens, HM Consul in Tehran, to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, copies of which are forwarded for the information of the Government of Bombay and the Government of India. The despatches chiefly relate to the Persian [Iranian] military campaign against Herat, notably:Intelligence that the Persian Army of Prince Sultan Moorad Meerza [Prince Sulṭān Murād Mīrzā] defeated the Heratees in a battle at Ghorian [Ghurian] which is now garrisoned by the Persian ArmyThe apparent plan of the Shah [Shāh] of Persia to also conquer Kandahar [also spelled Candahar in this item] where there is purported opposition to Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], and the order of a detachment of Persian troops to Kandahar via Seistan [Sistan]Unverified intelligence received from the news-writer at Meshed [Mashhad] that the brother of the Ruler of Herat, Mahommed Youssuf [Muḥammad Yūsuf], and Essau Khan [ʻĪsá Khān], the anti-Persian vizier of Herat, have arranged terms of surrender with Sultan Moorad MeerzaIntelligence received from an Italian officer (ff 395-396) whose brother is attached to the Persian Army of Herat, alleging: Essau Khan’s defection to the Persians; the surrender of Herat due to scarcity of provisions; the garrisoning of Herat on the orders of the Shah; the poor condition of the Persian Army; and the agreement of the Heratees to all of Persia’s terms apart from the permanent occupation of Herat. (The copy of the original intelligence is in Italian, with an English translation. A duplicate of the Italian letter and translation is in IOR/L/PS/5/487, ff 426-436, ff 430-432)Intelligence brought to Tehran by the post-master of Semnaan [Semnan] claiming that Persian regular troops had entered Herat, the postponement of celebrations in Tehran following reports that the news was false, and punishment of the messengerReports in Tehran that Essau Khan in fact discovered Mahommed Youssuf in secret talks with the Persian Commander, ousted him in a coup, expelled him to the Persian camp ironically offering him as peeshkesh [peshkash, a fine or a present to the ruling authority on receiving an appointment or assignment of revenue], and did not surrender to the Persians.The item also covers the following matters:Russia’s expression of friendship for Persia by withdrawal of protection to the family of a Russian subject who died in Persia last year owing the Persian Government half a million tomansThe Persian prime minister’s intention to spread anti-English propaganda, in Bokhara [Bukhara], Khiva and Afghanistan, following the Ottoman Sultan’s firman placing his ‘non-Mussulman’ [non-Muslim] subjects on equal footing with ‘Mahommedans’ [Muslims] (referring to the Treaty of Paris March 1856 in which an alliance of the Ottoman Empire, Great Britain, France and Sardinia ended the Crimean War with Russia)Intelligence from Asterabad [Gorgan] of the murder of the Khan of Khiva by a group of Turcomans [Turkmen] of the Yamoot [Yomut] tribe, and fighting between Yamoots and Yoozbegs [Uzbeks] potentially leaving Khiva vulnerable to Russian ‘designs’The circulation in Tehran of an article originally printed by a Persian-language newspaper in Bombay [Mumbai], and Stevens’s assertion that only a complete retraction by the Persian Government of the ‘unfounded accusations’ and ‘calumnious statement’ contained in it will repair the ‘injurious effect’ (f 387) on Britain’s image.Physical description: 1 item (16 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of India Secret Department (Camp at Meerut) to the East India Company Secret Committee, Number 1 of 1838, dated 8 February 1838. The enclosures are dated 18 September 1837-7 February 1838.The primary correspondents are: Captain Claude Martine Wade, Political Agent at Loodeana [Ludhiana, also spelled Loodiana, Lodhiana and other variations in this item]; William Hay Macnaghten, Secretary to the Government of India; and Captain Alexander Burnes, on a Mission to Cabool [Kabul, this spelling and other variations also used in this item].Enclosures 3-120 and 126-128 (ff 49-505 and ff 525-532) comprise despatches between Wade and Macnaghten and between Burnes and Macnaghten. The despatches concern British policy towards and relations with the ruling parties in Afghanistan and with the Sikh Ruler Maharajah Runjeet Singh [Maharaja Ranjit Singh, this spelling and variations of ‘Ranjit’ also used in this item]; the latter two’s relations with each other, notably over Peshawar [also spelled Peshwar and Peshawur in this item]; Afghan relations with Persia [Iran] and Russia; and other political, economic and military affairs in Afghanistan and the Punjab. Burnes’s despatches are forwarded to Macnaghten by Wade and often include Wade’s critical remarks on Burnes’s situation assessments and actions, in addition to Wade’s own political analyses. The correspondence takes place amid a rumoured then an actual Persian expedition to conquer Herat.The papers cover the following matters in detail:British relations with Maharajah Runjeet Singh, including: the issue of the return of Mazari territory to the Ameers of Sinde [Amīrs of Sindh] by Runjeet Singh; intelligence reports by Wade’s munshi [secretary] (ff 52-56, ff 110-115); correspondence regarding a potential meeting between Runjeet Singh and the Governor-General of India; and reports of Lieutenant Frederick Mackeson on affairs on the Peshawar frontier (ff 265-268, ff 272-274, ff 277-289)Relations of Herat with Persia and British policy regarding them, including: news of the arrival in Tehran of an envoy from Shah Kamran [Shāhzādah Kāmrān Durrānī], Ruler of Herat; and views of Burnes and Wade on the ‘designs’ of Persia on Herat (ff 297-301)British policy towards Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], Ruler of Cabool, including: Burnes’s reports from Cabool on his meetings with Dost Mahomed (ff 134-141, ff 360-369); Burnes’s and Wade’s views on the ambitions of Dost Mahomed regarding branches of his family in Candahar [Kandahar; this spelling is also used in this item] and Peshawar, and his relations with Persia and Russia; British encouragement of Dost Mahomed to seek a reconciliation with their ally Runjeet Singh; Burnes’s and Wade’s assessment of the geo-political situation on the western frontier of British dominions in India and the aim of maintaining a balance of power advantageous to Britain between Cabool, Candahar, Herat, Persia, the Punjab and Sinde and which might avert any alliances with Russia (ff 78-82, ff 345-358)Burnes’s activities with regard to Candahar, and Candahar’s relations with Cabool and Persia, including: Burnes’s efforts to prevent Sirdar Kohin Dil Khan [Sirdār Kuhandīl Khān Muḥammadzay] sending his son Mahomed Omar Khan [Muḥammad Umar Khān] with an envoy, to conciliate Persia (ff 235-237); Kohin Dil Khan’s and his chief advisor’s letters to Dost Mahomed expressing obedience to the Ameer of Cabool, fear of Persia and the desire to depose the Ruler of Herat who repeatedly threatens to attack Candahar (ff 379-383); and Burnes’s instructions to Lieutenant Robert Leech, whom he deputes to Candahar with an offer of monetary and military support in the event of Persia conquering Herat (ff 471-477)Dost Mahomed Khan’ s relations with Russia and Persia, and British policy regarding them, including: Burnes’s alarm at the arrival in Cabool of a Russian agent, Captain Waitcawitch [Jan Prosper Witkiewicz] (ff 444-449); Wade’s detailed views on the positions of Persia and Russia in connection with Dost Mahomed and Afghanistan and the policy of discouraging the latter’s ‘ambitions’ (ff 415-421); and Macnaghten’s disapproval of Burnes’s promise of troops and pecuniary aid to the rulers of Candahar in the event of the Russian-supported Persian capture of Herat (ff 451-457)The Persian expedition against Herat, including: news of the defeat of Ghurian [Ghuryan, also spelled Ghoorian in this item] and siege of Herat; and Wade’s suggestion that Lieutenant Eldred Pottinger, detained by the Herat authorities, act as a mediator (albeit without authority from the Government of India), provide intelligence, and ensure that Kamran Shah resists Persia.The following matters and documents are also included:Wade’s response to overtures of friendship made to him by Mir Alam Khan [Mīr ‘Ālim Khān], Ruler of Bajour, and Fatah Khan Panjtari, [Fatḥ Khān, Ruler of Panjtar] (ff 124-125)Disruption to the indigo trade in Cabool caused by differences between the Governor of Mooltan [Multan] and the Ruler of Bhawalpoor (ff 132-133, ff 152-153)A report by Lieutenant Leech, Bombay Engineers, entitled ‘Description of the Khyber Pass and of the Tribes inhabiting it’ (ff 143-150)Praise by Wade and Burnes of intelligence provided by Charles Masson in Cabool (ff 180-183)Burnes’s emphasis on conciliating the Lohani [a Pashtun tribe] ‘chiefs’, described by Wade as ‘meritorious merchants’ (f 184)Burnes’s report on the ‘commercial views and prospects of Russia in Central Asia’ (f 203), notably Russia’s relations with the rulers of Bokhara, Khiva [also referred to as ‘Orgunge’] and Kokan (ff 199-207)Burnes’s deputation of Dr Percival Lord and Lieutenant John Wood to Meer Moorad Beg [Mīr Murād Beg] Uzbeck ruler of Koondooz [Uzbek ruler of Kunduz], to treat the eye ailment of Moorad Beg’s brother (ff 251-263), and Macnaghten’s approbation for Burnes’s improvement of British relations with Koondooz.Enclosures 121-125 (ff 506-524) comprise despatches between Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Pottinger, Agent to the Governor-General for Sinde, and Macnaghten, notably regarding the apparent procrastination of the Ameers of Sinde over the establishment of a British Resident in their territory. Also covered is the progress made by Lieutenant Thomas Greer Carless in his survey of the Indus and Kurachee [Karachi] Harbour.Physical description: 1 item (505 folios)
Abstract: Statement of the principal exports from Bushire to Bombay during the season 1862 to 1863 contrasted with that of 1863 to 1864, and the probable exports of the season 1864 to 1865 with explanatory remarks.The statement includes: cotton, opium, silk, wool-Arab, wool-Persian, gallnuts and horses.Physical description: Item foliated in the front top right corner of the page with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: Material includes extracts from a letter by Pelly regarding questions relative to the interior of Arabia discussed by the Royal Geographical Society 22 February and 14 March 1864 and the published copy of Pelly's full report of his visit to Lingah, Kishm [Qeshm] and Bunder Abbass [Bandar Abbas], with maps, which was read before the society 27 June 1864Physical description: Foliation: The contents of the file have been foliated in the front top right hand corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: The account provides background on the various travels across South Eastern Asia undertaken by Pelly as part of his duties to the British Government, his hope that his account could help the society with their desire to determine 'with scientific accuracy' the position of Riadh [Riyadh], the Capital of Nuyd [Najd], and a full account of the route to Riadh and what he learned.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: Copy of a letter dated 23 December 1865 concerning Dr Colvill's breach of privacy in relation to the publicity of their trip to Riyadh earlier that year. Pelly asks Colvill to submit to government an explanation of his conduct.A second letter dated 27 December 1865 is also enclosed in which Colvill responds directly to Pelly denying having directly or indirectly written to any newspaper, review or scientific society concerning their trip to Riyadh and requesting that Pelly inform him of what has been written or said.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: Copy of a letter in which Pelly accuses Dr Colvill of evading his questioning and requests that Colvill meet him at 2 p.m. to review the letters purported to have been written by him and to look at the passage from the
Edinburgh Review.Enclosed with the letter are notes on the meeting between Pelly and Colvill, dated 27 December 1865 which took place at the Residency in Bushire.Physical description: The letter with enclosures has been foliated in the top right corner of each page as 21-22
Abstract: Mr Weller requests that Pelly mark the places mentioned in his article on the map, encloses additional prints of the map which Pelly had requested and informs Pelly of the intention to also include a map of Arabia to show places mentioned by Pelly that are outside of the route the main map coversPhysical description: 2 folios
Abstract: Letter from Daniel Oliver, Keeper of the Kew Herbarium, to Pelly regarding the examples of Arabian Plants Pelly had sent to them and Pelly's request for a list of the specimens he sent.Physical description: 2 folios