Abstract: The volume concerns negotiations between the British and Saudi Arabian governments over the settlement of the eastern and south-eastern frontiers of Saudi Arabia, the importance of which was enhanced by the presence of oil in the areas concerned.The principal correspondents are: HM Minister, Jedda [Jeddah] (Sir Andrew Ryan; Sir Reader William Bullard); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (principally Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle); the Political Agent, Bahrain (Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch; Captain Tom Hickinbotham); and officials of the India Office, the Government of India, and the Foreign Office.The papers cover: reports of negotiations between HM Minister, Jeddah and the King of Saudi Arabia, Ibn Saud (also referred to as Bin Saud) [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd], through his representatives Fuad Bey Hamza [Fu’ād Bey Hamza] and Shaikh Yusuf Yasin [Yūsuf Yāsīn]; the boundary with Qatar; the boundary with Abu Dhabi; the status of Khor al Odeid [Khawr al ‘Udayd] and Jabal Naksh (including two photographs of Jabal Naksh, folios 135-136); the supposed existence of an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Qatar prior to 1916, which is described by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf as an 'entire fabrication' (folio 41); aerial reconnaissance in the area, including a survey of places in Qatar by George William Rendel of the Foreign Office; correspondence concerning the exact position of Sufuk (also referred to as Safq) wells in the territory of Abu Dhabi, February-April 1937 (folios 90-98, 138-143, 160-161); paper by HM Minister, Jeddah (Bullard) concerning 'Mr Philby's [Harry St John Bridger Philby] expedition to the south and question of southern frontier of Saudi Arabia'; February 1937 (folios 150-159); paper by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Fowle) concerning 'Ibn Saud and the Arab States of the Persian Gulf', May 1937 (folios 199-206); and papers concerning the activities of the California Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC) at Qasr as Salwa, October-November 1937 (folios 216-231).The Arabic language content of the file is limited to approximately five folios, mostly correspondence (with English translations) from the Political Agent, Bahrain, to the rulers of Qatar and Abu Dhabi.The file also contains copies of earlier correspondence concerning the occupation of Khor al Odeid by Abu Dhabi, dated 1904-06 (folios 104-109).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 262; 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 4-256; 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 regarding the delimitation of the boundaries of the Trucial states with an emphasis on the boundary between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. On this topic, the file contains a detailed letter by Patrick Desmond Stobart, Political Officer on the Trucial Coast that includes an appendix that gives details of the territorial claims of Dubai and Abu Dhabi (folios 36-51).The file contains three maps, two identical copies of a hand-drawn sketch map of the Trucial Coast (folios 6 and 9) and a hand-drawn sketch map of the Trucial Coast marking details of the Dubai-Abu Dhabi boundary dispute (folio 33).The majority of the correspondence in the file is in English, but a limited amount in Arabic is also contained within, including a letter sent from the ruler of Dubai, Shaikh Saʻīd bin Maktūm bin Hasher Āl Maktūm to Cornelius James Pelly, the Political Agent in Bahrain (folio 75).The file also contains correspondence between British officials and Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited, the subsidiary of Petroleum Concessions Limited that operated in the states along the Trucial Coast.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 111; 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 3-102; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence between ff 1-110, which is circled and located in the top centre of the recto side of each folio, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.Foliation errors: 97a
Abstract: The file contains copies of letters, in English and Arabic, sent by the Political Agent at Bahrain to the local rulers requesting them to issue a proclamation claiming their jurisdiction over the seabed adjacent to the coasts of Qatar, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi. A copy of the draft proclamation is on folio 32. The file also includes correspondence with the Petroleum Development and with the Agency at Sharjah.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 33; 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 incomplete foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 16-32; 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 contains correspondence relating to a long outstanding debt recovery claim made by pearl merchant Shaikh Abdul Latif [Shaikh Abdul Latiff bin Shaikh Mahomed Al Abdul Razak] of Bombay against Khalaf bin Abdulla bin Utaibah and Ahmad bin Khalaf bin Utaibah of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The claim relates to a pearl transaction dating from 1926, which was originally brought to the attention of the Political Agent, Bahrain in 1936 by Khan Bahadur Abdur Rahman Zayani of Karachi, a friend of the claimant. Included in the file is a Power of Attorney granted by the claimant to his son Yusuf bin Abdul Latif in Bombay in 1945, to enable him to pursue in the Shaikh’s court in Abu Dhabi or Dubai, the debt judgements already made in his father’s favour by the Bombay High Court in 1939. The main correspondents are the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Residency Agent, Sharjah who investigate the settlement of the debt claim between 1936 and 1939, and then again between 1947 and 1949, in response to further petitioning from Mohamed and Khalid bin Abdul Latif, also sons of the claimant and residents of Kuwait. Two letters and a memorandum by the Residency Agent about an attempted mediated settlement by a committee of merchants at Dubai in 1947, a letter from the Political Agent to Khan Bahadur Abdur Rahman Zayani of Karachi, and two letters from the claimant’s son Mohamed Abdul-Latif Al-Abdul-Razzak, a pearl merchant of Kuwait, are in English and Arabic.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 54; 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 4-53; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The file contains numerous courtesy letters expressing friendship, congratulations and thanks, which are exchanged mainly between the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Shaikhs of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The majority of courtesy letters received by the Political Agent, Bahrain are from the Dubai shaikhs, particularly from Shaikh Mani bin Rashid Maktum [Āl Maktūm, Shaikh Mana bin Rashid] who is the cousin of the Ruler Shaikh Sai’d bin Maktum [Āl Maktūm, Shaikh Saʻīd bin Maktūm bin Hasher]. Several of the letters from Shaikh Mani bin Rashid Maktum contain complaints against Sayid Abdul Razaq the Residency Agent at Sharjah.The file also contains a small amount of claims correspondence relating mainly to debt repayment. This correspondence includes petitions received from local merchants and other inhabitants of Bahrain, Dubai and Sharjah, as well as letters from the Residency Agent, Sharjah to the Political Agent, Bahrain reporting his investigations into some of the claims made and any settlements reached. The majority of letters are in Arabic and are also translated into English. Included in the file are two merchant letters in Persian and a short extract from a German ornithological report in 1937, together with an English translation, about white storks.Finally, there is a small amount of correspondence in 1937 between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Government of India regarding legal opinion on the service of summonses in the Trucial Coast shaikhdoms.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 204; 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 2-157; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The volume concerns negotiations between the British and Saudi Arabian governments over the question of how to settle the eastern frontier of Saudi Arabia.The principal correspondents are: HM Minister, Jedda (principally Sir Reader William Bullard); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (principally Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle); officials of the India Office, the Government of India, and the Foreign Office; and the Saudi Arabian Minister for Foreign Affairs (Amir Faisal [Fayṣal bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd]).The papers cover: the attitude of Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] to the frontier question; the boundary with Qatar; the boundary with Abu Dhabi; the British maintenance of the Blue Line as the frontier; the activities of the California Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC) in the area, including allegations of encroachment by the company to the east of the Blue Line (folios 104-105); the status of Khor al Odeid and Jabal Naksh, and their possible cession to Saudi Arabia; the effect on negotiations of British policy in Palestine; and the activities of Petroleum Concessions Limited, including the need to guard against encroachment upon the southern boundary of the company's concession (folio 229).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 252; 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 10-252; 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 volume contains correspondence related to the Air Staff Intelligence, Air Headquarters, Baghdad’s request for information to be obtained from Muscat regarding the possible establishment of a subsidiary air route from Iraq to India via the Arabian side of the Gulf. The required information was concerning the straight line Mirfah-Biraimi-Khaburah. Arrangements were made for some Royal Air Force (RAF) representatives to visit the region accompanied by a doctor, and Bertram Sidney Thomas, Financial Advisor to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman.The correspondence contains information on the estimates of the cost of the journey including hire of camels; cost of feeding men and camels; presents to be given to the Shaikhs; wages and foodstuffs, coffee etc.Letters were sent to various Shaikhs and Walis in Sohar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Baraimi [Buraimi] and other regions, asking them to assist the Royal Air Officers while conducting their work. The correspondence contains letters of certain Shaikhs such as Shaikh Salim bin Diyin [Dayyin] Al-Ka‘bi and Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih Al-Ḥārithī [Al Harthi] negotiating the terms for them to accept the RAF work to take place. It also contains reports about the troubles made by some of the Bedouin tribes.Bertram Sidney Thomas reported on his observation on the proposed seaplane flight along the south Arabian coast. He also sent a report (ff 82- 130) to the Sultan and the Political Resident on the proceedings of the RAF Trans-Oman Expedition which he conducted from Sohar to Sharjah between 12 May and 3 June 1927. The report is in two parts covering the following: preliminary situation; itinerary of expedition; description of country passed through; tribal situation and Ibn Saud; personalities; tribal considerations and the air route.The volume also includes correspondence with the Sultan of Socotra regarding the construction of landing ground in his territory near Qishn. It also includes correspondence about the Air Ministry’s interest in extending the reconnaissance to establish landing grounds along the southern coast of Arabia.Among other correspondents in the volume are: the Political Agent, Muscat; Muscat and Oman, Council of Ministers; and C Hilton Keith, Squadron Leader RAF, Sohar.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 229; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence regarding a period of tensions and hostilities that took place between the rulers of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Shaikh Saʻīd bin Maktūm bin Hasher Āl Maktūm and Shaikh Shakhbūṭ bin Sulṭān Āl Nahyān respectively.The correspondence discusses the reasons behind this conflict including the disputed ownership of Ghanadhah [Khor al-Ghanadhah], as well as other incidents of aggression committed including the looting of camels.Most of the correspondence in the file is between British officials at the Political Agency in Bahrain, the Political Residency in Bushire and the Residency Agent in Sharjah. However, the file also contains correspondence with local rulers, primarily Shaikh Saʻīd and Shaikh Shakhbūṭ. This correspondence is in Arabic accompanied by English translations.On folios 232-233, the file contains a chart with details of the boundary between the two Shaikhdoms and the respective claims made by the rulers of each.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with folio 292; 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 folios 4-264; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A written pagination sequence exists between folios 273-289.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence between British officials regarding the Shaikhdom of Abu Dhabi and its ruler, Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Topics discussed in the file include the dynamics of power in the Shaikhdom, Shaikh Shakhbut's perceived 'discourtesy' to British officials and arms purchases made by him.The correspondence in the file is primarily between the Political Agency in Bahrain, the Political Residency in Bushire and the Residency Agent in Sharjah. The file also contains a limited amount of correspondence directly between British officials and Shaikh Shakhbut, this correspondence is in Arabic (with English translations).On folios 12-13 (and 51-52), the file contains a copy of an account of a conversation that took place between the Political Agent, Bahrain and Shaikh Shakhbut onboard
HMS Foweyon 9 June 1935.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 53; 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 2-42; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Charles Geoffrey Prior), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman, Reginald George Alban), the India Office (John Percival Gibson, Roland Tennyson Peel), the Foreign Office (Lacy Baggallay, Harry Maurice Eyres), the Petroleum Department (Frederick Charles Starling), Admiralty (Clifford George Jarrett) and Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited (Ernest Vincent Packer, Basil Henry Lermitte, John Skliros, H H Wheatley) regarding progress with oil concessions on the Trucial Coast.Discussion centres primarily on concession agreements for Abu Dhabi and Kalba [Kalbā] which had been obtained by Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) in 1938/1939, and the omitted clauses and rewording of the concession agreement which had been undertaken in an attempt to simplify the process. Also discussed are the political agreements between the company and His Majesty’s Government for each concession which would no longer require approval by the ruler of the state and discussing amended clauses to incorporate this decision.In relation to the Kalba concession matters discussed included ensuring sufficient safeguards and guarantees were in place to protect Shaikh Hamad bin Sa’id [Ḥamad bin Sa‘īd Āl Qasimī], who was a minor, and his state whilst it was under the rulership of Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad bin Sultan [Khalid bin Aḥmad bin Sulṭān Āl Qasimī] as Regent. A copy of the Abu Dhabi Concession agreement can be found at folios 134-140 and Political agreement at folios 160-16; copies of the Kalba political agreement can be found at folios 64-69 and 164-165.Other matters discussed in the volume include:a five year exploration permit granted by the Shaikh of Ajman (Shaikh Rāshid Bin Ḥumaid Al-Nu`aimī) to Petroleum Concessions Limited, a copy of which can be found at folios 51-52;copies of lettersin Arabic and English from Ernest Vincent Packer, PCL to the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Sultan of Muscat, the Shaikh of Sharjah, the Shaikh of Dubai and the Regent at Kalba regarding the lack of an annual report for 1940 as owing to war conditions no work had been undertaken;the appointment of F A Ball as Chief Local Representative for Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited and the decision to retain Ernest Vincent Packer as General Manager at Bahrain and appoint Basil Henry Lermitte as Chief Local Representative for Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited;a report by the Master of the Steamship
Barpetaof an oil seepage 15 miles North-East of Halul Island [Ḩālūl] and subsequent investigation into the site where oil was welling up from a submarine gushe;.the decision by Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited in 1941 to exercise its right to a one year extension on their exploration permit and to re-open negotiations with the Shaikh of Ras al Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah] (Shaikh Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī) in the hope of acquiring an extension to cover up to a year following the end of the war.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 192-198.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 present in parallel between ff 5-191; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This file concerns the movements of Wilfred Thesiger at the end of his second crossing of the Empty Quarter [al-Rub‘ al-Khālī]. Correspondence in the file is between the Political Officer, Sharjah; the Political Agent, Bahrain; the Political Resident, Bahrain; the Political Agent, Muscat; the Residency Agent, Sharjah; G W Furlonge and B A B Burrows, Foreign Office, London; and Richard ('Dick') Bird, representative of Petroleum Development Oman.Details concern Thesiger’s arrival in Abu Dhabi on 16 March 1948 and his intention to proceed to Buraimi [al-Buraymī]; the preference of the Sultan of Muscat for Thesiger not to visit Muscat and the cancellation of his visa to enter the Sultanate of Oman; Thesiger's intention to collect plants and animal specimens at Buraimi and to travel from Abu Dhabi to Bahrain by dhow; Bird's desire that Thesiger should not proceed anywhere south of the village of Hafit [Ḥafīt]; Thesiger's legal status during his travels and restrictions on his movements; the retention of Thesiger's Bedouin and their raid on Bani Qitab; his arrival in Bahrain; requests by Thesiger for ammunition; concerns that he was responsible for raiding in Saudi Arabian territory; and his nickname 'Mubarak bin London'.The file also includes summaries of intelligence gathered from Thesiger (ff 38, 42) and Bird's letter regarding Thesiger's presence in Buraimi (ff 54-55).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 64; 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 1-61; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence between the Ruler of Katr [Qatar], Shaikh Jāsim bin Muḥammad Āl Thānī, and British officials, concerning relations between Shaikh Jāsim bin Muḥammad and a variety of parties on the Arab coast, including Indian subjects in Qatar, the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi, and the British and Turkish Governments. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Colonel Edward Ross, Shaikh Jāsim bin Muḥammad Āl Thānī, and the Residency Agent at Sharjah, Hajjī ‘Abd Āl Qāsim.The principal subjects discussed in the volume are:Relations between Shaikh Jāsim bin Muḥammad Āl Thānī of Qatar and Shaikh Zayid bin Khalīfah of Abu Zhabi [Abu Dhabi] including: Shaikh Jāsim’s intention to occupy the village of ’Odaid, considered to be Abu Dhabi property, with the Resident’s response to the move (folios, 5, 14), raids by Qatar tribes (folios 130-31) and subsequent reprisals (folios 134-35), reconciliation (folios 137-38), and a later deterioration of relations between Qatar and Abu Dhabi in 1885/86 (folios 189-91);Shaikh Jāsim bin Muḥammad’s intentions to attack the Ajman tribes at El Katiff [Al-Qaṭīf] (folios 34-35);The actions of Butuye bin Khadim and his people (the Kubeysat). The Kubeysat originated from ’Odaid and were indebted to Shaikh Jāsim bin Muḥammad. Butuye bin Khadim subsequently moved from Al Bidda to Wakrah [Wukrah] without repaying his debts, and was accused of stealing pearls at Wukrah (folios 59-61, 66-67);Reports of ill-treatment by the inhabitants of Al Bidda against Indian banians (folios 121-22);A report on a discussion between Commander Nesham of HMS
Woodlarkand Shaikh Jāsim bin Muḥammad Āl Thānī, dated 7 February 1882, covering: the 1868 treaty between Great Britain and Qatar, and Shaikh Jāsim’s desire to break relations with the Turks and have relations with Britain similar to that enjoyed by Abu Dhabi; Shaikh Jāsim’s relations with the Turkish authorities; and the treatment of Indian subjects [banians] in Qatar (folios 164-75);Reports of Turkish activities at Al-Hasa and Al-Qaṭīf (folios 176-80).Correspondence on these subjects throughout the volume, exchanged between Ross and the Government of India, includes discussion on the ambiguous jurisdictional nature of Britain’s relationship with Shaikh Jāsim bin Muḥammad Āl Thānī who, in spite of having signed a treaty with the British in 1868 (folios 52-53, 57-58), had aligned himself with Turkey in 1871. A copy of a letter from the Assistant Political Agent at Basrah [Basra] to the Political Resident and Consul General in Baghdad, dated 2 September 1886 (folios 214-15), indicates Abu Dhabi’s status as Britain’s most westerly protectorate on the Arab coast, and its close proximity to Qatar, the most southerly domain in Arabia under nominal Turkish control.Physical description: Foliation: The volume’s foliation starts on the first page after the front cover and finishes on the last page of the volume, using pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1a.Some pages are damaged at the edges, through tears or water damage, resulting in the loss of a small amount of text.