Abstract: Twenty cases relating to individuals and small groups, kidnapped or transported from Baluchistan or India, to the Trucial Coast, in particular Dubai. Some of the cases are straightforward and involve the appearance or retrieval of slaves in the Dubai area, often initiated by the Sharjah Residency Agent ('Isa bin 'Abd al-Latif) and their manumission, plans for repatriation, and punishment of traders/kidnappers, where they are identified. Other cases are more complex, where the identification of slaves, their parents, or those who traded them, is more difficult. Of particular note in the volume:Subject 8, relating to a young Persian boy kidnapped from Sind and brought to Dubai, which stretches over 100 folios. Difficulties are encountered in obtaining a photograph of the boy for purposes of identification. The extensive correspondence in the case is in part also cause by obstructions and procrastinations of al-Latif. Subject 16, relating to two Baluchi men kidnapped by Bedouins in the interior of the Trucial coast. The case reveals tensions between the coastal Sheikhs of the Trucial region, and the Bedouin chiefs of the interior. Questions over the control how much control Sheikhs, who have signed treaties with the British, have over actions of Bedouins from the interior. Subject 20, account of the capture of a dhow carrying slaves at Dubai, and the burning of the dhow by the British navy, off the Dubai coast.Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated with a circled number in the top right-hand corner of each front-facing page. Cover (containing cover title), blank front page and 2 blank rear pages are unnumbered. Each of the subjects into which the volume is divided has its own internal pagination system, expressed as page number
xof subject number
y.
Abstract: The volume comprises tables detailing the volumes (given in tons) of food supplies in Bahrain and on the Trucial Coast. There are five tables at the front of the volume for stores kept by the Bahrain Government, Trucial Coast and UKCC (United Kingdom Commercial Corporation). Foodstuffs are arranged in columns at the top of each table (wheat, flour, barley/millets, rice, sugar, tea, coffee, pulses), with dates ranged down the left-hand edge of the table. Entries for the Bahrain Government run across three tables, from 15 November 1943 to 1 June 1945 (ff 2-3), from 15 June 1945 to 5 May 1948 (ff 5-6), and from 3 May 1948 to 9 January 1950 (ff 12-13). Entries for the Trucial Coast run across two tables from 15 November 1943 to 1 September 1947 (ff 3-4), and from 1 October 1947 to 9 January 1950 (ff 6-7). Entries for the UKCC are confined to one table, covering the dates 15 November 1943 to 1 April 1946 (ff 4-5). On all tables, an additional column labelled ‘reasons for change’ contains occasional notes that explain fluctuations in the supply levels. A final column on all tables is labelled ‘initials’, and contains the initials of the entry writer and the date the entry was made.On the last page of the volume (ff 81-82) are a series of column headings, written upside-down at the bottom of the page, which were intended for use in a table designed to log commodity licenses. Headings include commodity, name of merchant, quantity (given in tons), and name of merchant. The table contains a single entry, registering a consignment of 80 tonnes of coffee, imported into Aden by Haridas Jaminal and Sons. Enclosed at the end of the volume are five loose, typewritten sheets, detailing: monthly commodity quotas for Bahrain, and re-export to Saudi Arabia and the Trucial Coast (f 77); a proposed list of established shippers to Bahrain for rice, wheat flour, barley and other grains and pulses from Karachi (f 78); a list of established shippers to Trucial Oman for rice, wheat flour and barley from Karachi, rice from Calcutta [Kolkata], and sugar from Bombay [Mumbai] (ff 79-80); a list of officers at the Middle East Supply Centre (for Palestine, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Persia/Iraq Command, and Persia), dated 1 March 1943 (f 81).Folios 14 to 75 are blank.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 83; 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 2-18; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This volume contains geographical information and maps about the Arabian States of the Persian Gulf. It was produced by the General Staff, India, and printed by the Manager, Government of India Press, Simla, 1940.The volume is divided into two sections: 'Military Report' including general descriptions of Kuwait, Bahrein, Hasa, Qatar, the Trucial Coast, Muscat and Oman (folios 6-127) and 'Routes' (folios 128-164) including maps of:The Arabian States of the Persian Gulf, Muscat and Oman, and Routes in the area (f 158);Kuwait Area (f 159);Bahrein, Hasa and Qatar (f 160);Trucial Oman (f 161);Muscat and Oman (f 162);and sketches of:Bahrein Oil Company's area and important places (f 163);Sharjah and Dibai [Dubai] (f 158).Physical description: There is a foliation sequence, which 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 of several maps which are stored in a pocket at the back of the volume, on number 164.
Abstract: Imprint:Published by James Horsburgh, Hydrographer to the East India Company.Distinctive Features:Relief shown by hachures. Depth shown by soundings.Nautical chart of the western shores of the Persian Gulf showing the coast between Zaboot [Jazīrat Shuwayhāt] and Abothubbee [Abu Dhabi] compiled from the surveys carried out by the Bombay Marine’s officers between 1820 and 1829.Contains annotations on hazardous features with shoals and rocks represented by crosses. Islands southwest of Abu Dhabi labelled ‘East India Company’s Islands’.Physical description: Dimensions:690 x 628 mm, on sheet 860 x 674 mm
Abstract: Imprint:Published by James Horsburgh, Hydrographer to the East India Company.Distinctive Features:Relief shown by hachures. Depth shown by soundings.Nautical chart of the western shores of the Persian Gulf showing the coastline between Abothubbee [Abu Dhabi] and Elphistone’s Inlet compiled from the surveys carried out by the Bombay Marine’s officers between 1820 and 1829.Includes notes on the sources used in compilation of the map.Longitude of Great Quoin and Abothubbe [Abu Dhabi] reported.Inscriptions:On recto in the upper right is an annotation in pencil: ‘Examine with the other Chart’.Physical description: Dimensions:727 x 642 mm, on sheet 860 x 667 mm
Abstract: Memorandum providing an overview of the external developments which took place in the Trucial States, covering 1908-28, and how problems presented by the States stand at the time of writing.Covering:introduction – to the memorandum itself; Trucial Chiefs; administration; responsibility of political control by the Government of India; and political expenditure;internal History, 1908-28 – noting it is not to be repeated in this memorandum, but does include a section on an agreement concerning oil concessions;external developments affecting the Trucial Sheikhs, 1908-28 – the rise of Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] and activity of the Wahabis [Wahhabis]; the reassertion of Persian authority in the Persian Gulf, particularly Henjam; and Persia challenging the independence of Trucial Chiefs, particularly Tamb;It includes a summary detailing the problem of Ibn Saud and the Wahabi [Wahhabi] movement, the question of an Imperial air route along the north Arabian coast, and the importance of British influence in the Gulf. A list of points referred to in connection with the Persian Gulf Sub-Committee, and the view expressed by the Government of India are also given.Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 53, and terminates at f 56, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Bushire Residency correspondence, inwards and outwards. The correspondence is mainly concerned with the recovery of fines exacted against the rulers of the Trucial Coast. The reasons for the fines include breaching the maritime peace, abducting of slaves, and plundering of pearls. Topics include:Recovery of financial penalties levied for breach of maritime peace from various rulers on the Gulf coast including the Sharjah Chief; Himreeah [Hamriyah] Chief; Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh] Chief; Shaikh of Koomjar; Charrack. A table 'Return of Cash received from Shaikhs between 28th January and 17th February 1860' is given on folio 207;Joasmee [Qasimi] Chiefs dispute with the Sharkeeyeen [Sharqiyin] tribe at Dibba. The Joasmee chief Shaikh Sultan bin Saggar [Saqr] attempted to correspond with the Indian Government who referred him to the Resident in the Persian Gulf, Commander Felix Jones, who refuted his complaint;Commendations passed by Captain Felix Jones, Resident in the Persian Gulf, on Lieutenant Carpendale, Commander, Her Company's Corvette
Falklands, for recovery of fines from the Shaikhs of Sharjah and Himriyah;Correspondence directing the 'Aboothabee chief not to aid the Imaum of Oman against his brother, the Sohar Chief' (subject 14);Attack on Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] in 1856 (subject 18);Slave traffic connected with Joasmee Chief and East Coast of Oman.The correspondence is mainly in English except for the following letters in Arabic: f 152; copy of letter from Senior Officer to Shaikh Zaid bin Khalifah, Aboothabee (f. 177); copy of letter from Senior Officer to Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid of Oomulqawein [Umm al Qaywayn]; letter from Sheikh Sultan bin Saggar [Saqr] to Haji Yakoob (ff 179-180) ; Haji Ahmad (f. 181); Correspondents include: Commander Felix Jones, Resident in the Persian Gulf; Henry Lacon Anderson, Secretary to Government, Bombay; Commodore Griffith Jenkins, Commander, Persian Gulf Squadron; Hajee Yakoob, British Agent in Sharjah; rulers of Trucial Coast.Physical description: Foliation: Foliated with pencil number in top right front corner of each folio from front to back excluding covers and blank pages. Foliation anomalies: 1A,1B,1C,1D
Abstract: The volume contains copies of letters sent in 1849 by Major Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, mainly to Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay in the Political Department, Bombay Castle and to Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Farrant, British Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of the Shah of Persia, Tehran.In May and June 1849, Major Hennell undertook his annual tour of the Trucial Coast Sheikhdoms of the Persian Gulf, aboard the Honourable Company (HC) sloop of war
Elphinstone(folios 90-91, 93, 25, 201). During Hennell’s absence from the British Political Residency at Bushire, his official correspondence was carried out by Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, the Assistant Resident.The correspondence is predominantly political, discussing events in the Persian Gulf in terms of their significance for British foreign policy, relations and interests in the region. The main topics of discussion are: British suppression of piracy and slave trafficking in the Persian Gulf, relations between the Arab Maritime Chiefs of the Trucial Coast, the Imam of Muscat and the Ruler of Nedgd [Najd], relations between British and Persian authorities in Shiraz and Bushire.Many of the Resident’s letters to the Bombay Government refer to enclosures, the majority of which are present in the volume, including several documents dated 1848 and one document dated 1846 (folios 4-5). Among the enclosures are copies of the Resident’s Arabic and Persian correspondence with agents, officials and rulers. These are in the form of English translations only.MUSCAT: Khojeh Hiskael the British Government Native Agent at Muscat, Syed Soweynee [Sayyid Thuwayni bin Sa‘id Al Bu Sa‘id] the Governor of Muscat and the Imam of Muscat [Sa`id bin Sultan Al Sa‘id] correspond with the Resident about the importation of African slaves by sea from Zanzibar to Muscat; the contemplation of an attack on Bahrain by the Imam of Muscat at the request of Bahrain seceders; alleged aggressions against the territories of the Imam of Muscat by Sheikh Syf ben Humood [Sayyid Syf bin Ḥamūd Āl Bū Sa‘īd] and Sheikh Sultan ben Sugger [Sultan bin Saqr] of Rysulkhyma [Ras Al-Khaimah] (folios 131-135, 231-231).BAHRAIN: Hajee Jassem the British Government Native Agent at Bahrein and Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammed bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah] the Chief of Bahrein correspond with the Resident about piracy in Bahrein; the death in Muscat of ex-Chief of Bahrein Abdoollah ben Ahmed [‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah] on 6 March 1849; the restoration of peace in Bahrain following the settlement of Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa’s quarrel with Bahrain seceders and his reconciliation with rival tribal leaders; the plans of Ameer Fysul [Al Sa‘ud, Amir Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah] the Ruler of Nedgd [Najd] to recover possession of Brymee [Buraimi] and rebuild Adeed [Khor al-Udaid] (folios 6-9, 37-38, 48, 55-56, 60-61, 140-142, 170-171, 198-199, 260, 283-284).SHARJAH: Moollah Houssein the British Government Native Agent at Shargah forwards to the Resident a reply he has received from Sheikh Sultan ben Suggur of Rysulkhyma about the importation of African slaves into Shargah; he also sends several reports to the Resident about various matters, including the siege of Brymee and its eventual surrender by Sheikh Saeed ben Tahnoon [Said bin Tahnun Al Nahayan] the Chief of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] to the forces of Ameer Fysul the Ruler of Nedgd (folios 10-14, 19-21, 42-44, 52-53, 58, 154-157, 161-164, 166-168, 207-208).OMAN: Ameer Fysul the Ruler of Nedgd and the Shereef (Sharif) of Mecca correspond with the Resident about Sheikh Saeed Tahnoon's seizure and eventual surrender of Brymee (folios 27-28, 58-59, 164-165).SHIRAZ: Meerza (Mirza) Mahmood the British Government Native Agent at Shiraz sends several reports to the Resident about the gradual restoration of public order in Shiraz, following the arrival of Prince Bahram Meerza the new Governor of Fars, on 3 February 1848 (folios 14-17, 40-41, 89-90, 92).BUSHIRE: the Resident corresponds with Prince Bahram Meerza the Governor of Fars about excessive amounts of Persian import duty demanded from Bushire merchant Joseph Malcolm, for imported sugar landed at Bushire in a British merchant ship (folios 64-67, 78, 95-96, 227-228). The Resident also corresponds with Sheikh Nasir Khan the Governor of Bushire about a runaway slave belonging to a Persian subject, seeking refuge aboard a British merchant ship in the port of Bushire (folios 63-64, 193). There are also copies in English of petitions, hearing transcripts and witness statements, relating to two separate and formal investigations conducted by the Resident at Bushire into: the plundering of a shipwrecked Persian vessel in May 1848, including correspondence with Sheikh Syf ben Nubhan, Governor of Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] (folios 274-277); stolen goods passed to a Bushire merchant (folios 237-247).Physical description: The original volume cover and cover title no longer exist. The contents have been rebound in two volumes. An identical volume title, together with part number 1 or 2, is printed on the spine of both volumes.Foliation: the contents in the volume labelled Part 1, are numbered 1-67, 68, 68A, 69-148. The contents in the volume labelled Part 2, are numbered 149-300. Folio number 286 is blank. The numbering is written in pencil on the recto, in the top right corner and encircled. The cover and the two blank folios at the front and back of each volume are unnumbered. This is the main numbering system and should be used for referencing these two volumes.Pagination: the contents in the volume labelled Part 1 are also numbered 1-141, 142, 142a, 143-297. The contents in the volume labelled Part 2 are also numbered 298-570. The numbering is written in ink in the top right or left corner on the recto and verso respectively.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of political letters from the Government of Bombay to the Court of Directors of the East India Company. The enclosures to these letters are contained in the subsequent items. It is the first in a series of fifteen items on the Persian Gulf.The item concerns letters about the following events:Customs difficulties of a merchant under British protection in Bushire [Bushehr]Despatch of East India Company ships to convey officials connected with the commission for settling the boundary between Turkey [the Ottoman Empire] and Persia [Iran]The visit of Commodore John Porter, Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, to the Arabian CoastThe recent appearance of Suheil bin Ateish [Suhayl bin ‘Uṭaysh] near Bahrein [Bahrain], after he had allegedly captured a vessel from Bahrein with valuable cargoThe intention of Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd] to rebuild the town and fort of Adeed [Khawr al ‘Udayd]A dispute over the property of a deceased merchant and banker of MuscatAggression between Debaye [Dubai] and Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]Rumours of a planned attack by Muscat on Rasel Khyma [Ra’s al-Khaymah] and Debaye, and a planned expedition by Ameer Fysul against OmanThe recovery of Sohar [Suhar] by Syud Humood bin Azan [Sayyid Hamūd bin ‘Azzan al-Bu Sa‘idi] from his sonMoney taken from ‘piratical’ vessels which had plundered ships sailing under British colours being credited to the public treasury in IndiaA complaint to Hennell by Alla Rukhee, a woman from Lucknow, concerning her being defrauded at Kerballa [Karbala].The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft no 745 of 1850’, and ‘Collection No 5 in 15 volumes’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 4, and terminates at f 10 as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume contains copies of letters sent in 1847 by Major Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, mainly to Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay in the Political Department, Bombay Castle and also to Lieutenant Colonel Francis Farrant, British Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of the Shah of Persia, Tehran.In April and May 1847, Major Hennell undertook his annual tour of the Trucial Coast sheikhdoms on the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf, aboard the Honourable Company (HC) sloop of war
Elphinstone(folios 110-135). During Hennell’s absence from the British Political Residency at Bushire, his official correspondence was carried out by Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, the Assistant Resident (folios 90-109).The correspondence in the volume is predominantly political, reporting events in the Persian Gulf in terms of their significance for British foreign policy, relations and interests in the region. The main topics are the suppression of piracy and slave trafficking in the Persian Gulf and the monitoring of relations between the Arab Maritime Chiefs of the Trucial Coast. Many of the Resident’s letters to the Bombay Government refer to enclosures, several of which are present in the volume. These are mainly English translations of the Resident’s Arabic and Persian correspondence with agents, officials and rulers, including:Hussein Khan the Governor of Fars about piracy in the Persian ports of the Gulf, also a legal dispute at Bushire between a British protected person and Prince Timor Meerza (Mirza) over ownership of the private property and estate of a deceased Persian subject (folios 17-18, 94-97, 108-109);Chiefs of the Persian ports of Aseloo and Khirrak [Khārk] about their acts of piracy in the Province of Fars and on the island of Karrack [Khārk, Jazīreh-ye] (folios 113, 114, 200, 202);Chiefs of the Persian ports of Charrack [Khārk] and Mogoo about their naval warfare directly in the track of trading vessels between Turkish Arabia, Persia and India (folios 303-305);Moollah Houssein the British Government Native Agent at Shargah [Sharjah] reports the hostile actions of Shaikhs Saeed bin Tahnoon of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi], Syed Humood bin Azan of Sohar, Sultan bin Suggur of Rusul Khyma, Muktoom of Debaye [Dubai], Abdoollah bin Rashid of Amulgavine (folios 30-32, 64-67, 191-192, 234-236);Khojeh Hiskael the British Government Native Agent at Muscat reports the continuance of the African slave trade, especially by the inhabitants of Soor [Sūr], also an exchange of letters between the Resident and Syed Soweynee the Governor of Muscat, about the seizure of Muscat slave ships by the British naval force, under the terms of the Treaty between the British Government and the Imam of Muscat dated 2 October 1845 (folios 280-281, 312-313);Sheikh Mahomed bin Khuleefa the Chief of Bahrein and Shaikh Esai ben Tareef the Chief of Bidda exchange letters with the Resident following the outbreak of hostilities between them over the latter’s support for the renewed claims of Sheikh Abdoollah bin Ahmed the ex-Chief of Bahrein, for restoration of his vessels and possessions (folios 287-290);Hajee Jassem the British Government Native Agent at Bahrain reports the death of Shaikh Esai ben Tareef the Chief of Bidda in a battle between his forces and those of Shaikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa the Chief of Bahrein, the latter supported by troops sent by Ameer Fysul the Ruler of Nedgd (folios 307-309).Many personnel, financial and other administrative matters are also reported by the Resident to officials in other departments of the Government of Bombay. Included is a letter to the Paymaster of the Marine Battalion, Bombay, enclosing a list of names entitled ‘Roll of individuals belonging to the Marine Battalion and the amount to be paid to each or his heirs for the property plundered by the inhabitants of the Island of Kenn from the wreck of the “Emily” schooner in March 1845’ (folios 171-173, 193).Physical description: Foliation: the contents are numbered 2-241, 241A, 242-327 from the front to the back of the volume. The numbering is written in pencil on the recto, in the top right corner and encircled. The front cover of the volume is numbered 1. The inside of the back cover is numbered 351. Folios 2, 328-336 and 350 are blank.Pagination: the contents were originally numbered 1 to 652, from the front to the back of the volume. The numbering is written in ink in the top right or left corner of the recto and verso respectively.Condition: broken spine cover.
Abstract: The volume contains copies of letters sent by Captain Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, mainly to J P Willoughby, Secretary to the Government of Bombay, in 1844.The letters from the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to the British Government of Bombay often contain or enclose separately, copies of other pertinent correspondence received or sent by the Resident. These are mostly regular intelligence reports from the British Government Native Agents at Bahrain, Muscat and elsewhere and occasional letters from or to local Arab rulers about military conflict, maritime treaty infractions and dispute resolution. All copies of the Resident’s Arabic correspondence with native agents, ruling sheikhs and others are in the form of English translations, there are no Arabic originals or copies in the volume.The correspondence in the volume discusses events in the Persian Gulf in 1844, predominantly in relation to slavery, piracy, conflicts between the rulers and inhabitants of the Trucial Coast Sheikdoms, especially civil war in Bahrain and the implications for British foreign policy, relations and interests in the region. Typical contents include:Letters from the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to Captain Nott, Senior Indian Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant A Macdonald, Mr W H Litchfield commanding the Honourable Company schooner
Emilyand other British officers in the Persian Gulf Squadron, providing them with cruising instructions for their regular patrols of both the Arabian and Persian coasts of the Gulf (folios 4, 10-11 and others);Letters from the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to Colonel Justin Sheil, British Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of the Shah of Persia, about the building of new fortifications at Bushire by the Persian Government, investigations into the charges of maladministration made by local Persian authorities against Hajee Yacoob, the British Government Native Agent in charge of the British coal depot on Karrack [Kharg] Island and other matters relating to British relations with Persia (folios 5, 14, 24-28 and others);Letters from the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to J P Willoughby, Secretary to the Government of Bombay about his adherence to the British policy of non-interference in the civil war in Bahrain and enclosing English translations of his correspondence with ex-Sheikh Abdoollah bin Ahmed of Bahrain, requesting the help of the British Government to repossess Bahrain and Syed Soweynee, Governor of Muscat, requesting the approval of the British Government for his support to Sheikh Mahomed bin Khuleefa, the new defacto ruler of Bahrein (folios 5-8, 18-20 and others);Letters from the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to J P Willoughby, Secretary to the Government of Bombay about the results of further investigations into the suspicious circumstances surrounding the wrecked British merchant brig
Mary Mallaby, which ran aground at Bunder Abbass [Bandar Abbass] in July 1843 and enclosing English translations of letters from Khojah Reuben, British Government Native Agent at Muscat, reporting inquiries made of a witness to the behaviour of Mr W Fisher, the master of the
Mary Mallaby(folios 21-22 and others).Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 278, from the front to the back of the volume. A single loose item of correspondence has been numbered folio 157 and is folded into the spine between folios 156 and 158. The front cover of the volume is numbered folio 1. Two blank folios at the front of the volume are numbered folios 2 and 3. The numbering is written in pencil on the recto, in the top right corner and encircled. On the front cover, the folio number is written on the book label. The eight blank folios at the back of the volume are unnumbered.Pagination: numbered 1 to 525, from the front to the back of the volume. These numbers are written in ink, in the top right or left hand corner respectively. The letter A has been added to the number 306, in pencil. The number 306B has been added in pencil to the single loose item of correspondence folded into the spine between pages 306 and 307.Condition: the volume has a broken spine, damaged front cover, missing back cover and a torn label on the front cover. The two blank folios at the front of the volume are torn. There is also a tear in the margin of folio 147.
Abstract: The volume contains copies of letters sent in 1848 by Major Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, mainly to Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay in the Political Department, Bombay Castle and also to Lieutenant Colonel Francis Farrant, British Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of the Shah of Persia, Tehran. Several personnel, financial and other administrative matters are also reported by the Resident to British officials in various government departments in India.In May and June 1848, Major Hennell undertook his annual tour of the Trucial Coast Sheikhdoms on the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf, aboard the Honourable Company (HC) sloop of war
Cliveand successfully negotiated anti-slavery treaties with the Arab Maritime Chiefs (folios 72-91, 207-210, 222, 223). During Hennell’s absence from the British Political Residency at Bushire, his official correspondence was carried out by Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, the Assistant Resident.The correspondence in the volume is predominantly political, reporting events in the Persian Gulf in terms of their significance for British foreign policy, relations and interests in the region. There are two main topics of discussion. One is the British suppression of the African slave trade in the Persian Gulf and the eventual agreement of the Persian Government to apply the same prohibition to Persian subjects and ports of the Gulf, so that inhabitants of the Arabian coast could not use Persian vessels to evade the anti-slavery treaties between the British Government and the Arab Maritime Chiefs, recently concluded by Major Hennell. The other main topic is the changing alliances and frequent hostilities between the Arab Maritime Chiefs of the Trucial Coast, British concerns about the prospect of Ameer Fysul [Al Sa‘ud, Amir Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah], the Ruler of Nedgd [Najd] invading Oman and re-establishing his authority by military force.Many of the Resident’s letters to the Bombay Government refer to enclosures, several of which are present in the volume, including one document dated 1845 (folio 7). Among the enclosures are English translations of the Resident’s Arabic and Persian correspondence with agents, officials and rulers, mainly those in Muscat and Shargah [Sharjah].MUSCAT: Khojeh Hiskael the British Government Native Agent at Muscat and the Governor of Muscat, Syed Soweynee [Sayyid Thuwayni bin Sa‘id Al Bu Sa‘id] correspond with the Resident about the continuance of the African slave trade in Muscat by Persian vessels and the interpretation of the anti-slavery treaty between the British Government and the Imam of Muscat, signed at Zanzibar on 2 October 1845; the defeat of the forces of Ameer Fysul the ruler of Nedgd in Oman, by the forces of Syed Humood bin Azan [Sayyid Ḥamūd bin Azan Āl Bū Sa‘īd], the Chief of Sohar [Ṣuḥār], following the latter’s refusal to pay the annual tribute; the quelling of a rebellion at the port of Soor [Sur] by Syed Soweynee, the Governor of Muscat; the investigation of a complaint made by a bankrupt Muscat merchant against the British Agent at Muscat regarding his actions on behalf of British creditors and an interpretation of their rights under the commercial treaty between the British Government and the Imam of Muscat dated 31 May 1839; the recovery of customs duties irregularly demanded for British cargo aboard a ship temporarily detained at Muscat while on route from Bombay to Aden (folios 65, 116-118, 122, 163-164, 177-179, 194-195, 237-238).SHARJAH: Moollah Hussein the British Government Native Agent at Shargah and Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur [Sultan bin Saqr] the Chief of Rusul Khyma [Ras Al-khaimah] correspond with the Resident about the continuance of the African slave trade at Shargah and other Arabian ports by Persian vessels; the failed attempt to capture the Fort of Ejmaun by Shaikh Abdullah bin Sultan the Governor of Shargah, provoking the Shaikhs of Ejmaun [Ajman], Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn] and Debaye [Dubai] into alliance with Shaikh Saeed bin Tahnoon [Said ibn Tahnun Al Nahayan] of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]; the defeat of the forces of the Wahabee (Wahhabi) Agent Saad ben Mootluk at Brymee [Buraimi] in Oman by the combined forces of Shaikh Saeed bin Tahnoon the Chief of Aboothabee and Shaikh Syed Humood bin Azan the Chief of Sohar: the confederacy between Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur the Chief of Rusul Khyma, Shaikh Muktoom [Maktum] the Chief of Debai [Dubai] and the Wahabee Agent Saeed ben Mootluk to re-possess Brymee by force and re-establish the Wahabee authority of Ameer Fysul the ruler of Nedgd, in Oman (folios 47-49, 52-53, 62-64, 66-67, 134-138, 151-155, 185-189, 215-217, 227-228, 251-257, 270-272, 287-290).The Resident’s correspondence with Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Farrant, British Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of the Shah of Persia, Tehran includes English translations of the following documents:Reports from Sheikh Syf bin Nubhan the Governor of Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] about Persian aggressions against Bunder Abbas and other lands on the Persian coast of the Gulf, belonging to the Imam of Muscat (folios 42-45, 95-96, 111-114);Orders issued by the Governors of Fars and Persian Arabia, prohibiting the future importation by sea of African slaves into Persia (folios 142-143, 190-191, 247);Reports from Meerza (Mirza) Mahmood the British Government Native Agent at Shiraz about public unrest in Shiraz, following reports of the death of the Shah of Persia on 4 September 1848 (folios 29-30, 128-129, 198-199, 213, 218-220, 235-237, 261-263, 274-279).Physical description: Foliation: the contents are numbered 2 to 311, from the front to the back of the volume. The numbering is written in pencil on the recto,in the top right corner and encircled. Folios 305 to 311 are blank. At the back of the volume is a transparent polyester sleeve numbered 312 that contains the remnants of the broken volume spine. The front cover of the volume is numbered 1. The plain white board at the back of the volume is unnumbered. This is the main numbering system and should be used for referencing this volume.Pagination: the contents are also paginated from 1 to 585. The numbering is written in ink, in the top right hand corner of the page. The page numbers 1 to 4 are no longer visible, because the right hand edge of the page is torn and missing.Condition: broken front cover (folio 1), two torn pages (folios 2-3), one tear at the bottom edge of the paper (folio 188), broken, detached spine cover (folio 312), missing back cover.