Abstract: Letter instructing Captain Warner to hand over mail on arrival at Bushire to the Uncovenanted Assistant Resident (James Charles Edwards) and to remain there until 5 March 1865 when he should travel to Bahrain and communicate with Ajair [Al Uqayr] to see if any letters have arrived there from Pelly in the interior of Nejd [Najd], and then await Pelly's arrval at Bahrein before sending a craft to Ajair creek on 18 March 1865 to collect him.The letter goes on to provide details of arrangements for caring for his horses, and to thank him for loaning him Lieutenant Edwin Dawes for his journey and for the instruments which will enable him to take observations and bearings en route to Riyadh.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: Draft letter to the Political Department, Bombay in continuation of his letter of 21 January 1865 (folios twenty to twenty-one). giving further information on the particulars of the dispute between Muscat and the Wahabees [Wahhabi] and confirming the information he has already provided in the previous letter.Pelly also queries the instructions issued to him by Government which appear to disagree with the treaties signed by the Sultan of Muscat in 1798 and 1864 and informing the Government that peace has been restored following the Sultan of Muscat's decision to pay off the Wahabee's.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: Letter in response to No. 3933 of 1864 (folio nineteen) reporting on the differences, as Pelly sees them, between the Sultan of Muskat [Muscat] (Thuwaini bin Said) and the Sultan of the Wahabees [Wahhabi] (Faisal ibn Turki Al-Sa'ud].The letter also outlines what Pelly believes to be the full story behind the dispute between the two peoples and the potential impact he believes the various outcomes and actions could have on the whole of the Persian Gulf region.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: Letter requesting that Ahmed accompany Captain Warner on the Residency Steamer to Bahrein [Bahrain], and on arrival communicate with the Sheikh [Muhammad bin Khalifah Al-Khalifah], including handing him an enclosed letter in Arabic.The letter goes on to instruct that Ahmed use his stay in Bahrein to gather information, with names of places, rivers etc, on the adjacent mainland to Bahrain and the province of Nejd [Najd] and to write a report on his findings, as well as collecting information on Pearl Fishing in the area.The second half of the letter (on the recto of folio eleven) has been crossed through and a pencil letter, possibly intended as a replacement for the crossed through section, has been given on the verso of folio eleven:Pencil letter regarding Pelly's expected date of arrival from the interior of Nejd and making arrangements to travel to Bahrein, including requesting either horses, donkeys or ponies from Shaikh Ali bin Khalifah Al-Khalifah and instructing him to inform the villagers of his intended visit.On the verso of folio twelve is a letter in Arabic, which is most likely the enclosed letter for Shaikh Muhammad bin Khalifah Al'Khalifah, referred to in Pelly's letter. On the recto of folio eleven is an Arabic ink stamp seal.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: Letter informing Pelly that the Government of Bombay concurs with his opinions on the differences betwen the Sultan of Muscat and the Sultan of the Wahabees [Wahhabi] and informing him that he may communicate personally with the Sultan of Muscat on the matter en route to Bombay.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Letter in Arabic, with an English translation on the verso, of a letter from Faysul ibn Torky Al Saood [Faisal ibn Turki Al Sa-ud] sent 2 Ramathan [Ramadhan] 1281 (29 or 30 January 1865) and received by Lewis Pelly 7 February 1865 informing Pelly that he may come on to Riyadh from 'the Sirkar' and that he will be treated with hospitality along the way.The Arabic letter contains an ink seal, most likely belonging to Amir Faisal.A draft copy of the translation to the letter, with corrections, is given on folio eight. This letter is a reply to the letter at folio two.Physical description: The paper contains a watermark.
Abstract: Letter making arrangements for any mail addressed to Pelly to accompany Captain Henry W Warner to Bahrain, and requesting two sowars and mounds of barley and grain.The letter goes on to request that his rooms are cleaned thoroughly during his absence and that Hajee [Haji] Ahmed translate various papers relating to Bahrain; makes arrangements for the care of a little horse that was being sent to Bushire by steamer; and re-affirms the arrangements for sending and receiving mail.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Letter regarding Pelly's departure for Riyath [Riyadh] and providing sailing instructions for Captain Henry W Warner.The letter goes on to provide detailed instructions regarding the cleaning of his rooms in preparation for his return and on the packaging of some pistols which are gifts from the Government of Bombay.The letter also refers to some enclosed letters (no longer there) which need to be produced as fair copies for Bombay and requests additional copies for his own information if there is time.Parts of this letter are very similar to the first few paragraphs of the letter at folio 10.Physical description: Condition: The top of both folios has some minor damage caused by insects.
Abstract: Letter requesting a copy of his demi-official letter to Sir Bartle Frere on proceedings in Russia to be ready on his return to Bushire; regarding the accounts of the Residency Library; and making correspondence arrangements including details of who to write to him via in Koweit [Kuwait] and what to do with mail received for him in his absence.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Letter, in Arabic and English, informing Pelly that the bearer of the letter, Abdool Assis Ben Assass [Abdul Aziz bin Aziz], will be his guide into the interior of Nejd if Pelly is still willing to employ him.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Brief notes written by Lewis Pelly, recording the lack of evidence of any practice of ceremonies based on sun or fire worship but highlighting some of the peoples in the region of Al Yamama [Al Yamāmah] who have names relating to the moon and stars.Enclosed with the notes is a report (folios 50-61) regarding the Selaib [Sebaih] tribe (of Qatif) and containing details of how the tribe got their name; how they commemorate festivals; their lack of ritual in relation to the burial of the dead; and their religious faith and beliefs.Physical description: 14 folios
Abstract: Memorandum regarding the diet of Bedouins in the interior of Nejd [Najd] and contrasting it with that of those in coastal areas.The memorandum focuses primarily on camel's milk, including the Bedouins' dependence on it during spring and its nourishing properties for both horses and goats.The memorandum goes on to discuss the tobaccos and other substances smoked by the Bedouins' where their pipes are purchases from, and the differing reactions to Bedouins smoking depending on where they are from.The memorandum itself is undated, however the information contained within it was most likely acquired by Lewis Pelly during his stay in Kuwait and subsequent visit to Riyadh January to March 1865.Physical description: 1 folio