Abstract: The item consists of copy extracts of Political Letters from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dating from 12 November 1845-3 August 1846. Enclosures to these letters can be found at: IOR/F/4/2157/103839; IOR/F/4/2157/103840; IOR/F/4/2157/103841; IOR/F/4/2157/103842; IOR/F/4/2157/103843; IOR/F/4/2157/103844; IOR/F/4/2157/103845; IOR/F/4/2157/103846; IOR/F/4/2157/103847; and IOR/F/4/2157/103848.The letters relate to attempts by the British government to suppress the ‘slave trade’ [trade in enslaved people] in the Persian Gulf and include mention of:Agreements with Saeed Saeed Bin Sultan, Imaum of Muscat [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd, Imam of Muscat], with attention given especially to the agreements’ translationsAgreements with the rulers of: Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]; Debaye [Dubai]; Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn]; and Ras-el Khyma [Ra’s al-Khaymah]Specific incidents related to the ‘slave trade’Suggestions by Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, for suppressing the trade.The margins of these letters contain extracts from letters sent to the Government of Bombay from the Court of Directors, dating from 17 April 1844-16 April 1845.The item also contains copy of a letter from the Commissioners for the Affairs of India [Board of Control] to the Court of Directors, dated 8 September 1846, which relates to the above subjects. This letter includes:A copy of the agreement made between the British government and the Imaum of Muscat, 2 October 1844 (ff 800-803)A copy of the instructions for commanders of Her Majesty’s ships for enforcing the terms of the above agreement (ff 804-805)A copy of a letter from Lord Palmerston, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to HM envoys at Teheran [Tehran] and Constantinople [Istanbul], 31 August 1846, regarding Hennell’s suggestions (ff 806-808).The item also contains copy of a letter from Henry Unwin Addington, Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, dated 3 September 1846, which also relates to the above subjects.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5410, Draft 786/46’, ‘Collection’, ‘Vol: 1’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 774, and terminates at f 811, 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 account gives details of the route taken through Lingah [Bandar-e-Lengeh], Kishm [Qeshm] and Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas] , and provides geographic information on the areas travelled through, information on the peoples inhabiting the areas and information on local trades with particular focus on mining for Salt, Nahptha, Sulphur and Red Ochre.Physical description: 7 folios
Abstract: The statement contrasts the information provided for the years 1826 and 1831.Physical description: The item has been foliated in the front top right corner of the page with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: The sketch map shows the rough boundaries and areas of responsibility of the seven principal groups of tribes and peoples living around the coast of the Gulf as given in Lewis Pelly's report No.67 of 13 April 1863.The map was lithographed in the Quarter Master General's Office in Poona, India on 02 June 1863.Physical description: The map has been foliated in the top right corner of the folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: Order issued by the British Minister at Tehran, Charles Alison, instructing Pelly to return to India overland from Persia through Afghanistan.The letter instructs Pelly on the British Government's preferred route for him through Meshed [Mashhad], Herat and Cabul [Kabul], weather permitting, and encloses fowling pieces and pistols to be presented as gifts Sultan Ahmed Khan [Soltan Ahmad Khan] of Herat and correspondence and friendly assurances to be given on behalf of the British Government to Dost Mahomed Khan [Dost Mohammad Khan] of Cabul.The letter also instructs Pelly to gather reliable information on the Persian expedition to Mero [Marv], and in particular on the state of the Persian Army as well as asking for any practicable information he can obtain on the condition and prospects of Aghanistan as he is passing through it.Alongside the instructions for him when visiting Cabul is a paragraph written in pencil which appears to be a brief outline of the mission order translated into Persian.Physical description: Foliation: This file has been foliated in the front top right hand corner of each page 1-6, with the folio number in pencil enclosed in a circle
Abstract: The papers relate primarily to the Royal Geographical Society who published Pelly's account of his journey to Riyadh and invited him to submit a talk to be read on his behalf at a Society event.There is also correspondence relating to the botanical specimens collected during the expedition and an article on Wahabism, the sect of Islam followed by the Najd tribes.Physical description: Foliation: The papers have been foliated in the front top right corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
Abstract: Political Department report No. 67 of 1863 from Lewis Pelly to the Chief Secretary to Government, Bombay, giving specific details based on his personal observation and hearsay concerning the tribes, trade and resources of the Gulf littoral which are divided into seven areas according to political administration. The report also includes statements of Imports and Exports for the region, a Sketch map and statements relating to the activities at Joasmee [Qasimi] Ports covering various dates ranging from 1826 to 1864.Physical description: Foliation: File foliated in the front top right corner of each page with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.
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: 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: 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