Abstract: This volume is the Diary and Consultation Book of Thomas Waters, 'Supravisor' of the East India Company's activities in Persia and the Persian Gulf. The volume contains diary entries and consultations held at Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] including: a consultation with William Henry Draper and John Fothringham, following the arrival of the
Fort St GeorgeGalley, about the ‘utmost disorder’ prevailing in the Company’s business; the arrival of a vessel supposedly belonging to the Imaum of Muscatt [Imam of Muscat, Muhammad bin Nasir al-Ghafiri], under the command of Noquedah Shaik Mahmud Ben Jessas [Nakhuda Shaikh Mahmud bin Jassas], the instructions provided to Captain Walley Echelin to keep the
Fort St Georgein a ‘posture of Defence’, and a request from the Governor of Gombroon for the Galley to prevent a ‘Moor Ship' from being captured by Nakhuda bin Jassas; the ‘advices’ to be carried by the
Futtacadarin[Futuh al-Qadirin] to the Presidency of Bombay, and those to Owen Phillipps at Spahaun [Isfahan] on the remittance of the ‘whole Amo[un]t of their Arrears’; a proposal for William Cordeaux to be ‘call’d in to take his place at the [Gombroon] Board, the balance due to Kessourjee [the] Broker [Kisurji Dallal Hindi], ‘remains of goods in Warehouses belonging to the H[onourable] Comp[any]’, ‘Publick Papers & Registers being now dispos’d in good Order’, and the ‘Rogums [Ruqum or Raqams: royal grants confirming specific trading privileges] found among the old Papers in the Office’; a List of ‘Rogums granted [to] the Hon[oura]ble East India Company by the Kings of Persia’ (1635-1714); The List of ‘Authentick Coppys’ of Ruqum granted to the Company by the Kings of Persia (1677-1726); the Register of ‘Sundry Books and Papers remaining in the Factory at Gombroon’, including the ‘Gombroon Journalls & Ledgers’ (1700-25), ‘Spahaun Journalls and Ledgers’ (1700-07/8, 1716-20, 1721-22), ‘Bussorah [Basra] Journalls & Legers’ (1723-25), ‘Gombroon Consultations & Diarys’ (1698-1726), ‘Spahaun Consultations & Diarys’ (1712-22), ‘Bussorah Consultations & Diarys’ (1723-24), ‘Letters Inwards & Outwards’ (1616-1726), ‘Invoice & Freight Books’ (1705-26), and ‘Broker’s Acco[un]ts with H[onourable] Company’ (1722-26); the perceived decline of Gombroon and diversion of its trade to Bassidore [Basa‘idu], ‘occasion’d through the Artifices and Crafty management of Shaik Rachide’ [Shaikh Rashid bin Matar al-Qasimi]; the Prince Sultan Mahmud Mirza [Sultan Muhammad Mirza Safavi’s] design of ‘raising forces against the Ophgoons’ [Afghans]; a request from the Supravisor to Shaikh Rashid to return the ‘Tranky’ hired by Cordeaux; the revolt of the Province of Jarroon [Jahrum] and closure of the trade routes to Shyrash [Shiraz]; a report from Lhor [Lar] that the Ophgoons had made ‘two attempts on the Turks lying before Spahaun’; the news that Shaw Achmat [Shah Ahmad Khan Mar‘ashi Safavi] has ‘got a few forces together’; the return of Mirza Zeid Alley [Mirza Zahid ‘Ali Lari] as Shawbunder [Shahbandar] of Gombroon; the delayed departure of the Galley for the ‘Mocha Service’; the request of William Brewer to the Supravisor for permission to return to Bombay with the Galley; the charges against Captain Forbes and the ‘withdrawal’ of the English Factory from Bussorah as related in the 'Bussorah Diary'; the delivery by Isaac Houssaye of the ‘Books of Acco[un]ts [and] Papers of Publick Registers’ and the ‘Invoice of Treasure’ on board the
Victoria; the presentation by the Dutch East India Company of the ‘Bills drawn by the Gentlemen at Spahaun’; a letter from Dr Arthur Forbes to the Supravisor on the ‘Chest of Physick’ that came by the Galley; the demand of Governor Mirza Mahmud Salley Beg [Mirza Muhammad Zal Beg] from the Supravisor, on behalf of Sultan Mahmud Mirza, of goods belonging to Mirza Zeid Alley; the charges brought by Isaac Houssaye and William May against Captain Martin French; the departure of the
Good Neighbourunder the command of Master James Ford for Bombay, and the present sent to 'Cojee Salim [Haji Salim] Governor of a Village in ye Road to Carmania’; the arrival of the Brigantine
Princecommanded by Master John Garland from Bengall [Bengal]; the reports that Shaw Ashoph(e) [Shah Ashraf Ghilza’i] had ‘intirely routed’ the Turks outside Isfahan; the answer of Martin French to the charges of Houssaye and May; the march of Shaw Thomas [Shah Tahmasb II Safavi] against Shaw Achmat with 30,000 men; the order for the suspension of Martin French and his removal as ‘one of ye Councill in the Gulph’; a report from the Noquedah of a ‘Small Dingee’ about an English ship cast away off Muscatt Harbour; the arrival of the Tellicherry Grab with a ‘Gruff Cargoe & a few Bengall Peice Goods’; the dispatch of letters to Mr Williamson, Mr Veitch and Captain West with the Frigate
Deane;a letter from the Governor of Lhor conveying ‘ye regard he has for the English Nation’, and enclosing a letter by ‘Shah Ashophe from Spahaun relating to the Engagement he had with the Turks’; the permission for French to travel to Bussorah to signal resentment at the ‘ill usage’ of the Company; the arrival of the boatswain of the
Marygold, confirming the news about the English ship cast away at Muscatt; the ‘Gen[era]l advices’ passed on to the
Ballsby the
Britanniaat a meeting near Bombay; the arrival of the
Britanniaunder Captain John Benson, after having captured a Grab from Muscatt, making it necessary to induce ‘ye Imaum to believe We are not Aggressors & prevent any ill Consequences’; a remonstrance with ‘Abde Rahman Bashaw [Abd al-Rahman Pasha] of Bussorah’; the withdrawal of protection from Cossum the Wool Merchant [Qasim Beg Tajir Kermani]; the remonstrance with Mahomet Eman Caun, Athamdoulet [Muhammad Amin Khan, I’timad al-Dawlah]; a resolution requiring Houssaye’s compliance with an order for the repayment of 150,100 Shahis; a letter from the Supravisor to the Imaum of Muscatt, ‘concerning his Vessels [
Futtehoyand
Sabahoy Cayree, i.e.
Fattahiand
Sabahal-Khayri]’, and the arrival of the
Jamesunder command of Captain Bizell [Charles Bissell] en route to Bussorah.Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 43; 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.
Abstract: The volume is in the form of a diary, which contains records of consultations at the Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] Factory. The Chief Agent, Alexander Douglas, and occasionally, the Factory's Council members William Nash and Dymoke Lyster, headed the consultations. They recorded the daily activities, the administrative decisions made, letters sent and received, and the significant political and military operations in the region.Among the main details and issues recorded in the diary are the following:The French seizing the East India Company's ship
SpeedwellReports of the country people attacking the FactoryNews of Shaik Rama [Raḥmah bin Maṭar al-Qāsimī, Shaikh of Julfār, also written as Rama and Rammah] of Julfar [Julfār in what is now Ra's al Khaymah, also written as Gulfar] seizing the effects of Moolah Ally Shaw [Mulla Ali Shah] in Ormuse [[Jazīreh-ye Hormoz, Hormuz, Ormuz, also written as Ormus]The enmity between Carem Caun [Karīm Khān Zand, Vakil of Persia, also written as Carim] and Nasseir Caun [Nāṣir Khān Āl Mazkūr, Shaikh of Būshehr, ruled 1162-1203/c 1749-1788]The Imaum [Imam] of Muscat [also written as Muskatt] trying to entice the French ships ashore either at Muscat or BourkaRecords of the activities of French and Dutch vesselsNasseir Caun sending his brother Jaffar Caun [Ja‘afar Khān] to Afseen [Afsin] to build a fort thereRecords of military engagement between Dutch and English shipsCorrespondence with William Hutchinson, Captain of the ship
Godolphinregarding sailing ordersThe Benimine [Banu Mu‘in] and Charrack Arabs' [Al-'Ali, based at Charrack, modern (Bandar) Charak] confrontation with the Haram and Julfar Arabs over the Island of Kishme [Qishm, Qeshm]Records of a battle at Nandervash [Vandavasi or Wandiwash, south-west India] between French and English forcesThe arrival of wool from Cermina [Kerman, also written as Carmenia]Records of letters received from the Linguist (i.e. interpreter) at Carmenia advising on the amount of wool sent and the billsAccounts of damaged cloth delivered out of the Company's warehouseThe Agent visiting the Cutwal [Kutwal from Persian, means the chief of a fort] of Ormuse castleThe engagement between Nasseir Caun’s troops and the Julfar Arabs at Linga [Bandar-e Lengeh]Letters exchanged between the Factory Agent and the President and Governor-in-Council at Bombay, and Council MembersThe President and Governor-in-Council at Bombay, Richard Bourchier resigning from his post, and Charles Crommelin taking overRecords of the work of the Committee of AccountsThe Bombay Council correspondence with the King of Siam regarding ship
Northumberlandwhich had been seized by his peopleLetters exchanged between the Resident at Bussorah [Basra, also written as Bossarah], William Shaw, and the Factory at GombroonRecords of events taking place in Bussorah and Bagdat [Baghdad]William Shaw’s visit to the Bashaw [Pasha] of Bagdat and the good relations paved between the twoThe delivery of packets to the Court of Directors via Aleppo and Stambole [Istanbul].The diary includes records of the arrival and departure of ships, including the
Dragon, the
Welcome, the
Godolphin, the
Swallow, the
Fort William, the
Royal George, the
Duke of Dorset, the
Drake, the
Calcutta, the
Monmouth, the
Roumaniaand the
Fuzeraboony.Ships sailed mainly to and from Gombroon, Bombay, Bussorah, Bengall [Bengal], Surat, Muscat, Bushier [Būshehr], and Ormuse.The diary includes abstracts of the standard account disbursements for each month. These cover the following: table expenses, garrison charges, house repairs, the Afseen Garden, merchandised charges, extraordinary charges, servants' wages, ships' charges, and hospital charges.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 57; 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 cover.Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume is in the form of a diary, which contains records of consultations at the Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] Factory. The Chief Agent, Alexander Douglas, and the Factory's Council members John Parsons and Nathaniel Pomfret headed the consultations. They recorded the daily activities, the administrative decisions made, letters sent and received, as well as visits to and from the Factory. Records of significant political and military operations in the region are also preserved.Among the main details and issues recorded in the diary are the following:Records of the East India Company's (EIC's) cash, staff salaries, and invoicesRecords of letters to commanders of the EIC's ships along with sailing ordersRecords of the activities of French and Dutch vesselsRecords of traded commodities such as woollen goods, wood, broad cloth, sugar, candy, iron, spices, lead, tin, and carpetsRecords of the amounts of wool arriving from Carmenia [Kerman]Records of letters received from the Linguist (i.e. interpreter) at Carmenia advising on the amount of wool sent and the billsNews of the death of George Forbes, the Factory's Surgeon, in October 1755News of the death of Factory member, John Parsons, in December 1755, and the appointment of Nathaniel Pomfret [also written Pomfrett] in his place.The diary includes records and news of inland military operations. The main governors and military officers conducting the operations are: Ahmed Shaw [Ahmad Shah Afghan Dorrani, also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali ruled 1747-1772]; Sharrook Caun [Shāhrokh Mīrzā Afshār, c 1734-1796, Governor of Kerman, also written as Shawrook and Sharroock]; Carem Caun [Karīm Khān Zand, Vakil of Persia]; Azad Caun [Āzād Khān Ghilza'ī, d 1782, Beglerbeg of Azarbāijān]; Nasseir Caun [Nāsir Khān Āl Mazkūr, Shaikh of Būshehr, ruled 1162-1203/c 1749-1788]; Hossan Caun Cadjar [Muhammad Hasan Khan Qajar, also written as Hossain]; Ally Caun Shahesamon [‘Ali Khan Shahsevan Baghdadi, one of Karim Khan's officers, also written as Shahesamand, and Shahesaman]; Shaik Hattem [Shaikh Hatim bin Jubbarah al-Nasuri, an Arab Shaikh based at Lar]; Moolah Abdul Carem Guialadary (Mulla Abd al-Karim Gallahdari, also written as Gualadory]; Zamoun Caun Ophgoon [Zaman Khan Afghan, one of Ahmed Shah's officers]; Goulam Shaw Caun [Ghulam Shah Khan, one of Ahmed Shah's officers]; Moolah Ally Shaw [Mulla Ali Shah, fl 1740-1760, the Governor of Gombroon]; Shaik Rama of Julfar [Raḥmah bin Maṭar al-Qāsimī, Shaikh of Julfār]; Mahomet Raza Caun [Muhammad Reza Khan]; Fattally Caun [Fath Ali Khan]; and Mahomet Caun Zand [Muhammad Khan Zand].The main regions involved in the military campaigns are: Lhar [Lar, also written as Lhor], Spahaun [Eṣfahān], Casbin [Qazvin, also written Cazbin], Yazd, Hodjebaud [Haji Abad, also written Hodjeabaud], Tarroun [Tehran], Ahmadabaud [Ahmad Abad], Tabreez [Tabriz], Corasoon [Khorasan, also written as Carasoon], Mushad [Mashhad], Casshoun [Kashan], Rasht, Roumia [Rumiyyah], Guirmassir [Garmsir, also written as Guiarmassir, and Garmassir], Mesandroon [Mazandaran], Shyrash [Shiraz, also written as Shirash], Fars [also written as Farse], Sistan, Nessabour [Nishapur], and the Island of Kishme [Qishm, Qeshm].The diary includes records of letters exchanged between the Factory and members of the Council of Bombay. The letters cover the situation of affairs in the region, the Act of Parliament related to officers and soldiers in the service of the Company, and a copy of sundry paragraphs (folios 29-44) of the Company’s commands on the ship
Dragonrelated to the Gombroon Factory.Another group of letters recorded in the diary are the ones exchanged with William Shaw, Resident at Bussorah [Basra, also written as Bussora] and with Francis Wood, the Resident at Bunderick [Bandar-e-Rīg, also written as Bunder Reek and Bundreek]. The former contain information on the state of affairs at Bussorah, and Bagdad [Baghdad, also written as Bagdat], the cash received, the packets dispatched to the British Consulate at Aleppo, the Dutch activities, relations with the Turks [Ottomans], in addition to a detailed narrative of Mr Shaw's dispute with the Mussaleem [Mutasallim] of Bussorah, (folios 60-66v). The letters exchanged with the Bunderick Resident contain information on the following: the state of affairs at Bunderick and Carack [Bandar-e Chārak], relations with Meer Hossain [Mir Husayn bin Nasir al-Zu‘abi, Governor of Bunderick, also written as Hossan], the establishment of a factory there, relations with the Chief of the Dutch Factory, and the dispute with Meer Maanna [Mir Muhanna bin Nasir al-Zu‘abi, also written as Manna, brother of Meer Hossain].The diary includes records of the arrival and departure of ships, including the
Experiment Snow, the
Neptunegalley, the
Success, the
Pasteronia, the
Prince George, the
Prince Edward, the
Cawdery, the
WarrenKetch, the
Houghton, the
Fezraboony[Fayz Rabbani], the
Bridgewater, the
Swallow, the
Ally Racky, the
Countryketch, and the
Stretham.The ships sailed mainly to and from Gombroon, Bombay, Bussorah, Bunderick, Bengal [also written as Bengall], Surat, Cochin, Carack, Batavia [Jakarta], Busshire [Būshehr, also written Bussheir, Busshire] and Ormuse [Jazīreh-ye Hormoz, Hormuz, Ormuz].The diary includes abstracts of the standard account disbursements for each month. These cover the following: table expenses, garrison charges, the Afseen [Afsin] Garden, merchandised charges, extraordinary charges, stable charges, servants' wages, ships' charges, and factory repairs.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 90; 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.
Abstract: The volume is in the form of a diary, which contains records of consultations at the Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] Factory. The Chief Agent, Alexander Douglas, and the Factory's Council member Dymoke Lyster, headed the consultations. They recorded the daily activities, the administrative decisions made, letters sent and received, as well as visits to and from the Factory. Records of significant political and military operations in the region are also preserved.Among the main details and issues recorded in the diary are the following:Reports of the enmity between Carem Caun [Karīm Khān Zand, Vakil of Persia, also written as Carim] and Nasseir Caun [Nāsir Khān Āl Mazkūr, Shaikh of Būshehr, ruled 1162-1203/c 1749-1788]The Imaum of Muscat's [Imam of Muscat, also written as Muscatt] assisting Nasseir Caun and the Benimine [Banu Mu‘in, also written Benime] and Charrack Arabs [Al-‘Ali, based at Charrack, modern (Bandar) Charak] in their wars with the Arabs of Julfar [Julfār, in what is now Ra's al Khaymah]Exchange of letters between the Agent, and the President and Governor-in-Council at Bombay, Charles CrommelinRecords of the activities of French and Dutch vesselsThe arrival of wool from Carmenia, [Kerman, also written as Cermina]Records of letters received from the Linguist (i.e. interpreter) at CarmeniaRumours of Sharrook Caun [Shāhrokh Mīrzā Afshār, c 1734-1796, Governor of Kerman] being killed during the siege of Bahabad [?] in October 1760Reports of engagement between Shaik Ally Caun (Shaikh Ali Khān Zand, Sardar = one of Carem Caun's generals) and the joint troops of Fattally Caun [Fath Ali Khān Afshar, General] and Azad Caun [Āzād Khān Ghilza'ī, Beglerbeg of Azarbāijān]Reports of plague spreading among Carem Caun’s troops in Tauroun [Tehran, also written as Tairoun]Accounts of damaged cloth delivered out of the Company’s warehouseCommunication with Jaffar Caun [Ja‘afar Khān Āl Mazkūr, Governor of Gombroon and brother of Nāsir Khān]Communication with Saddock/ Sadduck Caun of Schyrash [Sadiq Khān Zand, Governor of Shiraz, and brother of Karīm Khān] to protect the LinguistNews of the
Drakeand the
Swallowbeing detained at Bussorah [Basra, also written as Bossarah]The removal of William Shaw from the charge of the Bussorah ResidencyCopies of the Committee of Accounts' remarks on the Gombroon accounts, particularly regarding the table expensesThe Imaum of Muscat meeting with Shaik Rached [Rashid bin Matar, also written Rachid] of JulfarNews of the victory of Hossein Caun Cajar [Moḥammad Ḥasan Khān Qājār, Governor of Astarabad] over the troops of Carem Caun at Mazandroon [Mazandaran]News of tribal conflict at Kishme [Qishm, Qeshm]Reports of the scarcity of water at Ormuse [Jazīreh-ye Hormoz, Hormuz, Ormuz, also written as Ormus], and the Bennimine Arabs moving to reside at GombroonReports of the activities of Shaik Ramah [Raḥmah bin Maṭar al-Qāsimī, Shaikh of Julfār]Reports of Carem Caun putting the people of Arratt [Herat], and Paschavar [Peshawar] to his obedience.The diary includes records of letters exchanged between the Resident at Bussorah, William Shaw, and the Factory covering the following: details of events taking place at Bussorah and Bagdat [Baghdad]; trade with the Bashaw of Bagdat [Pasha of Baghdad]; and the delivery of packets to the Court of Directors via Aleppo and via Stambole [Istanbul].The diary also includes records of the arrival and departure of ships, including the
Fezraboony(also written as
Fuzerabooni), the
Roumania, the
Monmouth, the
Godolphin, the
Stormont, the
Prince Edward, the
Rose Galley, and the
Fort William.Ships sailed mainly to and from Gombroon, Bombay, Bussorah, Bengall [Bengal], Muscat, Charrack, Madrass [Madras], Island of Kishme, the Mallabar Coast [Malabar], Judah [Jeddah], Ormus, Busshiere [Būshehr], Bassidore [Bāsaʻīdū], Batavia [Jakarta], and England.The diary was received on board the
Swallowon 31 January 1762.The diary includes abstracts of the standard account disbursements for each month. These cover the following: garrison charges, hospital charges, table expenses, merchandised charges, the Afseen [Afsin] Garden, extraordinary charges, servants' wages, and ships' charges.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 72; 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.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume is in the form of a diary, which contains records of consultations at the Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] Factory. The Chief Agent, Alexander Douglas, and the Factory's Council member Dymoke Lyster headed the consultations. They recorded the daily activities, the administrative decisions made, and letters sent and received. Records of significant political and military operations in the region are also preserved. Folios 2-4 are mistakenly dated 2-3 December 1762, considering how the diary is dated from folio 5 onward, the correct date of folios 2-4 should have been 2-3 December 1761.The diary contains records of letters, sundry interrogatories and testimonies between the Factory and the Bussorah [Basra] Residency Staff members regarding the following: the dismissal of William Shaw and Robert Garden from the charge of the Residency; the delivering over the charge of the Residency and all 'merchandize' books, papers and cash belonging to the Company; the case of the contract between Mr Shaw and a contractor called Hadjee Eusuph [Haji Yusuf]; the state of affairs at Bussorah; the Company's packets to be sent via Bagdat [Baghdad] to Aleppo; the woollen goods supplied to Bussorah market; the trade with the Turks; the status of the roads and the activities of the Arab tribes between Bagdat and Aleppo; managing the estates of the late Bussorah Residents Martin French and James Stuart, respectively; the activities of the Turkish governors in the region; and relations with local merchants.The diary includes records of letters exchanged with the Court of Directors for Affairs of the East India Company at Bombay [Mumbai], and sundry paragraphs received from Bombay and details of their contents including: news of the death of King George II, in October 1760, and the proclamation of George III as the King of Great Britain, France and Ireland; news of the formation of a Presidency at Fort Marlborough, and the names of its Council members; notes on the prohibition of ophium [opium] import upon the west coast of Summatra [Sumatra] and Gombroon; the case of wounded soldiers from Bengall [Bengal]; records of the names and positions of dismissed and appointed staff at the Company's councils; discussing accounts books received from Gombroon; and records of the cash accounts and balance.The diary also includes records of the state of affairs and military operations in a number of provinces in Persia including: Carmenia [Kerman], Assehannon [probably al-Sana south of Būshehr, also written as Aschannon, and Acchannon], Schyrash [Shiraz], Tairun [Tehran, also written as Tarroun], Spahaun [Eṣfahān], Yazd, Kaderabaud [Qaderabad and Qadirabad], Taberez [Tabriz], and Carazoon [Khorāsān]. Among the governors and families involved in the operations are: Carem Caun [Karīm Khān Zand, Vakil of Persia, also written as Carim], Sadduek Caun [Sadiq Khān Zand, Governor of Shiraz, and brother of Karīm Khān], Ahmet Shaw [Ahmad Shah Afghan Dorrani, known as Ahmad Shah Abdali r 1747-1772], Fatally Caun [Fath Ali Khān Afshar, Persian Military General], Moolah Ally Shaw [Mulla Ali Shah], Nassir Caun [Nāsir Khān Āl Mazkūr, Shaikh of Būshehr, ruled 1162-1203/c 1749-1788], Jaffer Caun [Ja‘afar Khān Āl Mazkūr, Governor of Gombroon and brother of Nāsir Khān], the Julfar Arabs [Julfār, in what is now Ra's al Khaymah], Benimines [Banu Mu‘in] of Bunderick [i.e. Bandar-e Rīg] and Ormuse [Jazīreh-ye Hormoz, Hormuz, Ormuz] and the Charrack Arabs [Al-‘Ali, based at Charrack, modern Bandar-e Chārak].Among other issues and news recorded in the diary are: the activities of Dutch and French vessels; the shipment of wool from Carmenia; letters exchanged with commanders of the Company's ships along with sailing orders; indent of woollen goods proper for the Persian market including the type of cloth, amount and colours required; accounts of damaged goods delivered out of the Company's warehouse; list of account salaries due to the Company's staff at Gombroon; news of the sudden death of Bussorah Resident James Stuart on 21 July 1762; and the appointment of Dymoke Lyster as the new Resident at Bussorah.The diary includes records of the arrival and departure of ships, including the
Swallow, the
Drake, the
Earl of Elgin, the
Speedwell, the
Dadely, the
Berkshire Snow, the
Monmouth, and the
Fanny Snow.Ships sailed mainly to and from Gombroon, Bombay, Bussorah, Bengall, Muscat, Charrack, Madrass [Madras, i.e. Chennai], China, the Malabar Coast, Ormuse, Bushire, and Batavia [Jakarta].In addition, the diary includes abstracts of the standard account disbursements for each month. These cover the following: garrison charges, hospital charges, stable charges, merchandised charges, the Afseen [Afsin] Garden, extraordinary charges, servants' wages, house rent, house repairs, house expense, and ships' charges.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 104; 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 flyleaf.Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume is in the form of a diary, which contains records of consultations at the Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] Factory. The Chief Agent, Alexander Douglas, and the Factory’s Council members Richard Secker and John Parsons, headed the consultations. They recorded the daily activities, the administrative decisions made, letters sent and received, as well as visits to and from the Factory. Records of significant political and military operations in the region are also preserved.Among the main details and issues recorded in the diary are the following:Reports of the Ballooches [Baluch] entering PersiaReports of Ahmed Shaw Affghoon [Ahmad Shah Afghan Dorrani, also known as Ahmad Shah Abdali ruled 1747-1772; the forename is also written in the volume as Ahmet and Ashmed] taking the towns of Mushad [Mashhad], Neshabour [Nishapur] and Hiraut [Herat]; and building a city and calling it Amadabad [Ahmedabad]News of Ahmed Shaw appointing Nasseir Caun [Nāsir Khān Āl Mazkūr, Shaikh of Būshehr, ruled 1162-1203/c 1749-1788] as the Beglerbeg [Beglerbegi/ Beylerbeyi is Turkish and Azeri for Governor-General] of the Hot CountriesNews of Ahmed Shaw appointing Sharroock Caun [Shāhrokh Mīrzā Afshār, c 1734-1796, Governor of Kerman] as Governor of Carmenia [Kerman, also written Cermina]The enmity between Carem Caun [Karīm Khān Zand, Vakil of Persia, also written as Carim] and Azad Caun [Āzād Khān Ghilza'ī, d 1782, Beglerbeg of Azarbāijān]The arrival of wool from CarmeniaRecords of letters received from the Linguist (i.e. interpreter) at Carmenia advising on the amount of wool sent and the billsRecords of a petition raised by Jacques Charles Hermet, formerly Linguist at Spahaun [Isfahan]Reports of Moolah Ally Shaw [Mulla Ali Shah fl 1740-1760], the Governor of Gombroon taking possession of the castle of Ormuse [Jazīreh-ye Hormoz, Hormuz, Ormuz]The appointment of William Nash as the Factory’s SecretaryNews of Moolah Abdul Carem Guialadary [Mulla Abd al-Karim Gallahdari, one of Nasseir Caun’s principal officers, also written as Kerim] revolting against himThe enmity between Carem Caun and Nasseir CaunNews of military engagement between Nasseir Caun and the Hoolah [Hawla] ArabsRecords of the activities of French and Dutch vesselsRecords of shipped commodities such as cotton, iron, sugar, tin, copper, spices, salt, peppers, and coffeeThe appointment of Francis Wood, Resident for the Company’s affairs at Bunderick [Bandar-e Rīg]News of Moolah Ally Shaw’s forces facing those of Shaik Rama of Julfar [Raḥmah bin Maṭar al-Qāsimī, Shaikh of Julfār] at the Island of Kishme [Qishm, or Qeshm].The diary includes records of letters exchanged between the Factory Agent and the President and Governor-in-Council of Bombay, (Richard Bourchier) and the rest of the council members. It also includes records of letters sent and received from the Resident at Bussorah [Basra, also written as Bussora] William Shaw. They cover details of the situation at Bussorah and Bagdat [Baghdad]; the activities of the Dutch and their fortification of Carack [also written Carrack, modern (Bandar) Charak]; the relations with the Turks; the affairs of some Armenian prisoners; ships sailing and arriving; and news received from the British Consulate at Aleppo. William Shaw also provides a detailed account of the conduct of two British subjects Robert Baldrick and Francis Walker, among the supra cargoes in the ship
Prince Edward’scommission.The diary includes records of the arrival and departure of ships, including the
Neptune galley, the
Alice sloop, the
Rose galley, the
Prince George, the
Stafford, the
Indian Queen, the
Hardwicke, the
Warwick, the
Fezraboony[
Fayz Rabbani], the
London, the
Kent, the
Bridgewater, the
Swallow, and the
Cadaree.The ships sailed mainly to and from Gombroon, Bombay, Bussorah, Bunderick, Bengal [also written as Bengall], Surat, Madras [also written as Madrass], China, Batavia [Jakarta], Mocha, Ormuse, Busshier [Būshehr, also written as Bussheir, Busshere, and Busshire] and the Mallabar [Malabar] Coast.The diary includes abstracts of the standard account disbursements for each month. These cover the following: table expenses, garrison charges, the Afseen [Afsin] Garden, merchandised charges, extraordinary charges, stable charges, servants' wages, ships’ charges, and Factory repairs.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 88; 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.Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: Diary, consultations, and accounts of the East India Company merchants in Persia [Iran], specifically factories at Gambroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās, Laristan, Iran], written and signed by Nathaniel Whitwell (Agent and Council) and Henry Savage (succeeding Agent and Council) respectively, countersigned by various officials, St George Pack (Steward), Walter Ray, Thomas Dorrill (Warehouse Keeper), Danvers Graves, John Hope (Steward and Secretary), Cowan Henry Draper, and Francis Wood (Steward). Comprised of multiple dispatches spanning the period 1 August 1746-31 July 1752, with a supplementary account on the affairs at the Persian court:Folios 4r-78r. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed Nathaniel Whitwell (Agent and Council) and Henry Savage (succeeding Agent and Council), countersigned by St George Pack, Thomas Dorrill (Warehouse Keeper), Danvers Graves, John Hope (Steward and Secretary), covering period 1 August 1746-31 July 1747. Received 3 August 1749, by ship
Orford. Title page lostFolios 79r-99r. Dispatch copying the supplementary account entitled ‘Journal of the most material Occurrences During Nadir Shaw’s Residence at Carmenia [Kerman],’ written and signed by Danvers Graves, covering period 26 February 1747-23 March 1747Folios 101r-170v. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed Henry Savage (Agent and Council), countersigned by Danvers Graves, John Hope (Steward and Secretary), covering period 3 August 1747-31 July 1748. Received 3 August 1749, by ship
Orford. Title page lostFolios 171r-250v. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed Henry Savage (Agent and Council), countersigned by John Hope (Steward and Secretary), and Cowan Henry Draper, covering period 1 August 1748-31 July 1749. Original dispatch received 13 September 1749, by ship
Drake Ketch. Present copy received 13 June 1750, by ship
Durrington. Title page, ‘Gambroon Diary and Consultations’ (f 171r)Folios 251r-335v. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed Henry Savage (Agent and Council), countersigned by Danvers Graves, Cowan H Draper, and Francis Wood (Steward), covering period 1 August 1750-31 July 1751. Received 15 August 1752, by ship
Eastcourt. Title page lostFolios 336r-392v. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed Henry Savage and Danvers Graves (Agent and Council), countersigned by Francis Wood (Steward), St. George Pack, and Walter Ray, covering period 1 August 1751-31 July 1752. Received 18 June 1753, by ship
Stretham. Title page lost.Accounts cover the movements and changes between EIC officials at Gambroon; movements and changes between EIC officials at Shiraz, Carmenia or Carmania [Kerman], Busheir [Bushire], Bagdat [Baghdad], and Bombay [Mumbai]; relations with and news from EIC ports, presidencies, council and directors (India); English, French, Dutch, Arab and Indian shipping; salaries, financial compensation, banking through financiers (especially Bania communities); copies and translations of letters, treaties, and official documents; monthly and annual accounts; officers’ debts and estates of the deceased; assessments of market trading conditions; trade, valuations, and details on commodities (copper, sulphur, lumber) and processed or manufactured products (English, French, Dutch, Russian, Indian, and Chinese), especially gunpowder, wool, plain and fine textiles, as well as livestock, horses, food and drink (such as rice, China sugar, Java sugar, sugar candy, coffee, and alcohol); dearth of food; physical and mental ill-health; swarming insects; weather and sea conditions; observations on festivities and ceremonies (‘Id and Nowruz); gifts; and the import of enslaved people from Africa.Substantial portions of accounts contain reports on ongoing conflict between Persian authorities and troops at Julfar [Ra's al-Khaymah, UAE], local Arabs, and the Imaum of Muscatt [Imam of Muscat]; reports from Persia of military and political developments leading to the murder of Nadir Shaw [Nadir Shah Afshar] treated in a supplementary account (‘Journal of the most material Occurrences During Nadir Shaw’s Residence at Carmenia’), the competition for power between his successors, as well as the rise of Careem Caun [Karim Khan Zand]; reports of developments in Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Timurid (Mogul [Mughal]) India, with particular reference to increasing tensions between the EIC and the Nabob of Bengall [Nawab of Bengal].Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 395; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume consists of nine entries in the form of diaries, covering the period between November 1728 and July 1737. The diaries contain records of the Gombroon [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] Factory, a trading post where a number of merchants, or factors resided. The Gombroon Factory, along with those at Carmenia [Kerman], and Spahaun [Isfahan, also written as Spahune] were subordinate to the East India Company at Bombay (the Bombay Presidency). While a chief agent and a council of factors ran the Gombroon Factory, only a broker seems to have been placed at the factories in Isfahan and Kerman.The Gombroon Factory's Chief Agents between 1728 and 1737 were John Geekie, John Horne, and William Cockell respectively. When an Agent was absent, one of the Factory's members took over until his return. Gombroon Factory's members at the time included, but were not limited to, William Cordeaux, Edward Clift, William May, Nathaniel Whitewell, Walter Ray, James Smith, Thomas Waters, and James Verelst.The diaries in the volume record the day-to-day consultations taking place at the Factory. The consultations cover the daily activities, administrative decisions made, letters received and sent, visits to and from the Factory, ships arriving and importing goods, as well as list of cargo loaded on to the ships. Copies of the consultations, letter-books, books of accounts and other annual papers were to be prepared and made ready to be dispatched by sail to the Company’s administrative headquarters in the Bombay Presidency.Among the main details and issues recorded in the volume are the following:The trading activities of the Dutch and the French in the regionThe Persian-Afghan disputeThe Persian-Turk [Ottoman] disputeThe Persian-Arab disputeRecords of local disputes taking place in OmanThe arrival of the wool caphila [caravans] from CarmeniaThe appointments of new agents and members at the Gombroon FactoryThe rebellion of an Arab Shaikh called Ahmett Madannah [Shaikh Ahmad Madani, also written as Ahmud and Ahmatt] and that of the Jubarrah [the Jubarah Arabs]The Factory obtaining rogoms [raqams or ruqums, also written in the diary as rogomms: royal grants confirming specific trading privileges] from the Shah of Persia. The rogoms were originally granted to the Factory during the reign of Shah Abass [‘Abbas] the Great.The volume includes records of certain commodities including Kerman wool, sugar candy, rice, rose water, grain, sugar, copper, cardamom, pepper, turmeric, coffee and ginger. Also present are accounts of salaries, payments, and prices of commodities provided in Persian currencies including Tomands [Toman], Mamoodies [Mahmudis], and Shahees [Shahis].In addition, the volume includes the names and trade activities of a number of ships including but not limited to: the
Britannia, the
Queen Carolina, the
Prince George, the
Robert Galley, the
Kissing Peggyand the
Northumberland. It also includes records of Dutch ships such as the
Jacoband the
Castor and Pollux, and French ships such as the
Unionand the
Four Sisters.The volume also includes the names of places where certain events took place, as well as the names of ports where ships were sailing to and from. They include but are not limited to: Gombroon, Spahaun/Spahune, Shyrash [Shiraz], Bunder Bouchier [Bushire], Bassidore [Basidu], Ormuz [Hormuz, also written as Ormuse], and Busarah [Basra, also written as Bussorah].Most of the diaries in the volume include abstracts of the standard account disbursements for each month. These cover the following: house expenses, garrison charges, the Afseen garden, hospital charges, medicines, marine charges, merchandised charges, house furniture, extraordinary charges, stable charges and servants’ wages.Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 390; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence between ff 125-390, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers.
Abstract: Diaries, consultations, and accounts of the East India Company merchants in Persia [Iran], specifically factories at Gambroon [Bandar-e ʿAbbās, Laristan, Iran], written and signed by John Geekie (Agent and Council) and Nathaniel Whitwell (succeeding Agent and Council) respectively, countersigned by various officials, St George Pack (Steward), Walter Ray, John Peirson (Secretary), Henry Savage, John Sewell, William Blandy (Examining Secretary), Hugh Bidwell, John Sherman, and Thomas Grendon. Comprised of multiple dispatches spanning the period 1 August 1737-31 August 1746, with two lacunae covering accounts between August 1738-July 1739 and September 1744-July 1745:Folios 3r-49r. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed by John Geekie (Agent and Council), countersigned by Nathaniel Whitwell, St George Pack, and Walter Ray, covering period 1 August 1737-31 July 1738. Received 29 June 1739, by ship
Onslow. Title page lostFolios 50r-103r. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed by Nathaniel Whitwell (Agent and Council), countersigned by St George Pack and John Peirson, covering period 4 August 1739-31 July 1740. Received 2 August 1742, by ship
Fort St George. Title page lostFolios 104r-165r. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed by Nathaniel Whitwell (Agent and Council), later replaced temporarily by John Geekie (former Agent and Council), countersigned by St George Pack, John Peirson, Henry Savage, and William Blandy, covering period 3 August 1740-31 July 1741. Received 5 August 1743, by ship
Porto Bello, also mentioning
Sallamander Bombketch[bomb ketch]. Title page, ‘Gambroon Diary’ (f 104r)Folios 166r-222r. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed by Nathaniel Whitwell (Agent and Council), countersigned by St George Pack, John Peirson, and John Sewell, covering period 5 August 1741-29 July 1742. Received 13 September 1744, by ship
Salisbury. Title page, ‘Gambroon Diary & Consultations’ (f 165r)Folios 223r-255r. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed by Nathaniel Whitwell (Agent and Council), countersigned by St George Pack and John Peirson, covering period 2 August 1742-27 July 1743. Received 30 December 1745, by ship
King William. Title page, ‘Gambroon Diary, & Consultations’ (f 223r)Folios 256r-307v. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed by Nathaniel Whitwell (Agent and Council), countersigned by St George Pack, John Sherman, and Thomas Grendon, covering period 3 August 1743-31 July 1744. Original dispatch received at Bombay [Mumbai], 9 November 1744, by ship
Nancy Grab. Present copy received 30 December 1745, by ship
King William. Title page, ‘Gambroon Diary & Consultations Book’ (f 256r, see fragment on f 265a)Folios 308r-342v. Dispatch copying the Gambroon diary, consultations, and accounts, written and signed by Nathaniel Whitwell (Agent and Council), countersigned by St George Pack and John Hope, covering period 10 August 1745-31 July 1746. Received 22 August 1748, by ship
Portfield. Title page lost.Accounts cover the movements and changes between EIC officials at Gambroon; movements and changes between EIC officials at Schiraz [Shiraz], Carmenia or Carmania [Kerman], Bagdat [Baghdad], and Lhor [Lahore]; relations and news from EIC ports, presidencies, council and directors (India); English, French, Dutch, Arab and Indian shipping; salaries, financial compensation, banking through financiers (especially Bania communities); copies and translations of letters, treaties, and official documents; monthly and annual accounts; officers’ debts and estates of the deceased; assessments of market trading conditions; trade, valuations, and details on commodities (copper, sulphur, lumber) and processed or manufactured products (English, French, Dutch, Russian, Indian, and Chinese), especially gunpowder, wool, plain and fine textiles, as well as livestock, horses, food and drink (such as rice, China sugar, Java sugar, sugar candy, coffee, and alcohol); dearth of food; illness; swarming insects; weather and sea conditions; observations on festivities and ceremonies (‘Id and Nowruz); gifts; the import of enslaved persons from Africa.Substantial portions of accounts contain reports on the emerging conflict between Persian authorities and troops at Julfar [Ra's al-Khaymah, Asia, UAE], local Arabs, and the new Imaum of Muscatt [Imam of Muscat]; reports from Persia of the extermination of the last Safavid rulers and the military consolidation of Nadir Shaw [Nadir Shah Afshar], his relations with the Ottomans, the invasion of Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Timurid (Mogul [Mughal]) India, returning with looted wealth, impacts on the economy of Persia; Nadir Shah’s intention to establish a diplomatic alliance with England, aborted due to inadequate use of titles in English King’s letter. Several lacunae interrupt these accounts.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 346; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.