Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries of official secret letters received from the Governor General of India in Council (7 March 1857, Numbers 12-13; 18 March 1857, Numbers 63-67; and 19 March 1857, Numbers 68-72). The amount of detail for each entry varies.The summaries mostly concern: troops, arms and ammunition being shipped to Hong Kong from Singapore and Madras; and the Persian Expedition, including the construction of a portable telegraph, and news from Herat.Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (14 June and 3 May 1856, Numbers 18-19) and the Government of Bombay (10 and 12 May 1856, Numbers 34-38). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 9-10) discuss the matter of instructions to be issued to the Government of Bombay authorising that government to deploy forces against Persia if authorised to do by the Secret Committee; the Government of India's opposition to the use of Herat as a justification for conflict with Persia is outlined. They also report on the signing of a peace treaty between Nepal and Thibet [Tibet].The section from Bombay (folios 11-12) includes measures to be taken to remove the Al Ali from Demaun, naval deployments against the slave trade, the submission of the Murree [Marri Baloch] tribe to the Khan of Kelat [Kalat], and a telegraphic report that the Persians are besieging Herat.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 October 1856, Numbers 46-50) and the Government of Bombay (17 October 1856, Numbers 77-79). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 90-94r) are concerned with Persian progress against Herat and Kelat [Kalat], the return of Futteh Khan from Afghanistan with the ratified Anglo-Afghan Treaty of Friendship (1855), the critical position of Herat and pleas for help from Eesa Khan [Isa Khan Bardorani, Minister-Regent of Herat].The section from Bombay (folios 94v-99) is also concerned with the critical position of Herat and Dost Mahomed's [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] inability to capitalise on the situation, the evacuation of British staff officers from Bushire, and discussion over objections raised in 1799 to the occupation of Perim Island in the Red Sea.Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 November 1856, Numbers 55-58) and the Government of Bombay (17 November 1856, Number 87-92). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letters from the Governor General (folios 120-128) discuss a request from Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] for an audience with a representative of the Government of India to discuss Herat, and a decision by the Government of India to grant a temporary subsidy to Dost Mahomed to facilitate operations against Persia. They also cover British preparations for war against Persia, and a defence of Commander James Felix Jones (Political Resident, Persian Gulf) for his dismissal of British staff officers from Bushire. The carelessness displayed at Bombay in packing arms for Cabool [Kabul], and financial aid for Herat are also discussed.The section from Bombay (folios 129-131) includes arrangements for an expedition against Persia, and details (in terms of troops and ships) of the composition of the force.Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8-9 January 1857, Numbers 1-5) and the Government of Bombay (16 January 1857, Numbers 7-14). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letters from the Governor General (folios 31-41r) outline discussions between British officials over the likelihood of a Persian advance against Candahar [Kandahar], the prospects of Dost Mahommed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] retaking Herat from the Persians, and a proposal to raise a British force at Quetta. They also include discussion over the appointment of Sir James Outram as commander of the British Expeditionary Force against Persia, and his endowment with diplomatic powers by HM Government. Sir James Outram's pay and allowances, and Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacobs' promotion to Brigadier-General are also outlined.The section from Bombay (folios 41v-50) includes the following topics: the appointment of Sir James Outram's staff; a request from Brigadier William Marcus Coghlan (Political Resident, Aden) that Lieutenant Playfair should remain at Aden rather than serve in Persia; details of reinforcements sent to Bushire; Lieutenant Colonel Jacobs' views that the withdrawal of the Sind Horse [14th Prince of Wales's Own Scinde Horse] for service in Persia will leave the Sind frontier vulnerable to Afghan or Persian attacks; the re-occupation of Perim Island; news from Herat; an impending visit by Brigadier Coghlan to Lahedge [Lahej]; and reports from Major-General Foster Stalker on the progress of the British Expeditionary Force in southern Persia and efforts made to solicit the assistance of local chiefs.Physical description: 1 item (20 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 December 1856, Number 61) and the Government of Bombay (16-17 December 1856, Numbers 99-100, 103, 105-107). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letter from the Governor General (folio 69) is limited to a brief acknowledgement.The section from Bombay (folios 69-107) is more substantive and the main topics are as follows: the fall of Herat, details of a reserve force to be established for the expeditionary force against Persia, and orders for the re-occupation of Perim Island in the Red Sea including proposals for the erection of a lighthouse.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (3 June 1856, Number 1856, Number 23) and the Government of Bombay (10 June 1856, Numbers 41-44). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatch from the Governor General (folios 39-42r) is concerned with discrepancies in reports of the occupation of Ghorian and Herat by Persian forces. It also contains discussion about whether Mahomed Yoosoof [Mohammad Yusuf Khan, Regent of Herat] is collusion with the Persian Government.The section from Bombay (folios 42v-45) contains material on measures for the suppression of the importation of slaves into the Arabian Coast, evasion by dhows of the blockade of Berbera, and a letter from Hart Sahib relaying recent events in Herat and requesting British assistance.Physical description: 1 item (7 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 February 1856, Numbers 5-7) and the Government of Bombay (16 February 1856, Numbers 14-17). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 73-80) are concerned with the Government of India's policy over the treatment of Sheea [Shia] in India, the Government of India's refusal to officially congratulate Mahamed Yoosoof [Mohammad Yusuf Khan] over his ascendency at Herat – as suggested by Charles Augustus Murray, HM Minister to Persia – pending instructions from Britain, and a progress report on the Nepalese-Tibetan War (1855-1856).The section from Bombay (folios 81-84) discusses the despatch of ships, but not troops, to the Persian Gulf, and includes a report on the North-West Frontier of Sind. It also includes brief updates regarding Bunder-Abbass [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] and Aden.Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 February 1856, Numbers 8-9) and the Government of Bombay (5 March 1856, Number 9). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 85-89) include discussion of a report by Major Allen on the Northern Frontier of Pegu, a report on a visit by the Governor General (James Broun-Ramsey, Marquess of Dalhousie), accounts of Herat and Candahar [Kandahar], and opinions over the policy of Dost Mohamed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan].The section from Bombay (folios 90-91) outlines who should be consulted over the troops that could be sent to Persia in the event of conflict between Britain and Persia.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries of letters from Sir James Outram (in command of the British army in the Anglo-Persian War) to Lord Clarendon (George William Frederick Villiers, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs), dated 11, 22 and 23 April 1857.The summary of the letter dated 11 April concerns the change in the outward behaviour of the Arab Chiefs towards the British, since the former heard about the Treaty of Peace between the United Kingdom and Persia. The summary of the letter dated 22 April acknowledges receipt of the letter of 5 March 1857 announcing the signature of the Treaty, and mostly concerns difficulties in relation to the location of the troops ‘on account of the heat of Bushire and the insalubrity of Mohammera [Khorramshahr, Iran]’. The summary of the letter of 23 April just states ‘Memorandum as to the disorganised state of the Persian Army.’.Physical description: 1 file (22 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 January 1856, Numbers 1-4) and the Government of Bombay (31 January and 2 February 1856, Numbers 10-13). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 37-55) cover a number of topics: the status of the French adventurer General Maha d'Orgoni, the conclusion of the Government of India's diplomatic mission to the Court of Ava, raids by tribes across the Punjab Frontier of British India, a debate over the effectiveness of military expeditions in suppressing tribes, the resignation of Major Coke as Deputy Commissioner of Kohat, the acquisition of Candahar [Kandahar] by Dost Mohammad Khan (Amir of Afghanistan), and discussion over the possibility of the Amir marching against Herat.The section from Bombay (folios 56-58) is mainly concerned with the line to be taken by the British authorities on applications to enter Sind from Candahar [Kandahar] Sirdars, and the despatch of British naval vessels to Bushire for possible action against Persia.Physical description: 1 item (22 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (17 July 1856, Numbers 27-30) and the Government of Bombay (28-29 July 1856, Numbers 53-55). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 64-68) are concerned with the position of Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] – including reports of illness and rumours of death. It also discusses proposals for officially constituted Afghan and British vakils to reside at Peshawar and Cabool [Kabul], and reports on the seizure of Herat by Eesa Khan [Isa Khan Bardorani, Minister-regent].The section from Bombay (folio 69) contains a report of the Persian Army collecting revenue due to the Khan of Khelat [Kalat], and news from Aden respecting the Foutheli Chief.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)