Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 September 1856, Numbers 41-44) and the Government of Bombay (30 September and 3 October 1856, Numbers 71 and 74-76). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 55-68) cover the following topics: the submission of the Bussa Kheyl Afreedes [Khel Afridi] to the British authorities; operations against Karens led by Min Soung; an offer by Eesa Khan [Isa Khan Bardorani, Minister-regent of Herat] to hold Herat on behalf of Britain in return for military aid against Persia; obstacles in sending a British Indian force, or British officers, to aid Herat; Futteh Khan's report on his mission to Afghanistan carrying the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of Friendship (1855); discussion over the composition of a military expedition to be sent against Persia; and arrangements for sending the expedition from Bombay.The section from Bombay (folios 69-79) is concerned with the supply of British arms, ammunition, and finance for Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan]; preparations by Dost Mahomed to return from Candahar [Kandahar] to Cabool [Kabul]; Persian attacks against Herat; information on Bushire; the survey of Perim island in the Red Sea by Lieutenant Lamb; and recommendations for the occupation of the island for the establishment of naval forces and navigational aids.Physical description: 1 item (25 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from the Governor General of India (17 May 1856 Number 20 and 21 May 1856 Number 17).The despatches largely consist of updates on the situation at Candahar [Kandahar] and Herat. They also include an update related to the construction of the new town of Dalhousie.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 (22 April 1856, Numbers 15-17) and the Government of Bombay (28 April 1856, Numbers 31-33). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 1-6r) include updates on the Karen people living on the border between British India and Burma, the failure of the Neringee village to hand over two of their members as demanded by the British authorities, a request from the Maharaja of Kashmir for the British to acknowledge his heir, the refusal of the Candahar [Kandahar] Sirdars to submit to Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan], murders alleged to have been committed by the village of Sungo against the Boneyr, and an attempt on the life of Khyber Khan (British Agent) while returning from Cabool [Kabul].The section from Bombay (folios 6v-8) contains a letter from Mahomed Yoosoof [Mohammad Yusuf Khan] of Herat requesting British assistance against Persia. It also discusses the arrival of Ali Moorad at Bombay and the opposition of the British authorities to his request to travel to England.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (21-22 August 1856, Numbers 32-34) and the Government of Bombay (28-29 August 1856, Numbers 61-65). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 3-26r) include the following: a report on an expedition to the Upper Meerauzie and preparations for a second; reports of developments at Candahar [Kandahar] and Herat; a debate over whether – as a result of Persian encroachment on Herat – the Government of India should provide, or guarantee under certain conditions, assistance to Dost Mahomed Khan [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan]; details of arms, ammunition, and finance to be supplied to Dost Mahomed following authorisation by the Secret Committee; details of the peace treaty signed between Nepal and Thibet [Tibet]; and news of the resignation of Jung Bahadoor [Jang Bahadur Kunwar Rana] as both Prime Minister of Nepal and Commander in Chief, and designation of his successor Bum Bahadoor [Bam Bahadur Kunwar Rana]. The despatches include a translation of a letter from Dost Mahomed to the Governor General (folio 8v-9), and a translation of a letter from Eesa Khan [Isa Khan Bardorani, Minister Regent of Herat] to Dost Mahomed (folio 9).The section from Bombay (folios 26v-35) considers the question of providing aid to the Khan of Kelat [Kalat] against Persia, arrangements for the suppression of slavery in the Persian Gulf; measures for enforcing Britain's treaties with the maritime chiefs of the Arabian Coast; and dissatisfaction in Arabia, Persia, and the Persian Gulf over British intervention in the slave trade.Physical description: 1 item (34 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (17 May 1856, Number 22) and the Government of Bombay (27 May 1856, Numbers 39-40). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatch from the Governor General (folios 23-34) is concerned with the advancement of Persian forces against Herat, and appeals for assistance to the British authorities in India and Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan]. The dispatch includes translated transcripts of letters sent between from Mahomed Yoosoof [Mohammad Yusuf Khan, Regent of Herat], Dost Mahomed, the Chief Commissioner for Punjab (John Laird Mair Lawrence), and the Governor General of India (James Broun-Ramsay, 1st Marquess of Dalhousie).The section from Bombay (folios 35-36) consists of a report of the advancement of Persian forces towards Herat, the deployment of Indian naval vessels in the Persian Gulf, and proposed terms by Brigadier William Marcus Coghlan (Political Resident at Aden) for the raising of the blockade of Berbera.Physical description: 1 item (14 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of two secret despatches from HM Minister to Persia, Charles Augustus Murray residing at Baghdad (1 September 1856, Numbers 77 and 78). The subject matter is Murray's conviction that the Persian Government is set on evading the British Foreign Secretary's demand for the withdrawal of Persian forces from Herat.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from HM Minister to Persia, Charles Augustus Murray, residing at Baghdad (20 and 26 June 1856, Numbers 57 and 59-60).The subject matter consists of the advance of the Persian Army against Herat, the policy of the British Government towards Afghanistan, and negotiations underway at Constantinople regarding the diplomatic rupture between Britain and Persia.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: This bundle contains summaries of two secret dispatches from HM Minister to Persia, Charles Augustus Murray, residing at Baghdad (18 and 25 August 1856, Numbers 73 and 76). They outline matters which – in the view of Murray – should be settled before diplomatic relations are resumed with the Persian Government. A demand made by Lord Clarendon, Foreign Secretary [George Villiers, 4 Earl of Clarendon] for the withdrawal of Persian troops from Herat is also discussed, as are the measures required to disrupt Southern Persia.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries of official secret letters received from HM Minister to Persia, Charles Augustus Murray residing at Baghdad (9-10, 15, 19-20 and 22 December 1856). This amount of content for each entry therefore varies.The main topics covered are Murray's assessment of articles published in the Tehran Gazette respecting Herat, reports of reinforcements being despatched from Tehran for Mohammerah and Herat, and British demands for the removal of Mirza Aqa Khan Nuri (Sadr-i-A'zam, Grand Vizier of Iran) from office.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of letters from Sir James Outram received 7 July 1857, consisting of summaries of letters sent from Mohamra [Mohammerah, now Khorramshahr] and Baghdad to Lord Clarendon (George William Frederick Villiers, British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) (17 May, 23 May, and 4 June 1857), and a summary from Outram sent from Baghdad (6 June 1857).The summaries of letters relate to matters including the evacuation of Mohamra, Outram’s intention to proceed to Baghdad ‘in order to settle on the Commissioners to proceed to Herat’, the discharge of Baggage Cattle, and the Commissioners proceeding to Tehran and from there to Herat.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from HM Minister to Persia, Charles Augustus Murray, residing at Baghdad (14, 22, and 26 July 1856, Numbers 63 and 65-66).The despatches discuss correspondence that has taken place between the Persian Government and Eesa Khan [Isa Khan Bardorani, Minister-regent] respecting Herat, ‘insults and injuries’ against the British Mission and Consulate in Tehran, and Murray's views as to the demands the British Government should make for the restoration of diplomatic relations with Persia.Physical description: 1 item (5 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries of letters received from HM Minister to Persia [Iran], Charles Augustus Murray (17 September 1857, Number 96; 20 September 1857, Number 97; 25 September 1857, Number 98; 2 October 1857, Numbers 101-102; 3 October 1857, Number 104; 5 October 1857, Numbers 109 and 111-113).The summaries relate to matters including: the punishment of a Persian regiment for running away at Mohamra [Mohammerah, now Khorramshahr]; the Persian troops all being withdrawn from Afghanistan, and a large Persian force being prepared to march around 22 October 1857 against the Turcomans [Turkmens] of Serekhs, under the command of Prince Sultan Morad, and Prince Sultan Morad soliciting British assistance against the Turcomans; and the Jewish prisoners from Herat.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)