Abstract: This item contains copies of four letters:1. A translation of an anonymous letter sent to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], from Isfahun [Esfahan], dated 9 Zelhejeh [Dhū al-Ḥijjah]/23 April 1801. The letter reports news from Afghanistan, where Zeman Shaw [Zamān Shāh Durrānī] controls Caboul [Kabul] and is said to be planning an expedition against Shah Zadé Mahmood [Mahmūd Durrānī] who controls Candahar [Kandahar]. The letter also reports developments in the campaign of Baba Khan [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] in Khorassan [Khorasan].2. A letter from Captain William Campbell, Head Assistant to the Mission of Captain John Malcolm to Persia [Iran], to Harford Jones, sent from Bagdad and dated 11 May 1801. The letter transmits lists (not enclosed) of gold, silver, and other articles acquired by the Mission to Persia which Campbell has handed over to Jones, and their approximate value.3. A letter from Captain William Campbell to Harford Jones, sent from Bagdad and dated 12 May 1801. The letter reports Campbell’s departure for Bussora [Basra] and the transfer of his remaining duties to Lieutenant Charles Pasley, Second Assistant to the Mission, who will remain in Bagdad with the Mission’s troops and horses, and asks Jones to assist Pasley.4. A letter from Harford Jones to Captain William Campbell, sent from Bagdad and dated 13 May 1801. Jones acknowledges the receipt of the above letters and pledges to assist Lieutenant Pasley.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: A copy of an intercepted letter from Caboul [Kabul] from a French author to a correspondent in Paris, dated 8 March 1802.The author recounts his journey across India via Cachemire [Kashmir] to Caboul in a period of civil war, and his hopes to travel to Candahar [Kandahar] and Persia [Iran] and return to France. A postscript enquires after papers and objects sent by the author to Europe, remarks on the state of affairs in Cachemire, and complains of being surrounded by spies working for the English Government.A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/249. An English translation of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/237.This letter was enclosed in the letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Marquess Wellesley, Governor-General of Bengal, dated 20 June 1802 (IOR/L/PS/9/76/245).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A translation of an intercepted letter from Caboul [Kaboul] from a French author to a correspondent in Paris, dated 8 March 1802.The author recounts his journey across India via Cachemire [Kashmir] to Caboul in a period of civil war, describes his situation in Caboul, and expresses his hope to travel to Candahar [Kandahar] and return to France. A postscript enquires after papers and objects sent by the author to Europe, remarks on the state of affairs in Cachemire, and complains of being surrounded by English spies.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: A translation of an intercepted letter from a French author in Caboul [Kabul] to a correspondent in Spanish Biscay, dated 8 March 1802.The author recounts his journey across India via Cachemire [Kashmir] to Caboul in a time of civil war, describes his situation in Caboul, and expresses his hope to travel to Candahar [Kandahar] and Persia [Iran] and return home.The end of the letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/235.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: An intercepted letter from a French author in Caboul [Kabul] to a correspondent in Spanish Biscay, dated 8 March 1802.The author recounts his journey across India via Cachemire [Kashmir] to Caboul in a period of civil war, and his hopes to travel to Candahar [Kandahar] and Persia [Iran] and return home.A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/249. An English translation of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/236.This letter was enclosed in the letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Marquess Wellesley, Governor-General of Bengal, dated 20 June 1802 (IOR/L/PS/9/76/245).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Major J[?] C [most likely Henry Creswicke] Rawlinson at Candahar [Kandahar] to George William Anderson, acting Governor of Bombay, dated 25 May 1841, enclosed in a letter from the Secretary to the Government of Bombay, John Pollard Willoughby, to the Chairman, received via Marseilles on 2 August 1841. The letter discusses the state of affairs in Afghanistan, and relations between Herat and Persia [Iran].The item includes a note on folio 352 stating that the enclosures to Bombay Secret Letter No. 55, dated 12 July 1841, are not included in the Collection (volume).Physical description: There is no abstract of contents.
Abstract: Personal and demi-official correspondence from Sir Owen Tudor Burne, Private Secretary to the Viceroy of India to Sir Lewis Pelly, who retired from service with the India Office in August 1877.The official correspondence relates primarily to affairs in Cabul [Kabul] and the British Government's relationship with its ruler Shere Ali [Sher Ali Khan]. These affairs follow on from a special mission on which Pelly had accompanied Lord Lytton (Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 2nd Baron Lytton) in an attempt to prevent what would become the second Anglo-Afghan War (1878-1880). Also discussed are matters relating to the Indian Frontier and the India Office, the work of Lord Lytton as Viceroy, and Lord Salisbury's (Robert Gascoyne-Cecil) work since leaving the India Office.Personal matters discussed in the correspondence include Burne's wife Evelyne's illness and subsequent death in April 1878, their attempts at meeting up with each other in both London and Bournemouth and matters relating to his brother George William Burne.Cover note (folios 1-2) states that the file contains correspondence from Sir Owen Tudor Burne, Lord Lytton and Lord Salisbury 1877-1878. The correspondence from Lord Lytton and Lord Salisbury was removed from the file at the request of Lady Amy Pelly in 1924.Physical description: Foliation: The contents of the file have been foliated using a pencil number enclosed in a circle located in the top right corner of the recto of each folio.
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Captain John Malcolm, Envoy of the Governor-General of Bengal to Persia [Iran], to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], sent from a camp five miles from Aboosheher [Bushehr] and dated 18 April 1800.The letter forwards three extracts of the latest intelligence Malcolm has received from the interior of Persia:1. An extract of a letter from a merchant in Herat dated 1 Shawal [Shawwal] 1214/24 February 1800. The letter reports that Rahmat Ullah Khan [Raḥmatallah Khān Sādūzāī], the leading Minister at the Court of Zemaun Shah [Zamān Shāh Durrānī, Ruler of Afghanistan], has ordered the execution of a number of Affghaun [Afghan] notables after the discovery of a conspiracy to bring the exiled brothers of Zemaun Shah to power.2. An anonymous letter from Yezd [Yazd] dated 1 Zekad [Dhū al-Qa’dah] 1214/22 March 1800. The letter reports that the King [Shāh] of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] is planning to march towards Khorassan [Khorasan] in co-ordination with Prince Mahmood [Mahmūd Durrānī], the exiled brother of Zemaun Shah. It also reports that a number of Affghan [Afghan] notables made contact with Mahmood’s forces and were subsequently exposed and executed by Zemaun Shah.3. An extract of a letter from Moulla Askar, Moonshee [Mullah ‘Askar, Munshi or Secretary] to Shaikh Nasser of Aboosheher [Naṣr Khān Āl Madhkūr, Shaikh of Bushehr] dated 12 Zekad [Dhū al-Qa’dah] 1214/April 1800. The letter describes the King’s imminent march towards Khorassan.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Alexander Stratton, HM Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire, sent from Bagdad and dated 30 August 1802. The letter forwards reports from Persia [Iran] of military preparations believed to be related to a campaign against the Wahabies [Wahhābī movement] and urges Stratton to press the Porte [Government of the Ottoman Empire] to assert its authority in Bagdad.Attached are:1. A letter from an informant of Harford Jones, sent from Erzeroum [Erzurum] and dated 26 May 1802. The letter forwards reports of Russian troop build-ups and military preparations in the Caucasus and the planned Russian annexation of Erivan [Yerevan].2. A ‘Bulletin from Persia’ written in French, dated Bagdad, 19 August 1802. The Bulletin reports developments in the campaign of Fet Ali Shah [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] in Corrassan [Khorasan] and planned campaigns against Merve [Mary/Merv] and the Vhabies [Wahhābī movement]. The bulletin also reports on events in Afghanistan, describing campaigns to secure Kandahar and Herat by the forces of Mahmud Chah [Mahmūd Shāh Durrānī], and suggesting that Fet Ali Shah has no designs in this direction.3. A copy of a letter from John Barker, Proconsul in Aleppo, to Harford Jones, sent from Aleppo and dated 21 August 1802. The letter forwards reports from Egypt that the evacuation of British forces has been delayed and that reinforcements are heading for the country. Attached are extracts of related letters from Antonio Vondiziano, Vice-Consul in Larnaca (in French), and an informant of John Barker in Rosetta [Rashid] dated 8 July 1802.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Lord Elgin, HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, sent from Bagdad and dated 22 June 1800.The letter reports news from Persia [Iran] and Afghanistan regarding the expedition of Baba Khan [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] to Khorasan and the movements of Zeman Shah [Zamān Shāh Durrānī] and his exiled brothers, and reports on relations between the Government of Bagdad and the Whabee [Wahhābī movement]. The letter also forwards various correspondence.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Lord Elgin, HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, sent from Bagdad and dated 17 January 1800.The letter reports the transit of Elgin’s dispatches to India via Bagdad and Bussora [Basra] and congratulates Elgin on his appointment as Ambassador. Jones also outlines the policy of the British Government in India towards Persia [Iran], reports on events in Afghanistan, and describes British interests in Bagdad.The letter also reports a rumour that the Shereef [Sharīf] of Mecca has offered to read the khutbeh [Friday prayer sermon] in the name of Baba Khan [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] instead of the Grand Signior [Sultan of the Ottoman Empire] in exchange for money.A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/106.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Lord Elgin, HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, sent from Bagdad and dated 3 September 1801.Jones states that he is planning to leave Bagdad for a location south of the city along with the Residency staff, despite the objections of the Pashaw [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad].The letter also conveys reports from Persia [Iran] and Afghanistan, including: reports that Hossein Kouli Khan [Ḥusyan Qulī Khān Qājār] has captured Ispahan [Isfahan]; reports of executions carried out by Hossein Kouli Khan and the King [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia]; reports of a defeat of Zeman Shah [Zamān Shāh Durrānī, Ruler of Afghanistan] to his brother Shah Zadeh Mahmood [Maḥmūd Shāh Durrānī]; and reports of a Russian incursion into Georgia.A duplicate of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/172.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)