Abstract: The file contains correspondence and telegrams between the Government of India, the British Embassy at Baghdad, California Arabian Standard Oil Company (CASOC), Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) and the Political Resident at Bahrain, regarding the monthly meetings of the Petroleum Advisory Committee held in Baghdad, then in Basra and in Tehran between 1942-1944. The correspondence mainly contains requests to the Political Agent at Bahrain to arrange air passages and hotel bookings for the oil companies' delegates.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 107; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-103; these numbers are written in ink and pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Lists, sent by the United States Consulate at Dhahran to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, detailing officers serving at the following United States’ embassies and consular offices in the Persian Gulf region: the US Embassy in Jidda [Jedda] (f 2); the US Consulate in Basra (f 3, f 8); and the US Consulate at Dhahran (ff 7-10). The file also contains a letter from the US Consul at Dhahran (Parker Thompson Hart), dated 24 August 1949, informing the Political Residency of the appointment of a new Commander to the US Middle East Force (f 5).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 13; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This file concerns tide tables relating to Bahrain, Bushire and other locations in the Gulf. It consists mostly of telegrams, memoranda, and brief letters of correspondence. Most of the file documents the efforts of the Political Agent, Bahrain, to obtain copies of tide tables for the Port of Bushire, Shatt al Arab, and the Port of Basrah [Basra].Correspondents include the following: the Political Agent, Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein in some of the correspondence); the Secretary to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire; the Survey of India’s Map Record Office, Dehra Dun [Dehradun]; the Director of Customs and Port Officer, Bahrain; the Port Director and Director-General of Navigation, Basrah; J D Potter (publishers and Admiralty chart agents); Lawrence and Mayo Ltd (opticians and Admiralty chart agents).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 60; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 4-57; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence related to the proposed appointment of Persian representatives in Kuwait, and the Political relations between Iraq and Kuwait. There is also correspondence related to the proposal of the Iraqi Government to appoint an Iraqi Vice-Consul at Kuwait. The correspondence also discusses the following:Granting permissions for certain individuals and school teachers from Iraq to visit Kuwait.Unity between Iraq and Kuwait, and the effect of such a union on British interest in the Arab world.Yasin Pasha’s (former Prime Minister of Iraq) party as leading the anti-British propaganda campaign in Iraq.Arab-Jewish relations in Palestine, and the Iraqi Press Propaganda against Kuwait which claims that the Amir of Kuwait had trade deals with the Jews in Palestine.The eradication of smuggling ‘which has had the worst effect upon the trade of Iraq’.The claim that Qasr Al-Zuhur Radio Station (King Ghazi’s Broadcast Station) is inciting the Kuwaiti youth to rise against the British, and call for the annexation of Kuwait by Iraq.A large amount of the correspondence is in the form of newspaper articles and extracts, translated from Arabic newspapers and sent between the Political Agency, Kuwait and the Political Residency, Bushire. The articles mainly call for the annexation of Kuwait to the Kingdom of Iraq. Most of these come from productions of the Iraqi Press including, Al-Nas, and Al-Ikha’ al-Watani.The main correspondence is between the Political Agency, Kuwait, the Political Residency, Bushire, the Ruler of Kuwait, the British Embassy, Baghdad, the High Commissioner for Iraq, and the Secretary of State for India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 341; 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 two leading and four ending flyleaves. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 2-341 and ff 3-341; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence in the form of telegrams, and confidential papers sent between British officials in the Gulf regarding Iraqi propaganda against Kuwait. Communications were made with former Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Pasha al-Said and the Ruler of Kuwait, in this regard. The correspondence also contains reports about members of Al-Naqib family from Basra who were appointed as envoys from Baghdad with instructions to offer official advice to the Ruler of Kuwait. A particular name that appears in the volume is Sayid Hamid Bey Al-Naqib, Basra Deputy to the Ruler of Kuwait.The correspondence also discusses the following: the refusal by Ibn Saud of any form of unity between Iraq and Kuwait, the issue of encouraging Persian immigration to Kuwait, and the petitions raised by members of the Legislative Council in Kuwait, to the Political Agent, Kuwait, to assist in releasing political prisoners in Kuwait.The correspondence also contains letters and newspaper extracts regarding Khalid Sulaiman al-‘Adsani, Secretary of the dissolved Legislative Council in Kuwait, and about the Arab Youth movement called al-Ansar, which calls for Arab unity. Most of the correspondence in the volume (ff 2-136) is dated 1939.The main correspondence is between the British Embassy, Baghdad, the Political Agency, Kuwait, the Political Residency, Bushire, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, London, and the British Embassy, Jeddah.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 156; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 3-154; these numbers are also written in pencil, but, where circled, are crossed through.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence, and related papers, regarding a court case over the ownership of date gardens claimed by the Shaikh of Kuwait [Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ], and his relations, around Fao in Iraq. The court case in question was prosecuted by the heirs of Ali Pasha Al-Zuhair at the Court of Basra. The volume also contains correspondence regarding legal aid provided to the Shaikh of Kuwait by the British Government, as a result of a pledge made to Shaikh Mubarak [Shaikh Jābir II al-Mubārak Āl Ṣabāḥ] in 1914 guaranteeing his ownership of these lands.A number of copies of statements (or memoranda) submitted to the Court of Basra can be found in the file:A statement submitted by the attorneys of the defendants 23 May 1938 in reply to the plaintiff's claim, with appended supporting correspondence: folios 74-106.A translation of ‘the important parts’ in a statement (in reply to the Shaikh's lawyer) submitted to the Court of Basra by Sulaiman ash-Shawwaf, the agent of Abdulla as-Zuhair: folios 123-131.The third memorandum presented by the attorneys of the defendants to the Court of Basra June 1938: folios 325-336 English translation, and folios 337-348 original Arabic version.A biographical entry on Tewfik Doss Pasha – an Egyptian lawyer selected by the British to provide assistance to the Shaikh of Kuwait – from
Personalities in Egypt for 1937can be found on folios 37-38. A translation into English of a power of attorney dated 26 Dhil-Qa‘ada 1326 [19 December 1908] given by Ahmed Pasha Al-Zuhair can be found on folios 312-313, with the original Arabic version on folio 314. A list of the heirs of Ali Pasha Al Zuhair is on folio 310.Related topics which are also covered within are the cutting down of trees within the Shaikh's date gardens by local Iraqi authorities and a proposed draft of a new land settlement law before the Iraqi Parliament.The main correspondents are as follows: the Kuwait Political Agent (Gerald Simpson de Gaury), the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Sir Trenchard Craven William Fowle and Hugh Weightman), HM Ambassador to Egypt (Sir Miles Lampson), the Shaikh of Kuwait, HM Consul at Basra, and officials at the British Embassy in Baghdad (mainly James Morgan). It also contains some correspondence with the Shaikh's advocate Abdul Jalil Pertow.The volume includes a significant amount of Arabic material, but in most cases an English translation is also available.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 372; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Three additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 6-367, ff 48-367, and ff 73-113; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence relating to the supply of water to Kuwait from the Shatt-al-Arab estuary which lies within the territory of Iraq. The papers contain incidents relating to the payment of customs duties, the customary drawing of water from populations surrounding the estuary, and the boring of water wells within Kuwait as an alternative. The majority of the correspondence is between the Political Agency in Kuwait, the Political Residency at Bushire, and a variety of experts and Kuwait Oil Company employees with expertise to bear on the matter of obtaining fresh water supplies for Kuwait.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 234; 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, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. Two irregular additional foliation sequences are present in parallel between ff 30-233; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Genre/Subject Matter:View of the house of a ‘dragoman’ (translator) for the British Consulate at Basra on the Ashar Creek. In the foreground at right, two men crouch down outside of a gate. The two-storey house is surrounded by a fence: a man stands on a low wall between two sections of fencing at centre. The brick and plaster house features ornately carved fan lights around a series of arched windows on the first floor. Large palms and other vegetation obscure part of the building from view at left.Inscriptions:Ink, below image: 'House of dragoman of British Consulate Basra. On the Ashar Creek.'Pencil, above image to the right: ‘27’Physical description: Dimensions:154 x 187 mmCondition:The print is in good condition throughout with minor toning/fading at all edgesFoliation:‘27’
Abstract: The file contains correspondence regarding congestion at the port of Basra during the First World War, and suggestions for increasing capacity and improving efficiency.The primary correspondents are: the Commander-in-Chief, India; the General Officer Commanding, Mesopotamia; and the War Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 93; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-92; these numbers are written in coloured crayon and pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Distinctive Features:Relief shown by form lines at 20 feet intervals.Blueprint of a map issued by War Office in 1916 ‘Turkey in Asia: Basrah Sheet No 3N, Reg. No 1519’, enclosed with a letter no. 188-S dated 21th December 1941.Shows area south of Basrah from Zubair [Az Zubayr] to Umm Qasr with location of wells, marshy areas and routes including a foot path along the Wadi Al-Batin. Title inserted in hand along the bottom margin.Physical description: Dimensions:270 x 346 mm
Abstract: The diary, written by Lieutenant-Colonel Wilfrid Malleson, comprises daily entries and accounts of his travels from 3 to 29 December 1906.The diary commences on his arrival at sea off Maskat [Muscat] before recounting the journey to Basra via Bushire and Koweit [Kuwait] and on to Baghdad, Babylon, Seleucia [Minţaqat as Salūqīyat al Atharīyah] and Ctesiphon.Each entry contains descriptions of places visited and notes on trade, climate and local customs along with accounts of conversations with people; in addition, there are observations on other matters such as quarantine arrangements, pilgrimages and local shortages of labour.Printed at the Government Monotype Press, Simla 1907.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 23; 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 printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The file includes three land deeds of the date gardens, all dated 12 February 1909. The first two deeds are between the Shaikh of Kuwait Mubarak al-Sabah and Abdul Wahhab al-Qirtass, on behalf of certain members of al-Zuhair family in Basra Iraq. The third deed is between Shaikh Mubarak and Shafiqa bint Hafiz Afendi (wife of the late Ali Pasha al-Zuhair). The file is entirely in Arabic.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 5; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-4; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.