Abstract: The item consists of extracts of Political Letters, Political Consultations and Public Consultations from the Government of Bombay regarding the seizure of the country ship
Hectorby Shaikh Rehma [Shaikh Rahma bin Muḥammad al-Mu'ini] of Busheab [Jazīreh-ye Lāvān], who is alternatively referred to as the Shaikh of Nuckhuloo [Nakhilu]. In particular the item concerns:The measures undertaken by the East India Company to recover the property stolen from the ship
Hector, including the detention of all ships that might be found in the province belonging to the Shaikh of BusheabThe possibility, suggested by Captain Charles Pasley, Chargé d’Affaires to the Court of Persia, of making Persia responsible for the restitution of the stolen property rather than Shaikh RehmaThe likelihood, according to Pasley, of the Persian Court taking action to retrieve the stolen property and to punish Shaikh RehmaThe successful expedition to recover some of the property launched by Shaik Nusser [Shaikh Nasir Khan], Governor of Bushire, to Busheab on the orders of the Sheraz [Shiraz] Government, during which the son of Shaikh Rehma was taken as security for the remaining payment owedThe death of the son of Shaikh Rehma due to smallpox, and the unlikelihood of Persia launching a second expedition to Busheab and consequently the unlikelihood of further restitutions for the stolen propertyAccounts of the stolen goods that have been recovered, compiled by the Acting Resident at Bushire.The item also contains the translation of an extract from the journal of Moonshee Mahomed Hussan [Munshi Muḥammad Hasan] who reports on his discussions with Cheragh Alee Khan [Chiragh ‘Ali Khan Nava’i, Vizier of Fars] regarding the Persian Court's intentions to recover the stolen goods. Additionally, the item contains a list of the stolen goods that have been divided out by Shaikh Rehma amongst different individuals (ff 40 verso - 41 verso).Correspondents include: Government of Bombay; Samuel Manesty, Resident at Bussora [Basra]; James Augustus Grant, Secretary to Government of Bombay; Captain Charles Pasley, Chargé d’Affaires to the Court of Persia; Neil Benjamin Edmonstone, Secretary to Government in the Secret, Political and Foreign Department, Fort William; David Seton, Resident at Muscat; Charles Marquis Cornwall, Governor-General; British Resident at Bagdad; William Bruce, Acting Resident at Bushire; Sheikh Nasser; Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay; Cheragh Alee Khan; Aka Mahomed Behlance [Agha Muḥammad Bihlani].Shaikh Rehma is alternatively referred to as: Shaikh Rema; Rama; Rama Eben Ben Surnud; Rahma; Raham; Rhemah; Rehmah; Rama Ebie Benpennud; Ruhum; Rukinee; Rhema; Ruhma of Nukheloo; Rehma Bin Mohammed Bin Sunneed. The area which he ruled over is alternatively referred to as: Busheab; Nuckhuloo; Nukheeloo; Nukheloo; Nackheloo; Nakhiloo; Nakhilo; Nakhiloa; Nakhelow; Nackhelow; Rackhdoo; Rackheloo; Island of Shaikh Sheib.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Political No. 1' and 'Examiner's Office September 1806'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 5, and terminates at f 47, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume contains copies of correspondence, intelligence reports, diary extracts, and memoranda relating to the appointment, service, and conduct of Jonathon Henry Lovett (1778-1805) as Resident in Bushire [Būshehr].The principal subjects covered are:Lovett's instructions to deliver a letter of apology from the Governor-General, Lord Wellesley [Richard Colley Wellesley], to the Court of the Shah of Persia [Iran], intended to ease tensions with the Persian authorities following the death in Bombay (August 1802) of their Envoy to India, Hajee Khalleel Khan [Hajji Khalil Khan], including providing financial assistance for his close relatives (listed on folios 26-27)Lovett's request to Manesty, Resident in Bussorah [Basra], that they swap residencies and that, due to the former's ill health, Manesty take over Lovett's duties and ambassadorial mission to the Persian CourtAdmonishment of Manesty, by Neil Benjamin Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government of India, Fort William, for undertaking Lovett's ambassadorial mission to the Persian Court (July 1804) without sanction from the Governor-GeneralLovett's efforts to recover the Company property 'plundered' at Busheab [Jazīreh-ye Lāvān] after both the
Alertand the
Hectorwere ship-wrecked there, including attempts to obtain Persian assistance and the organisation of an expedition to the island (related papers include extracts of the diary of William Bruce, Assistant Resident in Bushire (folios 89-92 and 96-101) and the narrative of proceedings of Khoja Awanoos Ishak, Bushire Factory Broker (folios 63-67), both of whom were sent to Busheab to investigate).Other subjects covered include:The political situation in Khorassan [historic Khorāsān] and Afghanistan, in particular Herat, Kabool [Kabul], and Meshhed [Mashhad]Local and regional affairs in PersiaThe movements of the Persian Army , particularly along the country’s northwest and northeast frontiersShip movements in the Persian Gulf, including the sighting of two French vessels, the
Atalantaand the
CorvetteLovett’s persistent ill health which eventually led him to make the request that Manesty take on his duties at BushireAn epidemic in Persia of an unspecified disease during the autumn of 1803The appearance of a Persian man, believed by Lovett to be a fraud, calling himself 'Hyder Beg' and claiming to be in the employment of the French Government.The volume chiefly comprises letters from Lovett to Edmonstone. Correspondence between Lovett and John Malcolm, Acting Private Secretary to the Governor-General, in Bombay, is also included.Lovett’s letters contain many enclosures, mostly correspondence with the following: Cheragh Ally Khan [Chirāgh ‘Ali Khān], Vizier of Fars; Meerza Ameer [Mirza Amir], an informant of the British at Shiraz; Aga Mohummed Nebee [Muḥammad Nabī Khān Shirāzī], Hajee Khalleel Khan’s successor as Persian Envoy to India; Stephen S Beaufort, Supercargo of the
Endeavour; Shaikh Nusser [Nāṣir], Governor of Bushire; Khoja Awanoos Ishak, Bushire Factory Broker; Shykh Rehma bin Sunnud of Nukheeloo [Shaikh Rahma bin Sunnud of Bandar-e Nakhīlū]; Captain Edward Stephenson, Commander of the
Panther; Lieutenant William Bruce, Assistant Resident, Bushire; Shaikh Jubara of Kangoon [Bandar-e Kangan]; Captain Robson, Commander of the
Endeavour; Mirza Reza Kooly [Mirza Reza Quli], Prime Minister of Persia; Prince Hoossein Aly Meerza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā], Governor of Fars; Captain William Maughan, Commander of the
Ternate; Captain David Seton, Resident at Muscat; and Khoja Fareed Oo Deen [Farīd al-Dīn], Moonshee [Munshi] in Shiraz. At the back of the volume is correspondence between Lovett and John Lumsden, Chief Secretary to the Government of India, in Fort William, concerning his decision to leave Bushire and containing his explanation of why he did so.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 200; 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 122-200; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading flyleaf.