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1. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, Feb:13.1856’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from the Government of Bombay (15-16 January 1856, Numbers 5-8 and 19). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The dispatches cover the following topics: the question as to whether Sirdars from Candahar [Kandahar] should be permitted to enter Sind, the conclusion of a formal peace agreement between the Oulaki and the Sultan of Lahedge [Lahej], measures to be taken against the Foutheli, and the position of the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf following the suspension of diplomatic ties with Persia. It also includes a couple of very brief updates on Turkish Arabia.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
2. ‘Secret Letters received January 1.1856 by way of Marseilles’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the President in Council (22 November 1855, Numbers 61-62) and the Government of Bombay (28 November and 3 December 1855, Numbers 71 and 73-75). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the President in Council (folios 9-16r) focus on news from Afghanistan and developments in the Nepalese-Tibetan War (1855-1856). They also include an acquittal for the conduct of Major-General Clarke and the question as to whether British mediation can be employed in the dispute between Maharaja Gulab Singh of Cashmere [Kashmir] and his nephew Raja Jowahir Singh.The section from Bombay (folios 16v-17) provides brief updates on Aden, Afghanistan, Persia, and the suppression of the East African Slave Trade.Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)
3. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, Nov.15.1856’
- Description:
- 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)
4. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, Feb.16.1857’
- Description:
- 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)
5. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, April 2.1856’
- Description:
- 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)
6. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, March 3.1856’
- Description:
- 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)
7. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, June 30.1856’
- Description:
- 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)
8. ‘Secret Letters received Feb:4.1856 by way of Marseilles’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from the Government of Bombay (1-2 January 1856, Numbers 1-4). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches are concerned with reports of the capture of Candahar [Kandahar] by Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan, and Persia's response. It also covers the state of relations between the British at Aden and the Foutheli, and contains brief reports of unrest at Mecca.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
9. ‘Secret Letters received June 2.1856’
- Description:
- 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)
10. ‘Secret Letters received from India, by way of Marseilles, Oct.4.1856’
- Description:
- 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)
11. 'Enclosures to Secret Letters from India', Vol 62
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains manuscript copies of secret letters, memoranda, translations of letters, intelligence reports, financial and statistical statements and translations of local 'newsletters', relating to diplomatic, military and logistical aspects of the British-led invasion of Afghanistan by the so-called Army of the Indus.Packets (individual or groups of documents) are numbered 2-388 (No.1 does not appear to be bound at the front of the volume), and all annotated ‘No: 34 of 15th November’ (the volume is labelled 'Nov to Nov 1839'). Each document records the date received at the Presidency, Fort William, Simla [Shimla], Secret Department, Secret and Separate Department, or Political Department, 1839, as well as the date of the original document, the correspondent and a summary of the content. Original documents mostly date from March to August 1839 but the volume includes some from November 1838 to February 1839. Copy letters end on folio 786. Folios 787-794 contain: ‘List of Packets to the Hon’ble [Honourable] the Secret Committee of the Hon’ble the Court of Directors. Per [blank]’. The list includes dates and correspondents only.The principal correspondents are: Thomas Herbert Maddock, Officiating Secretary to the Government in India with the Governor-General; William Hay Macnaghten, Envoy and Minister with the Court of Shah Shooja ool-Moolk [Shah Shuja ul-Mulk]; Henry Torrens, Deputy Secretary to the Government in India with the Governor-General; Lieutenant William Joseph Eastwick, Officiating Political Agent, Khyrpore [Khairpur] Agency; (Andrew) Ross Bell, Collector of Delhi, also referred to as Officiating Political Agent, Shikapore, and Political Agent Upper Sinde [Sindh]; Elliott D’Arcy Todd, in temporary charge of the British Mission, Cabool [Kabul]; Alexander Burnes, Envoy to Kelat [Kalat]; Henry Pottinger, Resident in Sinde; George Clerk, Political Agent, Loodhiana [Ludhiana] (sending translations of his 'newsletter' Punjab Akhbar[also spelt Akbarin the volume]).Other correspondents include: [T J] Nuthall, Deputy Assistant Commissary General; J D D Bean, In charge of Political Affairs, Shawl [Sahiwal]; Captain H Johnson, Paymaster and Commissariat Officer, Shah Shoojah’s Force; Lieutenant General John Keane, Commander of the Army of the Indus; Lieutenant Colonel I Stuart, Officiating Secretary to the Government in India, Military Department, with the Governor-General; Lieutenant General Sir Willoughby Cotton, Commanding Bengal Column of the Army of the Indus; Major-General E H Simpson, Commanding Shah Shoojah’s Force; John McNeill, British Envoy in Persia; and various British diplomatic and military personnel.Matters covered notably include:Progress of the Army of the Indus towards and into Afghanistan including: landing at Vikkur of the Bombay Column under Lieutenant-General John Keane, progress to Tatta [Thatta], across the Indus, on to Shikapore [Shikarpur] and Dadar (also spelt Daddur and Dadur in the volume) [Dadhar/Dhadar]; march northwards through the Bolan Pass; arrival at Quetta; unopposed occupation of Candahar [Kandahar] by the united Bengal and Bombay Columns and Shah Shoojah’s Force on 25 April 1839 (official accounts on folios 160-64 and folios 355-67); capture of the Fortress of Ghuznee [Ghazni] 23 July 1839 (official account on folios 606-612); capture of Cabool [Kabul] on 6 August 1839 and departure of Ruler Dost Mohammed Khan with his remaining supporters (official account on folio 742-48)Supplying the Army of the Indus, particularly: logistics of transport routes, food stores, ordnance depots and supply apportionments; problems encountered by British political agents in procuring sufficient camels, livestock, forage and grain and Henry Pottinger’s suspicions of obstructionism by the Hyderabad ameers [amirs]; British attempts to induce local populations to contribute assistanceFinancing the Army of the Indus, particularly: authorised and disputed expenses submitted by political agents and army officers; payments to local rulers, loyal ‘native’ employees and informers; problems repaying loans from local bankers and wealthy inhabitants; salaries of military and non-combatant staff; auditing of the accounts of Shah Shoojah’s Force; gold coin supplyBritish policy of conciliation with a view to securing the route and maintaining lines of communication and supply into Afghanistan, particularly: efforts to reduce the number of attacks, by Belochee (also spelt Belochee) [Balochi] marauders, on British forces in the Bolan Pass and other vulnerable areas; exhorting the troops to act humanely, avoid confrontations with locals and miscreants and only use force as a last recourse; engagement of Belochee tribesmen on the side of the British forces; soliciting support from local rulers and influential tribal chiefs (with monetary inducements) concurrent with exhortations of submission to Shah ShoojahCommunications, particularly: arrangements for the campaign Dâks (or Dawks) [postal service]; retaining clear crossing over the River Indus; and improvement of the roadsIntelligence, notably: reports by political agents Alexander Burnes, R Leech and George Clerk, on the political situation in Candahar, activities of Afghan Ruler Dost Mohammed and other suspected anti-British intrigues; interception of native letters; surveillance and disposal of questionable characters such as a ‘Prince of Persia’ apprehended at Shikapore; (false) rumours of Colonel Charles Stoddart’s murder in Bokkara [Bukhara] (folios 188-189); reports on the court of Maharajah Ranjeet [Ranjit] Singh, including his illness, death on 27 June 1839 and funeral rites (accounts in Punjab Akhbar, folios 705-21)Relations between the Hyderabad ameers (Meer Noor Mahomed, Nusseer Mahomed and Meer Mahomed Khan and Sobdah Khan), and Henry Pottinger, the Resident in Sinde, whilst the latter is en routeto Bombay (on sick leave) via Kurachee [Karachi] in early April 1839, notably regarding the incident of the gun fired from the Moonarah [Manora] Fort, (near Kurachee), and hostile fire returned by HMS Wellesley; attempts by the ameers to negotiate amendments to the 14-point ‘dictat’ Treaty issued to each of them by the Governor-General of India (over-riding Pottinger’s earlier more liberal 23-point draft treaty), regarding currency, payments to the British and control of Kurachee (the Treaty of 14 points, was ratified by the ameers in July 1839); relations between Sobdah Khan and the other three ameersPhysical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 795; 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.The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading flyleaves.
12. 'Enclosures to Secret Letters from India, Vol 57'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains copies of secret correspondence relating to the British-led invasion of Afghanistan in 1839. The letters and memoranda cover the period beginning with the landing of the so-called Army of the Indus in Sinde [Sindh, also written as Scinde] in late 1838 to its arrival in Candahar [Kandahar].Principal correspondents include: Henry Whitelock Torrens, Secretary to the Governor-General; William Hay Macnaghten, Envoy and Minister to the Court of Shah Shooja [Shah Shuja-ul-Mulk]; Lieutenant Elliott D'Arcy Todd, in charge of the British Mission to Caboul [Kabul, also written as Cabool]; Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Burnes, British Envoy to Kelat; Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Mackeson, Agent at Peshawar; Major-General Willoughby Cotton, Commander of the Bengal Division of the Army of the Indus; Major-General Sir John Keane, Commander in Chief of the Bombay Army; Thomas Herbert Maddock, Officiating Secretary to the Government of India, with the Governor General; and Lieutenant-General Henry Pottinger, Resident at Sinde. Other correspondents include local rulers (including those of Herat, Khyrpoor [Khairpur], and Kelat), British and 'Native' Agents in the region, officers of the Commissariat, representatives of the treasury in Delhi, and several political, military, and diplomatic officers of the East India Company.Matters covered by the papers include:Supply, carriage, and communication, including road surveys and the navigation and bridging of the Indus RiverFinancial matters, including the transferral of funds to pay for supplies and subsidiesAppointment and payment of officersIntelligence on the activities of Russians and hostile individuals and groups in the regionProgress of the armyRelations with the rulers of Sinde, Herat, Khyrpoor, and Bhawalpoor [Bahawalpur].The volume includes a letter to Kamran Shah in transliterated Dari (folios 474-477).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 808; 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.
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