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133. ‘Persian Gulf gazetteer. Part 1. Historical and political materials. Précis on arms trade in the Persian Gulf.’
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume, stamped ‘Secret’ on the front cover and frontispiece, is part 1 (historical and political materials) of a précis the arms trade in the Persian Gulf, covering the years 1883 to 1904. It was prepared by Lieutenant Cecil Hamilton Gabriel of the Indian Army, and published in 1904 by the Government of India Foreign Department, Simla, India.The précis comprises copies of correspondence relating to: the nature and extent of the arms traffic between various parts and ports of the Gulf and the wider Indian Ocean region: chiefly in and around Maskat [Muscat], but also on the Mekran [Makran] coast, the route between Zanzibar and Maskat, Bahrein [Bahrain], Koweit [Kuwait], Oman and Somaliland [Somalia], and between the Persian Gulf and the northwest frontier [Afghanistan]; reports of the seizure or surrender of arms, or vessels carrying arms, including the seizure of the SS Baluchistanin 1898, and arms traded by the company Fracis, Times & Co.; agreements between the British Government and local rulers for the suppression of the arms trade; the issue of licenses for the export of arms; arms traffic in the Gulf, in relation to French, Italian, Persian and Turkish Governments; instructions for naval officers in the Persian Gulf in relation to the arms traffic.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the inside back cover; 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, with page numbers located top and centre of each page.
134. 'Confidential 86/12-i A. 70 Petroleum Concessions Limited. MUSCAT'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch), the Political Agent at Muscat (Ralph Ponsonby Watts), the India Office (Maurice Clauson), Petroleum Concessions Limited (Major Frank Holmes, John Skliros, Stephen Hemsley Longrigg) and the Standard Oil Company of California (Hamilton R Ballantyne) regarding Petroleum Concessions Limited’s interest in an oil concession in Muscat and their intention of opening negotiations with the Sultan of Muscat and Oman (Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd) which were delayed owing to the Sultan extending his stay in the interior of his country near Dhofar [Zufār].Included in the file are copies in Arabic and English of the proposed concession agreement for Muscat and Oman, including correspondence regarding possible amendments to the agreement and copies of the various drafts which can be found at folios 5-20, 28-40, 109-124, 136-139, 144-159 and 195-210.Also discussed is correspondence between the Sultan of Muscat and the Standard Oil Company of California, including samples of oil seepages found near Dhofar which were sent to the company for assessment but were not found to contain crude oil.Also discussed are the concerns of British authorities at Standard Oil’s attempts to acquire concessions in the Persian Gulf and conversations between the Company’s representative in London and the India Office at which the Company were made aware that Petroleum Concessions Limited had been given first right of negotiation in that area.Other matters of interest within the file include:concerns over possible reactions by the Bani Bu Ali [Banī Bū ‘Alī] tribe to any negotiations for, or grant of, an oil concession in Muscat, which would cover the Sur district where they held power;discussion regarding the difficulty of defining the boundaries for the Imamate of Oman;a visit paid by Major Holmes to Cairo and the British authorities in the Persian Gulf interest in knowing who he had met and what he had discussed whilst there;correspondence regarding Count Byron de Prorok and his wife Alice who had travelled from Aden to Muscat and Bahrain with the intention of searching for antiquities and archaeological sites in the region, and Tullio Pastori who was visiting Muscat and Bandar Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] to recruit labour for an Italian road construction project in Eritrea; and British officials suspicions that their visits to the area were on behalf of an Italian Oil concern, which were concluded to be unfounded.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 227-236.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; 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 also present in parallel between ff 21-226; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
135. 'CONFIDENTIAL 86/12-ii A.75. P.C.L. MUSCAT'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Olaf Caroe), the Political Agent at Muscat (Ralph Ponsonby Watts), the India Office (Maurice Clauson, John Charles Walton), the Secretary of State for India (Lawrence Dundas, 2nd Marquess of Zetland), Petroleum Concessions Limited (Frank Holmes, Stephen Hemsley Lonrgigg, Frederick Lewisohn) and the Sultan of Muscat (Said bin Taimur Al Bu Said) regarding negotiations for the granting of two oil concessions for Dhofar and Muscat territory, which were concluded by Basil Henry Lermitte of Petroleum Concessions Limited, with the concession agreements being signed on 24 June 1937.Also discussed in the volume are arrangements for a meeting between Stephen Hemsley Longrigg of Petroleum Concessions Limited and the Sultan of Muscat, which was to take place in India, in order to discuss how they might go about exploring the South East Muscat Coast and also how to gain access to the hinterland under the control of the Imam of Muscat. Also included is a request by the Sultan of Muscat for the Political Agent at Muscat, Ralph Ponsonby Watts, to be present not only at the meeting with Longrigg but also at later meetings in Delhi where the British treaty with Muscat was likely to be discussed.Further discussion relating to exploration is included between the India Office and Petroleum Concessions Limited regarding the Company’s interest in exploring the South East Coast of Muscat and parts of the interior controlled by the Imam of Muscat and the difficulties they would be likely to encounter in attempting to do so; along with the area west of the Oman Mountain Range which Petroleum Concessions Limited were interested in ascertaining any known boundaries for, and otherwise how best to approach exploration there.Another matter of discussion within the volume is Count Byron de Prorok and his wife who had travelled to Muscat to undertake archaeological exploration, but had been refused permission to explore the interior of the country by the Sultan of Muscat. The correspondence goes on to discuss allegations made by a number of individuals and organisations that the he was not entitled to hold the rank of Count; that he had been discredited in the scientific community and could not be considered to be an archaeologist; and that a number of institutions he claimed to have the support and backing of for his explorations had issued statements refuting any involvement with him. Later correspondence discusses an application made by him for permission to travel into the Rub-el-Khali in an attempt to discover an ancient city believed to be there and the India Office’s intention of declining the request. Also included with this correspondence is discussion of a visit made by an Italian, Tullio Pastori, to Muscat and Bandar Abbas and giving Mr Pastori’s background and intentions in visiting the region to recruit labourers to construct roads in Eritrea.Other matters of interest in the volume include:discussion surrounding ongoing communication between the Sultan of Muscat and the California Arabian Standard Oil Company, who wished to undertake examinations in Muscat territory for the potential development of Petroleum resources there, and regarding such correspondence being in opposition to conditions imposed in the Sultan’s treaty with the British Government.correspondence regarding proposed amendments to the Political Agreement to be signed by Petroleum Concessions Limited and the India Office in relation to the Muscat concession.the proposed itinerary for a tour to be undertaken by the Sultan of Muscat in 1937 to India, Singapore, Japan, USA, Britain, France and Italy.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 175-184.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; 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 also present in parallel between ff 3-174; these numbers are also written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
136. ‘Letters outward’
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains copies of letters, many with copies of their enclosures, sent by the Resident in the Persian Gulf, Captain Samuel Hennell, to Charles Norris, Chief Secretary to the Government in Bombay. The letters deal with a range of subjects, as follows:The extent of the slave trade between Mauritius and Muscat, and in the Persian Gulf in general (folios 1-5);Relations between the various rulers on the Arab coast and Oman, including a siege led by the Imam of Muscat’s forces against the town of Sohar, the failure of the siege and renewal of peaceful relations between Muscat and Sohar (folios 10-13, 30-33, 38-43); hostilities and subsequent peaceful relations between Shaikh Sultan ben Suggar [Sultan bin Saqr] of Ras el Khymah [Ra’s al-Khaymah] and Shaikh Tahnoon ben Shakboot [Tahnun bin Shakbut] of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] (folios 44-45, 48-52), relations between the Joasmee [Āl Qāsimī] Shaikhs and the ruler of Sohar, Humood bin Azan (folios 64-65). Many of these letters enclose translated reports from the British Agent at Sharjah, Moolla Hussain, and the translations of letters from Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr, Shaikh Tahnun bin Shakbut and others;Reports on the ambitions of the Wahabee [Wahhābī] ruler Toorky bin Saood [Turki bin ‘Abdullāh bin Muḥammad Āl Sa‘ūd], and in particular to his demands on and relations with Bahrain (spelt Bahrein throughout), his desire to be on good terms with the British Government, and his diplomatic overtures to the Arab Shaikhs (folios 6-9, 16-20, 46-47, 53-56);Report of the proceedings of the Brig of War Euphratesduring February 1831, signed by Acting Commander Denton. The report lists its orders received shown alongside actions taken, in left- and right-hand columns (folios 14-15);The dispatch to Bombay of tobacco seeds, with instructions for their propagation (folios 26-29);The dispatch to Bombay of silkworm eggs, with a description of how silkworms are raised in Persia (folios 60-61);The establishment of the first lithographic press in Shiraz (folios 62-63).As a result of the volume having been significantly weeded in the past, there are multiple instances of truncated letters throughout the volume, most of which are identifiable by them having been crossed out in blue and occasionally red pencil.Physical description: Foliation: The volume is foliated from the first page of text to the last blank page at the end of the volume, using small pencil numbers positioned in the top-right corner of each recto. There is an unfoliated flyleaf before f.1 at the front of the volume. The front and back covers are unfoliated. Foliation anomalies: f.36 precedes f.35.Pagination: An original system of pagination runs through the volume, from the first to last page of text, using ink numbers in the top-left corner of versos and top-right corner of rectos. This pagination runs from p.23 to p.487 which numerous disruptions throughout, which are a result of past weeding of the volume.
137. 'Letters inward'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file contains letters from the Government of Bombay to the Residency in the Persian Gulf at Bushire. Correspondents include Charles Norris, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, and William Henry Wathen, Secretary to the Government of Bombay. The recipients are David Anderson Blane, Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire, and Samuel Hennell, Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire. Subjects include: the role of the British Government in disputes between the Imam of Muscat and his neighbours; the condition of buildings at Bassidore [Bāsa‘īdū] Station and its advantages as a port; the death of the Wahhabi Chief Turki ibn Saud [Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd]; and the weak condition of the Gulf Squadron.Physical description: Pagination: There is an inconsistent pagination sequence, which is written in ink in the top right corner of each recto and in the top left corner of each verso. The sequence runs from 25 to 131, but there are a few gaps. Foliation: The foliation sequence is written in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the first folio of writing, on number 1, and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 19.
138. 'No 413 Vol 19. Revised Commercial Treaty with Muscat'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file concerns the conclusion of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation with the Sultan of Muscat, Sayyid Fayṣal bin Turkī Āl Bū Sa‘īd on 19 March 1891. The new treaty was modelled on a recently concluded treaty with Zanzibar. It superseded the Treaty of Commerce of May 1839 and its main purpose was to shut out French interests and influence in Muscat.Correspondence in the volume is between the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire and the Political Agent at Muscat, as well as British officials in the Foreign Department of the Government of India, the Foreign Office and at Zanzibar. There are also copies of correspondence from the Sultan of Muscat.The file has an index on folio 2A. Subjects within the file include: the exclusion of Cape of Good Hope from the Treaty (folios 88, 94); importation of arms and ammunition (folio 37); the expiration of the Treaty (folios 108, 112-114); British protection for Goanese subjects under the Treaty (folios 144-148, 154-156); modifications to the Treaty (folios 119-120); accession to Natal (folios 88, 94); accession to Newfoundland (folios 95-96); draft of the Treaty (folios 8-17, 22-31); draft protocol (folios 74-77); accession to Queensland (folios 95-96); draft of Revised Treaty (1904-1905) (folios 138-170); Separate Declaration by Sultan as to non-cession of his dominions (folios 54-57, 61-62); treaty executed but not-ratified (folios 49-53); Zanzibar Commercial Treaty (1886) (folios 18-21, 40-48).Physical description: Foliation: Foliation numbers are circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. They begins on the title page, on number 1B, and end on the last folio of writing, on number 170. The file contains the following foliation amendments: folios 1A-B; folios 2A-C; folios 4A-B; folios 78A-B; folios 79A-B.
139. ‘Imperial Ottoman Euphrates Railway, shewing the Present and Proposed Routes from London to India by Sir John Macneill and Telford Macneill, Engineers’
- Description:
- Abstract: Distinctive Features:Proposed route shown by pecked line.Includes a MS table of distances and times of transit with railways speed reckoned at 25 miles per hour, and steamers at 12 miles per hour.Physical description: Dimensions:293 x 421 mm, on sheet 354 x 559 mm
140. 'Sultanate of Muscat and Oman [Oil concession agreement]'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file is concerned with an agreement relating to an oil concession at Muscat, which was made between Sultan Saiyid Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd ibn Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Sultan of the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, and Petroleum Concessions Limited on 24 June 1937. The agreement details the terms and conditions of the concession including the price to be paid to the Sultan by the company, the areas within which the company can drill for oil, and the rights to which the company will and will not have in undertaking their work. An amendment to the agreement is included on the final folio, and includes a prohibition against the importation of firearms by the company or its employees and a further prohibition against the importation and consumption of alcohol, except by foreign subjects (those who were not citizens of the Sultanate).The agreement was signed by the Sultan; Ralph Ponsonby Watts, Political Agent and HBM's Consul at Muscat; and Basil Henry Lermitte, on behalf of Petroleum Concessions Limited; on the 24 June 1937.Physical description: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 10; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
141. ‘Conduct of the garrison of Shurkia in preventing the Honble Company's Schooner "Emily" from entering the harbour of Muscat’
- Description:
- Abstract: Enclosure nos. 2-5 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Government of Bombay [Mumbai], dated 30 December 1844. The enclosures are dated 8 November-21 December 1844.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to an incident in which the East India Company schooner Emilyarrived at Muscat at midnight and the Omani garrison at the fort of Shurkia [Ash Sharqiya, or al-Jalali] threatened to fire on it if it attempted to enter the harbour.The primary correspondent is the Native Agent, Muscat.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
142. '1904/733. Pts 3, 4, 5, & 6. MUSCAT. COMMERCIAL TREATY. STATUS OF MUSCATIS. HOSPITAL.'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume comprises four parts discussing affairs in Muscat which are indirectly related to the Muscat Arbitration discussed in parts 1 and 2:part 3 discusses a possible revision of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between Great Britain and Muscat, originally signed in 1892;part 4 considers the status of Muscat citizens living overseas and whether they were entitled to British diplomatic assistance;part 5 discusses a dispensary opened in Mutra [Maṭraḥ] by the American Mission hospital, against the wishes of the Sultan of Muscat (Fayṣal bin Turkī Āl Bū Sa‘īd);part 6 relates to the proposal to construct a new hospital in Muscat and initial financial donations towards the scheme.The volume comprises parts 3, 4, 5, and 6. Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 350; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
143. ‘Affairs of the Persian Gulf vol 1’
- Description:
- Abstract: This item consists of copies of political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The enclosures to these letters are contained in the subsequent items. It is the first in a series of seven items on affairs of the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2077/95830, 95831, 95832, 95833, 95834, and 95835).The item concerns:Disturbances at Shiraz caused by an attempt to oust the current Governor of Fars, Ameer Mirza Nubbee Khan [Amīr Dīvān Mīrzā Nabī Khān Qazwīnī]A complaint by the Imam of Muscat [Sayyid Sa'īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa'īd] that his vessels were paying higher duty at Mauritius than previouslyReports of vessels from Bombay and Cutch [Kachchh] trading under British colours without the appropriate passesThe military success of Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd] and possible British reactions to thisThe aborted Persian attack against Bunder Abbas [Bandar-e ʻAbbas]Disputes over customs duties at Bunder AbbasA complaint by Josiah Row Chowdry [Josiah Rao Chaudhari] against the British merchant brig Mary Alicethat he was owed wages by the ship’s masterA violent dispute between the Joasmees [Qāsimīs, i.e. al-Qawāsim] and subjects of Debaye [Dubai]The murder of Beebee Aseeloo [Bibi ‘Asilu], widow of the late Native Agent at MuscatThe English burial ground at Karrack [Jazireh-ye Khark]The item contains a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Collection 8, Draft 78, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4624, [Season 18]45’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 125 and terminates at f 156, 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 volume also contains an original pagination sequence
144. ‘Persian Gulf & Zanzibar Affairs of – vol: 3’
- Description:
- Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, resolutions, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political and secret letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Captain Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; Captain Atkins Hamerton, Her Majesty’s Consul and Honourable Company’s Agent in the dominions of the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat; Reuben bin Aslan, East India Company's Agent at Muscat; Mirza Reza, East India Company's Agent at Shiraz. It is the third in a series of seven items on affairs of the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2077/95829, IOR/F/4/2077/95830, IOR/F/4/2077/95832, IOR/F/4/2077/95833, IOR/F/4/2077/95834, and IOR/F/4/2077/95835).The item concerns:Disturbances at Shiraz caused by an attempt to oust the current Governor of Fars, Ameer Mirza Nubbee Khan [Amir Divan Mirza Nabī Khan Qazwīnī]Preparation for a tour of the Gulf to be made by Lieutenant Arnold Burrows Kemball, Assistant Resident in the Persian GulfReports of the movements of Syud Thooenee [Sayyid Thuwainī bin Sa'īd Āl Bū Sa'īd] at MuscatRepairs to the Futhool Moobarukat Muscat, the subsequent loss of her cargo through shipwreck, and its recoveryReports of vessels from Bombay and Cutch [Kachchh] trading under British colours without the appropriate passes, and measures taken to deal with them.The item includes a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 78, P.C. [Previous Communication] 4624, [Season 18]45’, ‘Collection No 8 of No 40’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 190 and terminates at f 227, 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 volume also contains an original pagination sequence.