Abstract: The file chiefly comprises correspondence, memoranda, and newspaper cuttings relating to the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916 and British policy in former Ottoman territories following the end of the First World War. Many of the papers were printed and prepared for the War Cabinet (from March 1918, the Eastern Committee of the War Cabinet) and date from May 1915 to September 1919.The papers cover several matters, including:Negotiations leading up to the Sykes-Picot Agreement (ratified in May 1916) and concerning the future government of Syria (including Lebanon), Palestine, Mesopotamia [Iraq], and Asiatic Turkey, and the securing of British and French 'rights' in the regionOther wartime agreements involving Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and Roumania [Romania]Revision of the Sykes-Picot Agreement in 1918 following subsequent developments during the War, in particular the 'Arab Revolt' [uprising of Arab nationalists against the Ottoman Empire] and the conquest of Palestine and Syria by British and Arab forcesThe discussion of an Anglo-French declaration to be made to try and appease the inhabitants of the regionThe British Government's response to a memorial issued by seven Arab leaders resident in Egypt regarding their desires for self-determination in the region, particularly SyriaA statement made by Feisal [Fayṣal bin Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī al-Hāshimī] to the Chief of General Staff, Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 31 August 1919, regarding recent events in the region, promises made to the Arabs during the War, and Arab determination to achieve independence.The correspondence is principally between diplomats and politicians of the British, French, Russian and Italian governments, and officials at the Foreign Office and War Office.Folios 70-84 consist of related manuscript notes by Lord Curzon.The French language material consists of correspondence from French diplomats and politicians.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 85; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Title supplied by cataloger.Written in a naskh hand in black ink, 26 lines on recto of the leaf and 14 lines on the verso.Ijāzahs are in the hands of their issuers Aḥmad ibn Ibrāhīm and Muḥammad ibn Shaʻbān. Seals of both of them are on verso of the leaf.The ms is stained. There is slight loss of text at the bottom left corner.Laid paper (21.2 x 15.6 cm).The first ijāzah written on 4 Shawwāl 1102 1691 in Damascus; the second one is not dated.MS Arab 404. Houghton Library, Harvard University.In Arabic.
Title supplied by cataloger. Varying title from fol. 1r, written in a later hand.Written in a naskh hand in black ink, 14-17 lines per page, with catchwords on the verso of each leaf except for fol. 4.The ms is stained throughout.Paper size: 17 x 11.5 cm (text size varies on each page). Two bifolia sewn together and another one is glued to them. A thicker paper (?) is used as cover.According to the colophon, this is an autograph copy in the hand of Aḥmad ibn ʻUbayd al-ʻAṭṭār (fol. 6r). No date or place is noted but most probably it is written between 1780-1804 in Damascus.MS Arab 405. Houghton Library, Harvard University.In Arabic.
Holograph copy. f. 61r: "hādhihi bi-khaṭṭ al-muʼallif raḥimahu allāh."Muṭālaʻah note by ʻAlī al-ʻImādī, dated 1175 AH 1761 or 62 AD on f. 61r.Cream laid paper with watermark. 21.8 x 16.5 cm. (18.5 x 11 cm.)Written in one column, 25 lines per page, in black.Bound with: Hādhihi risālat al-ʻIqd al-thamīn fī sharḥ al-ḥadīth al-musalsal bi-al-Dimashqīyīn (ff. 1r-60v).MS Arab 218. Houghton Library, Harvard University.In Arabic.
Holograph copy, completed on 5 Shaʻbān 1253 AH November 4, 1837 AD according to colophon (f. 28v)."The mss is later owned by the author's son Aḥmad Abū al-Fatḥ al-ʻAjlūnī. Ownership statementdated Rabīʻ al-Awwal1287 AH 1870. Seal reads Aḥmad Abū al-Fatḥ1280 AH 18634 AD (f. 1r)."'Written in one column20 lines per pagein black and red. Catchwords and comments in the margins.'MS Arab SM7087. Houghton Library, Harvard University.In Arabic.