Abstract: The volume contains copies of incoming and outgoing correspondence for the Persian Gulf Residency. At the start of 1852 Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell is Resident, before being superseded in March by Captain Arnold Kemball.The volume includes:Correspondence with the British Envoy at the Court of Persia, Colonel Justin Sheil, reporting on affairs in Persia, on the construction of an upper story for the house of John Malcolm at Bushire, and requesting for information on the history of Bahrain before 1716;Correspondence with the Secretaries to the Government at Bombay regarding affairs in Persia, the Persian Gulf slave trade, commerce, the 1853 occupation of the Island of Carrack [Kharg, Iran] and the conversion of an Armenian to Islam in Basra;Correspondence with the British Envoy at the Court of Persia and the Political Agents at Muscat and Shiraz, in regard to the dispute between the Imam of Muscat and Feerooz Meerza, the Prince Governor of Fars Province, over Bandar-e ʻAbbāsThe volume contains letters in Arabic, one from the Imam of Muscat (folios 57 and 133).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation is written in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering begins on the first folio with 2, and runs through to the final folio with 146.Pagination: there is also an original pagination sequence, which is not complete; only the pages with writing have been paginated.
Abstract: The item consists of a memorandum, dated 23 July 1819, concerning British attempts to persuade the Prince-Governor of Fars to release from prison Mahomed Nebee Khan [Muḥammad Nabī Khān Shirāzī], the former Persian [Iranian] Ambassador to the Government of India. The memorandum provides background to his confinement and gives details of the financial manoeuvring carried out by William Bruce, Resident at Bushire [Bushehr], and Sir Gore Ousely, Ambassador to Persia, in order to cover Mahomed Nebee Khan’s debts and ensure the promise of his release is fulfilled.The memorandum is an edited copy of IOR/G/29/38, ff 492-493.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: The item consists of a memorandum, dated 23 July 1819, concerning British attempts to persuade the Prince-Governor of Fars to release from prison Mahomed Nebee Khan [Muḥammad Nabī Khān Shirāzī], the former Persian [Iranian] Ambassador to the Government of India. The memorandum provides background to his confinement and gives details of the financial manoeuvring carried out by William Bruce, Resident at Bushire [Bushehr], and Sir Gore Ousely, Ambassador to Persia, in order to cover Mahomed Nebee Khan’s debts and ensure the promise of his release is fulfilled.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, extracts from a Bombay [Mumbai] Political Consultation, 28 May 1845. The papers contained in this item are partial enclosures to a Political Letter sent from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, 10 June 1845. A copy of this Political Letter can be found at IOR/F/4/2122/100076, alongside details of further enclosures.The item relates to a request in 1845 by Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, Her Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Persia [Iran], to Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf (also called Resident at Bushire [Bushehr]), that certain papers be sent to him from the Residency. The papers Sheil is looking for are any Persian documents related to the Governor of Bombay's disavowal of the unauthorised treaty which Captain Bruce, then Resident at Bushire, entered into with the Prince of Shiraz in 1822. Hennell requests that the Persian and Arabic copies of the relevant documents held in the archives at Bombay should be forwarded to Sheil. Hennell also makes very brief reference to the different powers in control of Bahrein (also spelled Bahren [Bahrain]) between 1776 and 1845.The Persian Secretary in Bombay subsequently forwards copies of letters (in English) from 1822 written by Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay, explaining that Bruce was unauthorised in his actions and that the treaty should be considered null and void. These letters, similar in content, are addressed to the Imam of Muscat, the Shaikh of Bahrein, and Hoossein Allee Meerza, Prince of Shiraz [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā, Prince-Governor of Fars]. They also make brief reference to the removal of Company troops from the island of Kishun (also spelled Kishm [Qeshm]).Shiraz is also written as Sheeraz and Sheiraz. The Prince of Shiraz is also referred to as the Prince Regent of Fars.Correspondents include: Hennell; Sheil; the Persian Secretary; Elphinstone; and the Government of Bombay.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5061, Draft 29/46, Coll[ection]: 23, Vol: 6’, 'Collection No. 5 of No. 62' and ‘Examiner's Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 478, and terminates at f 489, 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: Copy of an official note from HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to the ministers of the Court of the Shah of Persia, of 23 December 1819. The note concerns the British intention to send an expeditionary force to the Persian Gulf to attack the Juwasemees [al-Qawasim] and their allies, accused by the British of piracy, including a number of ports on the Persian coast (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/213). The note advises against the possibility of the Prince of Sheraz [Shiraz], Hussein Ali Mirza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā Farmānfarmā], offering protection to those accused of piracy, and instead encourages the Prince to assist in the British operations against the Persian ports accused of piracy.The note was enclosed in Willock’s dispatch No. 31 to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Viscount Castlereagh, of 26 December 1819 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/209).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 24 of 1847, dated 12 March 1847. The enclosure is dated 14 January 1847.The item comprises copies of despatches forwarded, for the information of the Governor-General of India, by Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Envoy and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia [Iran], to Viscount Palmerston, HM Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with relevant enclosures.The papers cover a number of matters, notably including:1) Sheil’s advice to Major Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in Bushire [Bushehr], not to admit the claim of an Indian-Persian merchant to be considered a British subject, since his motive is likely to be the evasion of legal customs duties and because acquiescence would cause conflict with the Persian [Iranian] authorities.2) An arrangement concluded by Hennell with the Governor of Fars for the employment of British ships of war for the redress of grievances committed against British subjects in the Persian ports of the Persian Gulf, and the extension of similar protection to Persian subjects.3) Following instructions from Palmerston, Sheil’s attempt to offer the Ameer of Bokhara [Amir of Bukhara] a ransom of 15,000 tomans for the surrender of Colonel Stoddart, Captain Connolly and Lieutenant W H Wyburd [William Henry Wybard] at either Meshed [Mashhad] or Merve [Merv], including a copy of Sheil’s letter to the Ameer (ff 488-489) to be delivered via the ‘Khaleefa or Chief Priest’ at Merve and which is written to appear derived from the friends of the three men, not on behalf of the British Government4) An attempt made by Prince Dolgorukie [Prince Dimitri Ivanovich Dolgorukov], Russian Minister in Tehran, to induce the Persian Government to issue a firman admitting Russian men of war vessels to the ‘back water of Enzellee [Bandar-e Anzali]’ (on the Caspian Sea), including copies of a letter from Dolgoroukie and the reply of Hajee Meerza Aghassee [Ḥājī Mīrzā Āqāsī, Prime Minister to the Shāh of Persia] which Sheil obtained from a ‘private source’ (ff 490-491).5) Sheil’s report of three incidents involving the use of torture – which had officially been abolished by a firman – and the protests made by both Sheil and Dolgoroukie and the actions taken in each case. The incidents relate to: a ‘barbarous act’ committed by Thamasp Meerza [Ṭahmāsp/Ṭahmāsb Mīrzā], a son of the late Shah and governor of a small district near Tabreez [Tabriz] named Binab, leading to his recall to Tehran; the apparent torture to death of a ‘Mahomedan’ [Muslim] servant of ‘a French adventurer named M. Ferrier’ suspected of robbing the latter’s house; and Sheil’s pecuniary punishment of two Mission staff for the methods they used to elicit confessions from persons suspected of robbing their houses.6) Intelligence from Meshed that Mahomed Akber Khan [Muḥammad Akbar Khān], son of Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy, Amīr of Afghanistan], has laid siege to Candahar [Kandahar] and applied for aid from Yar Mahomed Khan [Yār Muḥammad Khān, ruler of Herat] (apparently because of the refusal of Kohendil Khan [Kuhandil Khān Muḥammadzā’ī, of Candahar] to join him in an attack on the English garrison at Shikarpore [Shikarpur]), and that their agents have arrived in Tehran apparently to seek Persian support against a supposed British invasion of Afghanistan.7) Following instructions from Palmerston, Sheil’s approach to the Government of Herat to ascertain its views on a closer relationship with England, including: a copy of a non-committal letter from Yar Mahomed Khan to Sheil (ff 500-501); a copy of Sheil’s letter to Yar Mahomed offering to send a member of the British Mission to Herat (ff 501-502); and Sheil’s report that the agent of Yar Mahomed claims the latter would not be averse to having an Englishman there, but that the anti-English feeling in Afghanistan currently makes this impossible.8) Sheil’s correspondence with Hajee Meerza Aghassee (ff 494-498) relating to his unsuccessful attempts to persuade the Persian ministers to agree to the suppression of the trade in enslaved persons in the Persian ports of the Persian Gulf, including the Shah’s refusal to commit to ‘a breach of the precepts of the Koran’ (f 494), and Aghassee’s claim that he himself supports abolition.9) Reports that five battalions (3000 men) have arrived in Tehran to form part of the force for the intended expedition to Khorassan [Khorasan], including: the planned objectives of the expedition in Asterabad [Gorgan], Boojnoord [Bojnord] and Kelat [Kalat]; and uncertainty regarding its command and the attendance of the Shah.10) A letter to Sheil from Meerza Kazim [Mīrzā Kāẓim], Agent of Hajee Meerza Aghassee at Meshed, regarding his investigations in Khorassan, Orgenjee [Urgench?], Bokhara, Herat, and Candahar, into the fate of the Englishman Mr Wyburd, ‘who gave himself the appellation and was known under the name of Hajee Ahmed’. Meerza Kazim encloses a letter from a merchant friend of his in Bokhara relating that ‘Hajee Ahmed’ arrived in Bokhara posing as an ‘Ottoman Turk’, stayed at the Court of the Ameer of Bokhara until the latter gave him to Naib Abdoos Semed Khan [Nā’ib ‘Abd al-Ṣamad Khān], and that at that man’s house he later hanged himself.Physical description: 1 item (23 folios)
Abstract: The volume consists of translations of (and substances of) letters in Arabic and Persian received by the British Residency in the Persian Gulf; the original letters are not present in the volume. The greatest proportion of this correspondence is from the Resident's native agents throughout the Persian Gulf at Bahrein [Bahrain], Lingah [Bandar-e-Lengeh], Muscat, Sharjah, and also from the News Writer at Shiraz. Most of the remaining correspondence is from various Chiefs/Governors/Shaikhs from across the Gulf, their relations, or subjects; leaders from Persia and Oman are the most heavily represented.Developments in Persia are a frequent inclusion in the correspondence, particularly with regard to news surrounding Shiraz, and the Government of Fars. Events surrounding the diplomatic rupture between the British and the Government of Bushire, and the temporary removal of the Residency to Karak [Khārk, Jazīreh-ye] in March 1839 are also included, along with subsequent efforts by the Persians to induce the Resident to return.Updates on the situation in Nejde [Najd] can also be found within. These cover the defeat of Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣul] by Koorshid Pacha [Khūrshid Pāshā], the Commander of Egyptian Forces in Nejde, and the subsequent establishment of Ameer Khalid bin Soud [Amīr Khālid bin Sa'ud] as the Governor of that province. It therefore also includes reports on the Commander's efforts to induce the submission of Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], Chief of Bahrein, to Egypt; he claims that the island is a tributary of Nejde. This includes the further efforts of his agent, Mahomed bin Muttuk, to secure the submission of the various Arab tribes in Oman; a move requiring the occupation of Braymee, held by the Naim tribe which is hostile to Egyptian expansion. As a result, accusations of collusion with this agent — made by the Arab Chiefs against each other — can also be found within; the main belligerents being Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur [Sulṭān bin Saqr], Chief of the Joasmees [Qāsimī]; and Shaikh Kuleefa bin Shakboot [Khalīfah bin Shakhbūṭ], Chief of the Beniyas.The conflict between Esa bin Tareef [‘Isá bin Ṭarīf] of the Al Ali tribe with the Chief of Bahrein is also featured to an extent, along with the abandonment of the Al Ali by the Chief of Beniyas, as a result of the increasing threat from Egyptian forces from Nejde.The correspondence also includes material of a more routine nature, such as the relaying of letters and packets, to reports on the movements of British ships. It also includes reports relating to the restitution of property plundered at sea.Please note that Bahrein is also spelt Bharein, and Shiraz is also spelt Sheeraz within the volume.Physical description: Pagination: The volume contains an original pagination sequence, which commences at the first page of text and terminates at the last page; these numbers are written in ink (with additions in pencil), and can be found in the top outermost corners of each page. Page 225 has been omitted from this sequence; this is likely to be a result of human error.
Abstract: The volume contains letters sent outwards from the Bushire Residency by the Acting Resident, William Bruce. It also includes letters sent out by Lieutenant Robert Taylor who took charge of the Residency (from April to October 1812) while William Bruce was on a leave of absence in Bombay.The subject matter covered by the volume includes the administration of the Bushire Residency, along with the East India Company's affairs and trade in the Gulf; the Resident also reports on pirate activity in the Gulf. Diplomatic exchanges between Britain and Persia is another feature of the correspondence; this activity is mainly in relation to funds and supplies for the British Mission to the Court of Persia, along with equipment and weapons supplied for the use of the Persian military. The removal of Mahomed Jaffer Khan [Muḥammad Ja‘afar Khān] from the post of Governor of Bushire, and his imprisonment is also reported on.Physical description: Binding: The binding on the file has decayed and it is no longer bound. The folios are loose as a result.Condition: The item has suffered from pest damage, which has a minor impact on the legibility of some of the text.Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the spine, which is loose; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The volume contains the following foliation corrections: 7A, and 7B; 78A, and 78B.Pagination: An original pagination sequence is also present in the volume, running between ff. 7B-173; these numbers are written in ink, and are located in the top outermost corners of each page.
Abstract: The file consists of correspondence sent to and from the Bushire Residency; the principal correspondents being Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, and Justin Sheil, HM Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Persia. The main subject covered is therefore the internal political affairs of southern Persia, and its internal power struggles.Other subjects covered includes a couple of reported incidents of piracy, a struggle over the control of Bahrain among members of the Āl Khalīfah family, and incidents affecting trade in the Gulf. The operations of the Persian Gulf Squadron of the Indian Navy are also briefly covered.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the cover and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: An original pagination sequence in ink is present in the file between ff 3-69.
Abstract: The volume consists of letters sent outwards from the Bushire
Residency, along with correspondence sent by the Resident, Captain William Bruce, while
away from Bushire. It covers the administrative proceedings of the Bushire Residency,
and matters related to the British force stationed at Bassidore [Bāsaʻīdū] on the island
of Qeshm. As well as political affairs in the Persian Gulf current in 1822.Some of the correspondence in the volume also relates to
legal proceedings initiated by ‘Abd al-Raḥīm Khān against the Resident in the Bombay
courts, in relation to the Resident's handling of the estate of the late Muḥammad
Nabī Khān. It also covers the events surrounding the Resident's summons to Shiraz
by Prince Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā, and the unauthorised signing of a treaty ceding Bahrain to
Persia; a set of affairs that would lead to William Bruce's dismissal from the post
of Resident of Bushire in December 1822.Physical description: Condition: The file has suffered from pest damage, though for
the most part the legibility of the text remains unaffected. The main exception being a
series of holes, which run through ff 3-10 and ff 28-47; the largest of these holes are
approximately 2cm in diameter, and these do obscure the text in places, which can result
in some of the content being difficult to read. The paper is also fragile, and should be
handled with care.Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front
cover with 1, 2, 2a-2d, 3-83, and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are
written in pencil, are circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto
side of each folio.Pagination: A pagination sequence is also present between ff
3-83; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in
the top outermost corners of each page.
Abstract: The volume consists of letters sent outwards from the office of the Resident in the Persian Gulf. The subject matter focuses on British relations with various powers in and around the Persian Gulf during 1823; more specifically, on enforcing the provisions of the General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf (1820), and talk of an intended Persian invasion of Bahrain. It also outlines the outcome of a tour of the Arabian coast by John Macleod in January 1823.Other matters covered include the state of the Residency house at Bushire, and an investigation into William Bruce's involvement in the case of Muḥammad Nabī Khān, along with some limited reporting on the possibility of Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rasūl Khān being removed from the position of Governor of Bushire by Prince Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences on the first page of text and continues through to the 3rd folio from the back of the volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: A pagination sequence also runs through the volume between ff 2-191; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the top outermost corners of each page.
Abstract: The volume contains letters relating mainly to British naval patrols in the Persian Gulf, acts of piracy and hostilities between rival native chiefs as follows: two letters from the Chief Secretary, Political Department, Bombay Castle to the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire about a rumoured Persian attack on Bahrain planned by Hossain Ali Mirza, Prince of Sherauz [Shīrāz] (ff 1B-2v) and an attack on Dubai boats by the Chief of Abothebee [Abu Dhabi], Mahomed Been Shakboot, [Shaikh Muḥammed bin Shakhbut Āl Nahyān] (ff 9-14v); two letters of instruction from Captain Charles Sealy, Senior Marine Officer in the Persian Gulf to Captain George Walker, commanding the Honourable Company (HC) cruizer
Ternate(f 5-5v) and Lieutenant George Herne, commanding the Honourable Company (HC) cruizer
Nautilus(f 6-6v) regarding their sea patrol of the Pearl Banks between Shaga [Sharjah] and Bahrein [Bahrain] and the planned interception of two pirate boats returning from Zanzibar, together with a letter of reply from Lieutenant George Herne reporting the outcome (f 15-15v); a general letter of instruction from Captain Charles Sealy to all marine officers aboard HC cruizers stationed in the Persian Gulf, listing their sea patrol duties (ff 7-8v); a letter of enquiry from Henry Willock, the British envoy to Persia, to the British Political Resident at Bushire, about British and Indian exports shipped to Persian Gulf ports (ff 3-4v).The volume title ‘Bushire Residency Book No 33 Miscellaneous letters inward and outward 5 Jan 1824-25 May 1824’ is typewritten and appears on a modern title page that has been inserted at the front of the volume (folio 1A).Physical description: Foliation: the letters in the volume are numbered 1B, then 2 to 15, from front to back. A modern, typewritten tile page has been inserted in the front of the volume and is numbered 1A. The numbering is written in pencil in the top right corner, on the recto of every folio.The 7 letters in the volume were originally numbered in ink and in most cases, on both the recto and verso as follows: 71-73; 90-92, 204-206, 207, 219-228, 242.