Abstract: A copy of a letter from Henry Willock, HM Chargé d'Affaires in Persia [Iran], to Major Duchamp (or Deschamps), Acting Political Agent on Kishm [Qeshm], sent from Tehran and dated 30 May 1821.The letter reports orders given by the Shah [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār] to strengthen the frontier on the Gulf coast. It also covers Persian relations with Muscat in relation to the British military presence on Kishm [Qeshm] and a threat by the Prince of Shiraz [Husayn ‘Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fārs] to terminate the lease of Persian territories to the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat.The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 31 May 1821.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee: Bombay Secret Letter 25 May 1821. The enclosures are dated 20 December 1820-12 May 1821. (Attached to folio 5 is a note, f 5a, stating that the ‘Enclosure in Bombay Secret Letter of 18th October 1820 is missing’).The initial enclosure (numbered 1) is a letter dated 10 February 1820 from George Swinton, Secretary to the Government at Fort William, to Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, conveying the Governor-General’s pleasure that the threatened rupture of relations between the British Government and the Ameers of Sind [Amirs of Sindh] has been averted and a treaty negotiated, and approbation of Captain Sadler who was sent as an envoy to Hyderabad to restore good relations.The remaining enclosures, with their relevant enclosures, are: despatches from Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Tahran [Tehran] to the Marquis of Hastings, Governor-General of Bengal; despatches from H R Deschamps, Acting Political Agent and Captain Commanding at Kishma [Qeshm, also spelled Kishm and Kishmee in this item], to Francis Warden; and instructions issued by Warden to Dr Andrew Jukes with relevant enclosures. They relate to the complaint by Persia [Iran] about the British occupation of the island of Kishm, and comprise the following groups of papers:(1) Willock’s correspondence with the Persian Prime Minister and with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in which Willock disputes the Persian contentions on the following points:Whether the occupation of Kishm is a violation of Article 11 of the Treaty between Persia and Britain (prohibiting British ships of war going to Persian ports without express permission)Whether the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat, had the right to authorize the relocation of the British detachment at Rosul-Khyma [Ra's al-Khaymah, also spelled Ras-sol-Khyma in this item] to Kishm and Hengaum [Hengam] and if Muscat is a dependency of Bunder Abassi [Bandar Abbas] and hence of PersiaWhether it is the prerogative of the Prince of Fars to take steps to prevent ‘piracy’ (of the Joasemees [al-Qawāsim]) and ensure security in the Persian Gulph [Gulf] or if a permanent British naval presence was and is more effectiveWhether Captain William Bruce, Political Resident in the Persian Gulph [Gulf], should be removed from his post (and pay reparation for damaged and lost property) for interfering at Bahrein [Bahrain] in efforts to suppress ‘piracy’ which were the business of the Prince of Sheraz [Shiraz] and the Imaum of Muscat; and for being responsible for the ‘unwarranted’ seizing of the arms of 300 men of Lingua [Bandar-e-Lengeh] and fourteen of their boats which were all destroyed following a storm, and for the burning of ships at the port of Charack [Bandar-e Chārak, also spelled Charak in this item], in alleged retaliation for attacks on British subjects.The correspondence also covers Willock’s attempts to: dissuade or delay the sending of Persian representatives to Kishm and Bombay, respectively, to ask the British to leave Kishm and to remonstrate over the occupation to the Government of India; and to exonerate Captain Bruce from responsibility for the events at Lingua and Charack.(2) Letters from the Acting Political Agent and Captain Commanding at Kishma, to the Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, reporting that he has placated the vakeel sent with a letter (ff 29-30) by the Hussin Ally, Prince of Shiraz [Husayn 'Ali Mīrzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fārs] and that he has received intelligence that the Prince is amassing a force of 12,000 near Bunderabbas [Bandar Abbas], which could not be repulsed by the small British military establishment on the island (detailed on f 30).(3) Detailed background and instructions (ff 34-43) to Dr Jukes issued by the Government of Bombay for his mission to the Persian Gulph in which he is to allay the claims and suspicions of Persia and conduct himself as the situation, however it develops, may warrant. In particular Jukes is instructed: to investigate the claims of the Imaum of Muscat and Persia to the island of Kishma; verify whether the Prince of Shiraz has amassed a force near Bunder Abbas; direct the detachment to withdraw to Muscat if hostilities look inevitable; how to act with regard to Captain Bruce; to be the Political Agent at Kishme on the recall of Captain Thompson. The instructions are accompanied by copies of letters of authority, introduction and information (ff 44-65), including: letters from the Government of Bombay addressed to Willock, the King [Shah] of Persia, the Prince of Sheeraz [Shiraz] and the Imaum of Muscat; detailed report by Major-General Lionel Smith, dated 23 April 1821, on the advantages of Kishme and how to best use it to check ‘piracy’ and in general how to police the Gulph (ff 48-57); and letters to the Officer Commanding the Troops and Acting Political Agent, and the Officer Commanding HC [Honourable Company] Cruisers at Kishm.The last enclosure ends with a list of the four enclosures comprising Bombay Secret Letter 25 May 1821.Physical description: The despatch comprises enclosures numbered 1-4. The enclosure number is written for reference on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure.
Abstract: An abstract of correspondence dated November-December 1808 relating to the mission of Sir Harford Jones, British Envoy Extraordinary to Persia [Iran], and the contemporary diplomatic situation in Persia in the context of the Russo-Persian War (1804-13) and Napoleonic Wars. Topics covered in the correspondence include:Arrangements for Jones's onward travel from Bushire [Būshehr] to Shirauz [Shirāz]Jones's request to Captain Charles Pasley for information regarding any undertakings made by Pasley or Brigadier-General Malcolm, who are also in Persia representing the Governor-General, to Persian ministersA purchase of arms and artillery by the King [Shah] of Persia which is awaiting deliveryFrench influence in the country, including intelligence from the Persian Court regarding the fall from favour of the French mission and the movements of the French towards the Caspian, believed to be part of a military surveyDevelopments in the Russo-Persian War in the CaucasusThe inclination of the Prince of Shirauz [Prince-Governor of Fārs] towards an alliance with Britain.The correspondents are:Lord Minto, Governor-General of BengalJaaffer Aly Khan [Ja’far ‘Ali Khān], Agent in ShirauzMahomed Nubee Khan [Mohammed Nabī Khān Shirāzī]Nasr Ollah Khan [Nasr Allah Khān Qaraguzlu], Vizier of the Prince of Shirauz.Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
Abstract: The volume is concerned with the Persian Province of Fars; in particular the maintenance of the order and the authority of the Governor-General. The main focus of discussion is the Gendarmerie (under the command of Swedish officers) and a new local Persian force proposed by the Governor-General. It contains much discussion between British officials over the effectiveness of the Gendarmerie, and the suitability of employing Swedish officers in Persia. There is also discussion over the extent that British support should be provided to the Governor-General's new force, which includes the following: a proposal for the Government of India to supply arms and ammunition, and proposals to appoint a British officer to inspect and advise the new force. There is also consideration over the potential for conflict between the Governor-General's force and the Gendarmerie, and the potential for a negative impact on the latter should a British officer be appointed to the Governor's force.There is also a great deal of discussion related to the position of the 39 Central India Horse (commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel James Archibald Douglas) at Shiraz and additional infantry supplied to guard the British Consulate there; the discussion centres on whether or not these forces should be withdrawn from Persia. Some limited consideration of 'outrages' committed by Persians against British troops is factored into this discussion. It also includes proposals for withdrawing these forces from Persia via Bushire.The principal correspondents are as follows: Sir Walter Beaupre Townley, HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia; Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Sir Walter Alexander Smart, HM Consul, Shiraz; and Sir Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.The following can also be found within:two copies (on folios 84-87 and 185-188) of a review of the general situation in Fars by Sir W A Smart;a note (folios 190-191) from Henry George Chick, Commercial Adviser to the Persian Gulf Political Residency, on a possible split between two sections of the Kashkuli Kashgais;a proposed answer (folios 132-139) for the Secretary of State for India to a proposed question to be asked by Sir John David Rees in the House of Commons on 13 March 1913;a report from Major Kettlewell (folios 109v-111) on the movements of a survey party of the 39th Central India Horse on 11 December 1913, which provides an account of the death of Captain A B Eckford;a commendation for Mr J C Smith, Assistant Superintendent of the Indo-European Telegraph, and staff in Fars (folios 182-191).The French content consists of two programmes for the development of the Gendarmerie submitted by Colonel Hjalmar O Hjalmarson (folios 152-153 and 50-51) dated 29 December 1912 and 13 February 1913 respectively.Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 193; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Major George Willock, Acting Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, sent from Tabriz and dated 15 October 1822.The letter forwards Willock’s correspondence with the Umeen ed Dawlat [‘Abdullah Khān Amīn al-Dawlah] concerning the reinforcement of the British forces occupying Kishm [Qeshm] (IOR/L/PS/9/69/122-123). It also forwards a copy of an agreement between William Bruce, Resident at Bushire [Būshehr], and the Government of Fārs at Shīrāz allowing for the occupation of an island in the Gulf (IOR/L/PS/9/69/124).Physical description: The letter was perforated in an attempt to prevent the spread of disease.
Abstract: Copy of a letter from HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to Major-General Sir William Grant Keir, of 26 December 1819. The letter concerns the planned British expedition, of which Grant Keir is a commander, to the Persian Gulf to attack the al-Qawasim and their allies, including those on the Persian coast (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/209). The letter encloses a copy of a firman [order] from the Shah of Persia to the Prince of Sheraz [Shiraz], Hussein Ali Mirza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā Farmānfarmā], detailing the measures he is to adopt in aiding the British government (not included in this item). Willock reports that the firman offers little in the way of ‘cordial cooperation’, and indicates that he has forwarded a copy of his official note to the ministers of the Court of the Shah of 23rd December 1819 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/214) to the Prince to discourage opposition to the expedition.The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 27 December 1819 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/217), which was received on 20 April 1820.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Copy of a letter from Major-General Sir William Grant Keir, aboard HMS
Liverpool, at anchor off the Island of Kenn [Kish], to HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, of 10 February 1820. The letter concerns Keir’s communications with the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat and the Prince of Sheeraz [Shiraz], originally enclosing:The translation of a letter from the Imaum of Muscat to Keir, dated 10 Rabī‘ II 1235 [27 January 1820] (not included in this item, see IOR/L/PS/9/68/258)The substance of a letter from Keir, to the Imaum of Muscat, of 10 February 1820 (not included in this item, see IOR/L/PS/9/68/259)The translation of a firmaum [firman, order] from the Prince of Sheeraz to Keir, dated 9 Rabī‘ I 1235 [26 December 1819] (not included in this item, see IOR/L/PS/9/68/260).The letter discusses these communications, and the situation in the Persian Gulf, including:The extension of the General Treaty [General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf] to Bharein [Bahrain]The reciprocal agreement for the opening up of ports for trade between the Imaum of Muscat and the Joasemees [al-Qawasim]British efforts to discourage attacks on Bharein by the Imaum of Muscat and the Prince of SheerazThe suspension of Keir’s plans for operations against ports on the Persian coastThe conditions on Kenn.The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 18 March 1820 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/256), which was received on 13 July 1820.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: Copy of Dispatch No. 31 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Viscount Castlereagh, of 26 December 1819. The letter concerns the British expedition to the Persian Gulph [Persian Gulf] against the Juwasemees [al-Qāsimī] at Ras-il-Khyma [Ra's al-Khaymah] and others accused of engaging in piracy by the British. The letter details the representations of the Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], Sir Evan Nepean, to the Prince of Shiraz, Hussein Ali Mirza [Husayn Ali Mirza Firmanfima], and Willock’s representations to the Court of the Shah of Persia, concerning the prospect of offensive operations against ports on the Persian coast also accused of piracy. The letter originally enclosed four letters:Copy of a letter from the Governor of Bombay, Sir Evan Nepean, to Willock, of 9 October 1819, enclosing two additional letters (not included this item, see IOR/L/PS/9/68/210, 211 and 213)Minutes of a meeting between Willock and Ministers of the Court of the Shah (not included in this item, see IOR/L/PS/9/68/212)Copy of an official note from Willock to the Persian Ministers (not included in this item, see IOR/L/PS/9/68/214)Copy of a letter from Willock to Major General Sir William Grant Keir (not included in this item, see IOR/L/PS/9/68/215).The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 26 December 1819 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/208), which was received on 20 April 1820.Physical description: 1 item (9 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 41 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Tabreez [Tabriz], to the Chief Secretary to the Supreme Government of India, George Swinton, of 16 March 1827. The letter originally enclosed copies of a letter from the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Meerza Abool Hassan Khan [Mirza Abū al-Ḥasan Khan Shīrāzī], and a Royal Firmaun [firman] addressed to the Government of Fars, concerning the conduct of the Vizier of the Prince-Governor of Fars, Mohomed Zekee Khan [Muḥammad Zakī Khan] (now catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/70/202-203; see IOR/L/PS/9/70/176). Macdonald Kinneir also reports that a confidential officer has been dispatched to Shiraz to deliver the Firmaun to the Prince-Governor, Hoossein Ali Meerza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā Farmānfarmā].This document was originally enclosed in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 23 March 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/192).Physical description: 1 item (1 folio)
Abstract: Copy of a private letter from Dr John McNeill, in Teheran [Tehran], to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, of 9 January 1828. The letter details the arrival of Hassan Allee Meerza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fars] at Teheran and reports that the Shah of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] has put him in charge of his armed forces and his treasury, and is publicly discussing nominating him as Governor of Azerbijan [Azerbaijan] and heir to the throne of Persia, in the place of the Prince Royal, Abbas Meerza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia]. McNeill goes on to discuss his efforts to ensure the payment of the reparations demanded by Russia to secure a peace treaty in the ongoing war [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], including his attempts to borrow the money necessary, indicating his frustration at the ‘endless discussions’ and ‘continual delays’ of the Shah’s government in effecting the payment.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 4 in dispatch No. 81, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 21 January 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/154).Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
Abstract: Copy of a letter from Dr John McNeill, in Tehran, to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, of 9 January 1828. McNeill reports the arrival of Hassan Ali Mirza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā Farmānfarmā, Prince-Governor of Fars] at Tehran, detailing the enthusiastic response among the public and the royal family. He also details the opposition of Hassan Ali Mirza and the religious establishment in Tehran to the payment of reparations to Russia, which is one of the stipulations in the peace treaty being negotiated for an end to the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. McNeill also details his representations to the Shāh of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] in support of paying the money, and indicates that he has been directed to travel to Casveen [Qazvin] to ensure that the money is paid.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 3 in dispatch No. 81, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 21 January 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/154).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Brigadier-General John Malcolm, Envoy of the Supreme Government of India to Persia [Iran], to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, sent from a camp at Abusheher [Būshehr] and dated 23 March 1810. The letter covers: Malcolm’s reception in Persia; the mission of Sir Harford Jones, also present in Persia as British Envoy Extraordinary, and the clash of authorities created by this; the French presence in Persia; and Malcolm’s opinion on the value of an Anglo-Persian alliance.Ensclosed with the above is a copy of a letter from Brigadier-General Malcolm to Lord Minto, Governor-General of Bengal, sent from a camp near Bushire [Būshehr] and dated 2 March 1810. The letter forwards various letters related to Malcom’s mission, and also covers: Malcolm’s correspondence with the Prince Regent at Shirauz [Shirāz] [Prince-Governor of Fārs] and his Vizier Mahomed Nubbee Khan [Mohammed Nabī Khān Shirāzī]; the apparent pro-French sympathies of the Crown Prince Abbas Meerza [‘Abbās Mīrzā]; the relationship of Malcolm's mission with that of Sir Harford Jones; and the despatch of various officers to survey routes on the frontiers of Persia.Part of the enclosure is written in code and has not been deciphered.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)