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1. ‘Unfriendly Conduct of the Sheriffe of Mecca, in enforcing inordinate duties on the Woollens sent to Judda for Sale and which rendered their sale impracticable’
- Description:
- Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, letters from the Government of Bombay. The item relates to the 'unfriendly conduct' towards the East India Company by the Sheriffe [Sharif] of Mecca. In particular, the item is concerned with:Two separate incidents at Judda [Jeddah] during which 27 pieces of broad cloth which belonged to the Company were taken from the brig Fattah Mobarukand customs duties were charged to John Benzoni, Assistant to the British Agent in the Persian Gulph [Gulf], on goods which he left at Judda and later collectedThe Government of Bombay's attempts to ascertain the standard customs duties exacted on goods at Judda and whether the Sheriffe has deviated from these regular ratesAccounts and reports provided by Benzoni, the Sheriffe of Mecca, the Nakhoda [Captain] of the brig Fattah Mobarukand J [Humruss], a man who has knowledge of the customs duties at Judda and is called upon by the Customs Master at Surat to provide information on this topicThe conflicting reports of Benzoni and the SheriffeThe possible punishments that the Government of Bombay could apply to the Sheriffe as a consequence of his conduct.Benzoni's correspondence also refers briefly to a draft Treaty relating to trade that he has concluded with the Pasha of Egypt.Correspondents: Government of Bombay; Captain Henry Rudland, Agent in the Gulph of Arabia; Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to Government of Bombay; Richard Thomas Goodwin, Secretary and Translator in the Office of the Country Correspondence; Nathan Crowe, Chief at Surat; George Cumming Osborne, Secretary to Government of Bombay; John Benzoni, Assistant to the British Agent in the Persian Gulph; D C Ramsay, Custom Master at Surat; James Farish, Deputy Secretary to Government of Bombay; J [Humruss], Merchant(?); Sheriffe Ghalib of Mecca [Ghālib ibn Musā’id al-Hāshimi, Sharīf of Mecca]; Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay.Rudland is alternatively referred to within the item as the Political Agent at Mocha and the British Agent in the Persian Gulph.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Political No. 21, Season 1814/15, Draft 20' and 'Examiner's Office November 1812'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 112, and terminates at f 144, 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 file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
2. Affairs in the Punjab and the Countries Beyond the Indus, notably Afghanistan and Persia
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of India Secret Department (Camp at Meerut) to the East India Company Secret Committee, Number 1 of 1838, dated 8 February 1838. The enclosures are dated 18 September 1837-7 February 1838.The primary correspondents are: Captain Claude Martine Wade, Political Agent at Loodeana [Ludhiana, also spelled Loodiana, Lodhiana and other variations in this item]; William Hay Macnaghten, Secretary to the Government of India; and Captain Alexander Burnes, on a Mission to Cabool [Kabul, this spelling and other variations also used in this item].Enclosures 3-120 and 126-128 (ff 49-505 and ff 525-532) comprise despatches between Wade and Macnaghten and between Burnes and Macnaghten. The despatches concern British policy towards and relations with the ruling parties in Afghanistan and with the Sikh Ruler Maharajah Runjeet Singh [Maharaja Ranjit Singh, this spelling and variations of ‘Ranjit’ also used in this item]; the latter two’s relations with each other, notably over Peshawar [also spelled Peshwar and Peshawur in this item]; Afghan relations with Persia [Iran] and Russia; and other political, economic and military affairs in Afghanistan and the Punjab. Burnes’s despatches are forwarded to Macnaghten by Wade and often include Wade’s critical remarks on Burnes’s situation assessments and actions, in addition to Wade’s own political analyses. The correspondence takes place amid a rumoured then an actual Persian expedition to conquer Herat.The papers cover the following matters in detail:British relations with Maharajah Runjeet Singh, including: the issue of the return of Mazari territory to the Ameers of Sinde [Amīrs of Sindh] by Runjeet Singh; intelligence reports by Wade’s munshi [secretary] (ff 52-56, ff 110-115); correspondence regarding a potential meeting between Runjeet Singh and the Governor-General of India; and reports of Lieutenant Frederick Mackeson on affairs on the Peshawar frontier (ff 265-268, ff 272-274, ff 277-289)Relations of Herat with Persia and British policy regarding them, including: news of the arrival in Tehran of an envoy from Shah Kamran [Shāhzādah Kāmrān Durrānī], Ruler of Herat; and views of Burnes and Wade on the ‘designs’ of Persia on Herat (ff 297-301)British policy towards Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], Ruler of Cabool, including: Burnes’s reports from Cabool on his meetings with Dost Mahomed (ff 134-141, ff 360-369); Burnes’s and Wade’s views on the ambitions of Dost Mahomed regarding branches of his family in Candahar [Kandahar; this spelling is also used in this item] and Peshawar, and his relations with Persia and Russia; British encouragement of Dost Mahomed to seek a reconciliation with their ally Runjeet Singh; Burnes’s and Wade’s assessment of the geo-political situation on the western frontier of British dominions in India and the aim of maintaining a balance of power advantageous to Britain between Cabool, Candahar, Herat, Persia, the Punjab and Sinde and which might avert any alliances with Russia (ff 78-82, ff 345-358)Burnes’s activities with regard to Candahar, and Candahar’s relations with Cabool and Persia, including: Burnes’s efforts to prevent Sirdar Kohin Dil Khan [Sirdār Kuhandīl Khān Muḥammadzay] sending his son Mahomed Omar Khan [Muḥammad Umar Khān] with an envoy, to conciliate Persia (ff 235-237); Kohin Dil Khan’s and his chief advisor’s letters to Dost Mahomed expressing obedience to the Ameer of Cabool, fear of Persia and the desire to depose the Ruler of Herat who repeatedly threatens to attack Candahar (ff 379-383); and Burnes’s instructions to Lieutenant Robert Leech, whom he deputes to Candahar with an offer of monetary and military support in the event of Persia conquering Herat (ff 471-477)Dost Mahomed Khan’ s relations with Russia and Persia, and British policy regarding them, including: Burnes’s alarm at the arrival in Cabool of a Russian agent, Captain Waitcawitch [Jan Prosper Witkiewicz] (ff 444-449); Wade’s detailed views on the positions of Persia and Russia in connection with Dost Mahomed and Afghanistan and the policy of discouraging the latter’s ‘ambitions’ (ff 415-421); and Macnaghten’s disapproval of Burnes’s promise of troops and pecuniary aid to the rulers of Candahar in the event of the Russian-supported Persian capture of Herat (ff 451-457)The Persian expedition against Herat, including: news of the defeat of Ghurian [Ghuryan, also spelled Ghoorian in this item] and siege of Herat; and Wade’s suggestion that Lieutenant Eldred Pottinger, detained by the Herat authorities, act as a mediator (albeit without authority from the Government of India), provide intelligence, and ensure that Kamran Shah resists Persia.The following matters and documents are also included:Wade’s response to overtures of friendship made to him by Mir Alam Khan [Mīr ‘Ālim Khān], Ruler of Bajour, and Fatah Khan Panjtari, [Fatḥ Khān, Ruler of Panjtar] (ff 124-125)Disruption to the indigo trade in Cabool caused by differences between the Governor of Mooltan [Multan] and the Ruler of Bhawalpoor (ff 132-133, ff 152-153)A report by Lieutenant Leech, Bombay Engineers, entitled ‘Description of the Khyber Pass and of the Tribes inhabiting it’ (ff 143-150)Praise by Wade and Burnes of intelligence provided by Charles Masson in Cabool (ff 180-183)Burnes’s emphasis on conciliating the Lohani [a Pashtun tribe] ‘chiefs’, described by Wade as ‘meritorious merchants’ (f 184)Burnes’s report on the ‘commercial views and prospects of Russia in Central Asia’ (f 203), notably Russia’s relations with the rulers of Bokhara, Khiva [also referred to as ‘Orgunge’] and Kokan (ff 199-207)Burnes’s deputation of Dr Percival Lord and Lieutenant John Wood to Meer Moorad Beg [Mīr Murād Beg] Uzbeck ruler of Koondooz [Uzbek ruler of Kunduz], to treat the eye ailment of Moorad Beg’s brother (ff 251-263), and Macnaghten’s approbation for Burnes’s improvement of British relations with Koondooz.Enclosures 121-125 (ff 506-524) comprise despatches between Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Pottinger, Agent to the Governor-General for Sinde, and Macnaghten, notably regarding the apparent procrastination of the Ameers of Sinde over the establishment of a British Resident in their territory. Also covered is the progress made by Lieutenant Thomas Greer Carless in his survey of the Indus and Kurachee [Karachi] Harbour.Physical description: 1 item (505 folios)
3. Affairs in Sinde, Lahore and Afghanistan
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of India Secret Department (Fort William) to the East India Company Secret Committee, Number 4 of 1838, dated 21 February 1838. The enclosures are dated 7 August-25 November 1837.The primary correspondents are: Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Pottinger, Agent to the Governor-General for Sinde [Sindh]; William Hay Macnaghten, Secretary to the Government of India; Captain Claude Martine Wade, Political Agent at Loodeana [Ludhiana, also spelled Loodiana, Lodhiana and other variations in this item]; and Captain Alexander Burnes, on a Mission to Cabool [Kabul, this spelling also used in the item and other variations].Enclosures 3-23 (ff 544-615) comprise despatches between Pottinger and Macnaghten. The despatches concern: British relations with the Ameers [Amīrs] of Sinde and negotiations for the establishment of a British Residency at Hyderabad [also spelled Hydrabad in this item]; relations and disputes between the Ameers of Sinde; relations between the Ameers of Sinde and the Government of Lahore [also spelled Lahor in this item]; and general political and military affairs in Sinde.The papers notably cover:British threats to neither exert influence over Sikh Ruler Maharajah Runjeet [Maharaja Ranjit] Singh for the restoration of the Mazari [also spelled Muzaree in this item] districts to the Ameers nor to discourage the former from attacking Sinde, in response to the Ameers ‘procrastination’ regarding a British Residency in their capitalThe suspension of the Native Agent in Hyderabad for over-reaching his remit in negotiations with the Ameers regarding the Residency, and the appointment of his replacementThe return of Sindhian envoys from negotiations at the court of Runjeet Singh at Lahore, and Wade’s opinion that the Maharajah will not insist on the pecuniary conditions he has apparently imposed for the return of Mazari territory to the Ameers and for the withdrawal of the Sikh garrison at Rajan [Rajanpur or Rojhan?]Enclosures 24-59 (ff 616-766) comprise despatches between Wade and Macnaghten and between Burnes and Macnaghten. The despatches concern British policy towards and relations with the ruling parties in Afghanistan and with Maharajah Runjeet Singh; the latter two’s relations with each other notably over Peshawar [also spelled Peshawur in this item]; Afghan relations with Persia [Iran] and Russia; and general political, economic and military affairs in Afghanistan and the Punjab. Burnes’s despatches are forwarded to Macnaghten by Wade and often include Wade’s disparaging remarks on Burnes’s situation assessments and actions, in addition to his own political analyses.The papers notably cover and include:Intelligence regarding the political situation in Cabool, Kandahar [also spelled Candahar in this item] and Herat, forwarded by Charles Masson from Afghanistan (ff 617-619, ff 622-623, ff 640-642, ff 646-650)Information concerning Kambar Ali Khan [Qanbar ʿAlī Khān, also spelled Kumbar in this item], the Persian envoy sent to KandaharThe despatch by Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy] of an envoy to the Ruler of Kunduz regarding a potential alliance (ff 621-624)Burnes’s arrival at Peshawar and conclusion that Runjeet Singh would privately like to return the territory to the governorship of Sooltan Mahomed Khan [Sulṭān Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], as it is a drain on his Government’s finances (f 632)Burnes’s arrival at Khaibar [Khyber, this spelling also used in this item], and meetings with Kour Kurruck Singh [Kaur Kharak Singh, also spelled Kour Kharak Singh in this item], during which he emphasises the commercial intentions of the British MissionWade’s refutation of Burnes’s assertion that it would be easy to open the road through the Khaibar Pass and develop commerce between Punjab and Afghanistan (ff 687-691)Burnes’s report on the ‘Political Power of the Sikhs Westward of the Indus’ (ff 708-715) with Wade’s observations thereon (ff 693-698), and notes by Wade on the history and military career of Runjeet Singh (ff 693-705)Burnes’s reception in Cabool, conversations with Dost Mahomed, and opinion of the latter’s aggrandizement ambitions at the expense of his ‘brothers’ in Peshawar (f 750)Concerns expressed by Wade and the Government of India that Britain should not overtly mediate between the Sikhs and Afghans regarding control of Peshawar, and that Burnes: does not appear to act on behalf of Dost Mahomed, which could antagonise Britain’s ally Runjeet Singh and the Kandahar Sirdars [Sirdārs, leaders]; encourages Dost Mahomed to reconcile with his brother Sooltan Mahomed Khan and with the Maharajah; and emphasises that Britain will not intervene until Dost Mahomed relinquishes all connection with PersiaBurnes’s reports on the relations of the Kandahar sirdars with Persia and the Russian minister at Tehran, including the possibility of Kohin Dil Khan [Kuhandīl Khān Muḥammadzay] sending his son with an envoy to Persia (ff 717-726)British policy of averting the extension of Persian and Russian influence over Afghanistan, maintaining the divided distribution of power in Afghanistan, and prioritizing British relations with the Sikh and Sindhian rulersBurnes report that Shah Kamran [Shāhzādah Kāmrān Durrānī], Ruler of Herat, has acknowledged allegiance to Persia and sent an envoy to Tehran (f 744)Wade’s concern regarding Runjeet Singh’s apparent growing infirmity of mind and ‘misgovernment’ (ff 674-675)The favourable reception at Lahore of a Nepalese Mission (ff 666-669)A rebellion in Kashmir (ff 670-672)A dispute between the rulers of Bhawalpoor [Bahawalpur, also spelled Bahawalpoor in this item] and Mooltan [Multan], causing disruption to the indigo trade in Cabool.Physical description: 1 item (233 folios)
4. Ext 468/43 'Telegram despatched on behalf of John Swire and Sons Ltd'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file consists primarily of a letter and a telegram draft. The letter from the Accountant-General, India Office, informs that the telegram was sent and asks for the refund of the cost of the telegram.The telegram was sent by Mr John Swire, agent at Bombay, India, to Mr Ashley Clark at the Foreign Office on 26 January 1943. The telegram is about different topics, the most important being the navigation regulations from India and China, the value of ships, and commerce with China.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 6; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.