Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of Political Consultations and Political Letters sent to and from the Government of Bombay.The item relates to attacks on merchant ships by the Joasamee [Āl Qāsimī] and the numerous counterefforts made by the East India Company and others over several years to curb the power of the Joasamee 'pirates'. In particular the item is concerned with:Accounts of the attack on the Company ships
Macaulayand
DuncanThe armament and dispatch of three Company cruizers to the Gulph [Gulf] of Persia for the purpose of protecting trade in the region against the Joasamee piratesThe order to inform the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat and the English Broker at Muscat of the above expedition so that they might offer aid and assistance to the commanding officersThe prohibition of the sale of timber, teakwood and planks at British ports to Arabs as it has been discovered that some of these items are then sent to the Coast of Malabar where the Joasamee are able to source the material to repair their shipsThe successful attack on Rasul Khyma [Ra's al-Khaymah], the principal port of the Joasamee, by Captain Wainwright of His Majesty's ship
La Chiffonneand Lieutenant-Colonel Smith of His Majesty's 65th RegimentIntelligence that a fleet of 18 'piratical' vessels based at Rasul Khyma are preparing to intercept merchant ships on their journey from Bussora [Basra] to IndiaInstructions to commanding officers including orders in the event of conciliatory proposals on the part of the Joasamee and orders to avoid 'all undue constraint or detriment towards the interior commerce of the Gulph'Reports of a battle between the fleet of Rehma bin Janber [Rahmah bin Jābir al-Jalhami] and the Uttobies [ʿUtūb] of Bahrein [Bahrain] in which three of Rehma's ships have been blown up and Rehma has reportedly been killed.The item also includes a note on the number of ships destroyed and men killed or wounded in the attack on Rasul Khyma (f 59 verso).Correspondents: Government of Bombay; East India Company Court of Directors; J Babington, Deputy Secretary to Government of Bombay; W J Hamilton, Secretary in the Government of Bombay Marine Department; Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to Government of Bombay; Alexander Bell, Conservator of the Forests in Malabar [Kochi]; Captain Charles Sealy, Commander of the Company's cruizer
Benares; Chief Secretary to the Supreme Government; Captain Prior of His Majesty's ship
Hesper; William Bruce, Acting Resident at Bushire.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Political No. 9, Season 1814/15, Draft 20' and 'Examiner's Office November 1812-November 1813'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 52, and terminates at f 80, 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.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the governments of Bombay and Bengal. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; the Superintendent of the Bombay Marine, William Taylor Money; Lieutenant William Hewitson, commander of the East India Company's cruiser
Teignmouth.On 29 July 1809, during her voyage from Bussora [Basra] to Muscat, the
Teignmouthencountered a French privateer and was on the point of capturing her when an explosion occurred on board, allowing the privateer to escape. Hewitson gives an account of the action and those killed or wounded and mentions the HM frigate
Caroline, the East India Company's brig
Vestaland the East India Company's cruiser
Mercury.The title page of this item contains the following references: 'Political No. 15, Draft 33, Season 1812/3, Examiner's Office February 1811'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 128, and terminates at f 137, 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.
Abstract: The item consists of correspondence between the Government of Bombay and Rear Admiral William O’Brien Drury, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station, regarding a proposal for increased British naval presence in the Gulf of Arabia [Red Sea] in order to resist French influence in the region.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 287, and terminates at f 294, 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 printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, reports, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2203/108134. The correspondents are Major Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Minister at the Court of Persia [Iran]. It is the twelfth in a series of thirty items.The item concerns Sheil’s approval of Commodore John Croft Hawkins’s actions against the ‘piratical’ ports of the Persian Coast.The item contains a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 700/47, Coll[ection]: 18, Collection No 11 of No 37’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 706, and terminates at f 709 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: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2203/108134. The main correspondents are the Government of Bombay and Major Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. It is the second in a series of thirty items.The item concerns:Reports of conflicting rumours of Lieutenant William Henry Wybard’s fate, including death, marriage with children, and enslavementA potential rebellion against the Governor of Fars, Houssein Khan [Muḥammad Ḥusayn Khān Muqaddam Marāgha'i], by Bakir Khan [Bāqir Khān Tangistānī], Chief of Tungistan [Tangestan], and Hajee Khan [Ḥājī Khān], the Chief of Dashtee [Dashti County]Proceedings against ‘piratical’ ports by Commander John Croft Hawkins, Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, and a proposed joint venture with the Governor of Fars to oblige ports along the Persian [Iranian] coast to pay compensation for British and Persian ships which had been the victims of ‘piracy’Violence against Bedouin tribes by Saed bin Tahnoon, Sheik of Aboothabee [Shaikh Sa‘īd bin Ṭaḥnūn Āl Nahyān, Shaikh of Abu Dhabi], and a demand for compensation by Mahomed ben Syf ul Ujajee, Sheik of Brymee [Muḥammad bin Sayf al-‘Ajjājī, Shaikh of Al Buraymi].The item contains a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 700/47, Coll[ection] 18, Collection No 1 of No 37’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 612, and terminates at f 641 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: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2203/108134. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Major Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Persia [Iran]. It is the twenty-sixth in a series of thirty items.The item concerns:The proposal by the Governor of Fars, Hoossein Khan [Muḥammad Ḥusayn Khān Muqaddam Marāgha'i] to co-ordinate the movements of the naval squadron in the Persian Gulf with his projected tour by land to different ports on the Persian CoastMessrs Mills & Co’s request for assistance in recovering money owed to them by Bakir Khan [Bāqir Khān Tangistānī], Sheik of Tungistan [Tangistan]A possible rebellion by the chiefs of the Dashtistan [Dashtestan] against the authority of ShirazThe restriction of movement placed upon a Russian Armenian by Hoossein Khan.The item contains a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 700/47, Collection No 18 of No 54’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 771, and terminates at f 781 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: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, reports, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2203/108134. The correspondents are the Government of Bombay and Major Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. It is the sixteenth in a series of thirty items.The item concerns instructions to Commodore John Croft Hawkins, Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, to land at Asseeloo [Bandar-e Asaluyeh] and extract the compensation owed by the Shaikh of Asseeloo for acts committed by his subjects.The item contains a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 700/47, Coll[ectio]n: 18, Collection No 18 of No 49’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 724, and terminates at f 729 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: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, memoranda, resolutions, and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The main correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Captain Samuel Hennell, British Resident in the Persian Gulf; Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Commodore John Croft Hawkins, Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron. It is the second in a series of fifteen items on the Persian Gulf (the others are IOR/F/4/2131/101199, IOR/F/4/2131/101201, IOR/F/4/2131/101202, IOR/F/4/2131/101203, IOR/F/4/2131/101204, IOR/F/4/2131/101205, IOR/F/4/2131/101206, IOR/F/4/2131/101207, IOR/F/4/2131/101208, IOR/F/4/2131/101209, IOR/F/4/2131/101210, IOR/F/4/2131/101211, IOR/F/4/2131/101212 and IOR/F/4/2131/101213).The item concerns:The actions of Hummud bin Mujedel [Ḥamad bin Majdal], chief of Amaeer [al-‘Amāyir] Tribe, who attacked a boat from Karrack [Jazireh-ye Khark] laden with wheat near Kateef [Qatif]The subsequent British naval expedition to the island of Genna [Jazirat Jana] to exact reparations from Hummud bin Mujedel, and Hummud’s justification for his actions and alliance with Shaik Mahomed bin Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammed bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain]The Wahabee [Wahhābi] invasion, led by Saaed bin Mootluck [Sa‘d bin Muṭlaq], of Mugees, also spelt Mukees [Majīs], and Wahabee threats against Sohar [Suhar]Tribute paid by Syed Hamood bin Azan [Sayyid Ḥammūd bin ‘Azzān al-Bū Sa‘īdī,], Chief of Sohar, and the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat, [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd], to Saad bin MootlukThe plunder of fugitives from MugeesRelations between the Wahabees and the other shaikhs of the GulfInstructions to the ships
Pilot, Coote, Tigris, and
ConstanceAlleged seizure and restoration of a vessel of the Beniyas [Banī Yās] by the Chaab [Banū Ka‘ab]The claims of Aga Mahomed Tuckee bin Hajee Ali Ukbar Ali [Āghā Muḥammad Taqī bin Ḥājjī ‘Alī Akbar ‘Alī], a Persian merchant residing in Bombay, to be considered a British subject, and his ship the
ActressThe question of British subjects being obliged to pay duty to export live animals from PersiaThe change of governors of Bushire [Bushehr].The item contains a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft 252/46, P.C. [Previous Communication] 5171, Collection No 1 of No 90’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 478, and terminates at f 582, 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.
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, minutes, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. These political letters appear in IOR/F/4/2416/130506. It is the third in a series of twenty-eight items on the Persian Gulf.The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; Moollah Houssein [Mullā Ḥusayn], Agent at Shargah [Sharjah]; Captain Stephen Lushington, Commodore and Commander in Chief of the Indian Navy; and Hajee Jassem [Ḥājjī Jāsim], Agent at Bahrein [Bahrain].The item concerns:The return of the
Mahito Bombay from the Gulf, and the question of whether the Resident in the Persian Gulf should have the discretion, in certain situations, to extend a vessel’s period of service in the Squadron of the Indian Navy in the Persian GulfReports on the whereabouts of Soheil ben Ateish [Suhayl bin ‘Uṭaysh], who is said to have committed a ‘piracy’ against a vessel from Bahrein, and the question of whether more might be done to seize him.The item contains a table of contents (ff 446-447), and the title page (f 445) contains the following references: ‘Dft. No. 424 of 1850’, Collection No. 1, Vol. 3’, and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 445 and terminates at f 462, 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: The volume of private and secret letters contains correspondence from successive Residents in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, including Captain Ephraim Gerrish Stannus, Captain David Wilson, Dr John MacNeil, Lieutenant Samuel Hennell and David Arnold Blane. The correspondence is to William Newnham, Chief Secretary to the Government of India; Lieutenant-Colonel McDonald, Envoy to the Court of Persia; Charles Morris, Acting Chief of Sectary to the Government of Bombay; and W S Collinson, Commander and Senior Marine Officer in the Persian Gulf, Bassadore [Bāsa‘īdū]. There are various enclosures included in the correspondence, including translations of letters and notes from: Shaik Ahmed of Bushire [Shaikh Aḥmad]; the Prince of Shiraz; Shaik Russool [Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rasūl], the Governor of Bushire; Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd, the Imam of Muscat, and his agent, Hajee Abdool Ameer [Ḥājjī ‘Abd al-Amīr]; and Shaik Abdoollah ben Ahmed [‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], chief of Bahrain. In addition, an enclosure (folio 18) is a 'Table showing the entire operations of 4 Cruizers destined for Services connected with the Persian Gulf'.There is an index of letters on folio 2v-3. A note on folio 2r states that 'interesting titles' are marked with a blue cross in the index. Subjects included within the file include: British influence in the Persian Gulf, including relations with Persia, the Wahhabis, Muscat, Bahrain and the Shaikhs on the Arab coast; the movement of vessels and naval issues; movements of native and merchant ships; maintaining the maritime peace; legal claims and disputes; ports in the Persian Gulf and their suitability for steamers; arms trafficking; visits to various locations on the Arab coast, including Sharjah and Bahrain.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover 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: An original pagination sequence written in ink is present in the volume between ff 4-95.
Abstract: All letters in the file are from the British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at his Residency on the Island of Karrack [Khārk, Jazīreh-ye] and are addressed mainly to the British Government in Bombay. Many of the Resident’s letters include extracts from reports submitted to him by the British naval commander in charge of the Persian Gulf Squadron and the Native Agent in Shargah [Sharjah], both acting under his direction. The majority of the Resident’s letters concern outbreaks of hostilities between the several Arab Chiefs and their tribespeople inhabiting the Arabian coast and ports of the Persian Gulf, as well as the measures taken by him to enforce the Maritime Truce and suppress piracy in the region. Events, intelligence and activities reported in the year 1841 include the following:The disunion between Shaikh Sultan ben Suggur [Sultan bin Saqr], the Joasmee [Qasimi] Chief of Shargah and his son Suggur, who sought refuge with his rival Shaikh Mukhtoom [Maktūm], the Chief of Debaye [Dubai] (folios 2-3);The Resident’s ultimatums, including the threat of naval force, to Shaikh Salmin bin Nasir, Governor of Biddah [Doha] regarding his protection of the pirate Jubbur Rugragee and to Shaikh Mukhtoom, Chief of Debaye regarding his condonation of the repeated aggressions by his subjects on boats belonging to Benyas [Bani Yas] tribespeople (folios 4-7, 13-15);Disturbances by the townspeople of Bushire, following the introduction of new taxes and the non-payment of the troops guarding the town, by Sheikh Nasir, the Governor of Bushire (folios 8-9, 27);The unwillingness of the Shaikhs of Brymee [al Buraimi] to stop the frequent marauding expeditions by members of their tribes into the territories of the Imam of Muscat (folios 11-12);The Resident’s tour of the Arabian coast by ship in May for the annual renewal of the Maritime Truce at successive meetings with the Chiefs of the Arab ports (folios 13-15, 18-24, 27, 39-41);During a visit by the Prince of Shiraz, the merchants of Bushire and Shiraz affirm that the British occupation of the Island of Karrack is harmful to Persian trading interests (folios 16-17);The persistent marauding expeditions of Shaikh Khalifa bin Shakboot [Khalifa bin Shakhbut], the Benyas Chief of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] into the districts of Shaikh Sultan ben Suggur of Shargah and Shaikh Mukhtoom of Debaye (folios 26, 30-33);Repossession of the Fort at Houken by Syed Sooweny, Governor of Muscat, from the deposed Oman Chief, Syef bin Sooleman who had seized it in a surprise attack (folios 28, 32);The Resident gives his reasons for doubting that the peace agreed between the Joasmee and Naeem Tribes on one side and the Benyas, Moozara and Joowahir Tribes on the other side will last (folios 34-35);The Resident rescues members of the Persian royal family from shipwreck off the Island of Karrack, on the morning of 17 November (folios 42-43);The Resident’s detailed instructions and arrangements for an urgent British mission to Ameer Khaled at his camp near Lahsah [Al-Hasa], to dissuade him from invading Oman and thereby prevent the outbreak of tribal war in Oman and the destruction of Brymee (44-46, 49-50);The Resident’s detailed instructions for the work of the Residency during his absence and under the temporary charge of Lieutenant-Colonel C Davies in December, the latter’s preparations on taking up his new duties, for the imminent evacuation of British troops from the Island of Karrack (folios 47-50).Numerous letters have been crossed through. These tend to be short letters about the routine management of the Residency: staff, accommodation, equipment, accounts and communications.A few surviving letters are incomplete, only the start or end of the letter remains on file.The file title ‘Book 128 1841’ is written in blue ink on a 20th century file cover (folio 1) enclosing the letters, which are unbound.Physical description: Foliation: the letters in the file are numbered 2 to 50, from front to back. The numbering is written in pencil in the top right corner and encircled, on the recto.Pagination: the contents of the file were originally numbered in ink as follows: 21-24, 57-64, 71-74, 111-112, 115-124, 135-138, 153-166, 209-212, 245-246, 255-258, 263-278, 281-282, 305-310, 363-366, 371-380, 389-392.
Abstract: The file contains:Letters exchanged between the British Government in London, the British Government of India and the Bombay Government, the British Resident in the Persian Gulf and the British Agent Muscat, September 1840 to February 1841 about alleged French demands on the East African territories of the Imaum of Muscat in the vicinity of Zanzibar (folios 2-10);Letters exchanged between the British Envoy to Persia and the British Resident in the Persian Gulf, and an intelligence report from the British Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, concerning Persian affairs, April 1841 (folios 23-25) and the evacuation of British troops from the Island of Karrack [Khārk, Jazīreh-ye], October 1841 (folios 40-41);Intelligence reports submitted by the British Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf to the Superintendent of the Indian Navy, February-March 1841 (folios12-19) and the British Resident in the Persian Gulf, March 1841 (folios 20-22) and which include English translations of letters from Sheikh Mucktoom [Maktūm] of Dubai (folio 19) and Sheikh Salmin ben Nassur of El Biddah [Doha] (folio 16), together with two Arabic promissory notes from the latter Sheikh (folios 23A and 23B). The reports relate to the British naval patrol of the Trucial Coast in the winter of 1841, referring to hostilities between the Chiefs of the Arab Ports and British enforcement of the Maritime Peace Treaty by the collection of money and goods from chiefs who had given protection to pirates or who had failed to take measures against any of their subjects known to have committed acts of piracy, as compensation to the rightful owners of plundered boats;Intelligence reports submitted by the British Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf to the British Resident in the Persian Gulf, July-October 1841 (folios 26-39) regarding his patrol of the Pearl Fishery banks during the summer pearling season.Physical description: Foliation: the letters are numbered 2-50, 23A, 23B, 23, 24-41, from front to back. The numbering is written in pencil in the top right corner and encircled, on the recto. Two small documents numbered 23A and 23B form a single folio. The front of the file cover is numbered 1.Pagination: the contents of the file were originally numbered in ink as follows: 29-33, 46-53, 69-70, 87-104, 106, 118-119, 123-125, 197-203, 212-223, 245-248, 250-251, 264. Blank pages and pages containing brief details such as name and address are unnumbered.One of two Arabic seals that appear on the reverse side of two Arabic promissory notes (folios 23A and 23B) is partly obscured by the strip of paper to which both documents are attached.