Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, resolutions, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, an extract of a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, 20 July 1854. The enclosures are dated 7 October 1852-July 1854. It is the first in a series of twelve items about the ‘slave trade’ [trade in enslaved people].The correspondents are: the Court of Directors; the Government of Bombay; Rear Admiral Sir Henry John Leeke, Commander in Chief of the Indian Navy; and Commander John William Young, Commanding the Company’s steam frigate
Queen.The item concerns a letter from the Court of Directors, an extract of which, dated 1 March 1854, is included in the item, requesting information about a previously stated plan to employ the
Queenin the Gulf to stop the ‘slave trade’. The activities of the
Queenare reported, and suggestions made as to the number of vessels that are required to effectively suppress the ‘slave trade’.The item contains a table of contents (ff 570-571), and the title page (f 569) contains the following references: Draft Number ‘1045/54’, ‘Collection No. 1 of No. 49 of 1854’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 569 and terminates at f 584, 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, minutes, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Archibald Spens, Senior Magistrate of Police, Bombay. It is the third in a series of four volumes about the trade in enslaved people.The item concerns the arrival at Bombay [Mumbai] of two women rescued from slavery at Bahrein [Bahrain].The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft No 217-1853’ and ‘Collection Vol: 3 of No. 106’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 290, and terminates at f 296, 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, minutes, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Hajee Jassem [Ḥājjī Jāsim], British Agent at Bahrein [Bahrain]; and Ahmed [Aḥmad], Government Agent at Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh]. It is the second in a series of four volumes about the trade in enslaved people.The item concerns:The liberation of two women at Bahrein who had been brought there to be sold in vessels from Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn]The attitude of Sheik Mahomed ben Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah of Bahrain] towards the trade in enslaved peopleThe liberation of one woman from Sohar [Suhar] who was brought to Mogoo [Moghuyeh] to be sold.The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft No 217-1853’ and ‘Collection Vol: 2 of No. 77’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 280, and terminates at f 289, 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 item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 1 October 1851 and found at IOR/F/4/2442/134094. Further enclosures can be found at IOR/F/4/2442/134098. The item is the fourth in a series of five items relating to the 'slave trade' [trade in enslaved people] in the Persian Gulf and on the Arabian Peninsula.The item relates to suggestions made by Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Persia [Iran], for ways to suppress the 'slave trade' in Persia. Sheil's response is included, as well as brief comments by the Government of Bombay.The item also relates to reports by Moollah Houssein [Mullā Ḥusayn], Native Agent at Shargah [Sharjah], that ships belonging to the 'maritime chiefs' of the Arabian Coast are successfully engaging in the 'slave trade' whilst avoiding interception by Company ships. In particular, he highlights the actions of Sheik Sultan ben Suggar [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī, Ruler of Ra's al Khaymah and Sharjah] and he also provides details on: the ship owners; how many enslaved people they have imported; and where they landed with the enslaved people. His reports are sent to Hennell, who instructs Commodore John Patterson Porter, Commanding Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, to arrange for Company ships to intercept the ships engaging in the trade at the locations highlighted by Moollah Houssein. Hennell sends the results of these attempts, alongside copies of the above correspondence, to the Government of Bombay, which provides comments and further instructions.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', 'Draft No. 17 of 1852', 'Collection', 'Vol: 4', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the reference read 'Collection No 1 of No 73', but 'No 1 of No 73' has been crossed out. The volume number was originally given as '3' but this has been crossed out and replaced with '4'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 708, and terminates at f 724, 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 item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes, which are enclosures to a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 18 June 1846. A copy of this letter can be found at IOR/F/4/2157/103838.The item relates to suggestions by Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, for the effective suppression of the ‘slave trade’ [trade in enslaved people] in the Gulf. Hennell points to deficiencies in the current agreements with the rulers of Ras-el Khyma [Ra’s al-Khaymah]; Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn]; Ejman [Ajman]; Debaye [Dubai]; and Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]. He recommends that the British government should try to establish agreements with the courts of Persia [Iran] and Turkey to suppress the ‘slave trade’.A minute by the Government of Bombay states that it would be for Her Majesty’s Government to approach Persia and Constantinople [Istanbul] on this subject. A copy of both Hennell’s letter and the minute are forwarded to the Government of India.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5410, Draft 786/46’, ‘Vol: 4’, ‘Collection N. 1 of N. 83’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’. The ‘N. 1’ has been crossed out with different ink.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 852, and terminates at f 856, 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 item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 1 October 1851 and found at IOR/F/4/2442/134094. Further enclosures can be found at IOR/F/4/2442/134097. The item is the fifth in a series of five items relating to the 'slave trade' [trade in enslaved people] in the Persian Gulf and on the Arabian Peninsula.The item relates to reports from Khojih Hiskael bin Yoosoof [Khawājah Ḥizqīl bin Yūsuf], Acting Native Agent at Muscat, that he has detained a vessel flying under British colours, the
Futhool Khyr[
Fatḥ al-Khayr], at Muscat after discovering it was carrying four Abyssinian [Ethiopian] enslaved females, between the ages of ten and twenty. The item concerns arrangements for:Bringing the Abyssinians to Bombay [Mumbai]Punishing the
Futhool Khyr's nakhoda, Husson bin Ali [Ḥusayn bin ‘Alī, nakhuda]Returning the
Futhool Khyrto its ownerReimbursing Hiskael bin Yoosoof and Shaik Abdool Ruhman bin Sueed bin Zueed [Shaikh ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Sa‘īd bin Zayd] for helping the Abyssinians during their stay in Muscat and their voyage to Bombay.Correspondents: Khojih Hiskael bin Yoosoof; Shaik Abdool Rahman; Archibald Spens, Senior Magistrate of Police, Bombay; Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf; Commodore John Patterson Porter, Commanding Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf; Commander A McDonald, Commanding Company steam frigate
Auckland; the Government of Bombay; and two different committees established to assess the condition of the
Futhool Khyr.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', 'Draft No. 17 of 1852', 'Collection', 'Vol: 5', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the reference read 'Collection No 2 of No 73', but 'No 2 of No 73' has been crossed out. The volume number was originally given as '4' but this has been crossed out and replaced with '5'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 725, and terminates at f 747, 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 item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, an extract of a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, 28 August 1855. The enclosures are dated 26 February 1855-22 August 1855.The item contains correspondence between: Lawford Acland, Acting Company Solicitor, Bombay; Richard Spooner, Officiating Commissioner of Customs, Salt and Opium; and the Government of Bombay. They discuss what should be done with two ships, the
Saiad[
Sa‘īd] and the
Futtool Mombaruk[
Fatḥ al-Mubārak], which were seized by the Company due to their involvement in the 'slave trade' [trade in enslaved people]. What to do with the cargo they were carrying is also discussed.There are multiple spellings for both ships' names in the text.The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', Draft Number '1199 [18]55', 'Collection No.9', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the Collection number was given as '7 of No. 86 of 1855.' but this has been crossed out.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 631, and terminates at f 637, 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, minutes, and consultations cited in, or enclosed with, a political letter from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; the Government of India; and Captain Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf.The item concerns a request by the Government of India for a report on the history of Britain’s relations with the states on the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf, and the completion of this by Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf. Kemball’s report was originally submitted with the political letter. The first part is included in this item, and the remainder can be found in IOR/F/4/2121/100025. An additional report on the territories belonging to the Imam of Muscat, produced by Captain Atkins Hamerton and also submitted with the political letter, is contained in IOR/F/4/2121/100026.This item contains the following sections of Kemball’s report:‘A memoir showing the nature and character of the political engagements existing between ‘the British Government and the Arabian Chiefs in the Persian Gulf’ (ff 95-109). This contains the following enclosures:‘Treaty entered into by Sir W Grant Keir with the Chiefs of the Arab Tribes in the year 1820’ [General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf] (f 95)‘Neutral Ground and Restrictive Line or War Limit’ (f 96)‘Terms of a Maritime Truce for ten years agreed upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated 1st June 1843’ (f 97).‘A similar memoir on the subject of the engagements which from time to time have been entered into between the British Government and these Chieftains for the suppression of the slave trade’ (ff 110-133). This contains the following enclosures, dating from August-September 1822:Requisitions made by Captain Fairfax Moresby to the Imam of Muscat [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd]; the English translation of the Arabic version of these requisitions and of the Imam’s answers; remarks by William Simson, Deputy Persian Secretary to Government, on the requisitions and answers; an additional requisition made by Captain Moresby, with a response by the Imam and a remark by Simson (ff 110-115).‘Copies of three treaties entered into by the British Government with His Highness the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat, on the 12th October 1798, 16 January 1800, and 31st May 1839’ (ff 134-141).The item contains a table of contents (ff 82-83), and the title page (f 81) contains the following references: ‘P C [Previous Communication] 5061, Coll. 5, Vol. 1’, ‘D/t 29/46’, ‘Collection No. 1 of No. 18’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 81 and terminates at f 143, 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. The main correspondents are the Government of Bombay; Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, British Resident in the Persian Gulf; Meerza Mahmood [Mīrzā Muḥammad], British Agent at Shiraz; Bahram Mirza [Bahrām Mīrzā Mo‘ezz-al-Dawlah], Prince-Governor of Fars; and Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Tehran.The item concerns:Attempts by the Prince-Governor of Fars to levy a fine of 300 tomans on the nakhuda of a Dashtee [Dashti] vessel for importing enslaved people into Bushire [Bushehr]5% customs duties levied on sugar from Java arriving at Bushire, compared to the previous rate of 1.25%, and discussions by Hennell about whether he should intervene to ask the Prince-Governor of Fars to exempt these Bushire traders affected from inland transit dutiesRequests for assistance made to Hennell by people who have had property stolenMilitary conflicts between Bakir Khan [Bāqir Khān Tangistānī] and Sheik Nasir [Shaikh Nāṣir II Āl Madhkūr], Governor of Bushire, and between Bakir Khan and the Prince-Governor of FarsThe replacement of Bahram Mirza as Prince-Governor of Fars, and Kurrem Khan [Karīm Khān] as Governor of Behbehan [Behbahan]Unrest in the province of FarsThe imprisonment of Mirza Alli Mahomed [Mīrzā ‘Alī Muḥammad], the Bab [Báb], and an order for his executionThe effects of locusts on food pricesSheik Nasir’s reluctance to go to Shiraz as he owed the Prince-Governor of Fars tributeEnquiries into the conduct of Mirza Mahomed due to complaints against him, including that he stole a gold watch from the late Mr Tasker, claims which are refuted by HennellDefeat of the Babees [Bábis], who had been causing disturbances by the SirbazThe execution of Syed Yahyah [Sayyid Yaḥyá], a follower of the Bab.The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft No 91 of 1851’ and ‘Coll[ection]: 18’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 568, and terminates at f 675, 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/4/2349/123808. The correspondents are: the Government of Bombay; Major Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Commander John Porter, Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf; and Bahram Meerza [Bahrām Mīrzā Mo‘ezz-al-Dawlah], Prince-Governor of Fars Province. It is the twenty-first in a series of twenty-four items on events in the Persian Gulf.The item concerns:The rebellion of Tungistoon [Tungistan] against Shaik Nasir of Bushire [[Shaikh Nāṣir II Āl Madhkūr of Bushehr]Bahram Meerza’s decision to remove Shaik Nasir from office and make Meerza Mehdy Khan [Mīrzā Mahdī Khān] the new Governor of BushireMeerza Mehdy Khan’s advance, accompanied by Bakir Khan [Bāqir Khān Tangistānī], Chief of Tungistoon, to Bushire, and his unsuccessful siege of the townThe arrival of a boat belonging to the Governor of Mohumrah [Khorramshahr] at Rasul Khyma [Ra’s al-Khaymah], carrying enslaved women from Africa, in direct contravention of the firman issued by the previous Shah [Muḥammad Shāh Qājār].The item contains a contents page and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft no 334 of 1850’, ‘Coll[ection] 4’, and ‘Collection No 1 of No 1’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 383, and terminates at f 404 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: Memorandum providing an overview of the extent of slavery in the Persian Gulf, and the measures undertaken by his Majesty's Government to combat it.Covering:introduction outlining the legal status of slavery;treaty engagements of the Arab States of the Gulf, including Ibn Saud's [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd’s] cooperation in the suppression of the slave trade;treaty engagements of Persia - the Anglo-Persian Slavery Convention of 2 March 1882 for the suppression of the traffic of slaves;present position on the Arab Littoral of the Gulf – with proposals made by Sir Lionel Haworth, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf;resent position on the Persian Littoral;Persian representations regarding abrogation of Slavery Convention of 1882 with Great Britain, and the implications of the League of Nations' Slavery Convention of 1926;attitude to be adopted towards a Persian demand for abrogation, expressing views of the Foreign Office, India Office, and Admiralty.Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 65, and terminates at f 66, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence and other papers (including slaves' statements) related to manumission applications heard at the Political Agency in Bahrain. Most of the cases involve slaves who have absconded or travelled from Muscat or Saudi Arabian territory. In those cases where a slave had escaped from Muscat, the Bahrain Agency exchanged correspondence with the Muscat Agency to verify the slave's story, with the Muscat Agent writing back in each case to approve manumission. Correspondence and office notes show that those slaves from Saudi Arabia were automatically given manumission certificates and permitted to stay in Bahrain.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence begins on 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 of the recto side of each folio. A short local foliation sequence can be found at ff 34-37; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. They can be found in the same position as the main sequence.