Abstract: This part of the volume consists of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 13 of 1841, dated 28 February 1841. The enclosures are dated 18 February 1840 to 28 February 1841, and relate to the Persian Gulf and Zanzibar.The enclosures mostly consist of copies of correspondence between the Secretary to the Government of Bombay (John Pollard Willoughby) and the following: the Resident in the Persian Gulf (Captain Samuel Hennell); the Superintendent of the Indian Navy (Captain Robert Oliver); the Secretary to the Government of India (Thomas Herbert Maddock); and the British Agent at Muscat (Captain Atkins Hamerton).The correspondence concerns matters including:The suggestion of the Resident in the Persian Gulf that the European troops at Karrack [Kharg], should be removed from the Island and accommodated on shipboard during the hot season for health reasons, and the probable expense which would be incurred if this suggestion were adoptedThe British Agent at Muscat having arranged a passage to Bombay for the Chief of Sohar (Saied Hamood bin Azan) and his party, in the interests of maintaining good relations between the Chief of Sohar and the Imaum [Imam] of MuscatThe disapproval of the Government of Bombay of the transfer, at the suggestion of the Resident in the Persian Gulf, of a portion of the European crew of the East India Company’s steam ship
Bereniceto vessels of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, in contradiction of orders given by the Superintendent of the Indian Navy to the Commander of the
BereniceThe British Agent at Muscat proceeding to Zanzibar, and requesting permission to employ a writer and interpreter whilst on the mission to ZanzibarThe opinion of the Resident in the Persian Gulf as to whether it was still necessary for a Native Agent to be employed at Muscat, in addition to the European officer appointed British Agent at Muscat.In addition, this part also includes the following:Extracts of letters from the Native Agent at Shargah [Sharjah] (Moollah Hoossain), reporting on events which had recently taken place on the Arabian Coast, principally concerning relations between Shaikh Sultan bin Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī] of Sharjah, his son Suggur, and Shaikh Mukhtoom of Debay [Shaikh Maktoum bin Bati ibn Suhayl of Dubai]Intelligence received from the Native Agent at Muscat (Rubil bin Aslan) about the state of affairs in Muscat (also spelled Muskat)Intelligence received from the News Writer at Shiraz (Meerza Riza) and other sources about events in Persia [Iran].Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-40, on folios 59-66. These numbers are repeated for reference on the last verso of each enclosure.
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of Enclosures to a Despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 29 of 1841, dated 26 April 1841. The enclosures are dated 6 February to 26 April 1841, and are mainly letters, relating to the Persian Gulf.The enclosures mostly consist of correspondence between the Secretary to the Government of Bombay (John Pollard Willoughby) and the Resident in the Persian Gulf (Captain Samuel Hennell) at Karrack [Kharg Island].This part also includes: correspondence between the Government of Bombay and the Superintendent of the Indian Navy; and letters to the Secretary to the Government of India, the Envoy and Minister at Cabool [Kabul], the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia, and the Assistant to the Resident in the Persian Gulf.In addition, this part includes: reports from the News Writer at Shiraz (No. 18), a ‘Bushire merchant’ (No. 36), the Agent at Shargah [Sharjah] (Nos. 39 and 44), and the Native Agent at Muskat [Muscat] (Nos. 57-58).Matters discussed in the enclosures include:Repairs and alterations to the Fort at Karrack recommended by the Resident in the Persian Gulf (Nos. 3-5)Whether any alterations in the coinage of Persia [Iran] had been made subsequent to the introduction of the New Mahomed Shah Rupee and Toman, and whether any further appreciation of these coins had taken place (Nos 15-17)The visit of Syed Humood ben Azan [Ḥamūd bin Azan Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Chief of Sohar [Ṣuḥār], to Bombay (Nos. 19-22)The arrival at Karrack of Frederick Brenner, a Carmelite Friar, with the intention of officiating as a Catholic Clergyman to members of the Catholic Church residing on the Island (Nos. 26-28)Letters from Dr James Pringle Riach, attached to HM Mission at the Court of Persia, concerning his intention to travel to Ghorian [Ghōriyān] with an order from the Shah for the evacuation of the Fortress at Ghorian by the Persian troops, and for its immediate restoration to the Government of Herat (Nos. 30-32 and 50-51)The Resident in the Persian Gulf’s actions in relation to the Asseloo [Bandar-e ‘Asalūyeh] boats which had been cruising about for the ostensible purpose of seizing Congoon [Kāngān] boats (Nos. 40-41)The actions of Commodore George Barnes Brucks, Indian Navy, Commanding the Persian Gulf Naval Squadron, in the ‘settlement of claims’ existing against the Shaikhs of Biddah [Al Bidda] and Debaye [Dubai] (Nos. 46-48 and 56)The arrival of the Assistant to the Resident in the Persian Gulf at Paris en route to re-join his station in the Persian Gulf, and his request for permission to proceed to the Presidency after 1 June 1841 (Nos. 52-55)Copies of despatches from HBM Chargé d’Affaires at Persia (Justin Sheil) to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, enclosing translations of correspondence with the Prime Minister to the Shah, letters from the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Persian Prince Reza Koolee Mirza, and
firmans[orders] by the Shah (No. 65)The detention of the East India Company’s brig of war
Tigrisin the Persian Gulf by the Resident in the Persian Gulf (Nos. 7-8), the despatch of the Company’s sloop of war
Elphinstonefor service in the Persian Gulf (No. 8), the despatch by the Resident of the Company’s schooner
Emilyto Bombay (Nos. 33-35), and its despatch from Bombay to the Persian Gulf (Nos. 66-67).Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-67, on folios 422-434. These numbers are repeated for reference on the last verso of each enclosure.
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 90 of 1840, dated 30 October 1840. The enclosures are numbered 3-30 and are dated 21 July to 16 October 1840.The enclosures relate to Persian Gulf affairs, and cover matters including:The Acting Assistant Resident in Charge, Persian Gulf, Thomas Mackenzie (also spelled Mackensie in this item), stating that he is not aware of any reason to believe the Imaum [Imām] of Muscat intends to attempt to possess Bahrein [Bahrain, also spelled Bahrien in this item], and the view of the Government of Bombay that Mackenzie’s impression is erroneousThe opinion of Mackenzie on which season of the year the climate on the islands of Bahrein, Kishm [Qeshm] and Karrak [Kharg, also spelled Karrack in this item] is most unhealthy for the constitutions of EuropeansThe intention of the Shaikh of Bahrein, Mahommed ben Khulifa [Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, also spelled Mahomed ben Khalifa in this item], to undertake an expedition against Kateef [Qatif] and Lahsa [al-Hasa] in order to establish his authority over that district and free it from the control of Koorchid Pacha [Khūrshīd Pāshā, also spelled Khoorschid Pacha in this item]. Mahommed ben Khulifa’s request for assistance from the British Government with this undertaking, and for the protection of his property at Bahrein during his absence against any potential attempts by his uncle to dispossess him of itThe view of the Government of Bombay as to whether it would be desirable to make any augmentation to the garrison at KarrackIntelligence received from the News Writer at Shiraz, including the Shah having sent his army in detachments to Caswin [Qazvin] and then returned to Tehran, the severe sickness which has occurred at Karrack in August, and the death of Captain Strong of the Bombay European RegimentIntelligence received from the Government Agent, Bahrien, on the state of affairs at BahrienThe Government Agent at Bahrien reporting that Mahomed Effendi [Muḥammad Effendī], the Deputy of Koorshid Pacha at Katif, has left Katif with his followers and gone to Lahsa, on his way to join Koorschid Pacha, in the vicinity of Medina (also spelled Medinah in this item), and that Ameer Khalid [Amīr Khālid bin Sa‘ūd Āl Sa‘ūd] has been proclaimed Governor of Central Arabia [Najd]A despatch from Mackenzie to HM Political Agent and Consul General, Egypt, reporting on the state of affairs in ArabiaCaptain Atkins Hamerton, on a mission to Muskat (also spelled Muscat in this item), reporting the renewal of ‘friendship’ between the Chief of Sohar, Saud Hamood byn Azan [Ḥamūd bin Azan Āl Bū Sa‘īd], and the Imaum of MuscatThe concurrence of the Governor-General of India in Council in the opinion of the Government of Bombay that it would not be expedient to hold out to the Imaum of Muscat the prospect of support from the British Government in an attack upon BahreinThe view of the Governor-General that Captain Atkins Hamerton should remain at Muscat during the ‘healthy season’ after the departure of the Imaum of Muscat for the African CoastDespatches from the Secretary to the British Legation in Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, to HM Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, reporting on the state of affairs in Persia [Iran] and the movements of the ShahReports prevalent in Persia of the intention of the Shah to attack Bagdad [Baghad].The main correspondents are as follows: the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Lestock Robert Reid; Mackenzie; Hamerton; the Native Agent at Muscat; and Sheil.The item also includes enclosed correspondence from: the Shaikh of Bahrien; the News Writer at Shiraz; the Chief of Debay, Shaikh Mukhtoom [Shaikh Maktūm I bin Buṭṭī Āl Bū Falāsah]; the Government Agent, Bahrein; Commodore George Barnes Brucks, Indian Navy, Commanding the Persian Gulf Naval Squadron; and HM Consul at Tabreez [Tabriz], Edward Walter Bonham.Physical description: 1 item (110 folios)
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay's Secret Department to the East India Company's Secret Committee, Number 7 of 1841, dated 31 January 1841. The enclosures are dated 26 May 1840 to 30 January 1841, and relate to the Persian Gulf.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence sent and received by the Government of Bombay, as well as copies of memoranda, minutes and resolutions of the Government of Bombay.The main correspondents are as follows: the Political Secretary to the Government of Bombay; the Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Secretary to the Government of India; the British Agent at Muscat; and the Superintendent of the Indian Navy.The enclosures discuss matters including:The concerns expressed by the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat that the French nation intended to take over the Imam’s possessions in the neighbourhood of ZanzibarThe response of the Governor General of India in Council to the request made by Colonel Taylor, Political Agent in Turkish Arabia, Baghdad, for a vessel of war to transport the Lieutenant of the Pasha of Baghdad to Bombay for the purpose of arranging his plans for the recovery of the Porte’s [Ottoman Empire’s] influence in ArabiaThe question of the relative positions of authority of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Commodore or officer commanding the Indian Naval Squadron stationed in the Persian Gulf, in relation to the SquadronThe disputes between the Chiefs of Debaye [Dubai, also spelled Debay and Debye in the item] and Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi, also spelled Aboothabie in the item]The policy which should be pursued in the event of Ameer Khaled (also spelled Ameer Khalid) attempting to extend his authority over the province of OmanThe Resident in the Persian Gulf giving a pledge to the Imaum of Muscat to aid him in resisting the invasion of Oman or any of his other territoriesThe visit of the Chief of Sohar [Ṣuḥār] to Bombay.This part of the volume also includes other enclosures relating to places including Shargah [Sharjah], Persia [Iran], and Bahrein [Bahrain].Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-68, on folios 163-176. These numbers are repeated for reference on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure.
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 63 of 1850 dated 2 November 1850. The enclosures are numbered 3-7 and are dated 10-27 September 1850.The papers relate to the despatch of the steam frigate
Aucklandfrom Bombay [Mumbai] to the Persian Gulf in response to the violation by Syed Thooenee [Sayyid Thuwaynī bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Governor of Muscat, of the Treaty between his father, the Imam of Muscat [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd] and the late Chief of Sohar [Sayyid Ḥammūd bin ‘Azzān al-Bū Sa‘īdī of Suhar].The principal correspondent is the Under-Secretary to the Government of India.Physical description: 1 item (11 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 145 of 1846, dated 2 December 1846. The enclosures are dated 9 September-2 December 1846.The papers relate to affairs in Muscat [also spelled Maskat in this item], reported to the Government of Bombay by Captain Atkins Hamerton, HM Consul and HC [Honourable Company’s] Agent in the Dominions of the Imaum [Imām, also spelled Imam in this item] of Muscat (based in Zanzibar), including:The result of Hamerton’s investigation of the rumour that the Imaum had agreed to transfer Muscat and its dependencies to his son Prince Said Hillal [Sayyid Hilāl bin Saʿīd, also spelled Hellaul and Hillaul in this item], and Hamerton’s report of the bad relationship existing between the Imaum and the PrinceThe anxious desire, as conveyed by Hamerton to the Government of Bombay, of the Imaum to receive a response to his request to blockade the port of Bushire [Bushehr] in retaliation for the ‘oppressive conduct’ by Persian [Iranian] Government officials, notably the Governor of Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas], towards his subjects in his possessions on the Persian coastThe proceedings of the Chief of Sohar, Syed Hamood bin Azan [Sayyid Ḥammūd bin ‘Azzān Āl Bū Sa‘īd, also spelled Saied in this item] in the Persian Gulf, including his transferring to the Matawas [al-Muṭawwi‘ūn, priests] of the Beni Saad [Banū Sa‘d, an Omani family group] the Fort of Sohar and its dependencies inland, and the election by 500 Matawas of an ‘Imam’ [‘a chief priest or Bishop’] for Oman (an office filled for many years by the Imām of Muscat’s family).The principal correspondents are Hamerton and the Government of Bombay.The last three enclosures, the
Bombay Times Summary of Intelligence, the
Overland Bombay Courierand the
Bombay Telegraphare noted as ‘Missing 29.10.1906’.Physical description: 1 item (19 folios)
Abstract: The volume contains letters written mainly in 1850 and a few letters written in December 1849. Most letters are from Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire to Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary to Government, Political Department, Bombay. The British Political Resident’s letters provide the Governor in Council of the Bombay Presidency with an up to date account of affairs in the Persian Gulf and usually enclose copies of other, relevant official correspondence, including:English translations of numerous Arabic letters regularly received by the British Political Resident from Moollah Houssein and Hajee Jassem, the British Residency native agents at Shargah [Sharjah] and Bahrein [Bahrain] respectively, reporting events and intelligence gathered in their territories;English translations of five Arabic letters from the Chiefs of Bahrein [Bahrain] and Sohar [Ṣuḥār] in Oman, to the British Political Resident, in response to the latter’s demands or proposals (folios 23-24, 61-63, 81, 93-94);Transcripts of four letters received by the British Political Resident from Commodore Porter, Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf aboard the ship Clive and Lieutenant Alexander Foulerton, commanding the ship Mahi, reporting on their patrols and intercepts at sea in the Persian Gulf (folios 13, 15-16, 35-38).The letters written by the British Political Resident, the British Residency native agents and the Indian naval officers contain reports mainly about the following: acts of piracy and other hostilities committed by rival Bedowin [Bedouin] tribes, relations between the Trucial Coast chiefs and the success of Indian naval peace-keeping boat patrols along the Arabian coast of the Persian Gulf, in accordance with treaty obligations. The Indian naval boats were expected to prevent attacks by sea upon the Arabian Ports of the Persian Gulf and to suppress all acts of maritime aggression against the crews, cargoes and slaves of trading vessels. The specific events in 1850 that are reported and discussed in this volume of letter correspondence include:The siege of the town of Sohar by Syed Soweynee, the Governor of Muscat, following the resumption of power by Syed Humood ben Azan, the deposed Chief of Sohar (folios 17, 22-29, 31-33, 35-36);The piracy of Soheil ben Ateish (folios 15-16, 20-21, 44-45, 87-98);Renewal of aggressions at sea between the inhabitants of Debaye [Dubai] and Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] who steal each other’s slaves and boats, and the demands of the British Political Resident that rival chiefs Sheik Mukhtoom of Debaye [Āl Maktūm, Shaikh Buṭṭī bin Suhayl, Chief of Dubai] and Sheik Saeed ben Tahnoon of Aboothabee [Shaikh Said bin Tahnun Āl Nahyān, Chief of Abu Dhabi] should intervene to ensure that reparations are made (folios 15-16, 18-19);Plans of Sheik Mukhtoom, Chief of Debaye and Sheik Sultan ben Suggur, Chief of Shargah [Āl Qāsimī, Shaikh Sulṭān bin Saqr, Chief of Sharjah] to rebuild Adeed [Khor al-Udaid] and the steps taken by Sheik Saeed ben Tahnoon, Chief of Aboothabee to prevent it (folios 11-12);Plans of Ameer Fysul [Amir Faisal bin Turki], Chief of the Wahabee to organise a military expedition to rebuild Adeed, the reaction of Sheik Mahomed ben Khuleefa, Chief of Bahrein [Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh Muḥammed bin Khalīfah, Chief of Bahrain] and the opposition of Sheik Saeed ben Tahnoon, Chief of Aboothabee to the Ameer’s plans (folios 15-16, 18-19, 30, 57-60);Aggressions against the territories of the Imam of Muscat, in particular the siege and conquest of the Fortress of Shinas by the forces of Syed Humood ben Azan, Chief of Sohar and Sheik Sultan ben Suggur, Chief of Shargah (folios 39-43);The demands of the British Political Resident that Sheik Mahomed ben Khuleefa, Chief of Bahrein should strictly control the licensing of Bahrein boats in order to prevent acts of piracy and also, that he should make reparation for a Karrack [Khārk, Jazīreh-ye] boat, cargo and crew captured by a party of the Huwajir Tribe of Bedouins, using a boat they had obtained in Bahrein (folios 46-58, 61-65, 68-69, 77-82);The fears of Sheik Mahomed ben Khuleefa, Chief of Bahrein that fugitive members of the Uttobee Tribe of Arabs resident on Kenn Island [Kish Island] were planning to attack Bahrein and also the mediation of his brother, Sheik Ally [Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh ‘Alī bin Khalīfah] over the demand by the British Political Resident that the ruler of Bahrein should make a public apology for his insulting remarks about the British Government (folios 55-60, 70-76);The mediation of the British Political Resident over a proposed arrangement whereby Sheik Mahomed ben Khuleefa, Chief of Bahrein would pay an annual allowance to his cousins, the two impoverished sons of the late ex-Chief of Bahrein, Sheik Abdoollah ben Ahmed [Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad], on condition that they would dwell quietly on Kenn Island and give up all further schemes and claims against Bahrein (folios 85-86, 93-96);Negotiations by Sheik Mahomed ben Khuleefa, Chief of Bahrein with the Shereef of Mecca [Sharif of Mecca], for Turkish protection of his territories, a policy the British Political Resident fears other maritime Arab Chiefs might adopt (folios 83-84).Title page (folio 2): the following words in the title, ‘Department’, ‘Residency’ and ‘on’ are no longer complete. Damage along the right hand edge of the title page has obliterated part of these words. File cover title (folio 1): the abbreviated title ‘Book 166 Part 3 1850’ is written on the front cover of the volume.Physical description: Foliation: the letters in the volume are numbered 3-13, 14, 14A, 15-99, from front to back. The front cover of the volume is numbered 1 and the title page is numbered 2. The numbering is written in pencil in the top right hand side corner, on the recto of every folio.The 37 letters in the volume were originally numbered in ink and in most cases, on both the recto and verso of every folio, in the top right or left hand corner respectively, as follows: 3-20, 25-39, 41-55, 60, 62-85, 90, 94-115, 129-152, 156-169, 181-192, 197-200, 210-213, 222-231, 236-242, 254-258. Some of the gaps in the number sequence are due to the fact that blank folios and folios containing address details were not numbered.