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145. Secret Letters Inward
- Description:
- Abstract: The file consists of secret letters sent to Samuel Hennell, British Resident in the Persian Gulf. The majority of this correspondence is from either the Government of Bombay, or the Secret Committee based at India House in London. These letters frequently contain enclosures (i.e. copies) of communications sent between the Government of Bombay, the Government of India, and the home authorities in Britain; this also includes correspondence with HM Consul-General to Egypt.The principal correspondents in the file are as follows:Patrick Campbell, HM Consul-General to Egypt.George Eden, Governor-General of India.Thomas Henry Maddock, Officiating Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General, writing in the Secret Department.Rear-Admiral Sir Lewis Frederick Maitland, Commander of the East Indies and China Station.Lestock Robert Reid, Acting Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay.Henry John Temple, Third Viscount Palmerston, Foreign Secretary for the United Kingdom.John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government of Bombay, writing in the Secret Department.The subject matter concerns the conquest of Nedjd [Najd] by Khorshid Pasha [Khūrshid Pāshā] on behalf of Mahomed Ali Pasha [Muḥammad ‘Alī Pāshā], Viceroy of Egypt; and his subsequent efforts to subjugate Bahrein [Bahrain] and the Arab tribes of Oman. It therefore covers British efforts to prevent the further advancement of Egyptian forces towards the Persian Gulf; this includes their reaction to the voluntary submission of Abdoola bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], Chief of Bahrein, to Egypt, and their efforts to coordinate the Arab tribes against the Egyptians.The other main subject covered by this file is the diplomatic rupture between Britain and Persia. The occupation of Karrack [Khārk, Jazīreh-ye] by a British force from India, and the removal of the Residency from Bushire to that island are therefore covered as a result. The feasibility of an invasion of southern Persia is also discussed within the correspondence.Topics featured in the correspondence to a lesser extent include the following:The reprimand of Lieutenant-Colonel James Shiriff, Commander of the British force at Karrack, for undermining the political position of the Resident.The strengthening of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf.The removal of Shaikh Nasir [Shaykh Nāṣir] from the island of Karrack.A visit to the Persian Gulf by Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland aboard HMS Wellesley.A report from Captain Aikins Hamerton and Captain John T Leslie on their mission to obtain mules for the British force at Karrack.The provisioning of two steamers for an expedition to navigate the rivers Euphrates and Tigris.The correspondence in French only amounts to 5 folios (see ff 75-79), and consists of translations of Egyptian correspondence relating to British pressure on Khorshid Pasha to abandon his designs on Bahrein.Please also note that in the file Mahomed Ali Pasha is also spelt Mehemet Ali, and there is a degree of variation in the spelling of Khorshid Pasha. Pasha is also frequently spelt Pacha.Physical description: Condition: The content of the file is largely in good condition. However, ff 81-88 have a section missing — possibly a result of pest damage — and some of the text has been lost as a result.Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: The file also contains an original pagination sequence, which is written in ink.
146. Political No. 220 of 1874, Forwarding a Copy of Papers Relating to the Operations of the ‘Turks’ in Nejd, and their Complaints Against the Chief of Bahrein
- Description:
- Abstract: This item consists of copies of a Political Despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secretary of State for India, dated 11 December 1874, forwarding a copy of papers relating to the operations of the ‘Turks’ [Ottomans] in Nejd [Najd], and their complaints against the Chief of Bahrein [Hakim of Bahrain] for his hospitable treatment of the Wahabee [Wahhābī] Prince, Abdool Rehman [‘Abd al-Raḥmān], who was lately released from detention at Baghdad.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 572, and terminates at f 575a, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The sequence contains three foliation anomalies: f 572a, f 573a, and f 575a.
147. Turkish Arabia Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 87 of 1847, dated 13 October 1847. The enclosure is dated 26 August 1847.The primary document is a despatch from Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Acting Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq] (acting for Henry Creswicke Rawlinson who had taken a leave of absence), forwarding for the information of the Secretary to the Government of India and the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, copies of his despatches to Lord Cowley, HM Minister Plenipotentiary at Constantinople [Istanbul], with relevant enclosures, on the ‘affairs of the Baghdad Pachalic [Pashalik]’.The documents notably cover the following matters:British attempts to verify the authenticity of the communication from the Mootsellim [Mutasallim] of Bussorah [Governor of Basra] to Sheikh Mahomed ben Khaleefa [Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain] inviting him to place himself under the protection of the Turkish [Ottoman] flag, including a corroborative document forwarded to Rawlinson by Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian GulfReactions of the independent Arab rulers of the Gulf regarding the appearance of an Ottoman brig of war [in the Gulf] and the alleged the claims by the Turkish officers on board of the intention to replace British influence in the Gulf with Turkish influence. Included are reports by John Croft Hawkins, Commodore Commandant Indian Navy, Squadron in the Persian Gulf, on the HC [Honourable Company] steam frigate Queen, and the Agent at Shargah [Sharjah], regarding: the brig’s movements; the concerns expressed by Shaikh Mucktoom [Maktūm I bin Buṭṭī Āl Bū Falāsah of Dubai]; and the alleged ‘exultation’ of Sultan Ben Suggur [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī, Ruler of Sharjah and Ra’s al-Khaymah, Al Jazirah Al Hamra and Ar Rams, variously] at the potential loss of British influence (ff 263-268)Reports that Nejib Pasha [Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] plans to survey ‘the old and ruined canals’ of Abooghraib [Abu Ghraib], Scindreeah [Sindria?] and Mahmoodiah [Mahmudiyah?], in order to repair them and bring the adjoining land back into cultivation and improve irrigationThe disturbed state of the country in Moosul [Mosul] due ‘principally to the internal dissensions in the large tribe of the Shammar [Šammar] Arabs’ (f 269)The question of whether British and Russian subjects travelling in the Turkish [Ottoman] dominions will be subject to new passport regulation fees, and Kemball’s scepticism, in communications with Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Minister at Tehran, regarding Nejib Pasha’s intention to exempt ‘native Englishmen’, taking into consideration the passport fees recently levied on Rawlinson and his party for the latter’s leave of absenceKemball’s scepticism, communicated to Sheil, regarding Nejib Pasha’s intentions of fulfilling instructions from the Turkish Government for the removal of a Turkish guard vessel from her anchorage off the mouth of the Haffer [Haffar] Canal to a station higher up the stream, and intention to escalate his dissatisfaction to the Porte via HM Minister at Constantinople (ff 272-273).Physical description: 1 item (20 folios)
148. Bahrain Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: Enclosures Nos. 3-8 to Despatch No. 25 from the Secret Department, Bombay Castle, dated 22 June 1860. The Enclosures are dated 2 February-12 June 1860. Received 27 July 1860.The Enclosures reflect British concern over the actions of the Ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa [Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah]. The Ruler was accused by the British firstly of allowing his subjects to commit acts of piracy and brigandage that were likely to provoke conflict with the Wahabee [Wahhabi] Ruler in Nedjd [Najd], Ameer Fysul [Amir Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Āl Sa‘ūd], and secondly of attempting to surrender sovereignty over Bahrain to Persia (by allowing the Persian flag to fly over Bahrain), and to Turkey [the Ottoman Empire], by sealing a written act of submission and handing it over to Turkish emissaries.The papers include: despatches from Captain Felix Jones, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; correspondence between Jones and the Ruler of Bahrain; a report from Commander William Balfour, Senior Naval Officer Commanding Persian Gulf Squadron; précis of intelligence from Hajee Jassem, the British Agent at Bahrain; and resolution by the Honourable Board, dated 12 June 1860, approving the Political Resident's decision not to use force against the Ruler of Bahrain.Physical description: 1 item (49 folios)
149. Bahrein Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 86 of 1847, dated 13 October 1847. The enclosures are dated 24 September-9 October 1847.The item comprises a letter from the Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, acknowledging the opinion of the Governor of Bombay in Council that aid should be afforded to the ‘Chief’ of Bahrein [Bahrain] against a number of his ‘disaffected subjects’ who have settled upon the Island of Kenn [Kish] on the Persian [Iranian] coast and who ‘threaten to make an incursion into that Chief’s territories’ (f 255). Also included is a minute of the Governor and a member in Council confirming that the matter has been reported to the Secret Committee.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
150. Bahrain and Damaam Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item is comprised of copies of secret letters, despatches and intelligence reports. Correspondence discusses a number of topics including: the state of affairs in Bahrain and on the 'Wahabee Coast' and the consternation of the Ruler of Bahrain, Mahomed ben Khuleefah [Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah] at the policy of the 'Wahabee Ruler', Ameer Fysul [Amir Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd] concerning exiled kinsmen in Dammam [Dammām]; instructions to Commander Robinson to send H C Schooner Constanceto Dammamn and Kutiffe [Al-Qaṭīf].Correspondents include: Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, the Resident in the Persian Gulf; H L Anderson, Secretary to Government in the Secret Committee, Bombay [Mumbai].Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)
151. Persian Gulf Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 27 of 1844, dated 30 March 1844. The enclosures are dated 31 January-30 March 1844.The enclosures chiefly comprise correspondence, with relevant enclosures, between Captain Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire [Bushehr]; John Pollard Willoughby, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay; and Frederick Currie, Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General.The subjects covered are:The complaint brought by the Persian [Iranian] Yawur, or Commandant, of the Bushire Garrison against Hajee [Haji] Yacoob, the Honourable Company’s Coal Agent at Karrack [Kharg Island], of being an ‘evil disposed and intriguing character’ (f 497) who has misappropriated money collected from the island’s inhabitants and caused many of them to flee, and a request by the Ameer [Amir] of Shiraz to Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of Persia [Iran], for the dismissal of the agentThe investigation by Hennell and the Assistant Resident, Lieutenant Arnold Burrowes Kemball, which finds the charges against the Coal Agent unproved and groundless (including enquiry statements on ff 507-511), and the decision, nevertheless, that the agent should be redeployed as his ‘obnoxious…attachment to British interests’ (f 518) has irritated the native authorities at Karrack, and that since the coaling station is of insufficient strategic importance it should be removed in order to conciliate Persian anger over British occupation of the island and to alleviate concerns of the Persian Prime Minister that the station sets a pretext for Russia to establish a similar operation on one of the islands near Asterabad [Astarabad]. Includes copies of Hennell’s correspondence with Sheil and a minute of the Governors concurring in the removal of the coal depot from KarrackPersian plans, by the Shah’s architect, for the construction of fortifications at Bushire, notably Hennell’s concerns that they may impinge on the landing space opposite the Residency Gate that the British have traditionally used since 1810 when the Residency moved to its locationThe arrival in Bushire of Shaik Abdoolla Bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], the ex-Chief of Bahrein [Bahrain] and British policy regarding his aim of obtaining Persian support to recapture the island.Physical description: The enclosure numbers 3-10 are written on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure, which also contain an abstract of the contents of the enclosure.
152. Persian Gulf Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: The item comprises:Two letters from Thomas Henry Maddock, Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General, to John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai], notably relating to: British policy regarding the potential conflict between the Sheik of Bahrein [Shaikh of Bahrain] with the ‘fugitive’ subject Esa bin Tareef [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin Ḥamad bin Ṭarīf Āl Bin ‘Alī al-‘Utbī]; the threatened invasion of Bahrein by Khoorshid Pasha, [Khūrshid Pasha], Commander of Egyptian Forces in Nejde [Najd, also known as Nejd]; and the Governor-General’s objection to a suggestion,by the Resident in the Persian Gulf at Karrak [Kharg, also known as Khark] to blockade the port of Bushire [Bushehr]The substance of a letter from the Native Agent at Muscat to the Persian [Iranian] Secretary to the Government, notably relating to: the policy of the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat regarding the territorial encroachments of Khoorshid Pasha in the Persian Gulf; the Imaum’s refusal to provide the assistance demanded by Khoorshid Pasha; and the activities of Saad Bin Mutluck [Sa‘d bin Muṭlaq al-Muṭayrī], who claims he has been appointed Governor of Oman by Khoorshid Pasha and has demanded tribute to be paid to the latter by the principal sheiks [shaikhs] in the Persian Gulf which had formely been paid to Fysul [Amir Fayṣal bin Turki bin Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd].Physical description: 1 item (5 folios)
153. Persian Gulf Affairs
- Description:
- 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)
154. Persian Gulf Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 76 of 1847, dated 31 August 1847. The enclosures are dated 10 May-20 August 1847. There is a note on the abstract stating that enclosures 11 and 12 are ‘Missing. 30 10 1906’.The primary documents are: a report by Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to Arthur Malet, Secretary to the Government, Bombay; minutes of the Governors in Council; and correspondence between Malet, and Henry Miers Elliot, Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General.The subjects covered notably include:Concerns of the Chief of Bahrein [Bahrain], Shaik Mahomed bin Khuleefa [Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain] about disaffected Uttoobee [ʿUtūb] subjects led by Shaik Essa bin Tareef [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin Ṭarīf] who have settled on the Persian [Iranian] island of Kenn [Kish], his solicitation of British naval assistance should the refugees or the ex-ruler of Bahrein, Shaik Abdoollah bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], mount an attack on Bahrein; and the Government of Bombay’s authority to Hennell to intervene on behalf of Mahomed bin Khuleefa if the situation warrantsThe Governor-General’s desire that the Bombay Government inform the Home Authorities (in London) of the proceedings of some Turkish [Ottoman] officers at Koweit [Kuwait] and the arrival of a Turkish vessel of war off Bushire [Būshehr].Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-12, on folios 425-426. These numbers are repeated for reference on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure. Enclosures 11 and 12 are not present.
155. Persian Gulf Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 45 of 1856, dated 25 June 1856. The enclosures are dated 5 May-19 June 1856.The enclosures chiefly comprise copies of the correspondence of Commander Felix Jones, Acting Resident, Persian Gulf, with Commodore Richard Ethersey, Indian Navy, Commanding the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, and the Government of Bombay, relating to the removal of the Al Ali [Āl ‘Alī] tribe from Demaum [Dammam].They notably cover and include:Jones’s and Ethersey’s agreement to make a demonstration of naval strength at Demaum with the Ajdaha, Semiramisand Falkland, and if that fails to bombard the town and fort of Demaum, followed if necessary by further coercive measures including the blockading of the port and destruction of any captured Al Ali boatsEthersey’s reservations regarding the agreed measures to be taken at Demaum, due to: the inadequacy of naval resources to carry out the Demaum action in addition to policing the Gulf and searching vessels for enslaved persons; the unsuitability of the Ajdahafor the shallow seas around Demaum; and the urgent need for the Semiramisto return to Bombay [Mumbai] for repairsJones’s hope that a brief show of naval strength at Bahrein [Bahrain] and his negotiations with the Sheikh of Demaum [Muḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh, Shaikh of Dammam] will achieve the British objective, his reluctant agreement that the Semiramisreturn to Bombay before the monsoons set in, and his decision to retain the Constanceat Bushire [Bushehr] during the temporary withdrawal of the Ajdahaand FalklandEthersey’s provision of the Ajdahafor Jones’s visit to Demaum and tour of the Gulf, due to the inadequate cabin accommodation on his own vessel the FalklandJones’s report to the Government of Bombay on his proceedings at Bahrein regarding the Al Ali, including: his meetings with Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa [Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain], the Sheikh of Demaum and with Ali ben Sultan [Alī bin Sulṭān], chief of the Al Ali; the agreement of Jones and the Sheikh of Bahrein not to force the Al Ali to return to Geis [Kish, also was known as Kenn] due to its unsuitable living conditions, and proposal that the Al Ali go to Kuweit [Kuwait], Grane [Kuwait] or Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]; Jones’s encouragement of those Al Ali who wish to reconcile with the Sheikh of Bahrein and return to the island without punishment; Jones’s consent to the Sheikh of Demaum’s request (f 367) to allow the Al Ali to remain at Demaum until the month of Ramadhan [Ramadan] has ended; Ali ben Sultan’s compliance following Jones’s threat to bring the squadron to Demaum; Jones’s pleasure that he has achieved a ‘peaceful resolution’ and relief at the avoidance of a potentially ineffective and expensive blockadeJones’s orders to Ethersey that the Semiramisshould go to Bombay should any important despatches arrive at Bushire for India.In this item Jones also reports unverified intelligence from the Acting Native Agent at Muscat that the agents of the Imam of Muscat and Persia [Iran] at Kishm [Qeshm] have agreed that the Imam will take possession of Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas].Physical description: 1 item (25 folios)
156. Persian Gulf Affairs
- Description:
- 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 27 of 1850, dated 10 May 1850.The enclosed papers, dated 14 September 1849 to 18 February 1850, concern affairs in the Persian Gulf. They comprise correspondence between Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire [Bushehr]; Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Farrant, British Chargé d'Affaires, Tehran; Captain Atkins Hamerton, British Consul in the Dominions of the Imam [Imām] of Muskat [Muscat]; the Government of Bombay; and the Government of India.Several matters are covered by the papers, including:The proposal of the Sheik of Bahrein [Shaikh of Bahrain], Mahomed ben Khuleefa [Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah], to enter into British protectionThe Imam of Muskat's intention to seize the island of Bahrein.Physical description: 1 item (13 folios)