Abstract: The file contains letters mainly received by the Resident in the Persian Gulf regarding Persia and the Persian coast of the Gulf, from the Secretaries to the Government at Bombay Castle. There are also two documents which become part of the file at a later stage, in 1856; they were both proclamations by the Political Agent with the Field Force and Resident in the Persian Gulf at the time, Felix Jones.The subjects of the file include: the British occupation of Bushire and the Island of Kharg; opium trade (including copies of earlier documents); employment and career progression of native servants; the Battle of Alma.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation is written in pencil, circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The numbering begins on the first page, on number 1, and runs through to 51, ending on the final page.
Abstract: The volume contains secret correspondence (original correspondence received and copies of correspondence sent) within the following three separate categories: Bahrein [Bahrain]; Muscat and Bunder Abbass [Bandar Abbas] (and local); and miscellaneous and local. The Resident in the Persian Gulf during the period covered by the volumes was Commander (James) Felix Jones (acting until July 1856).The correspondence is principally with Henry Lacon Anderson, Secretary to Government, Bombay and other East India Company officials, including Commodore Richard Ethersey, Indian Navy, commanding the Persian Gulf Squadron; Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Political Agent, Turkish Arabia; and the commanders of vessels of the Indian Navy. There is also correspondence with other British officials, including Charles Augustus Murray, Envoy and Minister-Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia, and correspondence (some of it in Arabic) with local rulers and Persian officials.General topics include:the slave trade;political intelligence;the Wahabees [Wahhabis];the operations of the Indian Navy in the Persian Gulf;Russian involvement in Persia;relations with Persia;administrative matters;appointments;the transmission of dispatches around the region;pearl fishing;the Anglo-Persian War (1856-57).Specific topics include:correspondence concerning the effect of the British suppression of the slave trade, January - May 1856 (folios 12-19);correspondence concerning the migration of the Al Ali tribe to Demaum [Dammām], March 1856 - January 1857 (folios 20-90);correspondence concerning relations between Muscat and Persia in the light of the claim of the Imam of Muscat to Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas], February - August 1856 (folios 92-110);letter from Jones to Henry Frederick Disbrowe, Assistant Resident, Persian Gulf, dated 3 May 1856, briefing him on his duties at Bushire during Jones's temporary absence (folio 144);papers concerning Civil Surgeons' fees for attendance on the families of public officers of the East India Company in the light of the unhealthy nature of the climate at Bushire, June - September 1856 (folios 148-152);correspondence between Jones and the Government of Bombay and between Jones and the staff officers of the Bombay Army, concerning military operations in the Persian Gulf, September 1856 - February 1857 (folios 172-297).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence runs across the two volumes into which this record has been bound (Part 1 ff 1-141B; Part 2 ff 142-299). The foliation sequence commences at 1 on the (modern) title page of volume one and terminates at 299, the last folio before the back cover of volume two. The numbers are written in pencil and appear in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Foliation anomalies: ff 141, 141A, 141B. This is the system in use.Pagination: three original pagination sequences, which generally number only those pages bearing text, numbered 1-124 (ff 12-90); 1-30 (ff 92-111); and 1-305 (ff 113-297) are also present. The numbers are written in ink and appear in various positions at the top of each page.
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 October 1856, Number 51-54) and the Government of Bombay (1 and 3 November 1856, Numbers 82-86). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letters from the Governor General (folios 108-115) are concerned with the establishment of ‘Hindustan fanatics’ in Punjtar [Panjtar], the supply of arms and finance for Ameer Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan], and discuss the question of whether Colonel John Jacobs (Acting Commissioner in Sind) should be put in direct communication with the Ameer. It also covers a report from Colonel Herbert Benjamin Edwardes (Commissioner in Peshawar) of an interview held with envoys from Herat, and his views respecting the non-viability of an independent Herat. Dost Mahomed's dismissal of a Persian envoy at Cabool [Kabul] and his reasons for returning to Cabool are also discussed.The section from Bombay (folios 116-119) reports preparations for a military expedition against Persia, arrangements for a declaration of war against Persia by the Government of India, and arrangements for the delivery of arms and finance to aid Dost Mahomed.Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 November 1856, Numbers 55-58) and the Government of Bombay (17 November 1856, Number 87-92). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letters from the Governor General (folios 120-128) discuss a request from Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] for an audience with a representative of the Government of India to discuss Herat, and a decision by the Government of India to grant a temporary subsidy to Dost Mahomed to facilitate operations against Persia. They also cover British preparations for war against Persia, and a defence of Commander James Felix Jones (Political Resident, Persian Gulf) for his dismissal of British staff officers from Bushire. The carelessness displayed at Bombay in packing arms for Cabool [Kabul], and financial aid for Herat are also discussed.The section from Bombay (folios 129-131) includes arrangements for an expedition against Persia, and details (in terms of troops and ships) of the composition of the force.Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8-9 January 1857, Numbers 1-5) and the Government of Bombay (16 January 1857, Numbers 7-14). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letters from the Governor General (folios 31-41r) outline discussions between British officials over the likelihood of a Persian advance against Candahar [Kandahar], the prospects of Dost Mahommed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] retaking Herat from the Persians, and a proposal to raise a British force at Quetta. They also include discussion over the appointment of Sir James Outram as commander of the British Expeditionary Force against Persia, and his endowment with diplomatic powers by HM Government. Sir James Outram's pay and allowances, and Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacobs' promotion to Brigadier-General are also outlined.The section from Bombay (folios 41v-50) includes the following topics: the appointment of Sir James Outram's staff; a request from Brigadier William Marcus Coghlan (Political Resident, Aden) that Lieutenant Playfair should remain at Aden rather than serve in Persia; details of reinforcements sent to Bushire; Lieutenant Colonel Jacobs' views that the withdrawal of the Sind Horse [14th Prince of Wales's Own Scinde Horse] for service in Persia will leave the Sind frontier vulnerable to Afghan or Persian attacks; the re-occupation of Perim Island; news from Herat; an impending visit by Brigadier Coghlan to Lahedge [Lahej]; and reports from Major-General Foster Stalker on the progress of the British Expeditionary Force in southern Persia and efforts made to solicit the assistance of local chiefs.Physical description: 1 item (20 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (7 February 1857, Numbers 8-10) and the Government of Bombay (16 February 1857, Numbers 31-38). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letters from the Governor General (folios 3-8) include a brief report on Canton, and reports of developments in Afghanistan following the fall of Herat, with particular attention given to the position of Dost Mahommed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan].The section from Bombay (folios 9-16) contains reports on the British Expedition against Persia; reports on the strength, movements, and intention of Persian forces in southern Persia; an outline of British policy towards the Chiefs of southern Persia during the invasion; and updates on Afghanistan and Perim.Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 December 1856, Number 61) and the Government of Bombay (16-17 December 1856, Numbers 99-100, 103, 105-107). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letter from the Governor General (folio 69) is limited to a brief acknowledgement.The section from Bombay (folios 69-107) is more substantive and the main topics are as follows: the fall of Herat, details of a reserve force to be established for the expeditionary force against Persia, and orders for the re-occupation of Perim Island in the Red Sea including proposals for the erection of a lighthouse.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 January 1857, Numbers 6-7) and the Government of Bombay (27 and 31 January and 2 February 1857, Numbers 15-26). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letters from the Governor General (folios 17-19r) cover the release of prisoners of war by Thibet [Tibet], and the appointment of Sir James Outram to command the British invasion of southern Persia.The section from Bombay (folios 19v-30) discusses overtures of peace made to the Afghans by the Shah of Persia and the question of whether a British force should be established at Quetta. It also outlines a debate between British officials over whether the Sind Horse should be despatched to Persia, whether the Poona Horse should be sent instead, and whether Brigadier-General John Jacob should join the force or remain in Sind. A number of reports on the Anglo-Persian War (1856-1857) from Major General Foster Stalker have also been included outlining the strength of Persian forces in the vicinity of Bushire, and the progress of the British Expedition.Physical description: 1 item (14 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 December 1856, Numbers 62-65) and the Government of Bombay (31 December 1856, Numbers 108-114 and 1-2 January 1857, Numbers 1-6). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letters from the Governor General (folios 51-56r) are concerned with a request from the Governor of Hong Kong for an additional European regiment, developments in Afghanistan, the question of whether a subsidy should be provided to Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] in return for operations against Herat, and punitive measures taken by British authorities against tribes on the Punjab frontier.The section from Bombay (folios 56v-64) covers the capture of Karrak [Khārk] and Bushire, the supply of weaponry and finance to Dost Mahommed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan], and the appointment of Sir James Outram as commander of the British Expeditionary Force against Persia. It also details the expansion of operations against Persia, re-enforcements sent to Persia, and reinforcements required for the Bombay Presidency as a result of operations in the Persian Gulf.Physical description: 1 item (14 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries of official secret letters received from HM Minister to Persia, Charles Augustus Murray residing at Baghdad (9-10, 15, 19-20 and 22 December 1856). This amount of content for each entry therefore varies.The main topics covered are Murray's assessment of articles published in the Tehran Gazette respecting Herat, reports of reinforcements being despatched from Tehran for Mohammerah and Herat, and British demands for the removal of Mirza Aqa Khan Nuri (Sadr-i-A'zam, Grand Vizier of Iran) from office.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of a summary of a letter received from HM Minister to Persia [Iran], Charles Augustus Murray (15 December 1857, Number 140), summarising letters from Lieutenant Colonel Taylor at Herat (22, 23, 26 October, and 2, 3, 4, 5 November 1857).The summaries mostly relate to Herat, including: a copy of the treaty between Great Britain and Persia being delivered to the ruler of Herat; the Jews of Herat and Meshed; and the chief of Herat being unable to realise his independent position.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries of two secret letters received from Mr Thompson at Baghdad (30 and 31 January 1857). They are concerned with reports of events unfolding in Persia.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)