Abstract: The item consists of extracts from a Government of Bombay Political Letter, extracts from the Government of Bombay Political Consultations, and copies of correspondence and minutes regarding the transmission to Persia [Iran] of a diploma constituting Abbas Meerza [Abbas Mirza Qajar], the Prince Royal of Persia, an honorary member of the Royal Asiatic Society. The primary subjects are:• Instructions given to Cornet (later Lieutenant) Thomas Baillie Hamilton of the 1st Regiment Bombay Light Cavalry, who was selected to transmit the diploma, and arrangements for Hamilton’s travel and expenses• The extra expenses incurred by Hamilton as a result of ill health, which forced him to extend his time in Persia, and losses caused by a shipwreck in the Gulf during his return voyage to Bombay [Mumbai].The correspondence also mentions intelligence of Russian activity in Turkish Armenia, brought by Hamilton in the course of his journey to Persia.The primary correspondents are: Sir John Malcolm, Governor of Bombay; William Newnham, Chief Secretary, Government of Bombay; and Cornet Hamilton.The item also contains a contents page (f 15) listing the collected documents and giving their page numbers within the item.The title page (f 14) of the item contains the following references: ‘P. C. 783’, ‘Draft 477’, ‘Collection No. 4’, and ‘Examiner’s Office, 1830’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 14, and terminates at f 45, 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: Translation of a journal kept by the Persian envoy Meerza Saleh [Mīrzā Ṣāliḥ Shīrāzī] during his missions to the Russian army’s headquarters at Abbasabad [‘Abbasabad] and Karababa [Qarababa] during the ongoing war between Persia [Iran] and Russia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. Meerza Saleh details his visits to:The Russian Commander-in-Chief, General Paskevitch [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia], during which was discussed the terms that the Russians would be willing to accept for peaceThe Prince Royal, Abbas Meerza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia], accompanied by Paskevitch’s private secretary, Grebiodoff [Alexander Sergeyevich Gribodoyev], where preliminary proposals for an armistice and peace are discussed and drawn upThe Shah of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] at Marand, during which, in Meerza Saleh's discussions with the Kaim Mukam [Mīrzā Abū al-Qāsim Farāhānī, Qāʾim-Maqām, the Vizier of the Crown Prince] and Meerza Abdoul Wahab [Mīrzā ‘Abd al-Wahhāb Nishāṭ Iṣfahānī, Mu‘tamid al-Dawlah], it becomes clear that the Prince Royal and Kaim Mukam are attempting to deceive the Shah about the strength of the Russian Army.The account also covers: the Prince Royal’s idea to bribe Paskevitch; the Shah’s orders for the Prince Royal to attack the Russian forces in Erivan [Yerevan]; and a transcript (in Persian and English) of a short satirical poem written by the Kaim Mukam (f 11).This document was originally enclosed, numbered 1, in the letter of the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 20 August 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/33).Physical description: 1 item (14 folios)
Abstract: Drafts (in both English and Persian) of the peace conditions offered by the Russian plenipotentiary General Obreskoff [Aleksandr Mikhailovich Obreskov] to the Kaim Mukam [Mirza Abū al-Qāsim Farāhānī, Qāʾim-Maqām], the Vizier of the Crown Prince of Persia [Iran], at the peace conference held at Kara-Melek on 3 November 1827, with regard to the conclusion of the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. The terms include demands for the territorial cession from Persia to Russia of the khanates of Erivan [Yerevan], Nukshirvan [Nakhchivan] and Talish, and for reparations of fifteen crores of tomans [Persian currency], in return for the evacuation of Azerbijan [Azerbaijan] by Russian troops. The conditions also give instructions for the payment of the reparations in instalments and for the signature of the conditions by Abbas Meerza [Crown Prince of Persia, ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār].These documents were originally enclosed, numbered 1, in dispatch No. 74 of the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton, of 8 November 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/98).Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
Abstract: Extract from the private journal of the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, dated 15 October 1827 to 14 December 1827. The journal details negotiations for peace in the ongoing war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. Macdonald Kinneir details the events preceding and during the meeting of Prince Abbas Meerza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] and General Paskevitch [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia], at Deharaghon [Azarshahr], for the negotiation of peace between Russia and Persia. He reports his travels, including to Tabreez [Tabriz], which is occupied by the Russians during the period covered by the journal, and the arrangements for the meeting at Deharaghon. Included are details of the Russian occupation of Tabreez, and Macdonald Kinneir’s efforts to ensure Abbas Meerza’s presence at Deharaghon. The journal then discusses the negotiations at Deharaghon regarding the cession of Talish to Russia and the payment of financial reparations demanded by Russia, including a transcript (in French) of proposals drawn up for the terms for the Persian payment of reparations (ff 21-22). Macdonald Kinneir also details the mistrust existing between Abbas Meerza and General Paskevitch, and the build-up of troops by both sides, including a transcript (in French) of a proposed armistice agreement (ff 26-28).The journal records Macdonald Kinneir’s meetings and communications with officials on both sides during the period, including:Prince Abbas MeerzaGeneral PaskevitchThe Prime Minister of the Shah of Persia, the Asuf-oo-Dowleh [Allāh Yār Khān Qājār Davallū Āṣaf al-Dawlah]The Kaim Mukam [Mīrzā Abū al-Qāsim Farāhānī, Qāʾim-Maqām, the Vizier of the Crown Prince]M Amburger [Andrei Karlovich Amburger]General Paskevitch’s private secretary, M Grebiadoff [Alexander Sergeyevich Griboyedov].This document was originally enclosed, numbered 1, in Macdonald Kinneir’s dispatch No. 75 to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton, of 9 December 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/107).Physical description: 1 item (34 folios)
Abstract: Extracts from the private journal of the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, from 17 December 1827 to 27 March 1828. The journal covers the period of the negotiations for the peace treaty signed at Toorkomanchaee [Treaty of Turkamanchay] in February 1828, which ended the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. Macdonald Kinneir details his involvement in the negotiations, which took place primarily at Dehkarghan [Azarshahr] and Toorkomanchaee, including his conferences, discussions and communications with the key negotiators, including the Russian Commander-in-Chief, General Paskewitch [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia], Abbas Mirza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia], and the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Meerza Abul Hassan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī]. Macdonald Kinneir gives a detailed account of the events in the lead up to and aftermath of the conclusion of the treaty, including:The negotiations concerning the reparations to be paid by Persia to Russia, and the delays to the delivery of the moneyRussian threats to resume the war owing to mistrust caused by delays to the delivery of the reparationsThe breaking off of negotiations at Dehkarghan and resumption of negotiations at ToorkomanchaeeThe signing of the treatyThe agreement between Macdonald Kinneir and Abbas Mirza for the abrogation of the third and fourth articles of the Definitive Treaty between Britain and Persia in return for 200,000 tomans from BritainThe withdrawal of Russian troops from the Province of Azerbijaun [Azerbaijan] and the return of Abbas Mirza to Tabriz.Also included in the journal are copies of the following communications:Letter from Captain Ronald Dugald Harcourt Macdonald to Macdonald Kinneir, ff 12-13Written pledge, in French, from the Russian agent Prince Kondacheff guaranteeing the safety of reparations payments, ff 22Letter, in French, from General Paskewitch to Macdonald Kinneir, ff 33-34.This document was originally enclosed, in No. 93, in Macdonald Kinneir’s dispatch No. 34 to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 28 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/253).Physical description: 1 item (38 folios)
Abstract: The file consists of correspondence addressed to the Resident at Bushire, Captain William Bruce. However, much of the content has been weeded, and is no longer present in the file; this is indicated by gaps in the file's pagination sequence.The remaining content includes some instructions to the Resident, concerning a stop-off he made at Muscat during his return from Bombay to Bushire early in 1822, along with a dispatch from Henry Willock, HM Chargé d'affaires at the Court of Persia, concerning the deterioration of his situation at Tehran as a result of arrears in the Persian Subsidy. It also includes a letter from the Bombay Government removing William Bruce from his position as Resident at Bushire at the end of 1822, for negotiating an unauthorised treaty at Shiraz with the Persian authorities there.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence commences at the cover and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: An incomplete pagination sequence is also present between ff 2-40v; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the top outermost corners of each page.
Abstract: Dispatch No. 102 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to George Swinton, Chief Secretary of the Government of Bengal, sent from Tehraun [Tehran] and dated 2 June 1828.The letter reports the arrival of Abbas Meerza [‘Abbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] in Tehraun and his meeting with the Shah [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār], and describes efforts by both Russia and Turkey [Ottoman Empire] to court Abbas Meerza’s support in the approaching conflict between the two powers.This document was originally enclosed in Macdonald Kinneir’s dispatch No. 36 to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company of 5 October 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/262).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Dispatch No. 108 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to George Swinton, Chief Secretary of the Government of Bengal, sent from Tehraun [Tehran] and dated 5 July 1828.Macdonald Kinneir describes negotiations with the Shah [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār], Abbas Meerza [‘Abbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia], and Persian Ministers regarding the abrogation of the third and fourth articles of the Definitive Treaty, concerning British subsidies and military aid to Persia, which was previously agreed to by Abbas Meerza in exchange for a payment of 200,000 tomans. The letter also forwards related correspondence (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/267-271).This document was originally enclosed in Macdonald Kinneir’s dispatch No. 36 to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company of 5 October 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/262).Physical description: 1 item (7 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a note from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to Meerza Abool Hassan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī], Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, sent from Tehraun [Tehran] and dated 1 July 1828.The letter concerns the abrogation of the third and fourth articles of the Definitive Treaty, which concern British subsidies and military aid to Persia, previously agreed to by the Prince Royal [‘Abbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] in exchange for a payment of 200,000 tomans. Macdonald Kinneir asks for clarity on the Persian position on future relations with Britain, and in the meantime demands the repayment of 200,000 tomans until the treaty articles are abrogated.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 2 in dispatch No. 108, in Macdonald Kinneir’s dispatch No. 36 to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company of 5 October 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/262).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: A translation of a letter from Meerza Abool Hassan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī], Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, dated 3 July 1828.The letter concerns the abrogation of the third and fourth articles of the Definitive Treaty. Meerza Abool Hassan Khan states that, in light of recent events, the Shah [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār] is unwilling to abrogate the treaty articles and has ordered the repayment of 200,000 tomans previously paid by Macdonald Kinneir to the Heir Apparent [‘Abbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia].This document was originally enclosed, numbered 3 in dispatch No. 108, in Macdonald Kinneir’s dispatch No. 36 to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company of 5 October 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/262).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A translation of a memorandum sent by the Moatumud ool-Dowleh [Manūchihr Khān Gurjī, Mu‘tamid al-Dawlah] to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, dated 4 July 1828.The memorandum presents a new defence arrangement between Britain and Persia proposed by the Heir Apparent [‘Abbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] in place of the third and fourth articles of the Definitive Treaty.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 5 in dispatch No. 108, in Macdonald Kinneir’s dispatch No. 36 to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company of 5 October 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/262).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Dispatch No. 110 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to Andrew Stirling, Acting Secretary to the Government of Bengal, dated 9 July 1828.Macdonald Kinneir describes meetings with the Prince Royal [‘Abbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia], Persian Ministers, and the Shah [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār] regarding the abrogation of the third and fourth articles of the Definitive Treaty, which concern British subsidies and military aid to Persia, and forwards related correspondence with Persian Ministers (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/273-280).The letter also reports the Shah's concern regarding the Russian advance on Turkey [Ottoman Empire] and request that Macdonald Kinneir accompany the Prince Royal to Aderbijan [Azerbaijan] and send back reports on the conflict in Turkey [Russo-Turkish War, 1828-29].This document was originally enclosed in Macdonald Kinneir’s dispatch No. 36 to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company of 5 October 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/262).Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)