Abstract: This file contains correspondence relating to the flying of flags on Tamb island [Greater Tunb] and on Sirr Abu Nu'air [Şīr Bū Nu‘ayr]. In 1933 Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, encouraged the shaikhs of the Trucial Coast to fly their flags on these islands to prevent the Government of Persia from claiming ownership. This led to a dispute between the Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Ruler of Sharjah over the erection of buildings on the islands. This dispute had previously surfaced during the Residencies of Percy Zachariah Cox and Arthur Prescott Trevor.The file contains a note written by Khan Bahadur 'Isa bin 'Abdul Latif, Residency Agent, Sharjah recording a conversation between Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan bin Zaid, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agent, Bahrain. Also discussed is the attempt by the Shaikh of Ras al-Khaimah to collect tribute from Persians living on Tamb Island.Correspondence is mainly between Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Khan Bahadur 'Isa bin 'Abdul Latif, Residency Agent, Sharjah; Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan bin Zaid, Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Other correspondents include Edward Birbeck Wakefield, Political Agent, Bahrain; Cornelius James Pelly, Political Officer, Trucial Coast (Sharjah); William Rupert Hay, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. Some of the correspondence is conducted from the office of the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, SS
Nearchus, at sea.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-23; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The volume primarily consists of correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Percy Gordon Loch); Political Agent at Bahrain (Tom Hickinbotham); the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Khan Sahib Abd ‘al-Razzaq) the India Office (John Charles Walton, Maurice Clauson) and Petroleum Concessions Limited (Frank Holmes, Basil Henry Lermitte, Stephen Hemsley Longrigg, Frederick Lewisohn); the main subject of discussion is the negotiations between the Shaikh Sultan bin Saqar [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Sharjah and Major Frank Holmes, negotiator for Petroleum Concessions Limited.The correspondence discusses the negotiations for a commercial concession in Sharjah, which are concluded in the beginning of July 1937 with the Shaikh agreeing to sign the concession; and his subsequent concern over the Political Agreement and Exchange of Notes relating to the concession agreement.Also discussed in connection with concession agreements is a letter drafted by the India Office which contained an ultimatum to be used should any Shaikh appear to be holding out in negotiations with Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) with the intention of opening negotiations instead with the Standard Oil Company of California. The ultimatum stated that should the Shaikh in question not wish to give his concession to PCL, he would not be permitted to negotiate with or grant a concession to, any other company. The ultimatum was issued to the Shaikh’s of Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah and Umm al Qaiwain.Further correspondence relates to PCL’s interest in exploring the territory west of the Oman mountain range and the subsequent discussion regarding which rulers claimed responsibility over the territory, whether they had actual authority there or whether it was in the hands of local shaikhs, and how PCL should approach exploring there in those circumstances.The correspondence includes a detailed assessment by the Political Agent at Bahrain, Tom Hickinbotham, of the areas in question and outlines what he knows of the areas of the tribes that claimed ownership including the Beni Kitab [Beni Qitab] (also given as Beni Chittab); Naim [Āl Na‘īm], Bu Shamis [Āl Bū Shāmis] and Duroor [Al-Durur] as well as outlining where he believed the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi and Sultan of Muscat’s areas of authority to be. The correspondence concludes by recommending that the Company be persuaded to delay their explorations into this territory until the following year in order to permit the Political Agent and Residency Agent to spend the winter visiting and exploring these areas in order to ascertain a more accurate knowledge of the situation.Other matters discussed in the volume include:an invitation from the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi to Petroleum Concessions Limited to open concession negotiations with him and the company’s wish for Khan Sahib Yusuf Kanoo to accompany their negotiator (Basil Henry Lermitte) to Abu Dhabi;copy of the Debai [Dubai] Commercial agreement (folios 53-70) signed by Major Frank Holmes (PCL), Tom Hickinbotham (Political Agent at Bahrain) and Shaikh Saʻīd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm (Shaikh of Dubai).the Political Agreement for the Trucial states which both the India Office and Petroleum Concessions Limited wished to amend, and subsequent negotiations to achieve this. A copy of the redrafted agreement can be found at folios 103-109.a visit by Frank Holmes to the Shaikh of Ras al Khaimah (Shaikh Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī) for the purpose of opening concession negotiations, which was unsuccessful, and concerns that the Shaikh would attempt to negotiate with the Standard Oil Company despite being informed by the British Government that such negotiations would not be permitted.Petroleum Concessions Limited’s intention to employ Haji ‘Abdullah Williamson to work for them in the Persian Gulf as his employment with the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company had ended and their concern that they would not be able to do so owing to the circular issued by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf preventing Williamson from visiting the Arab Coast. Also included is discussion of the decision by the India Office and Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to make the company aware of the evidence they had in support of Williamson’s actions on the Trucial Coast in which he was seen to be working against the interest of his employers (PCL) and of the Shaikh of Dubai.Correspondence with the Trucial Coast Shaikhs is in English and Arabic; letters from the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company contain Persian and English letterheads.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 191-196.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 5-190; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The file is concerned with an agreement between the British Government and Petroleum Concessions Limited; the agreement relates to the Ras al Khaimah oil concession arranged between the petroleum company and Shaikh Sultan bin Salim Āl Qāsimī, Emir of Ras al Khaimah. The document includes a 'pre-emption' clause which is relevant in the event of a state of national emergency or war.The agreement is signed by John Charles Walton, the Assistant Under-Secretary of State for India, on behalf of His Majesty's Government, in the presence of Alexander Colin Burlington Symon, Assistant Principal for the Political Department in the India Office. It is also sealed by the petroleum company.Physical description: The foliation sequence commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 2; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: This file contains inward correspondence sent to Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, from Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary to the Government of India, Bombay.There are six letters. The first (No 102 of 1849), dated 9 January 1849, concerns hostilities between the chiefs of Abothabee [Abu Dhabi] and Russel Khyma [Ras al-Khaymah], Shaikh Sa‘īd bin Ṭaḥnūn Āl Nahyān and Sulṭān bin Ṣaqr Āl Qāsimī respectively.The remaining five letters are circulars (Nos 307, 479, 544, 763 and 908 of 1849) and concern events related to the Second Anglo-Sikh War (1848-1849). Each circular includes Bombay Government Gazette Extraordinary with details covered including: the defeat of the Sikh Army on 13 January 1849 under Rajah Sher Sing [Attariwalla] (folio 3); the surrender of Dewan Moolraj [Dewan Mulraj] on 22 January 1849 (folio 5); further particulars of the victory on 13 January 1849 by British forces over the Sikh Army, including a list of those killed, wounded and missing of the Army of the Punjaub [Punjab] and a 'Nominal Roll of European Officers Killed or Wounded' (folios 7-12); particulars concerning operations against the citadel and garrison of Mooltan [Multan] (folios 14-22); and a notification announcing the rout of the Sikh Army on 21 February 1849.The front cover of the file is printed with the year 1953 in the top right hand corner.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence commences at the cover and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An original (but incomplete) mixed pagination/foliation sequence is also present in the file between folios 1A-24; these numbers are written in ink, and are located in the top outermost corners of labelled pages.Foliation anomalies: 1, and 1A.
Abstract: This file contains letters and enclosures inwards from William Newnham, Secretary to the Governor of Bombay, to Captain Ephraim Gerrish Stannus, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire between 1826 and 1827. There are letters relating to Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rasūl Khān, the former Governor of Bushire; relations with Persia and the Imam of Muscat; East Africa, including Mombasa and Seeuee [Siyu]; and the Arab littoral of the Persian Gulf.Physical description: Pagination: There is a pagination sequence, which is written in ink, in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos.Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. The sequence begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the inside of the back cover, on number 33. This is the sequence which has been used by this catalogue to reference items within the volume.
Abstract: This volume contains copies of letters outward from the two successive Residents in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; Colonel Ephraim Gerrish Stannus, from April 1826 to March 1827, and Captain (later Major) David Wilson, from March 1827 to January 1829. There are also letters written by the Acting Resident Lieutenant Samuel Hennell between June and October 1828, a period when Wilson was in Bombay visiting Sir John Malcolm.The letters are addressed to notable figures in the Gulf region, including the Prince of Shiraz, the Imam of Muscat, the Prince of Fars and Agents in Bushire, Bahrein [Bahrain], Shiraz, Mogoo [Bandar-e Moghūyeh], Sharga [Sharjah] and other areas of the Gulf. The majority of letters begin by enquiring after the health and wellbeing of the recipient, and many letters extend offers of friendship and offer assistance in negotiating and maintaining peace between two parties. Subjects include an incident between Arrathoon Malcolm and his nephew, the habitation of Derah by the Soceedan Tribe, periods of conflict between Shaikh Tanoon [Ṭaḥnūn bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān] ruler of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] and Sultan bin Sugger [Sulṭān bin Saqr] ruler of Sharjah, Stannus's resignation as Resident and events preceding it, the matter of the Dumookh Tribe, the debt of Ibrahim the Shroff, several acts of piracy and the attempts made by the Resident and his Agents to seek the perpetrators and the calls to capture and punish offenders, cossids [official messengers] and their work and pay, and Wilson's voyage to Bombay with events that occurred in his absence.Physical description: Foliation: This item has two different foliation sequences. The first is part of an original foliation sequence which was applied to the whole volume. It is written in ink and appears at the top right (recto) or top left (verso) corner of the folio. The second number is a small pencil number enclosed in a circle which also appears in the top right corner (recto) only and starts at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; this is the foliation number that has been used in referencing this item. The original foliation sequence starts at number 21, indicating that the first ten folios are missing.Condition: The item has suffered from insect damage and is difficult to read in places as parts of the text are missing. The front cover is badly damaged by insects and detached, and many pages in the volume are loose. There are large holes through the first 13 folios, and text is missing. There are smaller holes throughout the remainder of the text, although this does not impede the reading of it. A few pages towards the end suffer from bleedthrough, but not enough to obscure the text. The edges of the pages are fragile.
Abstract: The file comprises a letter from Ernest Vincent Packer, Manager for Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Arnold Crawshaw Galloway) enclosing a copy of the oil concession agreement signed with Sheikh Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī of Ras-al-Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah]. The concession agreement is in English and Arabic.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 23; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 6-19; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence in English and Arabic between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Hugh Weightman), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman, John Baron Howes), the Residency Agent at Sharjah (Khan Sahib Saiyid ‘Abd al-Razzaq), the India Office (John Charles Walton, John Percival Gibson, Roland Tennyson Peel), and Petroleum Concessions Limited (John Skliros, Frederick Lewisohn, Stephen Hemsley Longrigg, Basil Henry Lermitte, Ernest Vincent Packer) regarding negotiations for oil concessions with the Trucial Coast Shaikh’s.Petroleum Concessions Limited’s negotiations with Shaikh Sultan bin Salim [Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Ras al Khaimah [Ra’s al Khaymah] are discussed, in which an agreement was initially reached with the Shaikh, who requested to see the political agreement between His Majesty’s Government and Petroleum Concessions Limited prior to concluding a concession agreement with the Company. A copy of the political agreement can be found at folios 65-66. The negotiations ultimately concluded an exploration permit for the Shaikh’s territory; with an allowance within the permit to a subsequent agreement for drilling and exploitation should the results of the exploration be favourable.Also included is correspondence regarding the Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Sharjah’s refusal to undertake the previously agreed exchange of letters, including his attempt to reword one of the letters, and potential measures that could be used to compel him to complete the exchange prior to his eventual agreement and formal completion of the Sharjah Concession Agreement. A printed copy of the concession agreement, political agreement and letters exchanged can be found at folios 92-101.Further correspondence relates to the question of the political agreement and whether the agreement of the Trucial Coast Shaikh’s to such an agreement is necessary.The correspondence concludes that the agreement does not require the Shaikh’s approval however as Dubai and Sharjah had both previously agreed to the political agreement and the Regent of Kalba was happy to agree to it as part of the concession it was not necessary to take any action on the matter at that time. Also discussed is the requirement for HMG approval to the establishment of a bank as part of the agreement and whether this was necessary; and the movements of the Standard Oil Company of California and the likelihood that they were using their alleged interest in Trucial Coast Oil Concessions to improve their chances of obtaining a concession in the unallotted area in Bahrain.Other matters discussed in the volume include:attempts at re-opening negotiations with Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan [Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān], Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and the Shaikh’s insistence in writing that he was not bound by His Majesty’s Government approval and was free to negotiate with whomever he wished;a conversation between the India Office and Hamilton Ballantyne of the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) regarding representatives of the Shaikh of Bahrain (Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah) having alluded to the Shaikh’s desire to grant a concession for the remaining unallotted area of his territory to BAPCO but fearing that he would lose control of the Hawar Islands if he did so;Petroleum Concessions Limited’s interest in a negotiating concession for the territory of Kalba [Kalbā] with Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmad bin Sultan [Shaikh Khālid bin Aḥmad bin Sulṭān Āl Qasimī], Regent to Shaikh Hamad bin Said [Shaikh Ḥamad bin Sa‘īd Āl Qasimī] who was a minor. The correspondence discusses the actual extent of Kalba territory; Shaikh Khalid’s desire to create a combined Qawasim [Qawāsim] Shaikhdom with himself as ruler and his close relations with the Bani Chittab [Beni Qitab] tribe; and the concession agreement that was reached between the two parties;printed summary issued by the Petroleum Department of His Majesty’s Government detailing petroleum developments in the Arabian Peninsula in relation to Petroleum Concessions Limited (folios 103-105, 127-129).A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 196-203.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 6-195 with a gap between f 40 and f 91; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The volume contains translations of letters received by the Residency in the Persian Gulf from August 1839 to May 1840.The correspondence relates to affairs on the Arabian side of the Persian Gulf, in particular the situation at Braimee [Al Buraymī] (also given as Brenie, Braymee) where the Naiem [Al Na'īm] tribe and the people of Braimee were at war with Sheik Kuleefa bin Shakbut [Shaikh Khalīfah bin Shakbut], Sheik of Abothabee [Abu Dhabi] and the Zuweier tribe; and discussing Captain Atkins Hamerton who was sent to Braimee to provided representation and assistance from the British Government.Also discussed are the relations between the various Arab chiefs including Sheik Sultan bin Sugger [Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr] of Shargah [Sharjah] and Raasulkhyma [Ra's al Khaymah], Sheik Muktoom [Shaikh Maktūm bin Buṭṭī] of Debay [Dubai], Sheik Abdoolla bin Rashid [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Rāshid] of Umulgaweim [Umm al Qaywayn], Sheik Abdool Azeez bin Rashid bin Humoud [Shaikh ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin Rāshid bin Ḥumayd] (of Ajman), Sheik Kuleefa bin Shakbut and Sheik Abdoola bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah] of Bahrein [Bahrain], including their allegiances and disputes with each other and the British Government and concluding with a truce signed between them in April 1840.Correspondence also relates to the movements and affairs of Koochid Pacha [Khurshid Pasha], Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Forces in Nejd [Najd] and Khaled ben Saud [K̲h̲ālid bin Sa‘ūd] ruler of Nejd; and affairs Oman including fighting between the different tribes there, particularly the Beni boo Allee [Banī Bū ‘Alī], Beni boo Hussun [Banī Bū Ḥasan] and Jiniba [Āl Djanaba] tribes, and correspondence with the Imam of Muscat (Saʻīd bin Sulṭān).Also included are letters from Meerza [Mirza] Riza , news writer at Sheeraz [Shiraz] reporting on matters in Fars and Persia in general, focusing particularly on the relationship between the Sherazees (people of Shiraz) and the Prince of Shiraz and the Toorks (Persian soldiers from the north of the country), but also including reports on the involvement of Bakir Khan, Chief of Tangistan [Tangestān]; the situation in Bushire, Kharassan [Khorāsān], Meshed [Mashhad], Herat and other towns where affairs were equally unstable; the movements and actions of the Shah of Persia in response to the outbreaks of instability; and the murder of Jumal Khan, the Governor of Bushire in December 1839.Other matters of note include an outbreak of Cholera in Bahrein and Kuteef [Al-Qaṭīf] in September 1839; acts of piracy in the Gulf; correspondence on trade throughout the Gulf; reports on the pearl fishing season; reports of a battle between the Ottoman and Egyptian Armies near Aleppo; and the affairs of Sheik Abdool Rahman [‘Abd al Rahman] of Kishm [Qeshm]The correspondence comprises mainly of reports and letters submitted by the Native Agents in the Persian Gulf to the Political Resident, including Meerza Muhammed Ally [Mirza Muḥammad ‘Alī], Native Agent at Bahrein [Bahrain]; Moollah Hossein [Mullā Ḥusayn], Native Agent at Sharjah; Hajee Jassim [Haji Jasim], Native Agent at Lingard [Lengeh]; and the Native Agent at Muscat (Reubed Aslan (also given as Artan), Khoaja Rubil (also given as Khojah Roubin)).Physical description: Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. This sequence, which should be used for referencing, begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the inside back cover, on number 132.Pagination: There is also a pagination sequence, which is written in ink, in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos.
Abstract: The file concerns the arrangements for the supply of funds by the Political Agency, Bahrain for expenses incurred by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and its personnel in Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein) and the Trucial Coast.The correspondence is mainly from the Political Agent, Bahrain; staff of Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi; the Residency Agent, Sharjah; and the Air Liaison Officer, RAF Bahrain (Wing Commander Aubrey Robert Maxwell Rickards). There is also some correspondence from the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain, and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.The papers cover: correspondence concerning the consumption of electricity by RAF personnel in Bahrain (e.g. folio 13); monthly bills of expenditure incurred by the Political Agency, Bahrain on behalf of RAF personnel, for the period March 1936 - November 1937 inclusive; correspondence between the Political Agent, Bahrain, and the Residency Agent, Sharjah concerning monthly payments to Shaikh Said bin Maktum [Saʻīd bin Maktūm], Ruler of Dubai for hire of a petrol dhow and its guards, and to Shaikh Sultan bin Salim [Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Ras al Khaimah for pay of guards for a petrol barge, April 1936 - December 1937; receipts from RAF personnel for incidental expenses, and covering letters for payments of expenses issued by Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi; correspondence between the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf concerning the need to prevent the Residency Agent Sharjah from being forced to make advances to RAF officers, July 1936; correspondence between the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Acting Adviser to the Government of Bahrain concerning payment of rent for Bahrain Aerodrome, August 1936; correspondence concerning payment of expenses in connection with the use by RAF personnel of the Bahrain Rest House (e.g. folio 113); sundry expenses incurred by the RAF in Bahrain (e.g. payment of expenses to the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) in connection with moving a crashed aeroplane, folio 134); and papers relating to the Air Liaison Officer, Bahrain (Wing Commander Aubrey Rickards), including correspondence between Rickards and the Political Agent, Bahrain, instructions concerning RAF accounting arrangements at Bahrain (folios 277-279), and correspondence concerning Rickards's death and estate, May - December 1937.The Arabic language content of the file consists of approximately sixty-five items of correspondence (all with translations into English) between the Political Agent, Bahrain, and the Residency Agent, Sharjah; and a small number of miscellaneous items.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 358; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Three additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 4-33, ff 296-309, and in the notes between ff 337-351; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file concerns the payment by the Political Agency, Bahrain of expenses incurred by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and its personnel in Bahrain (also spelled Bahrein) and the Trucial Coast, particularly payments to Shaikh Said bin Maktum [Saʻīd bin Maktūm], Ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Sultan bin Salim [Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Ras al Khaimah.The correspondence is mainly from the Political Agent, Bahrain; staff of Air Headquarters, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi; the Residency Agent, Sharjah; and the Air Liaison Officer, RAF Bahrain. There is also some correspondence from the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the Government of India and the India Office.The papers cover: correspondence and receipts recording monthly payments made by the Political Agency, Bahrain (through the Residency Agent, Sharjah) to the Ruler of Dubai for hire of a petrol dhow and pay for its guards, for the period December 1937 to November 1941, and to the Ruler of Ras al Khaimah for pay of guards on the petrol barge, for the period December 1937 to June 1942; monthly bills of expenditure incurred by the Political Agency, Bahrain on behalf of the RAF, sent to the Command Accountant, British Forces in Iraq, Hinaidi; correspondence concerning payment of sundry expenses incurred by the RAF in Bahrain, (e.g. the use by RAF personnel of the Bahrain Rest House); correspondence concerning accounting arrangements for the payment of expenses incurred by the RAF, including the handover of responsibility for all payments other than those to the rulers of Dubai and Ras al Khaimah to the Air Liaison Officer, Bahrain (from September 1939); and correspondence between the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and the Political Agent, Bahrain concerning the transfer of responsibility for payments for the guards on the petrol barge at Ras al Khaimah to BOAC, October 1942.The Arabic language content of the file consists of approximately eighty items of correspondence (all with translations into English) between the Political Agent, Bahrain and the Residency Agent, Sharjah; and approximately twenty other items, mostly receipts issued by the Rulers of Dubai and Ras al Khaimah (all with translations into English).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 458; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 3-432; these numbers are written in a combination of blue crayon and pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The correspondence in this volume consists of letters from the Resident at Bushire (Lieutenant-Colonel Ephraim Gerrish Stannus; Captain David Wilson) and the Assistant Resident at Bushire (Samuel Hennell) mainly to the Secretary to the Government of Bombay (William Newnham); The Accountant General at Bombay (John Wedderburn); The Shaikh of Bushire (Shaikh Nassir [Nasir]); the Envoy to the Court of Persia (John Macdonald); and the Senior Marine Officer in the Gulf of Persia (Captain Walker).The main subject of the correspondence concerns relations between the Residency and authorities in Bushire following threats made by Shaikh Hossein [Shaikh Ḥusayn] to attack the Residency; the decision by the Resident, Lieutenant-Colonel Ephraim Gerrish Stannus, to withdraw from Bushire for a time; and the Residency's re-establishment in Bushire in late March 1827, under the command of the new Resident, Captain David Wilson, following the Prince Governor of Fars (Ḥusayn Ali Mirza) decision to agree to the removal of Shaikh Hossein [Shaikh Ḥusayn] in order to resolve the situation.Interspersed throughout the volume are financial accounts for the Residency, relating particularly to payments for the return of soldiers to India, disbursements for the British Mission in Tehran and accounts of expenditure accrued by the Resident whilst on tour or in camp.other items of interest within the volume include:A Letter from Stannus to the Secretary to Government at Bombay observing that the recent offensive against the Residency had highlighted the helpless state of the location of the Residency, particularly as it was within 200 yards of the Towns towers, and 2 miles from the nearest fresh water (ff 20-21).The movements of the vessels in the Persian Gulf Squadron around the Gulf, including ensuring the availability of a British vessel to patrol the pearl banks during fishing season and for the Resident's annual tour.The seizure by the Imam of Muscat of the former Shaikh of Bushire Abdool Russool, and his eventual releaseRelations between Tannoon [Tahnun bin Shakbut[, Shaik of Aboothabee [Shaikh of Abu Dhabi] and Sultan ben Suggar [Sultan bin Saqr], Shaikh of Sharga [Shaikh of Sharjah] including their attacks on each others towns, and their ongoing attempts at peace, as well as their understanding of Sir William Keir Grant's Treaty with the Arab Tribes, January 1820 and how it affects such actions.The seizure by Persian authorities of a number of Jews in Bushire, including the Residency Shroff (banker) and attempts to take them to Shiraz (f 98v).A letter from the Arch-Bishop of Persian and Indian Armenians in Julfa requesting the appointment of Menatsaken Ter Stephens, a vaccinator of Cow Pox in Baghdad, and formerly from Julfa to undertake vaccination work in Isfahan, July 1827 [f. 103]Correspondence with the Imam of Muscat (Sa‘id bin Sulṭān) regarding the Sultan's attempts to claim Mombassa and the island of Seuee [Siyu] and his attempts to prevent French vessels from acquiring slaves along the East African coastline [ff 105v-108].Correspondence with Captain Robert Taylor, Political Agent at Bussorah [Basra] regarding the Imam of Muscat's intentions of aiding the Chaub's [Bani Ka'b] in attacking Bussorah, and his having amassed a fleet at Muscat for that intention [ff 122v-127].The last letter, on folio 128 is incomplete.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence, which should be used for referencing, is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 128. Foliation errors: f.70 is followed by f.70A. Pagination: There is a pagination sequence, which is written in ink in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos.Condition: There are signs of insect damage throughout the volume, which have left small holes on most of the folios. None of the damage obscures the contents of the correspondence.