Abstract: Enclosures nos. 2-33 to a dispatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 31 January 1840. The enclosures are dated 11 May 1839-23 January 1840. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in the Persian Gulf, including:The arrival at Koweit [Kuwait] of the East India Company ship
Uraniacarrying three iron steamers for use by the Euphrates Expedition, and a fire on board the
UraniaThe Egyptian occupation of Kateef [Qatif], Sohat [Saihat] and Oojier [Uqair], and their perceived intentions against Bahrein [Bahrain] and other Gulf statesThe suppression of a rebellion against the Prince-Governor of FarsThe flight from Bushire [Bushehr] of the ‘usurping’ Governor Shaik Hussain, and his ally Bakir Khan [Baqir Khan Tangistani], Chief of Tungistan [Tangestan], in anticipation of a Persian [Iranian] army sent to remove him after the murder of the previous Governor, Apa Joomal Khan [Agha Jamal Khan]The intention of Shaik Esa bin Tareef [Shaikh Isa bin Tarif] of the Alli Aly [Al Bin Ali] tribe to leave Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] with his followers and settle at Bidda or Wakra [Al Wakrah] on the coast of Guttur [Qatar]A peace treaty between Said bin Sultan, Imam of Muscat, and Said Humood bin Azan [Sayyid Syf bin Hamud Al Bu Sa’id], Chief of SoharA false report of the murder in Tehran of Hajee Mirza Ajasee [Haji Mirza Aqasi], Prime Minister of Persia [Iran]An examination of events during the British occupation of Karrack [Kharg]Treaty negotiations between Muscat and France.The primary correspondents are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Government of India. Other correspondents include: the Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Native Agent, Bharein [Bahrein, i.e. Bahrain]; the Native Agent, Muscat; and the Imam of Muscat.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 161, and terminates at f 269, 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.
Abstract: This item consists mostly of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, letters to and from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai]. It is the first of two items on the subject of the Euphrates expedition of 1835-37 (the other item is IOR/F/4/1701/68746).The item concerns the latter stages of the Euphrates expedition and the decision of the Government of Bombay to continue the expedition beyond its originally-assigned duration. It mostly consists of reports and letters prepared by Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney, the leader of the expedition. The topics covered are:The ascent and descent of the Tigris river as far as Bagdad [Baghdad] by the
Euphratessteamer, from September to October 1836The ascent and descent of the Euphrates river by the
Euphratessteamer, from October to November 1836, including the damage suffered to one of the engines and the arrangements made for the mail being carried by the steamer to be conveyed onwards to BritainLocal reactions to the expeditionThe activities of the
Euphratesfollowing the departure of Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney, the leader of the expedition, including the ascent and descent of the Karoon [Karun] river, and the return to BagdadThe assessments of Chesney and other members of the expedition of their achievements, and their recommendations for maintaining steamers on the Euphrates.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 86 and terminates at f 148, 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: This item consists mostly of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, letters to and from the governments of Bombay [Mumbai] and Bengal. It is the second of two items on the subject of the Euphrates expedition of 1835-37 (the other item is IOR/F/4/1701/68745).The item relates to the breaking up of the Euphrates expedition. It includes:Submissions from Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney, the leader of the expedition, to the governments of Bombay and Bengal, reporting the most recent progress of the expedition and making suggestions for future activitiesThe decision of the Government of Bengal to end the expeditionArrangements for the disposal of the
Euphratessteamer, details of the vessel’s remaining stores and their value, and a final accounting of the expedition.The title page (f 149) of the item contains the following references: ‘P.C. 2217, Draft 538 of 1838’; ‘Collection No 2, PC 2217’ and ‘Secretary Office, Marine Branch, January 1838’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 149 and terminates at f 187, 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: Covers south-west Asia. Portrays hydrology, relief by hachures and some spot heights, roads and tracks, expedition and other historical routes, settlements, place names and administrative boundaries. A legend refers to the expedition and other historical routes as depicted in colour, although the colour is absent from this copy. Manuscript additions in coloured ink and crayon relate to place names.Drawn from materials furnished by Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney, Royal Artillery by J & C Walker, Geographers. Published by Longman & Co, London.Physical description: Materials: Printed, with additions in coloured ink and crayonDimensions: 598 x 730mm, on sheet 686 x 928mm
Abstract: Enclosures nos. 2-71 to a dispatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 31 January 1840. The enclosures are dated 9 October 1839-27 January 1840. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in the Persian Gulf and in Sinde [Sindh]. Folios 286-353 are primarily concerned with preparations for the Euphrates Expedition, including the arrival at Karack [Kharg] of the East India Company ship
Uraniacarrying three iron steamers for use by the Expedition, the assessment that it has too big a draught to dock at Bussora [Basra], and its re-routing to Kuwait to be lightened. Folios 356-401 are primarily concerned with the levels and placement of armed forces in Sinde, particularly preparations to abandon the military base at Tatta [Thatta] due to sickness there and the possible refurbishment as a convalescent depot of the Fort of Munhora [Manora], Kurachee [Karachi]. Other topics covered include: directions for travelling from Kurachee to Sehwan; arrangements for a Political Agent in Cutch [Kutch] after the resignation of Colonel Henry Pottinger as Resident; money owed by the Ameers of Hyderabad to Shah Shooja ool Moolk [Shah Shuja Durrani, Emir of Afghanistan]; and movements of the so-called ‘Army of the Indus’. The primary correspondents are: the Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Board of Control; Lieutenant Henry Blosse Lynch, leader of the Euphrates Expedition, and other officers of the Expedition; the Government of India; the Superintendent of the Indian Navy; Major General Willshire of the Army of the Indus; and the Political Resident, Sinde. Folios 432-456 contain newsletters sent out by the Officiating Secretary to the Government of India, consisting of summaries of reports from British officials and military officers in various parts of South Asia and the Middle East. Each newsletter is divided into a selection of the following headings, most of which refer to the place a report was sent from: Ava [Inwa]; Bameean [Bamyan]; Bokhara [Bukhara]; Cabool [Kabul]; Dera Ismael Khan [Dera Ismail Khan]; Herat; Joudhpore [Jodhpur]; Kelat [Kalat]; Khoolum [Kholm]; Lahore; Moultan [Multan]; Nipal [Nepal]; Persia [Iran]; Peshawur [Peshawar]; Upper Scinde [Sindh] and/or Lower Scinde; and Items of General Intelligence. Most of the reports are concerned with the aftermath of the First Anglo-Afghan War, the rule of the restored Emir Shah Shooja, and attempts to locate the deposed Emir Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan].Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 277, and terminates at f 457, 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.
Abstract: Volume containing correspondence related to the Euphrates expedition of 1835-36, a survey of the navigability of the Euphrates River as part of a possible overland route between the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean. The correspondence covers: the overland journey from Sovedia [Samandağ] to Bir [Birecik]; the journey down the Euphrates to Bussora [Basra]; delays to the expedition caused by the obstructionism of various Ottoman officials, particularly Mehmet Ali, Pasha of Egypt, and his son Ibrahim Pasha; the sinking of the steamer
Tigrisduring a storm, with the loss of 23 men; exploratory journeys along the Tigris and Karoon [Karun] rivers; and analysis of the results of the expedition.The primary correspondent is the commander of the expedition Colonel Francis Rawdon Chesney. Other correspondents include: Chesney’s second-in-command Lieutenant Henry Blosse Lynch and other officers of the expedition; the Board of Control; the Government of Bombay; the British Consul, Aleppo; the British Consul, Baghdad; and HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire.Lists of the expedition’s personnel in March and October 1836 are included on folios 130 and 414, respectively. A list of the men lost in the sinking of the
Tigrisis on folio 227.A breakdown of the distances and fuel consumption for each leg of the journey down the Euphrates is provided on folio 240, and for the return journey along the Tigris to Baghdad on folios 416 and 418. The dimensions of the steamer
Euphratesare on folio 415.Lists of the contents of the
Euphratesat the end of the expedition, including valuations, is provided on folios 503-515. The final accounts of the expedition are on folio 525.The bulk of the correspondence dates from 1834-1838, the later dates cover a request for a picture and short biography of Colonel Chesney for an article in the
Dublin University Magazine(folios 551-568).The volume includes a table of contents on folios 1-8. Separate contents pages appear on folios 340-341, covering folios 342-403, and on folio 500, covering folios 501-526.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 568; 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 part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 91 of 1843, dated 26 December 1843. The enclosures are numbered 3-29 and are dated 2 March-26 December 1843. On folio 85 a note in black ink, states that ‘Enclosures in Bombay Secret Letter Number No. 90, dated 1st December 1843 are missing from this Collection.’The papers relate to the Euphrates flotilla. The enclosures contain correspondence from the Superintendent of the Indian Navy to the Secretary with the Governor of India and replies to these letters from the Secret Committee including:The dates it was operating and the resulting reportDiscussions of the salary allowance for Commander Henry Blosse Lynch and Lieutenant Charles Dugald Campbell, specifically the amount of ‘command allowance’ for Campbell when he was in charge of the Euphrates Flotilla after Lynch had proceeded to England on ‘sick certificate’Compilation of river charts and a memoir of the expedition for the Geographical Society of Bombay.Other correspondents include the Chief Engineer, Government of Bombay, and the Military Auditor General, Government of Bombay.Physical description: 1 item (61 folios)