Abstract: This volume is a letter book which is comprised of contemporaneous copies of letters received at the Residency at Bushire between 1779 and 1787. Most of the letters are from East India Company officials at Bussora [Basra] and Bombay. Many of the letters from Bombay also include enclosed letters from the Court of Directors, London. In addition, there are several letters from various ship captains, plus a limited number of translated letters from local rulers. The letters cover a wide range of topics including: trade, financial and administrative matters; political developments in Baghdad and Bussora; competition with the French in the Gulf and at Muscat.Physical description: 1 volume in one slipcasePagination: There is a pagination system which is written in pencil, in the top right-hand corner of each page.Folation: There is a foliation system which is written in pencil, in the bottom right-hand corner of the recto of each folio. This is the system used by this catalogue to reference items within the file.
Abstract: Three letters from William Digges Latouche, Resident at Bussora [Basra], to the Court of Directors for Affairs of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies [East India Company].The first letter, sent from Bussora and dated 1 May 1781, covers subjects including:Reports received from Bushire [Bushehr] concerning the movements of English ships and civil conflict in Muscat, including a report that a force from Julphar [Ra’s al-Khaymah] is planning to interveneReports received from India regarding the conflict with the Mahrattas [First Anglo-Maratha War, 1774-1783]An intercepted Dutch letter relaying news of the rupture in relations with Britain to Dutch colonies in IndiaPeace between the Basha [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] and the Ghesaal Arabs [Khazā‘il tribe] and Latouche’s hopes that this will increase the trade and security of BussoraRobberies allegedly connected to the Chaub [Banū Ka‘b].Another copy of the same letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/9.The second letter, sent from Bussora and dated 15 May 1781, covers subjects including:The arrival in Bussora of the merchants Eyles Irwin and John Richmond Smyth and arrangements for their passage to IndiaThe transit via Bussora of dispatches from London to IndiaThe movements of other travellers, including suspected French and Dutch agents.Another copy of the same letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/9.The third letter, sent from Bussora and dated 15 June 1781, covers subjects including:Arrangements for the passage of various East India Company employees from Bussora towards India and related movements of ships in the GulfThe activities of the Basha, including his order of gallivat ships from Bombay [Mumbai] and reinforcement of BussoraNews of the capture of Dutch colonies in the Caribbean, which Latouche has forwarded to BombayNews from Bombay regarding English shipsIntelligence from Madras [Chennai] regarding the movement of French ships and the conflict [Second Anglo-Mysore War, 1780-1784] with Heyder Ally [Ḥaydar ‘Alī, Ruler of Mysore].Another copy of the same letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/12.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Two letters from William Digges Latouche, Resident at Bussora [Basra], to the Court of Directors for Affairs of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies [East India Company].The first letter, dated 23 January 1781, forwards intelligence received from India, Muscat, and Aleppo. Subjects covered include:Conflict with the Mahrattas [First Anglo-Maratha War, 1774-1783] around Basseen [Vasai] and the hostility of Hayder Ali [Ḥaydar ‘Alī, Ruler of Mysore]Reports of the seizure of English ships in the Indian Ocean by French vessels, and in the Mediterranean by the French and Spanish fleetDifficulties in communicating with AleppoThe Basha’s [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] preference for the construction of his own gallivat ships to protect Bussora’s trade rather than relying on loaned ships from the East India CompanyThe dispatch of arms to the Basha to combat the Ghesaal Arabs [Khazā’il tribe].The second letter, dated 19 February 1781, covers subjects including:The movements of the ship
Morning Star, including consignments of textiles and instructions from Bombay [Mumbai] regarding secure arrangements for the transit of mail.The arrival from France of a scientist, M Saury, seeking letters of recommendation and passage to India.Another copy of the same letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/2.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Two letters from William Hornby, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], to William Digges Latouche, Resident at Bussora [Basra].The first letter, dated 2 March 1781, reports the presence of French ships near Madras [Chennai], the safe arrival in port of China country ships [local vessels] and East Indiamen [East India Company vessels], and the embarkation for Madras of Indian troops from Bengal.The second letter, dated 3 March 1781, reports the movements of ships, in particular ships trading with China and encounters with French vessels. It also reports news from the conflict with the Mahrattas [First Anglo-Maratha War, 1774-1783].Duplicates of the same letters are catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/4.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Two letters from William Hornby, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], to William Digges Latouche, Resident at Bussora [Basra].The first letter, dated 2 March 1781, reports the presence of French ships near Madras [Chennai], the safe arrival in port of China country ships [local vessels trading with China] and East Indiamen [East India Company vessels], and the embarkation for Madras of Indian troops from Bengal.The second letter, dated 3 March 1781, reports the movements of ships, in particular ships trading with China and encounters with French vessels. It also reports news from the conflict with the Mahrattas [First Anglo-Maratha War, 1774-1783].Duplicates of the same letters are catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/5.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Two letters from William Digges Latouche, Resident at Bussora [Basra], to the Court of Directors for Affairs of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies [East India Company].The first letter, dated 1 May 1781, forwards intelligence received at Bussora. Subjects covered include:Reports received from Bushire [Bushehr] concerning the movements of English ships and civil conflict in Muscat, including a report that a force from Julphar [Ra’s al-Khaymah] is planning to interveneReports received from India regarding the conflict with the Mahrattas [First Anglo-Maratha War, 1774-1783]An intercepted Dutch letter relaying news of the rupture in relations with Britain to Dutch colonies in IndiaPeace between the Basha [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] and the Ghesaal Arabs [Khazā’il tribe] and Latouche’s hopes that this will increase the trade and security of BussoraRobberies allegedly connected to the Chaub [Banū Ka‘b].The second letter, dated 14 May 1781, covers:The arrival in Bussora of the merchants Eyles Irwin and John Richmond Smyth, and arrangements for their passage to India carrying communications from the Court of DirectorsThe movements of other travellers in the region, including suspected French and Dutch agents.Duplicates of the same letters can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/13.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)