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1. 'D 93 KUWAIT OIL A.P.O.C. (82/1 VI) and E. & G.S. (86/1 IV)'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and telegrams between the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India and the Secretary of State for the Colonies in London, the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agent at Kuwait and and Eastern and General Syndicate Limited (E.&G.S.) representatives. The main subject is the negotiations for oil concessions in Kuwait between APOC and Eastern and General Syndicate Limited, represented by Major Frank Holmes.The volume also includes some letters, in Arabic and in translation, from and to the Ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, and correspondence regarging him being invited to visit London as guest of the Eastern and General Syndicate (folios 73-74). On folios 155A-166 'Final Record of a Meeting held at the Colonial Office on the 26th of April, 1933, to discuss various questions relating to Oil in the Persian Gulf', regarding Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar.Physical description: The foliation is written in pencil, not circled, and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The numbering commences at the title page with 1, 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D; then 2-23; 24 and 24A; 25-45; 46 and 46A; 47-110; 111, 111A and 111B; 112-154; 155 and 155A; 156-176; 177-178 are missing or skipped; 179-185; 186 and 186A; 187-215; 216 and 216A and then it carries on until 245, which is the fifth folio from the back of the volume.
2. 'File 82/1 IV (F 79) Anglo Persian Oil Company Arab Side (Kuwait, Bahrain, Nejd)'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Department, the Colonial Office and the Secretary of State at the India Office in London, the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agents at Kuwait and Anglo Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives. Main subjects are the negotiations for oil concessions mainly in Kuwait, but also in Bahrain and Nejd [Najd, Jubail, Saudi Arabia] against the competitor Eastern and General Syndicate Limited, represented by Major Frank Holmes, and a geological exploration of Kuwait by APOC.The volume also includes a draft agreement on the oil exploration license in Kuwait, in Arabic and English, dated 13 August 1932, between Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, ruler of Kuwait, and APOC (folios 120-131), and a Map of 'Kuwait Bay' on folio 132A.Some of the documents in the volume are marked as confidential and there are some documents in Arabic.Physical description: The main foliation is in pencil, encircled and in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering commences at the front cover with 1, then 1A and 1B; 2 and 2A; 3-128; 129 and 129A; 130, 131, 132 and 132A and then it carries on until 203, which is the last number given on the back cover. A second foliation sequence runs between ff. 3-190; these numbers are also written in pencil, are not circled and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
3. 'File 82/1 III (F 64) Prospecting licenses for Kuwait, Bahrain, Nejd, Trucial Coast and Oman'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Department, the Colonial Office and the Secretary of State at the India Office in London, the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agents at Kuwait and Sharjah, local rulers, and Anglo Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives on the negotiations for oil concessions in Kuwait, Bahrain, Nejd [Najd, Jubail, Saudi Arabia], Qatar, Muscat, Oman and Trucial Coast against the competitor Eastern and General Syndicate Limited, represented by Major Frank Holmes.The volume includes the agreement on the oil exploration license in Muscat and Oman, in Arabic and English, signed on 18 May 1925, between Saiyid Taimur bin Faisal, Sultan of Muscat and Oman, and D'Arcy Exploration Company limited (folios 281-296).Physical description: The main foliation is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering begins with the first item of correspondence, on number 1, and ends with the last folio of writing, on number 314.
4. 'File 82/1 [I] (F 52) A.P.O.C. and Oil Concessions Arab Coast'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Department and the Under Secretary of State at the India Office in London, Sir Winston Churchill (Secretary of State for the Colonies at the time), the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agent at Kuwait, the Vice-Consul at Mohammerah [Khorramshahr, Iran] and Anglo Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives regarding contacts with local rulers about oil concessions in Bahrain and Kuwait.The file also contains:copy of a letter from the Political Resident to the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, dated 8 September 1921, on oil explorations in the various Persian Gulf states, and on APOC's desire to exclusive prospective rights in Oman (folios 11-13);draft agreement between the rulers of Bahrain and Kuwait and D'Arcy Exploration Company Limited for oil explorations (1921 ca.) (folios 22-27, 102-107 and 257-260);notes concerning meetings of Major Frank Holmes with Ibn Saud re oil exploration in Arabia [Saudi Arabia] (folio 80)letter from the Political Agent at Muscat to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf regarding oil in Muscat (folios 96-97).The file is incomplete. Some letters, mainly containing pledges signed by Trucial Coast rulers not to grant any oil concession to anyone except with the permission of the British Government, were removed from the original file and forwarded to the Foreign Office in 1953. In these instances the former numbering sequence presents gaps, and these letters are replaced by folios indicating page numbers, sender, receiver, date and subject of the letter removed. These letters are now in FO 371/7723 and FO 371/104408.Physical description: The main foliation is in pencil in encircled numbers in top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering starts on the front cover with 1 and carries on until 153, which is the last number given on the back cover of the file. A former sequence runs from the first to the last folio of writing, pencil numbers (not circled) in top right recto of each folio, not crossed through - the numbering runs 1-260 missing numerous numbers out. The reason is that some letters were removed from the original file to be forwarded to the Foreign Office in 1953, whereas the former numbering sequence presents gaps.
5. 'CONFIDENTIAL 86/7-II B-35 OIL TRUCIAL COAST & OMAN'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle); the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy Gordon Loch), the India Office (John Charles Walton); the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (L Lefroy, Edward Henry Ommaney Elkington, Hajji ‘Abdullah Williamson) and Petroleum Concessions Limited (John Skliros) on the subject of possible concessions with the Trucial Coast Shaikhs and the formation of a new company, Petroleum Concessions Limited to undertake negotiations for these concessions.Matters discussed include:correspondence from Hajji ‘Abdullah Williamson, negotiator for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company (AIOC) discussing what he had learned of the extent and boundaries of Abu Dhabi territory; his negotiations with the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi and his eventual success in securing a two year option, including a copy of the agreement signed between Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān), Ruler of Abu Dhabi and the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company. Also included in the correspondence is information on the different tribes and tribal groups within Abu Dhabi; the availability of water, livestock and food supplies; and transport options within the country;the decision by the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company to form a new subsidiary company, Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) to take on the options obtained from Trucial Coast Shaikhs and exploit potential concessions should oil be found. The correspondence is primarily between Sir John Skliros, Chairman of Petroleum Concessions Limited, Langlois Massy Lefroy and Edward Henry Ommaney Elkington of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company, and representatives of the India Office discussing the establishment of PCL and their interest in negotiating an extension of their options to five years and including draft concessions in those extensions. Enclosed within the volume are PCL’s proposed draft concession agreements for Ras-al-Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah], Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Kuwait Neutral Zone and Bahrain; the two year option agreement signed with Shaikh Rashid bin Homaid [Rāshid Bin Ḥumaid Al-Nu`aimī], Ruler of Ajman ; and interest in an option in Umm-ul-Quwain [Umm al Qaywayn];correspondence from Saiyid Said bin Taimur [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Sultan of Muscat expressing a desire to have a mineralogical survey undertaken within his territories, as although the Anglo-Persian Oil Company (now the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company) had surveyed the area in the past he wished to have a second opinion to settle the question of whether or not there might be oil;attempts by Major Frank Holmes to form a British Company to pursue possible Oil Concessions on the Trucial Coast, which failed, and his subsequent appointment by Petroleum Concessions Limited to act as their negotiator in the Persian Gulf;the question of whether an option for Kalba [Kalbā] would be of interest and discussing its complicated political status involving the Shaikh’s of Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah;discussion over the wording of the option agreement between the Shaikh of Ras-al-Khaimah and AIOC and whether it covers the island of Tamb (also given as Tanb) [Greater Tumb].Correspondence with the various Trucial Coast Shaikhs is in Arabic, with translations in English, and the letter-head for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company is in Persian and English.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 200-204.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 7-199; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
6. 'CONFIDENTIAL 86/7-VI B.43. PETROLEUM CONCESSIONS LTD. TRUCIAL COAST'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence, primarily between Major Frank Holmes as negotiator for Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL), John Skliros, Director of Petroleum Concessions Limited in London, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Political Agent at Bahrain regarding progress in negotiations with Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī], Ruler of Sharjah for a concession in his territories. The correspondence discusses the amendments to the agreement which the Shaikh wished to make, various conditions he wished to place on the concession. and negotiations over the financial terms of a potential concession. A draft copy of the concession agreement can be found at folios 94-111.Also discussed is the signing of the Debai [Dubai] concession and PCL's acceptance of the signed copy; along with the written agreement given by Shaikh Sa’id bin Maktum al Maktum [Saʻīd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm] to the Political Resident regarding a termination of contract undertaking.Further correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and Secretary of State for India considers methods of applying pressure on the Trucial Coast Shaikh’s to sign concessions with Petroleum Concessions Limited in order to prevent American interests from acquiring concessions in the area. A letter is issued by the Secretary of State for India, on behalf of the British Government, to be used if negotiations and initial pressure failed to secure the concessions. The letter made it clear that the British Government would not permit more than one Oil Company to operate on the Trucial Coast and that they had approved agreements with PCL and were not prepared to permit negotiations with other Companies. The intention was for the letter to be used as a last resort as there could be difficulties if either Petroleum Concessions Limited or the Trucial Coast Shaikh’s came to learn of its existence before it was required.Other matters of note within the volume include:circular issued by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to all Consuls and Political Agents with powers to grant visa’s requesting that no visa for the Trucial Coast be granted to Haji ‘Abdullah Williamson without prior discussion with the Political Resident. Also included is a note of a discussion which the Political Resident had with Mr Gordon, Assistant General Manager for the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company at Abadan, regarding Williamson’s activities on the Trucial Coast whilst being employed by Petroleum Concessions Limited;report on a conversation between the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi (Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān) over statements made to the Shaikh about Major Frank Holmes and Petroleum Concessions Limited and their British status, which the Political Agent was able to correct; and concerns about rumours being spread on the Trucial Coast which could cause problems for both PCL and the British Government;draft copies in Arabic and English of the proposed Umm-al-Qaiwain [Umm al Qaywayn] concession agreement (ff 48-65), Ajman Concession agreement (ff 30-47), and Ras al Khaimah [Ra's al Khaymah] concession agreement (ff 112-129);Correspondence regarding a disturbance in Kalba [Kalbā] which had briefly prevented individuals visiting Ras al Khaimah;letter from the Sultan of Muscat and Oman (Sayyid Taymūr bin Fayṣal bin Turkī Āl Bū Sa‘īd) to the Political Agent at Muscat (Ralph Ponsonby Watts) regarding an encroachment by the Geologists for Petroleum Concessions Limited into his territory in the Buraimi [Al Buraymī] district; and observations by the Political Agent of the need to define the limits of the Sultan’s territory as soon as possible.Physical description: Foliation: The main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers arewritten 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 5-214; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
7. 'Confidential 86/14-ii B.47 PETROLEUM CONCESSIONS LTD. BAHRAIN'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard C Fowle, Percy G Loch, Olaf K Caroe, Hugh Weightman), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Percy G Loch, Hugh Weightman, Tom Hickinbotham, John B Howes), the India Office (Maurice J Clauson, Roland T Peel, John C Walton, John P Gibson), the Shaikh of Bahrain (Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah), the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles D Belgrave), Petroleum Concessions Limited (John Skliros, Stephen H Longrigg, Frank Holmes, Ernest V Packer) and the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Hamilton R Ballantyne, Edward A Skinner) regarding negotiations for a concession in the unalloted area of Bahrain which would include Bahrain's territorial islands and the Hawar Group of Islands.The correspondence centres on the Shaikh of Bahrain’s decision to postpone negotiations for one year until May 1938 in order to concentrate on the resolution of his ownership claim to Zubarah [Az Zubārah] which was being contested by the Shaikh of Qatar (Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī). Later correspondence relates to the Shaikh’s decision to split the unalloted area into two concessions with the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) being granted the remaining area on the main island and some territorial waters including Sitrah Island; and Petroleum Concessions Limited (PCL) being granted the Hawar Group of Islands and a number of other territorial islands and waters along with an allocated site at Muharraq for use in constructing a refinery and storage areas.Also included is continued discussion around the question of ownership of the Hawar Islands and Fasht Dibal [Fasht ad Dībal]. The India Office concluded that their evidence supported the Shaikh of Bahrain’s claim to the islands and that therefore responsibility for disputing the claim lay with any other potential claimants. The question under discussion however was whether to make the Shaikh of Qatar, as the other potential claimant, aware of their conclusions.Other matters discussed in the volume include:the question of oil rights to Zubarah, which had been granted under the Qatar Oil Concession, and the assurance given by the Shaikh of Bahrain to His Majesty’s Government that should his claim of ownership to Zubarah be recognised it would not affect the Qatar Oil Company’s work in that area;notes on a meeting at the India Office with Hamilton R Ballantyne, a representative of the Standard Oil Company of California who were interested in oil concessions on the Trucial Coast as well as the unalloted area of Bahrain.discussion regarding Major Frank Holmes’ actions during his work for PCL in 1936/1937 on the Trucial Coast and the Political Resident’s wish to prevent him from travelling to Bahrain or the Trucial Coast in order to prevent further potential confusion and intrigue. Also reported on is a conversation between the Political Agent at Kuwait and Major Holmes at which Holmes' vision for oil concessions to drill under the pearl banks between Bahrain and Qatar is revealed.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 193-200.The correspondence with the Shaikh of Bahrain and various draft concession documents are 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 back cover with 205; 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 6-192; these numbers are written in pencil and red crayon, 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.
8. 'File 19/2 II Tour. The Honourable the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf'
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains telegrams and correspondence regarding arrangements for the first official visits of the newly nominated Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior): to Bahrain, in December 1932, to the Trucial Coast in February and March 1933, cruises of the Gulf in September 1933 and January 1934, and visit of Qatar in March 1934.The file contains programmes of the visits; seating plans for official dinners; arrangements for a 'durbar' organised in the Political Resident's honour by the Ruler of Bahrain in December 1932, including minutes of speeches in English and Arabic to be read by officials, dignitaries and other invitees; arrangements for a meeting with Major Frank Holmes.The principal correspondents are: Yusuf Ahmed Kanoo; the Mesopotamia Persia Corporation Limited; the Eastern Bank Limited; the Manama Municipality; the Muharraq Municipality; Haji Abdulnabi Bushiri & Sons; Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, Ruler of Bahrain; Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Āl Khalīfah; Shaikh ‘Abdullah bin Jasim Al Thani, Ruler of Qatar; Major Frank Holmes; the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and the Political Agent at Bahrain.Some of the documents within the file are in English and Arabic and in Persian, letters and notices from the Political Agency, and correspondence with local rulers of Qatar and Bahrain.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 204; 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 1-203; these numbers are written in a combination of pencil and ink, and are not circled.
9. 'File 82/1 II (F 53) A.P.O.C., and Oil Concession - Arab Coast'
- Description:
- Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Department, the Colonial Office and the Secretary of State at the India Office in London, the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agents at Kuwait and Muscat, local rulers, Anglo Persian Oil Company (APOC) and Eastern and General Syndicate Limited representatives on the negotiations for oil concessions in Kuwait, Bahrain, Nejd [Najd, Jubail, Saudi Arabia], Qatar, Muscat, Oman and Trucial Coast.The volume includes documents regarding:Bahrain: Letter in English and Arabic from the Political Resident in the Gulf to Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, Ruler of Bahrain, informing him that the British Government didn't approve the Bahrain Oil Concession being agreed to Major Frank Holmes, representing Eastern and General Syndicate (folios 41-42) and subsequent correspondence regarding the cancellation of this concession (folios 125-126) and the agreement with APOC;Kuwait: Draft Agreements between Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, Ruler of Kuwait, and D'Arcy Exploration Company limited, on the oil exploration license in Kuwait (draft agreement 20 June 1923 on folios 51-60; draft agreement 6 September 1923 on folios 157-171 and draft agreement 18 November 1923 on folios 198-210; in Arabic on folios 229-235) and minutes of a meeting to discuss it (folios 61-64A); correspondence between the Political Agent in Kuwait and the ruler of Kuwait, regarding contacts being made with Major Holmes and Eastern and General Syndicate, in Arabic with English translation (folios 83-89).Najd: Report on Najd Oil Concession by J.B. Mackie (folios 31-33); letter from Āl Sa‘ūd, ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal (Ibn Sa‘ūd), Sultan of Najd, to the High Commissioner for Iraq dated 21 May 1923, in Arabic with English translation, regarding oil exploration being granted to Eastern and General Syndicate (folios 76-78).Physical description: The main foliation is in pencil, encircled, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering begins on the first folio after the front cover, on number 1, then 2-63; 64A and 64B; 65-195; 196A and 196B and it carries on to the last folio, ending on 284. There is another foliation sequence, which is incomplete.
10. 'File 5/9 Activities of Major Holmes: death'
- Description:
- Abstract: This file contains correspondence among various British officials communicating the movements and possible intentions of Major Frank Holmes regarding various oil-industry related events. One telegram at the end of the file refers to the date of Major Holmes' death.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 16; 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; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.