Abstract: Part of a letter from Rear-Admiral John Blankett, Commander of the British naval squadron in the Red Sea, to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], sent from HMS
Leopardin Mocha Roads and dated 20 June 1799.The letter concerns the Government of Mecca, in particular the attitude of the Shereef [Sharīf] towards France. It discusses reports of trade in coffee between Mecca and French-occupied Egypt, reports of communications between Mecca and Tippoo Sultan [Tīpū Sulṭān of Mysore], and the internal politics of Mecca.The first part of the letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/82. A copy of the full letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/87.This letter was enclosed in Jones’s letter to John Spencer Smith, Minister Plenipotentiary in Constantinople [Istanbul], dated 23 September 1799 (IOR/L/PS/9/76/84 and 85).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Rear-Admiral John Blankett, Commander of the British naval squadron in the Red Sea, to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], sent from HMS
Leopardat Jedda [Jeddah] and dated 30 June 1800.The letter introduces Lieutenant Richard Tanvarine, whom Blankett has sent to Bagdad with dispatches to be forwarded to the Ambassador in Constantinople [Istanbul]. The letter also describes the Sheriffe [Sharīf] of Mecca’s pivot towards the French occupation powers in Egypt and moves towards asserting his independence from the Porte [Ottoman Empire].A duplicate of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/133.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Rear-Admiral John Blankett, Commander of the British naval squadron in the Red Sea, to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], sent from HMS
Leopardat Jedda [Jeddah] and dated 15 June 1800.Blankett reports a visit to Suez where he found that the Convention for the withdrawal of French forces from Egypt (Convention of Al ‘Arish) had been ruptured and Suez occupied by a British garrison. Blankett also discourages a proposed attack on Cosire [Al Qusayr]. The letter also reports a meeting with the Sheriffe [Sharīf] of Mecca and Blankett’s attempts to cultivate the Sheriffe’s support.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Rear-Admiral John Blankett, Commander of the British naval squadron in the Red Sea, to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], sent from HMS
Leopardat Jedda [Jeddah] and dated 30 June 1800.The letter introduces Lieutenant Richard Tanvarine, whom Blankett has sent to Bagdad with dispatches to be forwarded to the Ambassador in Constantinople [Istanbul]. The letter also describes the Sheriffe [Sharīf] of Mecca’s pivot towards the French occupation powers in Egypt and moves towards asserting his independence from the Porte [Ottoman Empire].A duplicate of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/130.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from John Spencer Smith, Minister Plenipotentiary in Constantinople [Istanbul], to Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], sent from Constantinople and dated 17 August 1799.The letter forwards a report on the movements of French and Spanish warships for the attention of Rear-Admiral John Blankett, Commander of the British naval squadron in the Red Sea (see below). It also forwards a proclamation from the Porte [Government of the Ottoman Empire] appealing to French troops to desert and offering safe passage home, which Spencer Smith recommends Blankett to distribute in Suez and Cosseir [Al Qusayr] (not enclosed).Attached is a letter from Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, sent from Mahone [Mahón] and dated 17 July 1799. The letter forwards reports from a Gibraltar privateer that the combined French and Spanish fleet has entered the Atlantic Ocean, pursued by Vice-Admiral George Keith Elphinstone.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to John Spencer Smith, Minister Plenipotentiary in Constantinople [Istanbul], sent from Bagdad and dated 17 April 1799.Jones forwards a letter from Luigi Malagamba to Robert Abbott, late East India Company Agent in Aleppo (IOR/L/PS/9/76/62), describing the French invasion of Palestine led by General Napoleon Bonaparte.Jones also expresses a lack of faith in the Pashaw [Sulaymān Pāshā Āl Kabīr, Governor of Baghdad] for not taking actions to prepare against a possible French attack following the invasion of Palestine, and suggests pressing the Porte [Government of the Ottoman Empire] to order the Pashaw to take stronger measures. Jones also asks Spencer Smith to press the Porte to order the expulsion of the French physician Outry from Bagdad, and mentions the departure of diplomatic missions to the court of Baba Khan [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia].Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Captain John Malcolm, Envoy of the Governor-General of Bengal to Persia [Iran], sent from Bagdad and dated 9 May 1800.Jones forwards news received from the East India Company Agent in Constantinople [Istanbul] concerning developments in the Napoleonic Wars in Europe and political developments in Britain, including the proposed union with Ireland. The letter also reports the rupture of the Convention for the evacuation of French forces from Egypt (Convention of Al ‘Arish).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to John Morier, Attaché with the army of the Vizier [Yūsuf Ẓīa al-Dīn Pāshā, Grand Vizier to the Ottoman Sulṭān] in Egypt, sent from Bagdad and dated 10 June 1800.The letter concerns potential assistance from the Pashaw of Bagdad [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] to the Vizier’s campaign against the French occupation forces in Egypt. Jones expresses doubts about the loyalty of Timour Aga [Tīmūr Āghā], whom the Pashaw is rumoured to be sending to support the Vizier, and describes problems facing the region including plague and a Yezeedee [Yazīdī] rebellion.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Meerza Mehedi Ally Khan, [Mīrzā Mahdī ‘Alī Khān Bahadūr], Resident in Bushire [Bushehr].Jones congratulates Meerza Mehdi Ally Khan on the success of his mission to the Court of Tehiran [Tehran]. The letter also reports a defeat inflicted on the French forces led by General Napoleon Bonaparte in Accre [Acre] and the departure of the Hadgee [Ḥājjī] caravan from Damascus.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Henry Dundas, Secretary of State for War, sent from Bagdad and dated 26 April 1799.Jones reports that he has sent a messenger to Syria to obtain information on the French campaign led by General Napoleon Bonaparte. The letter also mentions a siege of Herat by Shah Zadeh Mahmood [Mahmūd Durrānī], the departure of the Hadge [Haj] caravan from Damascus, and the capture of Heifa [Haifa] by French forces. Jones also expresses a lack of faith in the Government of Bagdad after its reaction to the French invasion of Palestine.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Henry Dundas, Secretary of State for War, sent from Bagdad and dated 31 October 1798. Subjects covered include:A dispute between the Pashaw [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] and MuscatRumoured communication between Muscat and the French Government in MauritiusThe arrest of the French Consul Jean-François Rousseau and the seizure of his papers, of which Jones forwards copies (IOR/L/PS/9/76/48, 57 and 58)Jones’s attempts to obtain intelligence from French-occupied EgyptAn arrangement with the Pashaw for communication with Constantinople [Istanbul], by which Jones will collect and forward intelligence from EuropeAffairs in Persia [Iran] and the Pashaw’s plans to send an embassy to Baba Khan [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia].The letter also forwards a copy of the Proclamation issued by General Napoleon Bonaparte on landing in Egypt (IOR/L/PS/9/76/42) and an intelligence report from Caboul [Kabul] (IOR/L/PS/9/76/41).Another version of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/43.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Henry Dundas, Secretary of State for War, sent from Bagdad and dated 31 October 1798. Subjects covered include:Jones’s meeting with the Pashaw [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad]Jones’s attempts to obtain intelligence from French-occupied EgyptAn arrangement with the Pashaw for communication with Constantinople [Istanbul], by which Jones will collect and forward intelligence from EuropeThe arrest and transfer under guard to Constantinople of the French Consul Jean-François RousseauAffairs in Persia [Iran] and the Pashaw’s plans to send an embassy to Baba Khan [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia].The letter also forwards a copy of the Proclamation issued by General Napoleon Bonaparte on landing in Egypt (IOR/L/PS/9/76/42) and an intelligence report from Caboul [Kabul] (IOR/L/PS/9/76/41).Another version of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/44.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)