Abstract: A copy of a letter from Henry Willock, HM Chargé d'Affaires in Persia [Iran], to Mountstuart Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay [Mumbai], sent from Tabriz and dated 4 July 1820.The letter concerns the refusal of the Persian Government to cede an island in the Gulf to Britain.The letter was enclosed in Willock's letter to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 6 July 1820 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/29).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Extracts of a letter from Henry Willock, HM Chargé d'Affaires in Persia [Iran], to the Chief Secretary of the Supreme Government of India, sent from Tabriz and dated 25 July 1820.The letter concerns Anglo-Persian relations in the Gulf following the 1819 British expedition against ‘piracy’. Subjects covered include: a request from the Prince Royal ['Abbās Mīrzā, Crown Prince of Persia] for British support in conquering Bahrein [Bahrain]; Willock’s offer to negotiate a tributary relationship between Bahrein and Persia; the desired cession of an island for a British base in the Gulf, refused by the Persian Government; and the planned occupation of Kishma [Qeshm] by British troops.The extracts were enclosed in Willock’s letter to Joseph Dart, Secretary to the Court of Directors of the East India Company, dated 6 August 1820 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/42).Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: Notes of Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia’s [Iran] meetings with Persian Ministers and the Prince Royal [‘Abbās Mīrzā, Crown Prince] between December 1823 and April 1824.The meetings concern the proposed transfer of responsibility for diplomatic relations between Persia and Britain to the British Government in India, which is opposed by the Persian side.The notes were enclosed in Willock’s letter to John McCulloch, Secretary to the Political Department of the East India Company, dated 20 April 1824 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/181).Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: An abstract of a dispatch from Sir Harford Jones, British Envoy Extraordinary to Persia [Iran], sent from Bushire [Bushehr] and dated 22 November 1808. Jones asserts his belief that he will be permitted to travel to Court unhindered, and reports his correspondence with Jaffer Ali Khan [Ja’far ‘Ali Khān], Agent in Shirauz [Shīrāz], and Persian officials including: Nasr Ollah Khan [Nasr Allah Khān Qaraguzlu], Vizier of the Prince-Governor of Shirauz; Meerza Shuffee [Mīrzā Shafī' Muḥammad Māzandarānī], Grand Vizier (Sadr-e 'Azam); and Mahomed Nubbee Khan [Mohammed Nabī Khān Shīrāzī]. The correspondence deals mainly with the advancement of Jones's mission, and also discusses the supply of arms to Persia and the French position in the country.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: This volume consists of two parts: Part 3 (IOR/L/PS/10/735/1) contains papers relating to affairs in Persia [Iran] during the final months of the First World War; Part 4 (IOR/L/PS/10/735/2) contains papers relating to affairs in Persia immediately after the War. Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 506; 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 volume consists of two parts: Part 5 (IOR/L/PS/10/736/1) and Part 6 (IOR/L/PS/10/736/2), comprising correspondence relating to the Anglo-Persian Agreement of 1919, including its content, the negotiations that led up to it, and national and international reactions.Each part includes a divider which gives the subject and part numbers, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references contained in that part by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 399; 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 volume contains correspondence on the political and military situation in Persia [Iran] from April to December 1921. The correspondence is primarily formed of dispatches from HM Minister in Tehran to the Foreign Office, along with instructions from the Foreign Office to the Minister. It includes material relating to the following matters:The arrest of Zahir-ul-Islam [Sayyīd Javād Imāmī, Ẓahīr al-Islām] and other prominent politicians by the Persian Minister of War [Rezā Khān Savādkūhī, Sardār-i Sipah], under the charge of having conspired against the life of the Prime Minister [Aḥmad Qavām, Qavām al-Salṭanah] and himself, and the escape of the former Minister of Court, Mushar al-Mulk [Mīrzā Ḥasan Khān Mushār al-Mulk]The ratification of the Russo-Persian Treaty in the Persian Medjliss [Majlis, Parliament], despite the concessions granted to Standard Oil Company, and differences over certain articles of the Treaty, and the steps taken to ensure the passage of the Treaty by Soviet Ambassador Theodore RothsteinThe ‘lingering mistrust’ of Persians towards the British on account of their attitude to Islam and their aims in the country, and ‘maladministration and local causes of discontent’ as two major factors in favour of the Bolsheviks in PersiaA memorandum by the British Military Attaché in Tehran, Major Edward William Charles Noel, on the threat posed by the Bolsheviks to Persia, based on conversations with Mr Hildebrandt, the last ‘White Russian’ in charge of the LegationThe recovery of Resht [Rasht] and Enzeli [Anzali] from Soviet occupation, the death of Kuchik Khan [Mīrzā Kūchak Khān Jangalī] leader of the Jangalis, the redeployment of Persian Government forces to Azerbaijan against Kurdish leader Simko [Ismā‘īl Āqā Shakāk, Simkū], and the dismissal of Swedish officers from positions in command of the GendarmerieThe British plan to remove Arbab Kai Khosro [Kaykhusraw Shāhrukh, also known as Arbāb Kaykhusraw] as head of the Zoroastrian community and deputy in the Medjliss for his perceived anti-British views and communication with the Russian LegationThe attempts of the British Legation in Tehran to dissociate Britain from the rebellion of Colonel Mohammed Taqi [Colonel Muḥammad Taqī Khān Pisyān], despite the presence of as many as 1000 Barbaris [Hazaras] among the Colonel’s followersThe rebellion of Colonel Mohammed Taqi against the government of Kavam-us-Sultaneh [Qavām al-Salṭanah], the appointment of himself as Governor-General of the Province of Khorasan, and his eventual defeat and death at the hands of tribal forces in northern Khorasan, at the instigation of the Central Government of PersiaThe success of the Minister of War and the Shah of Persia in forcing the Prime Minister, Zia-ed-Din [Sayyid Ziyāʾ al-Dīn Ṭabāṭabāʾī Yazdī] out of office, supported by ‘courtiers, priests, officials and other corrupt elements’, whose interests had been threatened, and the formation of a new government by Kavam-us-Sultaneh.The volume also includes a ‘Memorandum on England and Russia in Persia’ by W A Smart, Oriental Secretary of the British Legation at Tehran, 21 June 1921 (ff 174r-176r).Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 311; 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 volume contains correspondence, memoranda, reports, correspondence and minutes regarding the financial affairs of the Government of Persia [Iran].The papers notably cover:Financial requirements for the Government of PersiaCost of the movement of British forcesRefund and paymentPayment of Cossack Division officersProposed loans to the Persian Government from the Imperial Bank of Persia, the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, the Standard Oil Company, and the governments of the United States and RussiaProvision of financial assistance to the Persian Government.The principal correspondents are the British Legation at Tehran and the Foreign Office.The volume includes a divider, which gives the subject number, the year the subject file was opened, the subject heading, and a list of correspondence references by year. This is placed at the front of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 263; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Multiple intermittent additional mixed foliation/pagination sequences are also present.
Abstract: This item comprises: deciphered telegrams; correspondence; India Office Political Department registry forms with subject and notes; and covering letters of the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Under-Secretary of State for India. The primary correspondents are Sir Percy Cox [Acting Minister] in Tehran, and the Foreign Office.The papers relate to the appointment by the British Government of a Financial Advisor to the Persian [Iranian] Government, based on the provisions of the ‘Agreement between His Britannic Majesty’s Government and the Persian Government’, signed at Tehran, 9 August 1919 (ff 294-295), including:The agreement of Sir Percy Cox, the Foreign Office and the Government of India for the appointment of H W Maclean (Imperial Bank of Persia) as Financial Adviser to the Persian GovernmentThe objection of the Persian Minister to Cox’s proposal of MacleanThe selection of an alternative candidate, Sydney Armitage Smith, suggested by the TreasuryArmitage-Smith’s duties, including a copy of his contract of service (in French) with the Persian Government (ff 260-261)Clarification of the Financial Adviser’s powers with regard to customs administration, including eventual inclusion of customs tariff revisionNotification of the arrival of Armitage Smith in Baghdad and his departure for Persia on 11 April.Physical description: 1 item (47 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises: deciphered telegrams; correspondence; covering letters of the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Under-Secretary of State for India; India Office Political Department registry forms with subject and notes; and India Office draft telegrams, draft letters, minutes and notes.The papers relate to work of the Anglo-Persian Committee for the revision of the [Anglo]-Persian [Iranian] Customs Tariff, set up under the provisions of Article 6 of the Anglo-Persian ‘Agreement between His Britannic Majesty’s Government and the Persian Government’, signed at Tehran, 9 August 1919 (ff 156-157), including:Discussion of the aims and objectives of the Committee (see folios 126, 114 and 101), and the reasons why the tariff not should be framed to discriminate against German, Austrian and Turkish tradeInformation regarding local duties on numerous commodities and articles, and customs arrangements (including customs evasion), forwarded to the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign and Political Department, Delhi, by the British consuls in Bandar Abbas, Sistan and Kain [Qayen or Qaen], Meshed [Mashhad], and Mohammerah [Khorramshahr]; the Deputy Political Resident in Persian Gulf; and the Chargé d’Affaires and Special Commissioner, TehranDiscussion concerning whether the Russo-Persian Customs Convention of 1902 and the commercial treaty of 1873 between Germany and Persia are technically still in forceNotes on the potential effect of revised duties on the Manchester textile trade (ff 144-145)A copy of the ‘Minutes of Meetings of the Joint Anglo-Persian Committee for the revision of the Persian Customs Tariff’ (12 February-9 March 1920), including names of the Persian and British members and annexes listing suggested amendments of duties on textiles and manufactures, foodstuffs, alcohol and alcoholic beverages, skins and manufactures thereof, livestock, etc. (ff 67-86)Objections to the new customs tariff, in December 1921, by the authorities (‘Centro Soyuz’) at Enzeli [Bandar-e Anzali] (ff 64-65)New restrictive measures proposed by the Persian Government on exports and imports in 1922, including: the detailed views of the Board of Trade, notably regarding prohibitions proposed on the import of ‘luxuries’ (ff 33-51); and the claim by Sir Percy Loraine, British Legation in Tehran (stated in folios 21-22 and 25), that the scheme was abandoned following his detailed letter to the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs setting ‘forth the inherent defects of the proposals’ (ff 53-63, in French)The proposed prohibition by the Persian Government in 1923 on the import of certain ‘so-called luxury articles in Persia’ and discussion of the possible true reasons behind the policy, including original and revised lists of luxury articles issued by the Tehran government (ff 5-18).The principal correspondents are: Sir Percy Cox [Acting Minister] in Tehran (December 1919-February 1920); the Foreign Office; the Board of Trade, Commercial Relations and Treaties Department; the Governor of Bombay [Mumbai]; the Government of India; and Percy Loraine. Note that there is some overlap of documents with IOR/L/PS/10/856/2.Physical description: 1 item (155 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 15 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Koordan [Kordan or Kurdan], to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, of 4 July 1825. The letter concerns relations between Russia and Persia, including:The departure of the Russian Consul General to Persia, Vazenco, from Tehran, and the subsequent request that Vazenco be permitted to reside at Resht [Rasht]Commercial relations between Russia and PersiaThe ongoing negotiations for the demarcation of the Russo-Persian frontier between the Prince Royal [Crown Prince of Persia, 'Abbās Mīrzā Qājār] and the Governor-General of Georgia, General Yermoloff [Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov].This document was originally enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 3 July 1825 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/25).Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 28 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, of 19 December 1825. The letter concerns the internal state of affairs in Persia and the possibility of a conflict to secure the succession to the throne following the death of the Shah, Futteh Ali Shah [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār]. Willock argues that the struggle for the succession would leave Persia vulnerable to Russian encroachment, which would be of strategic concern to the British in India. He offers a detailed assessment of the character, abilities, loyalties, and means for contesting the succession of the various governors, factions, and other persons of importance in Persia, including Prince-Governors such as the late Prince-Governor of Kermanshah, Mahomed Ali Mirza [Muhammad 'Ali Mirza, Dawlatshah]; the Prince-Governor of Fars, Hoosein Ali Mirza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā, Farmānfarmā]; and the Prince-Governor of Khorasan, Hussun Ali Mirza [Hasan 'Ali Mirza, Shuja' al-Saltanah]. Willock also gives a detailed character sketch of the Crown Prince of Persia, Abbas Mirza ['Abbās Mīrzā Qājār], and argues that Britain should support his claim to the throne as a means of warding off the spread of Russian influence in Persia. To achieve this, he recommends strengthening Abbas Mirza’s armed forces by means of money, arms and officers to train his troops.This document was originally enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 31 December 1825 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/62).Physical description: 1 item (36 folios)