Abstract: Enclosures nos. 2-4 to a dispatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 23 April 1845. The enclosures are dated 8 December 1844-15 February 1845.The enclosures consist of copies of dispatches from Justin Sheil, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia, describing events in Persia [Iran] and beyond, including:An unsuccessful attempt by the Khan of Khiva to recapture Merve [Merv] from the Toorkomans [Teke Turkmen]British objections to the construction of a bastion close to the Residency at Bushire [Bushehr]A demand from the Governor of Bushire for higher duties on the export of horses by British merchants, against the terms of an Anglo-Persian agreementContinued Russian military occupation of the Island of Ashoor Ada [Ashuradeh] off the Persian coast in the Caspian SeaA Persian investigation into American missionaries proselytising and making conversions to Christianity in Azerbijan [Azerbaijan]An unsuccessful attempt by Mahomed Bankir Khan, described as either a brother or a nephew of Agha Khan [Hasan Ali Shah, Aga Khan I], to invade Persia from Beloochistan [Balochistan].The dispatches contain forwarded translations of letters from Hajee Meerza Aghasee [Haji Mirza Aqasi, Prime Minister of Persia] and other Persian officials.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 357, and terminates at f 402, 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: Memorandum written in French and published by the Foreign Office in 1874.The memorandum discusses the situation in Persia, including the interior and exterior threats the country faces, and the potential threat the situation poses to the borders of the British Empire.The perceived exterior threat to Perse is the progress and advancement of the Russian Empire in Asia and their perceived interest in occupying Merv, the ancient capital of Khorassan [Khorāsān]. The interior threat is considered to be the general situation in Persia and its difficulties in establishing administration within its own borders.Also discussed in the memorandum is the strength and skill of the Turcomanes (Turkmen) cavalry which could potentially disrupt Russia's plans in Asia and the lack of continuous British representation in Persia and the possible need to provide support to their ally in order to stop Russia from advancing through Asia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 61, and terminates at f 63, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original incomplete printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: A memorandum written by Edmund] Neel, Political and Secret Department, India Office, in continuation of a previous memorandum [IOR/L/PS/18/B60], in which the Resident at Aden is urged to ascertain the present situation at Sheikh Said [Ra’s Shaykh Sa‘īd] following fears that the French Government planned to occupy the place.The memorandum reproduces a report written by Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Vincent Stace, First Assistant to the Resident at Aden, which provides a sketch map (f 7) and a description of the geographical setting and principal buildings at Sheikh Said, and also raises the possibility that the French intend to dredge the lagoon there in order to create a basin for vessels of war.The memorandum goes on to reproduce correspondence in which the opinions of the Resident at Aden, the Director of Military Intelligence, and the Secretary of State for India are given; the memorandum further notes that assurances have been received from the Turkish Porte that the French Government will not be allowed to take over any part of the Arabian coast.However, as the French Government did not recognise Sheikh Said as Turkish, and since a Russian gunboat was known to have landed on the African shore of the Red Sea, the memorandum concludes that the British authorities should keep a close eye on French and Russian movements in the area.The sketch map at folio 7 shows a region around Ras Shekh Said and Perim Island at the south-western tip of the Arabian Peninsula, indicating hydrology, settlements, principal buildings and the routes of a telegraph line, a submarine cable and a suggested canal. Hachures are used to show relief, and a brief note explains the map's sources. The map was published in June 1893 by the Intelligence Division, War Office, sheet no. 985.Physical description: This item consists of 14 sections, with a map (f 7).
Abstract: Translation of a letter from HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia [Iran], Sir Harford Jones, to the Prince Royal of Persia [Crown Prince of Persia], Abbas Meerza ['Abbās Mīrza Qājār̄], dated 12 May 1810. The letter relates to the arrangements for the Turkish [Ottoman] frontier in the armistice negotiations between Russia and Persia and advises against allowing Russia to occupy towns on the Turkish frontier. The letter also reports on diplomatic relations between the European powers and discounts alleged inaccuracies printed in French gazettes.The letter was enclosed in Sir Harford Jones's letter of 2 June 1810, and was received on 4 October 1810.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Translation of a letter from Meerza Bozurg [Mīrzā Buzurg], the Vizier of the Crown Prince of Persia [Iran], to HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary Sir Harford Jones, received on 14 May 1810. The letter concerns the breaking off of armistice negotiations between Russia and Persia over the issue of the Turkish [Ottoman] frontier, and reports of peace negotiations between Turkey and Russia mediated by Napoleon Bonaparte. The letter also urges Jones to continue his work in Persia in the interest of maintaining relations between England [Britain] and Persia.The letter was enclosed in Jones's letter of 2 June 1810, and was on received 4 October 1810.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Translation of a dispatch from the Prince Royal [Crown Prince] of Persia [Iran] Abbas Mirza to his minister Meerza [Mīrzā] Mohammed Hassan, received on 14 May 1810. The letter relates to ongoing armistice negotiations between Persia and Russia, recommending breaking off negotiations and renewing the war on the basis of Persia being unable to achieve the key objectives of securing the Ottoman frontier and Talish [Talysh] from Russian interference or incursion.The letter was enclosed in HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia, Sir Harford Jones's letter of 2 June 1810, and was received on 4 October 1810.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Translation of a letter from the Prince Royal of Persia [Crown Prince of Persia, 'Abbās Mīrzā Qājār] to the Governor-General of Georgia, General Yermoloff [Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov]. In the letter the Prince Royal discusses the ongoing frontier negotiations between Russia and Persia [Iran], indicating which proposals made by Yermoloff he is willing to accept, and making reference to further unspecified terms that he has communicated to the Russian Chargé d'Affaires to Persia [Semyon Mazarovich].This translation was originally enclosed in the letter of HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia, Henry Willock, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 3 July 1825 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/25).Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: Copy of the definition of the frontier between Russia and Persia [Iran] agreed at Tiflis [Tbilisi] between the Russian plenipotentiaries, Lieutenant-General Wilhemenoff and Major-General Madadoff [Prince Valerian Grigoryevich Madatov], and the Persian plenipotentiary Futteh Allee Khan [Fath-‘Ali Khan Rashti].This translation was originally enclosed in the letter of HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia, Henry Willock, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 3 July 1825 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/25).Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: This file consists of a report written by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Edward Stewart, Bengal Staff Corps, in which he describes his journeys to and around Mashad, Herat and Merv in the vicinity of the Perso-Afghan frontier, and provides detailed intelligence regarding topography, settlements, communications, vegetation and agriculture. He also describes local populations, tribes and chiefs, and their present and historical actions and allegiances.The author records his opinion that due to a general fear of Torcoman raids, and a positive attitude towards Russia, the region of Khurasan [Khorāsān] could willingly fall under Russian sway; he therefore urges the instalment of an English officer on the Perso-Afghan frontier to maintain a British influence there.The report is written in twelve chapters, and is followed by five appendices giving detailed descriptions of routes travelled, with mileages.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 123 and terminates at the last folio with 162, 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. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 123-162; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Copy of a letter from HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia [Iran], Sir Harford Jones, to the Vizier of the Crown Prince of Persia, Meerza Bozurg [Mīrzā Buzurg], dated 15 May 1810. The letter is in reply to Meerza Bozurg's letter, received by Jones on 14 May 1810 (IOR/L/PS/9/68/33). The letter concerns the ongoing armistice negotiations between Russia and Persia, particularly in relation to a plan by Persia to break off negotiations and renew the war. Jones also reassures Meerza Bozurg of his intention to continue his service to the Crown Prince of Persia, Abbas Mirza.The letter was enclosed in Jones's secret letter of 2 June 1810, and was received on 4 October 1810.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: The memorandum is concerned with a recent Anglo-Russian advance of £100,000 to the Persian Government, and outlines proposals for a future loan. It considers various conditions that the Russians have declared that they wish to attach to the additional loan, which the author considers onerous.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: This file consists of a memorandum written by Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, in which the author discusses a proposed delimitation of the Russo-Perso-Afghan frontier by the Russian Government. The author points out that, aside from the difficulties of delimiting such featureless terrain, any artificial boundary so marked out would be ignored by the numerous nomadic tribes of the area. The author proposes instead that a frontier be established merely in general terms.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences and terminates at folio 169, as it is part of a larger physical volume; this number is written in pencil, is circled, and is located at the top right corner of the folio.An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel; this number is also written in pencil, but is not circled.