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1. Persian Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises a copy of an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 133 of 1846, dated 14 November 1846. The enclosure is dated 14 September 1846.The enclosure consists of a copy of a despatch, with enclosures, from Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court of Persia [Iran], to Viscount Palmerston, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, relating to affairs in Persia. The despatch is copied to the Governor and President in Council, Bombay, and the Governor-General of India, for information.The papers notably cover the following matters:Arrangements at Erzeroom [Erzurum] for finalising the Treaty between the governments of Persia and the Ottoman Empire, notably the insertion of a tenth article authorising the appointment of ministers of both governments to implement the Treaty terms after ratificationCompensation to be paid by the Ottoman Porte [Government] in reparation for the recent attack on Meerza Tekkee Khan [Mīrzā Taqī Khān Farāhānī], the Persian Minister at Erzeroom, and his servantsThe proposed arrangement between the Political Resident at Bushire [Bushehr] and the Governor of Fars to engage a British vessel of war against any ‘chiefs’ of the Persian shores of the Gulf coast who commit ‘aggressions’ against British subjects or commerceSheil’s enquiries to the Khuleefa of Merve [Khalifah of Merv] relating to the fate of Mr Wyburd [William Henry Wybard]The mortality caused by the cholera outbreak in TehranIntelligence received by Sheil of: the arrival in Tehran of a dissident of Herat who wishes to persuade the Asef-ood-Dowleh [Āṣaf al-Dawlah], with the acquiescence of the Persian Government, to attack Herat; and the confederacy of opposition forming in Meshed [Mashhad] against Yar Mahomed Khan [Yār Muḥammad Khān], Ruler of HeratThe Persian Government’s complaints regarding another violation of its territory by members of the Bilbass [Belbās or Bilbas] tribe of Turkish Koords [Kurds] in the south-west extremity of Azerbijan [Azerbaijan]The remonstrations of the Persian Government against the Turkish [Ottoman] vessel of war anchored near Mohemmera [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah] to ‘molest Persian commerce by forcing vessels bound to that port to proceed to Bussorah [Basra]’ (f 103)The improbability of the Persian Government’s orders for the removal from Kermanshah of Abdoollah Beg, Chief of the Sheref Bainees [‘Abdullāh Beg, leader of the Sharaf Baynī] being enacted due to the inaccessibility of that territory.Physical description: 1 item (21 folios)
2. Persian Affairs and Persian Gulf Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 24 dated 2 April 1856. The enclosures are dated 29 February-24 March 1856.The papers comprise:1) Copies of despatches of Charles Augustus Murray, HM Envoy to Persia [Iran], at Tabreez [Tabriz], to the Earl of Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, forwarded for information to the Government of Bombay and the Government of India, including relevant enclosures. They include the following matters:Intelligence that Persia has negotiated a commercial treaty with France and allegedly attempted to introduce a clause whereby police superintendence of Gulf commerce would in future be entrusted to France, and has a similar projected treaty with the United States of America, which Murray criticizes as proof of the ‘hypocritical semblance of friendship’ (f 444) of the Persian Prime MinisterClaims of the: disarray, weakness and mutinous disposition of the Persian Army; and the Persian Government’s unpopularity with the local populace, including reports of rebellions in Khorassan [Khorasan] and Isfahan against the central and local authoritiesA description of the state of affairs in Herat, including Murray’s assertions that: news of the seizure and occupation of Herat by Persian forces is entirely without foundation; the present ruler of Herat, Prince Mahomed Yoosuf [Muḥammad Yūsuf Khān, Regent of Herat], did not recover the throne with either aid from or the knowledge of Persia; Prince Yoosuf wishes to be independent but has probably solicited the support of the Persian Government in response to internal enemies and the advance of Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy]; Persia may use the situation to incite trouble in Afghanistan in order to divert troops from India to that area and has recruited influential inhabitants of Herat to promote the Shah’s capture of that town and Candahar [Kandahar]Intelligence regarding Persian military movements at Kirmanshah [Kermanshah] and the despatch of troops, guns and ammunition to the southern frontier of Persia.2) Copies of despatches from Richard Stevens, HM Consul at Tehran, to Murray, forwarded for information to the Government of Bombay and the Government of India, with relevant enclosures. They cover a number of matters including the following:French and [Ottoman] Turkish concerns regarding Persian military movements and preparations in KermanshahReports and rumours of: Persian intentions to capture Herat in order to deflect Dost Mahommed Khan’s purported plans; Herat’s successful capture by Persian forces; and Persia’s intention to seize CandaharDetails of Persian military command appointments, for forces due to proceed to Affghanistan [Afghanistan], Mohamera [Khorramshahr], Seistan [Sistan] and Bushire [Bushehr] (f 457)News that the Persian Government has authorised Jean David to conclude a commercial treaty with Austria similar to that concluded last summer with France (f 467), and copy of a draft treaty he has been authorised to conclude with the United States of America (ff 458-465)Copy of a note containing the Persian Prime Minister’s instructions to the Persian Ambassador at St Petersburgh [St Petersburg] to ensure that Russia considers the situation of Persia during the [Crimean War, 1853-1856] peace negotiations with Britain (f 466)Substance of an article in the Tehran Gazetteby the Persian Minister of Foreign Affairs accusing Britain of supporting Dost Mahomed Khan (ff 469-472); substance of a circular by the Persian Prime Minister addressed to all Foreign Missions explaining the reasons compelling Persia to adopt measures against Dost Mahomed Khan; and copies of twelve letters ostensibly from Affghan sirdars [Afghan leaders] professing their loyalty to the Shah and the Persian Government (ff 478-491)Copy of a letter which, Stevens states, the Persian Government ‘pretends was written by Mr Secretary Thomson to Syd Mahommed Khan [Sayyid Muḥammad Khān] of Herat’ apparently undermining the Persian Government and promoting British interests in Herat (ff 492-493).3) Copies of despatches of Commander James Felix Jones, Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf, to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, maintaining that the steam vessels Victoria, Adjahaand the HC [Honourable Company] sloop of war Cliveare required at Bushire considering the political situation with Persia.4) Copy of a despatch from the Secretary to the Government of India, to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, indicating a reluctance to escalate the quarrel with Persia due to uncertainty regarding Persia’s true intentions in Afghanistan, and emphasising that until orders are received from the Secret Committee which show that the despatch of an expedition is called for by the British Government, the Government of Bombay should not comply with Mr Murray’s requisition for troops, but may however institute naval and military preparations for an expedition.Physical description: 1 item (61 folios)
3. Afghanistan and Persian Gulf Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 39 of 1856, dated 27 May 1856. The enclosures are dated 22 March-23 May 1856.The enclosures notably comprise the following:A despatch from the Secretary to the Government of India to the Secretary to the Government of Bombay concerning the situation with regard to Herat and current Persian [Iranian] aggression against the town, and whether or not instructions from the Secret Committee debar the Government of India from all action in the matter. The despatch covers:The original request by Mahomed Yusuf [Muḥammad Yūsuf, also spelled Yoosuf and Yussuf in this item], Ruler of Herat, for Persian assistance against a feared attack by Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], and his dismissal of the Persian envoy who was sent to liaise with the Persian Army but actually joined them in their advance towards Ghorian [Ghurian or Ghoryan]The subsequent hoisting of the British flag in Herat and request of the Ruler and inhabitants of Herat for British money and an Agent to aid their resistance of the Persians, and the Government of India’s wish to disclaim any connection with those actionsThe Government of India’s belief that they cannot assist Herat as the Secret Committee’s instructions were based on Persia and Herat combining against Dost Mahomed Khan rather than Persia acting against both Herat and Candahar [Kandahar, also spelled this way in this item]Disapprobation by the Government of India of Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob, Acting Commissioner in Sind [Sindh] for effectively speaking in the name of the British Government on a matter of national importance by replying directly to Mahomed Yusuf that the British Government had no intention of interfering in Herat.The enclosures also include:Copies of intelligence (ff 257-261) received by Jacob from the Acting Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sind relating to Herat (notably from sources in Kelat [Kalat]), and forwarded to the Governor of Bombay, reporting the besieging of Herat by the Persian Army, the apparent intention of Dost Mahomed Khan to send an army for its relief, the surrender of Mahomed Yusuf to the Persian force and the advance of a portion of the Persian Army towards Candahar against Dost Mahomed KhanCorrespondence of Rear Admiral Sir Henry J Leeke, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy, with the Government of Bombay, regarding which vessels should remain in the Persian Gulf during the monsoon season, including: Leeke’s strong recommendation that the Ajdahaand Semiramisbe ordered back to Bombay [Mumbai] before the monsoon for repairs and that the Victoriais better suited for the Gulf; the Government of Bombay’s agreement that the Semiramisreturn to Bombay when the Victoriaarrives at Bushire [Bushehr], but that the Ajdaharemains at Bushire on the express wishes of the Political ResidentCorrespondence of Commander Felix Jones, Acting Resident, Persian Gulf, with the Government of Bombay, concerning a ‘venomous article’ in the Bombay Timeson the supposed cause of the rupture between the British Mission at Tehran and the Persian Government, including his admonishment of Commodore Richard Ethersey, Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, regarding the impropriety of naval officers discussing public questions in their private letters.Physical description: 1 item (36 folios)
4. Persia and Persian Gulf Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 34 of 1856, dated 10 May 1856. The enclosures are dated 8 March-29 April 1856.The enclosures chiefly comprise copies of despatches, with enclosures, to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, from: Charles Augustus Murray, HM Ambassador to the Court of Persia [Iran], then located at Tabreez [Tabriz]; and Richard W Stevens, HM Consul at Tehran. (Murray’s despatches mainly forward copies of Stevens’s despatches to him). The despatches are forwarded for information to the Government of India and Government of Bombay. They cover and include the following:Murray’s intention to proceed to Ooroomiah [Urmia or Orumiyeh] and then to Baghdad with the British diplomatic missionA copy of a letter (ff 165-166) that the Persian Government claims to have been written by William Taylour Thomson, former British Envoy at Tehran, to the Ruler of Herat, and which Murray asserts is a forgery intended to smear the reputation of the British mission and justify Persian aggression in HeratA copy of a circular letter (ff 169-171) from the Persian Sadr Azim [Ṣadr A‘ẓam, minister to the Shāh, also spelled Sedr Azem in this item] to all the foreign missions in Tehran, in which he explains his Government’s intentions regarding Herat and Candahar [also spelled Kandahar in this item], implying that Britain is supporting Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy] who has occupied Candahar, and claiming that Persia is responding to calls for assistance from the relatives of Kohendil Khan [Kuhandīl Khān Muḥammadzay] and the Ruler of Herat. (Murray insists that letters supposedly written by relatives of Kohendil Khan are mostly fabrications)A commercial treaty about to be concluded between the Persian and Austrian GovernmentsIntelligence received by Stevens that Persia is sending a large force from Tehran to wrest Candahar from Dost Mahomed Khan and Persian military and propaganda preparations for thisMurray’s claims of ‘insulting’ behaviour towards him and the British mission and the Persian Government’s determination to quarrel with Britain causing costly disorder in Afghanistan, and Murray’s desire for hostile action against PersiaA translation, in French, of an article in the Tehran Gazettepublished by the Persian Government, stating the ‘true causes’ of Murray’s withdrawal from the Persian court (ff 178-185)Stevens’s assertion that the young Armenian named Meerza Melkom [Mīrzā Malkum Khān], sent by the Persian Government to the British Ambassador in Constantinople [Istanbul] to mediate the quarrel between the Persian Government and the British Mission, has in fact contributed towards the rupture with Murray, is pro-French, and is responsible for distributing anti-English newspaper articles in Constantinople and EuropeIntelligence received by Stevens, including from the native agent and news writer at Meshed [Mashhad], confirming the movements of the Persian Army under Prince Sultan Moorad Meerza [Sulṭān Murād Mīrzā] towards Herat with the aim of occupying it, and the besieging of HeratIntelligence that the Mooftee [Muftī] of Herat was seized, sent as a prisoner to Meshed, and insultingly paraded through the townVarying reports received by Stevens on whether Herat has been occupied by the Persian Army or is yet to be taken by Sultan Moorad Meerza’s force, and regarding the strength of the Herat garrison and determination of the Ruler and inhabitants of Herat to prevent Persian troops entering the townStevens’s refusal of presents sent to him by the Shah and Minister for Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the new year festival of Narooz [Nowruz or Navroz].Also included in the item are:Despatches from Commander Felix Jones, Acting Resident, Persian Gulf, relating to: his plan to tour the Gulf and intention to persuade the Al Ali [Āl ‘Alī] tribe to leave Demaum [Dammam]; the warning given to Sheikh Mahomed bin Abdullah, Chief of Demaum [Muḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh, Shaikh of Dammam] not to allow the Al Ali to build homes in his territory; and the movements of Persian troops in the Province of Fars as reported by the British Agent at ShirazThe Government of India’s equivocal notice to the Government in Bombay regarding the latter’s authority to despatch an expedition to the Persian Gulf upon the sole requisition of Murray.Physical description: 1 item (43 folios)
5. Kelat, Candahar and Herat Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 54 of 1856, dated 28 July 1856. The enclosures are dated 19 June-7 July 1856.The enclosures chiefly comprise letters from Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob, Acting Commissioner in Sind [Sindh] to the Secretary to the Government of India, copied to the Government of Bombay. Jacob forwards intelligence he has received regarding the state of affairs in Herat, Candahar [Kandahar, also spelled this way in this item] and Kelat [Kalat, also spelled Khelat in this item], notably:Intelligence obtained by the Acting Political Superintendent North West Frontier, written by Moolla Ahmed [Mullā Aḥmad], the Wukkeel [vakil, representative] of the Khan of Kelat and the Wukkeel’s son, stating that an approaching Persian [Iranian] force threatens the territories of the Khan of Kelat. Included are copies of the letters in Persian with English translations (ff 442-443 and ff 445-446)Four original translations of letters (ff 452-460) forwarded to Jacob with the original Persian letters (not present in this item) by Captain William Lockyer Merewether, Acting Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sind, which allege that: the Persian Army has captured Herat; a detachment of the Persian Army, in support of the ex-Sirdars [sirdārs, leaders] of Candahar, is approaching Candahar with the aim of ousting Ameer Dost Mahomed [Amīr Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy] and replacing him with Rehimdil Khan [Raḥam Dil Khān]; and the ‘uncivil people of the red face [English]’ who did not help the Candahar sirdars will ‘suffer a similar fate’ in ‘Hindoostan’ [India] at the hands of Persia (f 455). Also included is Merewether’s admission that information relating to the taking of Ghorian [Ghurian or Ghoryan] and investment of Herat was obtained orally from his conversations with Moolla Ahmed but was accidentally added to the translation of the first letterAn extract of a letter from the Khan of Kelat to Moolla Ahmed, residing in Jacobabad, forwarded to Jacob by Merewether, in which the Khan of Kelat reports that the Wuzzeer [vizier, minister] of Herat has thrown into confinement the Ruler of Herat and his household, plundered all his property, caused coinage to be minted in the name of the Persian King [Shāh], and hopes to be Governor of the city. The Khan also reports that ex-Sirdars of Candahar, Khooshdil Khan [Luynab, ʿAbd al-Hamid, Khushdil Khan] and Mahomed Omer Khan [Muḥammad Omar Khān Muḥammadzāy] and others have been captured by Dost Mahomed Khan’s soldiers, but that Rehimdil Khan is still at large in Ghilzee [Ghilji] country.Also included in this item is a letter from Jacob apologising for the tone of his previous letter and insisting that no disrespect was intended.Physical description: 1 item (25 folios)
6. Herat Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 44 of 1856, dated 10 June 1856. The enclosures are dated 29 May-8 June 1856.The enclosures consist of summaries of two letters which originated from pro-British authors in Herat and which were forwarded to Captain William Lockyer Merewether, Acting Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sind [Sindh], by the minister of the Khan of Khelat [Khān of Kalat]. The letters provide accounts of: why the Ruler of Herat originally turned to the Persian [Iranian] Government for assistance against a feared attack on the town by Dost Mahomed Khan of Kandahar [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy] and why he subsequently turned to the British for assistance against Persia; and how the British flag came to be hoisted in Herat and those individuals involved.Also included in the item is the covering letter from Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob, Acting Commissioner in Sind, who forwards the summaries to the Governor of Bombay.Physical description: 1 item (7 folios)
7. Herat, Sind and Candahar Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 48 of 1856, dated 25 June 1856. The enclosures are dated 30 May-13 Jun 1856.The enclosures comprise correspondence between Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob, Acting Commissioner in Sind [Sindh] and the Government of Bombay, and the Government of Bombay’s reports to the Secretary to the Government of India. The papers cover the following matters:Jacob’s refusal given in response to the Ruler of Herat’s request for British assistance against Persian [Iranian] aggression, including: his explanation that he merely directed the Acting Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sind (Captain William Lockyer Merewether) to give a verbal refusal to the messenger, which did not bind the Government to anything; his enquiry whether the reprimand for such a communication affects his authority to manage relations with ‘foreign’ states on the Sind frontier; and the Government of Bombay’s response that correspondence is prohibited only on ‘subjects of importance, questions of state’ and cautioning him that the tone of his letter is ‘hardly consistent with the respect due to the high authority from which the instructions … emanated’ (f 400)The ‘great discrepancy’ between the translations of four Persian letters, conveying intelligence on Herat, and the description of their contents by Jacob and Merewether; the Government of Bombay’s enquiry as to whether Merewether’s summaries contain additional information received orally from the person who delivered the letters; the Government of Bombay’s instruction that in future Jacob should transmit the originals along with the translations; and the Government of Bombay’s confirmation to the Government of India that the translations were accurateIntelligence received from sources in Kelat [Kalat], forwarded by Merewether to Jacob, that: Herat has been captured by the Persian Army and the Ruler and his wuzzeer [wazir or vizier, minister] imprisoned; the troops of Ameer Dost Mahomed [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy] have captured ex-Sirdars [sirdārs, leaders] of Candahar [Kandahar]; and that the report of a Persian force marching from Herat en route to Candahar was apparently false.Physical description: 1 item (16 folios)
8. Drafts and copies of letters from Lewis Pelly to the Viceroy, Lord Canning, and the British Minister at Tehran, Charles Alison, about his journey through Persia and Afghanistan
- Description:
- Abstract: Drafts and copies of the reports, despatches and letters that Lewis Pelly submitted to His Excellency Earl Canning, Viceroy of India and Charles Alison, British Minister at Tehran during his special duty in Afghanistan.These drafts include Pelly's daily despatches from his stay at Herat, which are numbered 1-16, and include the special reports he was asked to compile on subjects ranging from the situation with the Persian Army following their battle with the Turcoman's at Merv; the state of affairs in Bokhara [Bukhara]; the movements and intentions of the Russian Mission to Herat; and the commercial and political state of affairs in Herat. Also included are copies of correspondence between the Viceroy and Sirdar Sultan Ahmed Khan, Governor of Herat, in which the Sultan expresses his desire to establish more friendly relations with the British Government.The later correspondence dates from 1861 and relates to Pelly's salary for the special duty, the travelling expenses incurred by him, and recommendations for gifts for local rulers that assisted Pelly en-route.The final item includes copies of Pelly's daily journal entries, the full versions of which can be found at Mss Eur F126/30 and Mss Eur F126/31, along with an additional entry dated 10 September 1864 in which Pelly explains why there were no journal entries for his visit to Candahar [Kandahar] and his onward journey back to India, and provides details of them.Physical description: Foliation: The file has been foliated using a pencil number enclosed in a circle in the top right hand corner of the recto of each folio, some of the folios have been renumbered and those numbers no longer in use have been crossed through.There are also former foliation and pagination sequences both using an uncircled pencil number in the top right hand corner, the former foliation sequence is numbered 1-49 and covers folios 49-94; the former pagination sequence is numbered 147-189 and covers folios 120-141.
9. Draft fair copy of a journal of Lewis Pelly's official journey overland from Persia to India through Afghanistan including Mashhad, Herat and Kabul.
- Description:
- Abstract: First draft of a fair copy of Lewis Pelly's journal of his journey through Afghanistan. The draft contains crossings out, spelling corrections and other alterations to the main text as well as comments in the left hand margin ranging from notes regarding the individuals who travelled with him, personal observations on situations he encountered to comments on the quality of house building in the region. At the top of the first folio is a quote taken from William Shakespeare's play Henry VIII.Journal of the journey which the British Government requested that Lewis Pelly take overland through Persia and Afghanistan in returning to India in order to ascertain the situation throughout the country, to visit the rulers of key places such as Herat and Cabul [Kabul] with a view to the re-establishment of British relations with them, to attempt to gain a sense of how the british might now be received there and to attempt to ascertain details of the Persian expedition to Mero [Marv].The journal covers the period 10 September to 16 November 1860 and documents the geography and landscapes of the regions travelled through, with where known the names of hills and plateaus, the locations of water sources and the distances between each place visited and the overall distances travelled each day.For each village, town or caravanserai visited Pelly recorded its size, any known history, information on the local ruler and his allegiances, observations on trade and agriculture, with particular interest paid to gardens and orchards, and the hospitality they offered to him at each stage of his journey.The journal also records the people who travelled with him, the equipment and provisions they took with them and the gifts and letters they had been requested to take and present to various local rulers.Information of particular interest within the journal includes details of the situation in Candahar [Kandahar] and Cabul, his conversations with the Khan of Khaff [Khaf] about England, his visit to Herat and discussions with the ministers and ruler there, information on the Turcoman's victory over the Persians at Mero including Pelly's intentions of aiding the Prince Hurnza Mirza [Hamzeh Mirza "Heshmat ed-Dowleh"] and desire to rescue a French photographer who had been travelling with the Persian forces, the Sirdar of Sebpur's plans to seize power in Candahar, a meeting with some Russians travelling in the area, and the civil war in Seistan [Sistan], information on the official reports that Pelly submitted to Government during his journey and an ink sketch by Pelly of a post house similar to the ones he stayed in during his journey.The original journal as written by Lewis Pelly can be found at F126/30 and the final draft fair copy of the journal can be found at F126/31Physical description: Foliation: The original foliation consists of numbers in blue ink written in the top left corner of the front of each 2 folio booklet, giving folio numbers for every second folio. Folio numbers 5 and 47 have been omitted completely. several folios which had been omitted have since been numbered as 114a, 114b and 171a. Folios 145-150 have all been combined into a single two folio booklet, with the numbers given in a list in the left hand margin on the front folio of the booklet.
10. Final fair copy of a journal of Lewis Pelly's official journey overland from Persia to India through Afghanistan including Mashhad, Herat and Kabul.
- Description:
- Abstract: Fair copy of the journal taken from both the handwritten journal kept by Lewis Pelly on his journey (F126/30) and the draft fair copy of the journal which contains corrections and annotations (F126/31)Journal of the journey which the British Government requested that Lewis Pelly take overland through Persia and Afghanistan in returning to India in order to ascertain the situation throughout the country, to visit the rulers of key places such as Herat and Cabul [Kabul] with a view to the re-establishment of British relations with them, to attempt to gain a sense of how the British might now be received there and to attempt to ascertain details of the Persian expedition to Mero [Merv].The journal covers the period 10 September to 16 November 1860 and documents the geography and landscapes of the regions travelled through, with where known the names of hills and plateaus, the locations of water sources and the distances between each place visited and the overall distances travelled each day.For each village, town or caravanserai visited Pelly recorded its size, any known history, information on the local ruler and his allegiances, observations on trade and agriculture, with particular interest paid to gardens and orchards, and the hospitality they offered to him at each stage of his journey.The journal also records the people who travelled with him, the equipment and provisions they took with them and the gifts and letters they had been requested to take and present to various local rulers.Information of particular interest within the journal includes details of the situation in Candahar [Kandahar] and Cabul his conversations with the Khan of Khaff [Khaf] about England, his visit to Herat and discussions with the ministers and ruler there information on the Turcoman's victory over the Persians at Mero including Pelly's intentions of aiding the Prince Hurnza Mirza [Hamzeh Mirza "Heshmat ed-Dowleh"] and desire to rescue a French photographer who had been travelling with the Persian forces, the Sirdar of Sebpur's plans to seize power in Candahar, a meeting with some Russians travelling in the area, and the civil war in Seistan [Sistan], information on the official reports that Pelly submitted to Government during his journey and an ink sketch by Pelly of a post house similar to the ones he stayed in during his journey.Physical description: Foliation: Foliation runs from the first to last page, using circled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. The following foliation anomaly occurs: 237a.