Abstract: The memorandum concerns events in Persia, and diplomatic exchanges (predominantly between Britain and Russia) related to Persia, during 1906 and 1907. More specifically it covers the following topics:proposals by the Dutch engineer Graadt Van Roggen for a Karun irrigation scheme, and objections from the Persian Government to the Seistan [Sīstān] Water Award;an attack on HM Consulate at Seistan on 28 March 1906, and a separate attack on Colonel Douglas and Captain Lorimer in Luristan [Lorestān];proposals for an increase in the Consular Guard at Ahwaz, Isphanan [Eşfahān], and Shiraz.It also provides information on recent developments in the Persian telegraphic network:a proposed exchange of control of the Meshed [Mashhad]-Seistan and Tehran-Meshed telegraph wires between Britain and Russia;a proposal to secure the renewal of the Indo-European Telegraph's Persian Concession from 1925;proposals to extend the Seistan telegraph to the Indian frontier and install a duplicate wire from Tehran to Shahrud.The following financial topics are also included:efforts to effect the appointment of a French financial adviser to the Persian Government;a concession obtained for the establishment of a German bank at Tehran;a proposed Anglo-Russian loan to the Persian Government (the text of which can be found on folio 77v), and a further proposed advance upon the accession of a new Shah.The appendix (folios 81v-94) contains transcripts of papers (aide-mémoires, correspondence, draft agreements and conventions) illustrating the development of the Anglo-Russian agreement on Persia, see folios 81v-90. It also contains a copy of the text of the Anglo-Russian Agreement on folios 90-93v, and a declaration respecting the Persian Gulf on folio 94. The correspondents include: Sir Edward Grey, Foreign Secretary; Sir Arthur Nicolson, Ambassador to Russia; and Alexander Izvolsky, Russia's Foreign Minister. The appendix is made up of a combination of English and French language material.The memorandum is signed by William Erskine of the Foreign Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at f 61, and terminates at f 94, 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 pagination sequence.
Abstract: This printed memorandum was compiled by diplomat Major-General Sir Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, and discusses various subjects relating to the state of affairs in Persia including:the perceived nature of the Persian people;the perceived character of the current Shah of Teheran [Tehran] and concerns over the future succession;the style of governance in Persia;English-Russian relations and the involvement of both countries in Persia;the views of Sir Henry Wolff on reforms in Persia and the appropriate action for the English to take;the proposed building of railways in Persia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 9, and terminates at f 10, 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: This memorandum, written by Lieutenant-Colonel William Frederick Travers O'Connor, concerns the new subdivision of Persia into two spheres of influence – Russian and British – with the present neutral zone falling into the British sphere. The memorandum considers what system of Consular or other representation should be adopted in order to maintain not only law and order, but also British influence in the area.Before discussing the issue of Consular representation, O'Connor mentions two alternative suggestions regarding the future of Southern Persia (the first being that Britain should decline to extend its influence beyond its present zone, and the second being that Southern Persia should be turned into one or more independent states), which he dismisses as lying outside the sphere of practical politics.Assuming that the British sphere will encompass the whole of Southern Persia, O'Connor advocates the continuation of the existing post of British Minister at Tehran (located in the Russian sphere), and suggests that the Minister should be supported by Consular officers residing in the capital of each province. O'Connor suggests that Consul or Consul-General posts – to be held by officers of the Indian Political Department – should be present in the following places: Sistan [also spelled Seistan in this file] (as at present); Kerman (for the province of Kerman); Shiraz (for Fars, excluding the Gulf hinterland); Mohammerah [Khorramshahr in modern-day Iran] (for Arabistan); and Bushire (for the Gulf and for hinterland affairs).In addition, O'Connor advocates the appointment of a Resident or Consul in the Bakhtiari country. He suggests that his proposed Consulates be run in the same way as the existing Consulates at Seistan, Meshed and Kerman.O'Connor goes on to address the problem of the rivalry between the Home Government and the Indian Government on the subject of Southern Persia. He makes the following two proposals: either Southern Persia should be placed under direct control of the Indian Government, or it should be guaranteed that the Minister at Tehran will always be an officer from British India, who has been nominated for the post by the Indian Government.In this memorandum, O'Connor suggests that the future arrangement of Consular representation in Southern Persia has been made complicated by the anomalous status of the Resident in the Persian Gulf. O'Connor argues that, in the post-war period, whilst it would still be possible to retain a Resident at Bushire, it would not need to be such an important and highly paid appointment; he appears to imply that his proposed Consul at Shiraz and Consul at Bushire would take over the Resident's responsibilities regarding inland Persia and the Gulf and its hinterland respectively.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 18, and terminates at f 20, 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The item consists of a rough draft of a report, compiled by the Examiner’s Office, on the separate diplomatic missions of Sir Harford Jones and Brigadier-General John Malcolm to the Court of Persia [Iran]. Jones’s mission, conducted from 1807 to 1811, was on behalf of King George III of the United Kingdom. Malcolm's mission, from 1808 to 1809, was on behalf of the Governor-General of India.The draft has been heavily edited and there are numerous comments, notes, and references to specific correspondence in the margin. There are extensive quotes from some of this correspondence, particularly that of Jones and Malcolm themselves.At the end of the report (folios 351-360) are summaries of enclosures in Jones’s letter of 13 December 1809. The main body of the draft was distributed in August 1809, so it is probable that the summaries were added later as an update.Physical description: 1 item (102 folios)
Abstract: The item consists of extracts of Political Consultations, Council Resolutions and Orders, minutes, and correspondence of the Government of Bombay. The papers relate to Persia [Iran], covering the following specific matters:The diplomatic mission of Sir Harford Jones to the Persian Court at Tehran, including discussion of his perceived misconduct, his progress at Sheerauz [Shiraz] and Ispahan [Isfahan], and the question of bills drawn by Jones at the expense of the Government of IndiaBrigadier-General John Malcolm’s preparations for an expedition to the Island of Kharack [Kharg] in the Persian GulfIntelligence regarding the French Embassy in PersiaCommunications between the Persian Ministry and the British.The correspondence is principally between: the governments of Bengal, Bombay, and Madras; William Bruce, Acting Resident at Abusheher [Bushehr] (later Andrew Jukes, Surgeon and Assistant in Charge of the Residency); Sir Harford Jones, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia; and Brigadier-General John Malcolm.Physical description: 1 item (64 folios)
Abstract: In this printed memorandum, Sir Alfred Comyn Lyall outlines his concerns relating to recent reforms in Persia implemented by the Shah under the guidance of Sir Henry Drummond Wolff. Consideration is given to:the 'general and indefinite' nature of the recent decree and the lack of measures in place to uphold itthe public perception of the Persian Governmentthe possible negative impact on the reputation of the English if the reforms fail or prove unpopularEnglish-Russian relations; in particular their conflicting ideas regarding governance and reform in Persia.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences and terminates at f 11 as it is part of a larger physical volume; this number is written in pencil, is circled, and is located in the top right corner of the recto side of the folio.
Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 19 dated 5 March 1856. The enclosures are dated 7 February-4 March 1856.The item comprises correspondence of the Secretary to the Government, Bombay; the Board (Governor and President and members in Council, Bombay); the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Bombay; the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Bombay; and the Military Board, Bombay. Also included are: minutes of the Governor and President and the members in Council, Bombay, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Bombay; and the substance of a letter from the Native Agent at Muscat conveying intelligence of Persian troop movements from Tehran and Shiraz.The papers cover the reasons why the Government of Bombay considered it potentially necessary to send a land expedition to the Persian Gulf following the diplomatic rupture between Charles Augustus Murray, HM Envoy in Persia [Iran] and the Persian Government, including: what effect the acceptance by Russia of peace with Britain [Crimean War, 1853-1856] may, or may not, have on Persia’s policy towards HM Envoy and plans to occupy Herat; whether Murray’s requisition for troops was sent before he knew of the Anglo-Russian peace; and the importance of awaiting instructions from the Government of India by electric telegraph prior to despatching any force.The papers also cover the Government of Bombay’s investigations and instructions regarding military and naval resources and preparations for the defence of the sea board of Fars, of Bushire [Bushehr] and the island of Karrack [Kharg, also known as Khark] in the event that a British expedition to Persia were to take place, including:The nature and extent of the force required and proposed expedition aimsThe suggested composition of a force to occupy KarrackThe availability of vessels of war and means of sea transport available and obtainable from Bombay, including steamers from the River Indus flotilla and private steamersCommissariat and Ordnance requirements.Physical description: 1 item (30 folios)
Abstract: This file consists of a letter, telegrams, and notes between officials of the Government of India, India Office, and the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations regarding the Khodadad Bequest.The file concerns the legacy of Khodadad bin Mohamed, who died in 1862. He left in his will a bequest for charitable purposes, with the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf named as executors.The letters discuss a possible change to the administrators of the legacy’s Trust.The file 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 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 12, 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 comprises a single packet addressed to the Secret Department, containing transcripts and supplementary duplicate copies of secret letters, excerpts of intelligence reports, itineraries, travel accounts, translated diplomatic letters, treaties, royal edicts or firmaun [farmān], and transcripts in original languages (especially French). The papers are divided into approximately thirty sections (without formal division), relating to diplomatic, political, military, and commercial transactions principally with Qajar Persia [Iran], as well as Bagdad [Baghdad], the Sublime Porte or Constantinople [Istanbul], Russia, the [British] Supreme Government of India, the East India Company [EIC] in Bombay, Madras, Calcutta, and England. Contents range in date from 17 February 1809 to 12 March 1810, and were received from the ship, HMS
Rattlesnake, 12 March 1810. Appended at the opening of the volume is an abstract of contents (folios 5-14) arranged according to theme, not chronologically, with a brief note on the preceding flyleaf (folio 4) arranging broad subject headings in alphabetic order. This volume is of particular interest for material relating to British competition with the French and Russians in Qajar Persia, during the period of the Napoleonic Wars. Papers focus primarily on the repercussions of the diplomatic controversy over the mission of Sir Harford Jones Baronet, representing the British Crown, to the Persian Court. Subjects include Jones’s journey from Bushire [Bushehr] to Tehraun [Tehran]; arrival and ceremonial presentation of the British royal letter to the King [Shāh] of Persia; expulsion of the French legation from the Persian Court; interception of a French packet of correspondence; advice to the Persians to prolong war with Russia; British arms and artificers promised to Persia; conclusion of a treaty of alliance with Persia; EIC objections; disavowal of Jones’s mission by the Governor-General, Calcutta; orders for the mission’s annulment and withdrawal; letter of the Governor-General to the King of Persia on the subject of the disavowal of Jones’s mission; EIC orders its own mission under General Malcolm to the Persian Court; Persian anxieties over Malcolm’s mission; Jones’s intention to remain at the Persian Court; report on Jones’s offer of a ‘bribe’ to be detained; the King of Persia declines permission for Jones’s withdraw; Jones accused of misconduct, his defence; dispatch of the Persian envoy to England; the Russians favour Jones.Physical description: The foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 362; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The volume contains several earlier foliation sequences.
Abstract: Originals and duplicates of correspondence, comprising secret letters, excerpts of reports, schedules, translated letters and transcripts in original languages (Ottoman Turkish and French), in 331 enclosures received from Bassora [Basra, Iraq] and addressed to the Secret Department. Papers relate to diplomatic, political, military, and commercial transactions principally with Qajar Persia [Iran], and affairs in what is now present-day Iraq, as well as Syria, Egypt, Arabia, the Sublime Porte or Constantinople [Istanbul], Oman, Russia, Afghanistan, independent states of India, and the East India Company [EIC], dating between 1799-1804 and 1809-1811. This volume is of particular interest for material relating to the Napoleonic Wars and French actions across the eastern Mediterranean, West Asia and India. Other matters covered in the volume include the report of a plot to expel the British from India; insults to the British in Bassora; repercussions of the dispute between Sir Harford Jones and Brigadier-General John Malcolm as representatives of the British Crown and the EIC respectively; dynastic revolution in Afghanistan; raids on British overland packet trains by Whahabee [Wahhābī] Arabs; schedules of postal traffic to and from India and Europe via Bassora; disputes between EIC officials in Constantinople and Bassora resulting in disciplinary action; the description of the garrison at Bombay [Mumbai]; the trade in weapons; textile trade; Armenian merchants; the British seizure of ‘Bania’ property; and the reported surrender of the Muscat Government to British officials. Correspondents include Samuel Manesty, Resident, Bassora; John Spencer Smith, His Britannic Majesty’s Minister Plenipotentiary to the Sublime Porte; Peter Fooke, Agent for the Honorable United English East India Company at Constantinople; Charles Pasley, Political Agent, Persia; Sir William Sidney Smith, Commander-in-Chief of His Britannic Majesty’s Fleet.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 767; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The volume also contains an earlier foliation sequence.
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Sir Patrick Murray, Secretary of the Board of Control, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, dated 13 March 1810. The letter grants permission to the Secret Committee to share dispatches from Sir Harford Jones, British Envoy Extraordinary to Persia [Iran], with other members of the Court of Directors in order to make them aware of the present state of treaty negotiations with Persia.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Letter from the Secretary to the Board of Control, Thomas Peregrine Courtenay, at Whitehall, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company, of 2 May 1815. The letter indicates the Board of Control’s permission for the Secret Committee to communicate to the Court of Directors of the East India Company letters and enclosures from HM Ministers to Persia [Iran], James Morier and Henry Ellis, of 30 November 1814 (not included in this item, see IOR/L/PS/9/60/158), which include details of the negotiations for the cessation of the subsidy paid by the Company to Persia.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)