Abstract: A copy of a letter from Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to George Canning, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, sent from Tehran and dated 20 April 1824.The letter concerns internal affairs in Persia, in particular:The ascendancy of Abdulla Khan Ameen ed Dowleh [‘Abdullāh Khān Amīn al-Dawlah] at CourtThe efforts of Mirza Abdul Wahab [Mīrzā Abdul Wahāb Nishāt Isfāhānī] and Ali Nukee Mirza [‘Ali Naqī Mīrzā Rokn al-Dawlah] to pacify KhorasanA proposal by some Khorasan chiefs to annexe Herat.The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 20 April 1824 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/184).Physical description: 1 item (5 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 10 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, of 14 June 1825. The letter concerns internal affairs in Persia, including:The appointment by the Shah of Persia (Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār) of his twelve year old son as Governor of IsfahanThe downfall of Abdulla Khan Ameen ed Dowleh [‘Abd Allah Khan Isfahani, Amin al-Dawlah], the Grand Vizier of the Shah of Persia, and the nomination of Allah Ear Khan Asaf ed Dowleh [Allahyar Khan Qajar Davallu, Asif al-Dawlah] as his replacementConflict and disorder in the provinces of Khorasan and GilanThe appointment of the eldest son of the Prince Royal (Crown Prince of Persia, 'Abbās Mīrzā Qājār) as Governor of Hamadan [Hamedan].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 (4 folios)
Abstract: Copy of Dispatch No. 13 from HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to the Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William, the Marquess of Hastings, of 25 May 1819. The letter reports the inability of the Prince of Khorasan, Hussein Ali Mirza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirza Farmānfarmā] to capture Herat in Afghanistan, where an internal conflict has left the city vulnerable to attack (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/192), due to a rebellion of the principal Khans of Khorasan. The letter also details events from the internal conflict in Afghanistan, including:The defeat of the army of Kamran [Shahzada Kāmrān Durrānī], the son of the Shah of Afghanistan, Shah Mahmood [Maḥmūd Shah Durrānī], at Cabul [Kabul] by the former Shah, Shujaa il Moolk [Shujā’ al-Mulk Durrānī]Rumours of the imminent retreat of Shah Mahmood and Kamran to HeratThe execution of Futteh Khan [Fatḥ Khān Bārakzāy].The letter was enclosed in Willock's letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 26 May 1819 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/201), which was received on 28 August 1819.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Copy of Dispatch No. 19 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, at Cund [Kand] near Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Viscount Castlereagh, of 15 June 1819. The letter concerns internal political affairs in Persia, including:The decline in influence of the Sudr Aazim [Ṣadr-i Aʿẓam, Grand Vizier], Mirza Sheffee [Mirza Muḥammad Shafī‘ Māzandarānī], due to old ageThe ascendancy of Mirza Abdul Wahab [Mirza ‘Abdul Wahhāb Nishāṭ Iṣfahānī]The use of European officers for training troops by the Prince-Governor of Kermanshah, Mahomed Ali Mirza [Muḥammad 'Alī Mīrzā Dawlatshāh]Unrest in Gilan ProvinceThe campaign of the Prince-Governor of Khorasan, Hussun Ali Mirza [Ḥusayn 'Alī Mīrzā Farmānfarmā] against the fortress of Boorjnoord [Bojnord].The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 15 June 1819 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/206), which was received on 28 August 1819.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)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 4 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, of 18 February 1826. The letter concerns internal affairs in Persia, including:The invasion of Khorassan [Khorasan] and siege of Meshed [Mashhad] by an army from Khiva led by Rahman Kooli Khan [Raḥmán Qulī Khan], the second son of the late Khan of Khiva, Raheem Khan [Muḥammad Raḥīm Bahadur Khan]The death of the governor of Koordistan [Kurdistan] ProvinceThe Shah of Persia’s departure from Tehran to KashanThe arrival of the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, at Bushere [Bushehr].This document was originally enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 19 February 1826 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/73).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 7 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, of 2 April 1826. The letter reports internal affairs in Persia, detailing:The defeat of an army of Uzbecks [Uzbeks] sent by Rahman Koolee Khan [Raḥmán Qulī Khan] of the Khanate of Khiva to Meshid [Mashhad], by the Prince Governor of Khorasan, Hassan Allee Meerza [Hasan 'Ali Mirza, Shuja' al-Saltanah]The growing influence of the favourite wife of the Shah of Persia [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār], Taj ud Dowleh [Tavus Khanum, Taj al-Dawlah], including the honours paid to her son, the Governor of Isfahan, Sooltan Mahommed Meerza Seif ud Dowlah [Sultan Muhammad Mirza, Sayf al-Dawlah]The provision of medical treatment to members of the Persian royal family by the surgeon to HM Mission to Persia, Dr John McNeill.This document was originally enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 2 April 1826 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/75).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)