Abstract: The volume contains copies of correspondence, journal extracts, and intelligence reports relating to Sir Harford Jones’s diplomatic mission to Persia [Iran] in 1808.The papers reflect the purposes and practicalities of the mission and cover the following matters:Jones’s progress from England to Bushire [Būshehr, in this volume also written Abusheher, Abushehr and Busheer] via Funchal, Cape Town, and Bombay [Mumbai]The purpose of, and uncertainty caused by, another diplomatic mission to Persia under Brigadier-General John Malcolm and sent by the Governor-General, Lord Minto [Gilbert Elliot Murray Kynynmound]Relations between France and Persia, specifically British fears regarding the presence and influence of a French Embassy in Teheran [Tehran, in this volume also written Tehraun]The mission of Captain Charles Pasley, Malcolm’s Secretary and sometime Acting Envoy, to Shiraz [in this volume also spelled Sheraz, Shirauz, Sherauz, and various other spellings] and failure to open negotiations with the Persians (folios 114-121 comprise extracts from Pasley’s journal)Discussion of the terms of any agreement to be made with the Persian GovernmentPolitical and social affairs within Persia, both locally and nationallyThe presence of Russian and French diplomatic agents in PersiaEuropean politics, specifically the closing of Portuguese ports to British shipping following the former’s alliance with France during the Napoleonic WarsRequests for money and details of costs from Jones.Principal correspondence is from Jones, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia, to Robert Dundas, President of the Board of Control. Enclosures, which constitute the bulk of the volume, include correspondence between Jones; Lord Minto, Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William; Brigadier-General John Malcolm, Government of India Envoy to the Court of Persia; and Captain Charles Pasley, Malcolm’s Secretary and sometime Acting Envoy. Further correspondence, sometimes in summary form, is between Jones; Meerza Sheffee [Mirza Muhammad Shafi Mazandarani], Grand Vizier of Persia; Nasr Oolah Khan [Nasrallah Khan], Chief Minister of Fars; Prince Hoossein Ally Meerza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā], Governor of Fars; Jaafer Ali Khan [Ja‘afar ‘Alī Khān], ‘Native Agent’ [a non-European employed by the British as a representative and broker, among other things] in Shiraz; and Mohammed Nebee Khan [Muḥammad Nabī Khān Shirāzī], Governor of Bushire [in this volume, also written Abusheher, Abushehr, Busheer]. Other correspondents include Claudius James Rich, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], and William Bruce, Acting Resident in Bushire.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 462; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers.Pagination: the file also contains multiple original pagination sequences.The sequence contains two foliation anomalies, at f 242 and f 433a.
Abstract: This file contains documents that discuss various financial claims of the British Government of India and the Government of Iran against one another. Most of the claims were made between 1942 and 1948. The claims are the result of loss of either lives or property of Iranians living in India or British-Indian subjects living or working in Iran. However, the majority of the papers relate to a particular episode of violence against the Iranian community in Bombay during 1946, and include two letters from the Iranian Consul General in India and the Iranian Ambassador to the UK.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 70; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.