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: This file contains correspondence relating to the Standard Oil Company of California's oil concession in Bahrein [Bahrain]. The correspondence is concerned with whether or not it would be appropriate for Imperial Airways to assist the Californian company in developing aerial infrastructure in Arabia. In particular, the company feels it would be useful to be able to employ the use of aircraft between Bahrein and the area in which they are drilling, and between Bahrein and Jedda [Jeddah], where their main office is located. The possibility of the company forming an alliance/partnership with Germany is discussed by British officials. Copies of the letters were forwarded to the India Office and are included in the file (f 11 is a copy of f 5 and ff 12-13 are copies of ff 6-7).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at inside back cover with 14; 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 document, written by Basil Cochrane Newton (the British Ambassador at Baghdad), outlines concerns that Shakib Arslan is assisting the German Government in planning and organising uprisings in Syria, Iraq, Transjordan and Palestine, and that he is in correspondence with the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem (Mohammed Amin al-Husseini) on the subject. The document is addressed to Viscount Halifax (Foreign Secretary).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 8; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file contains a letter from HM Consul General in Khorasan, Meshed (Giles Frederick Squire) to the Secretary of the Government of India External Affairs Department. The letter discusses and includes a report from HM Vice Consul, Zabul concerning his meeting with the Sarder [Sardir] Muhammad Amin Khan Nauroi of Seistan [Sistan]. The report covers the Sarder’s offer to lead a rebellion in Seistan, Afghanistan against the Iranian Government, a request for clarification on his position should he, his family and followers move to Baluchistan, Afghanistan and the Vice Consul’s response to said offer. The report includes an appendix detailing the background and structure of the Nauroi Sarabandi Sarders, and the Nauroi tribe.The file also contains related correspondence including a letter from William Rupert Hay, Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, to the Vice Consul expressing concern over his response and reservations over the Sarder’s motivations. A specific concern is raised regarding a perceived distinction the Vice Consul made in his response, between the Government of India and HM Government, and a letter in reply from HM Consul General addresses and refutes this concern.A subsequent letter from HM Consul General to the Secretary to the Government of India External Affairs Department, Simla, suggests that the Sarder and his followers plan to leave Iran for India soon.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 11; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file details the Government of India’s financial and administrative responsibilities towards the Persian Gulf. The text is divided into sections: ‘Iran’ (folio 2), ‘Persian Gulf’ (folios 2 to 3), ‘The Air Route’ (folio 3), ‘Oil’ (folios 3 to 4) and ‘Defence Measures’ (folios 3 to 5).The papers provide information on the Government of India’s past and current responsibilities and relations with Iran. Also discussed are concerns over a potential Russian advance through Afghanistan and Persian-German relations which in part are attributed to the reign of Reza Shah [Shah of Iran, Pahlavi dynasty].The significance of the Persian Gulf as a strategic and commercial air route to India, and as a source of oil, now and in the future is discussed. Further highlighted is the responsibility of the Foreign Office and other departments to conduct relations with the Arab states of Kuwait, Bahrein, Qatar, the Trucial Coast and Muscat, and the implementation of wartime defence methods in the region.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 6; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: File contains correspondence regarding assistance provided by the British Government to transport Mohamed bin Isa al Khalifa, the brother of Hamad bin Isa al Khalifa [King of Bahrain], his son, and three companions from Malta to Alexandria, following the recall of Italian ship the Calitea to Italy at the start of the Second World War. The main correspondents are: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Officer Administering the Government of Malta; the Secretary of State for the Colonies; the Under Secretary of State; India Office (Roland Tennyson Peel and John Percival Gibson) and the Political Agent, Bahrain. In general there is a willingness from government officials to assist; however some concern over the loyalty of Mohamed bin Isa al Khalifa to the Crown is expressed.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 27; 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 file consists of correspondence between British officials relating to press activities in Egypt, namely the way that Britain and its interests are portrayed in the newspapers. A memorandum written by Albert Napier Williamson Napier (Assistant Oriental Secretary (Press and Publicity) for the British Embassy in Cairo), discusses tactics for promoting pro-British sentiment in the Egyptian press, particularly during wartime.The main correspondents in the file are the Foreign Office, Lord Linlithgow (Viceroy and Governor General of India), and Alec Houghton Joyce (Chief Press Advisor to No. 10 Downing Street).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 19; 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 file contains correspondence between British officials relating to a rumour that American citizens had been advised by their Consuls to leave Iran, as the American Consulate would not be responsible for their safety after November 1939.The main correspondents are the Central Intelligence Officer, Karachi, the Government of India External Affairs Department, and the British Legation, Tehran.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 5; 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 file contains drafted, handwritten letters with annotations, as well as formal correspondence, sent between British officials in the Persian Gulf relating to the visit of Niall Rankin to Kuwait and his unfulfilled promise to send a copy of his film, much of which was set in Kuwait, to the Shaikh of Kuwait. The file also contains letters sent between officials in the India Office and Rankin regarding the issue.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at inside back cover with 16; 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 summary, compiled by the Middle East Intelligence Centre, uses information received through Anglo-Egyptian censorship to provide a picture of various subjects relating to Nazi Germany including:Germany. Internal Conditions;conditions in neutral territories;military information;economic warfare;evasions of censorship;hostile Arab agents.The information on each subject is largely drawn from intercepted correspondence, and excerpts are quoted or paraphrased throughout as evidence. It is noted at the beginning of the file that the information contained within aims to give an idea of what 'the people, as distinct from the government, are thinking'.There are five attached appendices labelled A-E (folios 8-18). Appendices A, B, D and E are translations of intercepted letters which have previously been quoted. Appendix C is a report from the Deputy Chief Postal Censor which provides a general outline of European opinion on the Second World War based upon information read in intercepted correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 19; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
Abstract: The file consists of correspondence regarding an invitation to participate in an International Exhibition at Rome in 1942, issued by the Italian Legation at Baghdad to the Government of the Sultan of Muscat.Correspondents include: the India Office; the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; and the Political Agent and Consul, Muscat.Also includes: a copy in translation of the original invitation from the Italian Legation at Baghdad dated 16 November 1938, with details for the exhibition; and a draft reply on behalf of the Sultan of Muscat [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr].The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file 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 8; 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 part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay, Secret Department, to the Secret Committee, Number 82 of 1842, dated 18 July 1842.The enclosed papers, dated between May and July 1842, comprise minutes, correspondence and reports, and concern affairs in the Persian Gulf. The correspondence is between Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Dundas Robertson, Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Military Auditor General, Bombay; Captain Atkins Hamerton, British Consul and East India Company Agent in the Dominions of the Imaum [Imām] of Muscat; the Government of Bombay; and the Government of India.The papers cover several matters, including:The British withdrawal from the Island of Karrack [Kharg] and the re-establishment of the Residency at Bushire [Bushehr]The recommendation that Karrack become a sanatarium for sick EuropeansThe question of compensating the Residency Shroff following the attack on his house in Bushire in 1838Relations with the Wahabees [Wahhābīs] of Nedjd [Najd]Affairs of Bahrein [Bahrain]Question of where Captain Hamerton should reside within the Imaum of Muscat’s dominions and his efforts to procure suitable quarters at Zanzibar.A section of the item (ff 251-329) relates to affairs in Persia [Iran] and Central Asia, as well as the Persian Gulf. It consists of copies of despatches sent by Sir John McNeill, Envoy to Persia, to the Earl of Aberdeen [George Hamilton-Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen], Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. The papers cover the following matters:News of the war in Afghanistan, including intelligence from Herat, Cabool [Kabul], and Candahar [Kandahar], and a translated copy of a letter (ff 282-289) from Mahomed Akber Khan [Muḥammad Akbar Khān], Afghan military leader, giving an account of the killing of William Hay Macnaghten, Political Agent at CaboolThe Persian response to the British defeat in AfghanistanRelations between Russia and Persia, particularly along the coast of the Caspian SeaDelivery of the ratified commercial treaty between Britain and Persia to the ShahAffairs in Bokhara [Bukhara], including the suspected execution of the British-employed messenger, Ephrain, suggestions that compensation should be given to his family, and the imprisonment of British officers Colonel Charles Stoddart and Captain Arthur Conolly, including a copy of the latter’s journal (ff 300-313)William Taylour Thomson’s visit to Merve [Merv].Physical description: 1 item (116 folios)