Abstract: The file contains an exchange of confidential correspondence, following a formal protest made by Ibn Sa’ud (King Abdul-Aziz of Saudi Arabia) to the Minister at the British Legation in Jeddah, about publication of an article in the newspaper
Al Bahrainon 26 November 1942.The correspondence is between His Britannic Majesty’s Minister, Jeddah; Edward Birkbeck Wakefield and Major Tom Hickinbotham (Political Agents, Bahrain); Bertram Thomas (Public Relations Officer in the Persian Gulf, Public Relations office, Bahrain); Charles Geoffrey Prior (Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire); Hugh Weightman (Joint Secretary to the Government of India, External Affairs Department, New Delhi) and Charles Dalrymple Belgrave (Adviser to the Bahrain Government, Bahrain).The correspondence discusses the reaction of Ibn Sa’ud to the newspaper article, which urged the establishment of a Shia religious school in Qatif, Saudi Arabia. The file includes an English translation of the newspaper article entitled ‘An appeal to found an institute at Qatif’. The article was signed by ‘Ali al Shaikh Mansur al Marhoon al Qatifi’ (Sheikh Mansur al Marhoon), but was later found to have been written by his son, Ali Bin Mansur.The file cover appears to have been re-used. An earlier file title ‘Facilities – Port of Bahrain’ is visible and has been crossed out.Physical description: Foliation: numbered 1 to 21 in pencil in the top right hand corner and encircled. The numbering starts at the front of the file, on the file cover (f.1) and ends on the inside cover at the back of the file (f.21).
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Department, the Colonial Office and the Secretary of State at the India Office in London, the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agents at Kuwait and Muscat, local rulers, Anglo Persian Oil Company (APOC) and Eastern and General Syndicate Limited representatives on the negotiations for oil concessions in Kuwait, Bahrain, Nejd [Najd, Jubail, Saudi Arabia], Qatar, Muscat, Oman and Trucial Coast.The volume includes documents regarding:Bahrain: Letter in English and Arabic from the Political Resident in the Gulf to Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah, Ruler of Bahrain, informing him that the British Government didn't approve the Bahrain Oil Concession being agreed to Major Frank Holmes, representing Eastern and General Syndicate (folios 41-42) and subsequent correspondence regarding the cancellation of this concession (folios 125-126) and the agreement with APOC;Kuwait: Draft Agreements between Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, Ruler of Kuwait, and D'Arcy Exploration Company limited, on the oil exploration license in Kuwait (draft agreement 20 June 1923 on folios 51-60; draft agreement 6 September 1923 on folios 157-171 and draft agreement 18 November 1923 on folios 198-210; in Arabic on folios 229-235) and minutes of a meeting to discuss it (folios 61-64A); correspondence between the Political Agent in Kuwait and the ruler of Kuwait, regarding contacts being made with Major Holmes and Eastern and General Syndicate, in Arabic with English translation (folios 83-89).Najd: Report on Najd Oil Concession by J.B. Mackie (folios 31-33); letter from Āl Sa‘ūd, ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal (Ibn Sa‘ūd), Sultan of Najd, to the High Commissioner for Iraq dated 21 May 1923, in Arabic with English translation, regarding oil exploration being granted to Eastern and General Syndicate (folios 76-78).Physical description: The main foliation is in pencil, encircled, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering begins on the first folio after the front cover, on number 1, then 2-63; 64A and 64B; 65-195; 196A and 196B and it carries on to the last folio, ending on 284. There is another foliation sequence, which is incomplete.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence between British officials concerning the seizure of al-Hasa from Ottoman control by Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] and his growth in power along the littoral. The impact of this development upon relations between Bin Saud and the British Government generally is also discussed, notably the need to maintain neutrality in the conflict between him and the Ottomans. This discussion includes mention of the importance of maintaining the independence of Qatar and the states of the Trucial Coast vis-à-vis Bin Saud.The correspondence in the file is primarily between officials at the Political Residency in Bushire, the Government of India's Foreign Department and the Political Agency in Bahrain but also includes a limited amount of correspondence (in English translation) between Bin Saud and British officials.In addition to correspondence, the file contains a document entitled 'Memorandum of Interview with Bin Saud on 15th-16th December 1913' written by the Political Agent in Bahrain, Arthur Prescott Trevor, and the Political Agent in Kuwait, William Henry Irvine Shakespear (folios 24-25).The file contains an index on folio 2 that lists all the letters contained in the file with details of the correspondents and the date.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 28; 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 and reports related to the British Government's response to the announcement of the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire in 1916 (folios 2-14) and to political-military developments in the Hejaz between 1924 and 1926, notably the conquest of Jeddah and the fall of the Hashemite Kingdom of the Hejaz (folios 15-244).The majority of the correspondence in the file is between British officials, but it also contains a limited amount of correspondence between European diplomatic staff in Jeddah and the Ruler of Nejd, Ibn Saud (‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd).Much of the section of the file that concerns the Hejaz consists of detailed situation reports that were sent to British diplomatic posts (including the Political Agency in Muscat by Britain's Agent and Consul in Jeddah, Reader William Bullard (followed by Stanley R Jordan between December 1924 and February 1926).In addition, the file contains the following documents:'Notes regarding Policy to be adopted in connection with the revolt of the Sherif of Mecca' (folios 10-11)'Aims of the Indian Caliphate Committee as given to the Foreign Secretary to the Hejaz Government by the Delegation, in writing about January 13th 1925' (folios 57-58)'Minutes of a Conference held at the Colonial Office on the 12th of March, 1926, to discuss matters arising out of Sir Gilbert Clayton's report on his Mission to Ibn Saud' (folios 233-235).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 245; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-12; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The volume is entitled
Report on Najd Mission, 1917-1918(Baghdad: Government Press, 1918).The report describes the mission headed by Harry St John Bridger Philby to Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥman bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd)], ruler of Najd and Imam of the Wahahbi [Wahhabi] sect of Islam, 29 October 1917 - 1 November 1918. The report contains a section on the previous relations between Britain and Najd; describes the personnel, objects and itinerary of the mission; and includes sections on relations between Najd and Kuwait, the Ajman problem, Ibn Saud's operations against Hail [Ha'il], the Wahhabi revival, arms in Najd, and pilgrimage to the Shia Holy Places.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at 1 on the front cover and terminates at 30 on the back cover. These numbers are written in pencil, are enclosed in a circle, and can be found in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. An original printed pagination sequence is also present.
Abstract: The file concerns relations between Ibn Sa'ud (also referred to in the papers as Ibn Saud, Bin Saud, and Bin Sa'ud) [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd)] and the Rulers of the Trucial States.The papers include reports in Arabic with separate English translations from the Residency Agent, Shargah [Sharjah] to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated June 1923 - October 1930, covering issues such as tribal loyalties, the collection of zakat, agreements between the Sheikhs, the activities of the Amir of Hasa, the presence of Najdis in the area, and general matters; correspondence from Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Gilbert Crosthwaite, Political Agent and Consul, Muscat to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated November 1925 - January 1926, reporting an advance by Isa bin Saleh of Kabil into the Dhahira [Dhahir] tract in Oman to ward off a possible move by Ibn Saud on that part of Arabia; and a report by Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Beville Prideaux, the Political Resident, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Colonial Office, London, summarising the situation in Trucial Oman [the Trucial States] created by the activities of Ibn Sa'ud's representative, the Amir of Hasa, with background information on the area and the tribes who inhabited it, June 1926.The papers further include: note by Bertram Sidney Thomas on tribes in the area, March [1927]; report on Wahabi activities in the Persian Gulf, by Cyril Charles Johnson Barrett, Political Agent, Bahrain, April 1927; correspondence from Captain Tom Hickinbotham, Political Agent, Bahrain to the Political Resident concerning an alleged breach of Article no 1 of the Treaty of 1892 between the British Government and the Ruler of Dubai, following the arrest of a Saudi subject in Dubai and his return to Saudi Arabia for punishment, July 1937; and letter from Hugh Weightman, Political Agent, Bahrain, to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Trenchard Craven William Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, dated 6 February 1939, summarising the strength of Bin Saud's influence in and around Baraimi, and concluding that he was probably not regarded by the Trucial Sheikhs as a serious menace to their independence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation system in use commences at 1 on the front cover, and continues through to 89, the last folio before the back cover. The sequence is written in pencil and enclosed in a circle, and appears in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Foliation anomaly: ff. 5, 5A. The following number is omitted from the foliation sequence: 2. The following folios need to be folded out to be read: ff. 47, 57. A second, incomplete foliation sequence, numbered 8-132 (ff. 3-89) is also present. These numbers appear in the same position as the main sequence, but are not circled.
Abstract: This file contains correspondence that discusses the details of a proposal by the British India Steam Navigation Company to run a steamer service between the ports of Bahrain, Qatif, Oqair and Qatar.The file also includes correspondence regarding Ibn Saud’s desire to establish a port on the Persian Gulf.Physical description: A bound correspondence file that is foliated in un-circled numbers on the top-right corner of each front-facing page.Pagination starts on first page of writing in top right-hand corner and continues to last page of writing. The front page and the title page are not numbered. 2 blank pages at front and 4 at back.
Abstract: Distinctive Features:Shows the location of tribes that dwelled in the Trucial States area with names given and boundaries indicated by blue lines.Topographical information based on ‘Gazetteer of the Persian Gulf’ by John Gordon Lorimer published in 1908.The map, together with ‘Note on the tracts and tribes of South Hasa, Trucial Oman, “Independent Oman” and Dhahirah (Oman Sultanate), located between the coast of the Persian Gulf and Ruba’ al Khali (the Great Salt Desert)’ was attached to the letter dated 9th June 1926 (folios 35-46).Physical description: Materials:Pen and ink with crayon on tracing clothDimensions:322 x 532 mm
Abstract: The file contains correspondence between the India Office, the Colonial Office, the Foreign Office, the Political Department of the Government of India, and the High Commissioner in Cairo, regarding the legal status of Hadramaut [Hadramawt] subjects; plus minutes regarding Saudi influence in the Hadramaut.The papers dated 1924 concern the possible inclusion of the Aden Protectorate in legislation allowing residence in a Protectorate or Mandated Territory to qualify for an Imperial Certificate of Naturalisation, and includes a copy of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act, 1914, and draft additions (folios 59-66).The papers dated 1931 concern the legal status of Hadramaut subjects with regards to the jurisdiction of the Consular Courts in Egypt, a question raised in response to an enquiry made by R B Yeates, a barrister in Cairo. Yeates enquires as to whether subjects of the Hadramaut enjoyed capitulatory rights in Egyptian courts. The correspondence consists of a detailed legal discussion of the various definitions of 'British Protected Persons'. In the end it is communicated to Yeates that a decision regarding the jurisdiction of Consular Courts in Egypt over Hadramaut subjects will be provided by the Secretary of State, but only in the event that such a question is addressed to him through one of the courts.The papers dated 1936 (folios 2-8) consist of minutes made by Khan Bahadur Ihsanullah, Indian Vice-Consul at Jedda. The first minute concerns meetings in Mecca with a Hadramaut subject named Seyyid, and a separate meeting with Shaikh Ali Abdullah Ba Dagaub. They discussed attempts by Osman al Amoudi, leader of the Irshadiya movement in Java, to open schools in the Hadramaut. Al Amoudi is said to have the backing of the Saudi Government. Shaikh Ali also discussed Saudi relations with tribes in the Hadramaut. The second minute documents a meeting with Shaikh Osman el Amudi and Shaikh Ali Badgaish, where they discussed the Qaity dynasty, Saudi intentions towards Hadramaut territories, and dissatisfaction with British involvement in the Hadramaut.The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the volume by year. This is placed at the end of the correspondence (folio 1).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 68; 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 printed copies of correspondence received by the Foreign Office, which have been compiled by the India Office's External Affairs Department. Most of the correspondence is addressed to the Foreign Office by the British Minister at Jedda, Sir Reader William Bullard. Other received correspondence includes letters from His Majesty's Consuls at Benghazi and Damascus enclosing translated extracts from Damascus and Benghazi newspapers.Subjects covered include:Plans for an Arab convention at Mecca, to be held during the 1937 pilgrimage season.Protests from Mussalmans [Muslims] in Tripolitania against a proposal [made by the Peel Commission] to partition Palestine.Reports of Palestinians amassing large quantities of what is referred to as 'anti-British propaganda' for distribution in Mecca.British relations with Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd], including Bullard's accounts of his meetings with Ibn Saud.Italian-Saudi relations, including discussion of a recent delivery of arms from Italy to the Saudi Government.The future of Saudi Arabia in the event of Ibn Saud's death.The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the front of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at 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.Pagination: the volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: This file relates to the finances of the Saudi Arabian Government and to the political situation in Saudi Arabia generally. It consists partly of copies of correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Trenchard Craven William Fowle, succeeded by Major Charles Geoffrey Prior) and the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman), and partly of copies of correspondence received by the Foreign Office from the British Minister at Jedda (Sir Reader William Bullard), which have been forwarded by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Under-Secretary of State for India. Matters discussed in the correspondence include changes to the value of the Saudi riyal, Ibn Saud's [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd's] indebtedness to the Qusaibi [Āl Quṣaybī] family, and concerns held both by the Political Resident and by the Political Agent that members of the Qusaibi family could attempt to establish themselves as official representatives of Ibn Saud in Bahrain. The file also includes a short report from the British Minister at Jedda, which discusses the state of affairs in Saudi Arabia generally.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 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is present between ff 1-26 and is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This file relates to Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] and the future of Arabia in the event of his death.The file largely consists of copies of Foreign Office correspondence, which have been forwarded by the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to the Under-Secretary of State for India. Also included are copies of correspondence addressed to the India Office and the Government of India's Foreign and Political Department by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle, succeeded by Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Geoffrey Prior).The correspondence begins with the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf's response to the Foreign Secretary to the Government of India's remark that British influence in the Middle East seems largely to depend on the life of one man: Ibn Saud.Related matters discussed in the correspondence include the following:The effect that Ibn Saud's death, or fall from power, might have on Kuwait.The designation of Amir Saud [Sa‘ūd bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd] as Ibn Saud's heir apparent in 1933.Rumours of tense relations between Amir Saud and his brother Feisal [Faisal bin Abdulaziz Al Sa'ud].Arab public opinion on Ibn Saud, following the Saudi-Yemeni war.Reports of Ibn Saud and Amir Saud having been attacked by would-be assassins in Mecca in 1935.Amir Saud's visit to India for medical treatment in 1940.Reports of the arrest of ninety persons suspected of being involved in a plot to assassinate Ibn Saud in 1940.Other prominent correspondents include the following: the Political Agent, Kuwait (Harold Richard Patrick Dickson, succeeded by Gerald Simpson de Gaury); the Political Agent, Bahrain (Hugh Weightman); the British Minister at Jedda (Sir Andrew Ryan; Sir Reader William Bullard; Hugh Stonehewer Bird); His Majesty's Chargé d’Affaires, Jedda (Albert Spencer Calvert); officials of the India Office, the Foreign Office, the Colonial Office, and the Government of India's External Affairs Department.In addition to correspondence the file includes the following:A report by the Political Resident entitled 'The Future of Arabia', which discusses the present position of Ibn Saud and how Arabia might look without him.Extracts from Kuwait intelligence summaries.A copy of a report produced in 1937 by the Political Agent at Kuwait, Gerald Simpson de Gaury, on the history of the Shammar tribe and the Ibn Rashid [Āl Rashīd] family, which includes as enclosures a table of the Shammar confederation and a genealogical table of the Al Rashid family, both of which are printed in Arabic and English.A copy of a report, produced in 1938 by de Gaury, on the 'Anaza [‘Aniza] tribe, which includes a tribal table of the tribe.The file includes two dividers which give a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. These are placed at the back of the correspondence.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 219; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An external leather cover wraps around the documents and the front inside of this cover has been foliated as folio 1. A previous foliation sequence, which is present between ff 2-218 and is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.