Abstract: The file contains papers regarding the election of Shaikhs within the Aden Protectorate, and regarding the transfer of the authority to formally recognise elections and authorise stipends from the Government of India to the Colonial Office, and thence to the Resident, Aden. It consists of correspondence and memoranda between the Aden Resident, the Foreign Office, the Colonial Office, and the Government of Bombay, on the following successions:1924 election of Sultan Abdul Kader bin Ahmed bin Husein al Fadli as successor to Sultan Husein bin Ahmed al Fadli, formally announced in a letter from the Fadl Shaikhs and Markashi Akils dated Dil Hijja 1342 [03 July 1924], copy letter at f 70;1927 election of Abdulla Hussein as successor to Sultan Abdul Kader bin Ahmed bin Husein, formally announced in a letter from the Fadl Sultans and Shaikhs, copy letter at f 55;1927 abdication of Sultan Saleh bin Omer of the Chiefship of the Upper Yafai, in favour of his son Mohamed bin Saleh;1927 election of Shaikh Salim Saleh as the Shaikh of the Dubi section of the Yafai Tribe and successor to Shaikh Omer Muthanna bin Atif Jaber, formally announced in letters from the Shaikhs of Ahl Atif Jaber and Sultan Saleh bin Omer, dated El Kida 1345 [18 May 1927], copies at ff 28-29;1928 election of Shaikh Kasim bin Abdul Rehman al Maflahi as Maflahi Shaikh of the Upper Yafai, as successor to Shaikh Abdul Rehman bin Kasim;1928 election of Sultan Saleh bin Husain Jibel as successor to Sultan Kassim bin Ahmed, formally announced in a letter from the Shaikhs of the Audali tribe dated 12 Rabi Thani 1347 [26 September 1928], copy letter at f 20;1933 attempted assassination of the eldest son of the Sultan of Lahej, and the inadvisability of further British involvement in the mechanisms of tribal succession.The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained within the file by year. This is placed at the end of the correspondence (folio one).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 71; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
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 Tabriz and dated 7 December 1823.The letter concerns a rumoured secret agreement between Persia and Russia whereby Russia will guarantee the succession of the Prince Royal [‘Abbās Mīrzā, Crown Prince] to the throne of Persia.The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 8 January 1824 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/140).Physical description: 1 item (2 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. 5 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, of 12 February 1825. The letter gives a review of the policies of Britain and Russia towards Persia during the preceding ten years, and the question of the succession to the Persian throne. The letter discusses various aspects of these topics, including:The reduction of British influence in Persia following the cessation of military and financial assistance and the reduction of its diplomatic presenceThe Russian diplomatic missions of the Governor-General of Georgia, General Yermoloff [General Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov], and the Russian Chargé d'Affaires to Persia, Mazarovich [Semyon Mazarovich]The respective influence of Britain and Russia with the Crown Prince of Persia, Abbas Meerza ['Abbās Mīrzā Qājār]Abbas Meerza’s position and influence in PersiaThe Russian commitment and efforts to support the succession of Abbas Meerza to the throneThe role of the Shah of Persia [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār] in the positions of Britain and Russia in Persia.Willock concludes with the recommendation that Britain should support Abbas Meerza in succeeding to the throne without the assistance of Russia, to counteract the spread of Russian influence in Persia.This document was originally enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 16 February 1825 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/1).Physical description: 1 item (20 folios)
Abstract: Copy of a letter from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Bombay [Mumbai], to the Chief Secretary to the Supreme Government of India, George Swinton, of 22 February 1825. In the letter Macdonald Kinneir details:The history of Russo-Persian relations and conflicts in the CaucasusThe expansion of Russian influence in the regions between Russia and India and the potential threat this poses to British possessions in IndiaThe weakness of the position of the Prince Royal, Abbas Meerza [Crown Prince of Persia, 'Abbās Mīrzā Qājār], and the possibility of conflict for the succession to the throne of Persia.On the basis of these observations, Macdonald Kinneir makes recommendations for the British to work to oppose both further Russian territorial expansion and the spread of Russian influence in Persia.This document was originally enclosed in the letter of HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia, Henry Willock, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 3 July 1825 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/20).Physical description: 1 item (18 folios)
Abstract: The second part of a bulletin written by Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], and dated 20 September 1802.The bulletin describes a struggle for power in Bagdad between Ally Pasha [‘Alī Pāshā al-Kahyah] and the Janissary Aga [Commander of the local Janissary corps], culminating in the assassination of the Janissary Aga.The first part of the bulletin in catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/272.The bulletin was originally enclosed in the letter from Jones to Alexander Stratton, HM Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire, dated 23 September 1802 (IOR/L/PS/9/76/276).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: The first part of a bulletin written by Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], and dated 20 September 1802.The bulletin describes a struggle for power in Bagdad between Ally Pasha [‘Alī Pāshā al-Kahyah] and the Janissary Aga [Commander of the local Janissary corps], in particular a battle for control of the Citadel.The second part of the bulletin is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/273.The bulletin was originally enclosed in the letter from Jones to Alexander Stratton, HM Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire, dated 23 September 1802 (IOR/L/PS/9/76/276).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)