Abstract: The file contains memoranda and tables regarding arrangements for the transfer of 7th (Meerut) Division from Basra (also spelled Basrah), Mesopotamia, to Egypt.Notably covers: allotment, movement and routing of ships sent to Basra (via Fao) to collect the troops; details of fitting out, supplies and accommodation for ‘native’ Indian troops and for ‘white’ British troops due to sail; breakdown of military equipment, arms and ammunition to be transported; official transport programmes showing breakdown of personnel, animals, motor vehicles and baggage on each ship in each convoy.The primary correspondents are: the War Office; General Officer Commanding/General Headquarters, Mesopotamia; Commander-in-Chief, India; General Headquarters Egypt/Cairo; Chief of the Imperial General Staff; and IGC, Basra. Correspondents also include 3rd Echelon, Basra, and military transport and shipping authorities.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 78; 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 10-77; these numbers are written in coloured crayon.
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 91 of 1840, dated 31 October 1840. The enclosures are numbered 1-5 and are dated 28 August to 26 October 1840. They consist of correspondence relating to the Euphrates Flotilla and the Indus Flotilla.The enclosures concern matters including:The Government of India stating that Lieutenant Henry Blosse Lynch may be permitted to proceed to England on sick certificate, leaving Lieutenant Campbell in charge of his commandDeficiencies in the size of crews and number of engineers on the ExpeditionThe opinion of the Superintendent of the Indian Navy, Captain Robert Oliver, on the crew required for the vessels of the Euphrates FlotillaThe Ameers of Khyrpoor [Amīrs of Khairpur] not levying duty on merchandise while it is in transit on the Indus.The correspondents are the following: the Government of India; the Superintendent of the Indian Navy; the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Lestock Robert Reid; the Political Agent in Lower Sinde [Sindh], Major James Outram; and the Political Agent in Upper Sinde, Ross Bell.Physical description: 1 item (16 folios)
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 35 of 1850, dated 25 June 1850. The enclosures, numbered 3-18 and dated 25 October 1849 to 24 June 1850, relate to the ‘slave trade’ [trade in enslaved people].The enclosures consists of correspondence, and minutes of the Government of Bombay. They cover matters including:HM Consul and Honourable Company’s Agent at Zanzibar, Major Atkins Hamerton, reporting the destruction by the boats of HMS
Castorof a ‘slave’ establishment at Angosh [Angoche], and the permission accorded by the Imam of Muscat for British vessels of war to enter ports, bays, creeks, and rivers between Songa Manara [Songa Mnara Island] and Cape Delgado in pursuit of vessels engaged in the ‘slave trade’ and destroy all barracoons and establishments erected for the purpose of the ‘slave trade’Hamerton reporting that he has made a ‘friendly remonstrance’ to the Imam on the ‘glaring violations’ of the treaty for the suppression of the ‘slave trade’ between the British Government and the ImamHamerton stating that he has brought the subject of purchases of enslaved women to the notice of the Imam, with a view to the prohibition of this, in response to a letter from the Government of Bombay relating to the purchase an ‘African female’ at Muscat by a ‘Mussulman’ [Muslim] of Kutch. However, Hamerton states that it would be very difficult to stop such purchases, because he claims that the practice is widespread amongst ‘Banian’ and Indian Muslim men resident in the Imam’s territories.. Hamerton adds that he is now bringing the subject to the attention of the British Secretary of State for Foreign AffairsA report by Hamerton on the type of vessels which should be employed for the suppression of the ‘slave trade’, the localities in which they should cruise, and the time of year they should be employedA draft of instructions for the guidance of officers in command of vessels of the Indian Navy prepared by the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy, Captain Stephen Lushington, in communication with the Advocate General, to carry out the provisions of the Act of Parliament of 1 August 1849 ‘for carrying into effect engagements between Her Majesty [Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom] and certain Arabian Chiefs in the Persian Gulf for the more effectual suppression of the Slave Trade’.The correspondence is mostly between the following: Hamerton; the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Arthur Malet; the Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor General, Sir Henry Miers Elliot; and the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy.Enclosure No. 3 also includes enclosed correspondence: between Hamerton and the Commander-in-Chief, Cape Good Hope Station, Commodore Christopher Wyvill; and from the Imam of Muscat, Said bin Sultan [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd], to Hamerton.Physical description: 1 item (40 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 39 of 1856, dated 27 May 1856. The enclosures are dated 22 March-23 May 1856.The enclosures notably comprise the following:A despatch from the Secretary to the Government of India to the Secretary to the Government of Bombay concerning the situation with regard to Herat and current Persian [Iranian] aggression against the town, and whether or not instructions from the Secret Committee debar the Government of India from all action in the matter. The despatch covers:The original request by Mahomed Yusuf [Muḥammad Yūsuf, also spelled Yoosuf and Yussuf in this item], Ruler of Herat, for Persian assistance against a feared attack by Dost Mahomed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy], and his dismissal of the Persian envoy who was sent to liaise with the Persian Army but actually joined them in their advance towards Ghorian [Ghurian or Ghoryan]The subsequent hoisting of the British flag in Herat and request of the Ruler and inhabitants of Herat for British money and an Agent to aid their resistance of the Persians, and the Government of India’s wish to disclaim any connection with those actionsThe Government of India’s belief that they cannot assist Herat as the Secret Committee’s instructions were based on Persia and Herat combining against Dost Mahomed Khan rather than Persia acting against both Herat and Candahar [Kandahar, also spelled this way in this item]Disapprobation by the Government of India of Lieutenant-Colonel John Jacob, Acting Commissioner in Sind [Sindh] for effectively speaking in the name of the British Government on a matter of national importance by replying directly to Mahomed Yusuf that the British Government had no intention of interfering in Herat.The enclosures also include:Copies of intelligence (ff 257-261) received by Jacob from the Acting Political Superintendent on the Frontier of Upper Sind relating to Herat (notably from sources in Kelat [Kalat]), and forwarded to the Governor of Bombay, reporting the besieging of Herat by the Persian Army, the apparent intention of Dost Mahomed Khan to send an army for its relief, the surrender of Mahomed Yusuf to the Persian force and the advance of a portion of the Persian Army towards Candahar against Dost Mahomed KhanCorrespondence of Rear Admiral Sir Henry J Leeke, Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy, with the Government of Bombay, regarding which vessels should remain in the Persian Gulf during the monsoon season, including: Leeke’s strong recommendation that the
Ajdahaand
Semiramisbe ordered back to Bombay [Mumbai] before the monsoon for repairs and that the
Victoriais better suited for the Gulf; the Government of Bombay’s agreement that the
Semiramisreturn to Bombay when the
Victoriaarrives at Bushire [Bushehr], but that the
Ajdaharemains at Bushire on the express wishes of the Political ResidentCorrespondence of Commander Felix Jones, Acting Resident, Persian Gulf, with the Government of Bombay, concerning a ‘venomous article’ in the
Bombay Timeson the supposed cause of the rupture between the British Mission at Tehran and the Persian Government, including his admonishment of Commodore Richard Ethersey, Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, regarding the impropriety of naval officers discussing public questions in their private letters.Physical description: 1 item (36 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 45 of 1856, dated 25 June 1856. The enclosures are dated 5 May-19 June 1856.The enclosures chiefly comprise copies of the correspondence of Commander Felix Jones, Acting Resident, Persian Gulf, with Commodore Richard Ethersey, Indian Navy, Commanding the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, and the Government of Bombay, relating to the removal of the Al Ali [Āl ‘Alī] tribe from Demaum [Dammam].They notably cover and include:Jones’s and Ethersey’s agreement to make a demonstration of naval strength at Demaum with the
Ajdaha,
Semiramisand
Falkland, and if that fails to bombard the town and fort of Demaum, followed if necessary by further coercive measures including the blockading of the port and destruction of any captured Al Ali boatsEthersey’s reservations regarding the agreed measures to be taken at Demaum, due to: the inadequacy of naval resources to carry out the Demaum action in addition to policing the Gulf and searching vessels for enslaved persons; the unsuitability of the
Ajdahafor the shallow seas around Demaum; and the urgent need for the
Semiramisto return to Bombay [Mumbai] for repairsJones’s hope that a brief show of naval strength at Bahrein [Bahrain] and his negotiations with the Sheikh of Demaum [Muḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh, Shaikh of Dammam] will achieve the British objective, his reluctant agreement that the
Semiramisreturn to Bombay before the monsoons set in, and his decision to retain the
Constanceat Bushire [Bushehr] during the temporary withdrawal of the
Ajdahaand
FalklandEthersey’s provision of the
Ajdahafor Jones’s visit to Demaum and tour of the Gulf, due to the inadequate cabin accommodation on his own vessel the
FalklandJones’s report to the Government of Bombay on his proceedings at Bahrein regarding the Al Ali, including: his meetings with Sheikh Mahomed ben Khuleefa [Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain], the Sheikh of Demaum and with Ali ben Sultan [Alī bin Sulṭān], chief of the Al Ali; the agreement of Jones and the Sheikh of Bahrein not to force the Al Ali to return to Geis [Kish, also was known as Kenn] due to its unsuitable living conditions, and proposal that the Al Ali go to Kuweit [Kuwait], Grane [Kuwait] or Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]; Jones’s encouragement of those Al Ali who wish to reconcile with the Sheikh of Bahrein and return to the island without punishment; Jones’s consent to the Sheikh of Demaum’s request (f 367) to allow the Al Ali to remain at Demaum until the month of Ramadhan [Ramadan] has ended; Ali ben Sultan’s compliance following Jones’s threat to bring the squadron to Demaum; Jones’s pleasure that he has achieved a ‘peaceful resolution’ and relief at the avoidance of a potentially ineffective and expensive blockadeJones’s orders to Ethersey that the
Semiramisshould go to Bombay should any important despatches arrive at Bushire for India.In this item Jones also reports unverified intelligence from the Acting Native Agent at Muscat that the agents of the Imam of Muscat and Persia [Iran] at Kishm [Qeshm] have agreed that the Imam will take possession of Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas].Physical description: 1 item (25 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 28 of 1844, dated 30 March 1844. The enclosures are dated 22 January-30 March 1844.The enclosures chiefly comprise correspondence between: Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Political Agent in Aden; John Pollard Willoughby, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay; the Government of India; and Captain Sir Robert Oliver RN, Superintendent of the Indian Navy. (There are also some minutes confirming the transfer of certain documents to the Marine Department).The following subjects are covered:The general state of affairs at Aden, including the growth of trade and efforts to make the Sultan of Lahidge [Lahej, also spelled Lahedge in this item] swear an oath of alliance to the British Government in return for a monthly salaryThe death of the Imaum of Sana [Imam of Sana'a] on 8 January 1844 and the disputed succession to the chiefshipOperations to rescue the crew of the late steamer
Memnonwhich was ship-wrecked near Ras Assyr [Cape Guardafui], including: the use of the HC (Honourable Company’s) schooner of war
Constanceto transport rescued crew and supplies respectively to and from Aden; arrangements for monetary and other gifts to be distributed by the Assistant Agent, Lieutenant Charles J Cruttenden, to local chiefs who assisted the stranded crew and protected the ship and the camp valuables for five months between September 1843 and January 1844; and arrangements to pay the last month’s salary of the crew brought back to AdenThe Political Agent’s arrangements with Bombay and the Superintendent of the Indian Navy for sending the HC brig of war
Tigrisand the
Constanceback to the Bombay Presidency once they have fulfilled certain duties as their tenure in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea has been exceeded, and the Superintendent’s intention to send the HC brig
Euphratesto the Red Sea stationAuthorisation by the Government of India for the publication of Lieutenant Willmott Christopher’s journal of his proceedings whilst employed on the north east coast of Africa, commanding the
Tigris, in the Proceedings of the Bombay branch of the Royal Geographical Society, including a letter from Willoughby to George Buist LLD, Secretary to the Geographical Society of Bombay (f 565)Notice by the Military Department to the Superintendent of the Indian Navy of plans to despatch the 47th Regiment Madras Native Infantry to Aden to relieve the 10th and 16th Regiments of Bombay Native Infantry currently at Aden.Physical description: The enclosure numbers 3-17 are written on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure, which also contain an abstract of the contents of the enclosure.
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 130 of 1846, dated 2 November 1846. The enclosures, numbered 3-17 and dated 7 October to 2 November 1846, relate to affairs at Aden and within its vicinity.The enclosures consist of correspondence, and minutes of the Government of Bombay, covering matters including:The Political Agent at Aden, Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, reporting that the blockade of Shugra [Shuqra] and the bay around Gibul Hassan [Jabal Hassan?] has been ‘manifestly successful’, dissuading those ‘Chieftains’ who intended to unite their tribes at Sheik Othman [Ash Shaikh Outhman] from doing so, and leading Sultan Hamed Foutheli [Sulṭān Aḥmad bin ‘Abdullāh al-Faḍlī] to retire to Shugra to protect his territory, leaving the roads open for kafilas [caravans] to reach AdenHaines pointing out the advantages of a small vessel with a long gun being sent to Aden for serviceThe Imam of Sana [Sanaa] reportedly intending to march to Lahidge [Lahij or Lahej] to subjugate it and the surrounding area; Haines’s belief that the Imam may wish to confer with him about the ‘agitated’ state of the tribes inland; his view that the Imam may easily regain Taaes [Taʿizz] and Ebb [Ibb]; and that if this is the Imam’s intention then the coffee producing area will be open to the Aden market, and Haines requesting the opinion of Government on this possibilityThe French Consul at Mussowah [Massawa] having written to Haines regarding a ‘Banian’ merchant named ‘Woobee’ being (in the Consul’s opinion unjustly) imprisoned and ‘ill-treated’ by the Turkish [Ottoman] Governor for a debt of seventy years standing, and Haines writing to the Governor to request kindness to be shown towards a British subject and that no punishment may be inflicted until the justice of the claim has been enquired into in the presence of a commander of a vessel of war, which Haines will send to Mussowah as soon as practicableThe arrival of the Honourable Company’s schooner
Constanceat Aden, Haines reporting having despatched the vessel to blockade the port of Shugra, and the arrangements made by him to supply the vessel with water and provisionsHaines requesting sanction from the Government of Bombay for having obtained supplies from Maccalla [Mukalla, also spelled Maculla in this item] for the Commissariat at Aden, costing 279 German CrownsHaines reporting on the supply of provisions for the garrison at Aden, and his expectation that there will not be any scarcityMeasures taken to relieve the wing of HM 94th Regiment at Aden.The majority of the correspondence is between the Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Arthur Malet, and the Political Agent at Aden. The enclosures also include: letters from Malet to the Secretary to the Governor-General of India, Frederick Currie; a letter from Malet to the Superintendent of the Indian Navy, Captain Sir Robert Oliver; enclosed letters from Haines to the Secretary to the Secret Committee, and to the officer commanding the Honourable Company’s schooner
Queenand Senior Naval Officer at Aden, Lieutenant John Glen Johnstone, Indian Navy; and an extract from the proceedings of the Government of Bombay in the Military Department, consisting of a copy of a letter to Haines from the Secretary to Government in the Military Department, Peter Melvill Melvill.Physical description: 1 item (30 folios)
Abstract: The file contains correspondence, minutes, and notes concerning visits to Muscat by French and Italian vessels and the discussion of the correct channels foreign states should go through to seek permission for such visits. The file covers the following visits:French warships
Mondementand
Alertein 1926French naval yacht
Dianain 1930French cruiser
Jeanne d'Arcin 1932Italian gunboat
Sebastian Cabotoin 1934Italian warship
Eritreain 1938.Also included in the file is a report of an Italian visit to Khorramshahr by Captain JEA Bazalgette, Vice Consul Khorramshahr, 9 March 1938.The principal correspondents are the Colonial Office, India Office, Political Residency in Aden, Admiralty, Government of India (Foreign and Political Department), Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, Foreign Office, and representatives of the French government in London, Iraq, and Bombay.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at last folio with 123; 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 2-122 and is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee No. 105 of 1842, dated 29 September 1842. The despatch contains material relating to the arrangements for the transportation of three ‘iron steam vessels’, attached to the Euphrates flotilla to Kuratchee [Karachi], intended for service on the Indus, and the possible deployment of one vessel to the Red Sea.Physical description: 1 item (43 folios)