Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, 12 September 1856. A copy of this letter can be found at IOR/F/4/2661/176320, alongside details of further enclosures. The item is the third in a series of fifteen items on events in the Persian Gulf during 1855-56. The eighth item in the sequence is not present.The item contains correspondence between: Rear Admiral Sir Henry John Leeke, Commander in Chief of the Indian Navy; the Government of Bombay; and the Government of India. The correspondence relates to the two governments' approval of the proceedings undertaken by Commander Felix Jones, Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf, following an incident at Bushire [Bushehr] between a Persian [Iranian] soldier and an officer of the Company steamer,
Ajdaha[
Ajdahā].The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', Draft Number '52 [18]57', 'Collection No. 6', 'Vol: 3', and 'Examiner's Office'. Originally, the Collection number was written as 'Collection No. 4 of No. 71 of 1856.' but the '4' was replaced with '6' and 'of No. 71 of 1856.' has been crossed out.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 1004, and terminates at f 1009, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The item consists of copy extracts of Political Letters from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dating from 12 November 1845-3 August 1846. Enclosures to these letters can be found at: IOR/F/4/2157/103839; IOR/F/4/2157/103840; IOR/F/4/2157/103841; IOR/F/4/2157/103842; IOR/F/4/2157/103843; IOR/F/4/2157/103844; IOR/F/4/2157/103845; IOR/F/4/2157/103846; IOR/F/4/2157/103847; and IOR/F/4/2157/103848.The letters relate to attempts by the British government to suppress the ‘slave trade’ [trade in enslaved people] in the Persian Gulf and include mention of:Agreements with Saeed Saeed Bin Sultan, Imaum of Muscat [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd, Imam of Muscat], with attention given especially to the agreements’ translationsAgreements with the rulers of: Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]; Debaye [Dubai]; Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn]; and Ras-el Khyma [Ra’s al-Khaymah]Specific incidents related to the ‘slave trade’Suggestions by Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, for suppressing the trade.The margins of these letters contain extracts from letters sent to the Government of Bombay from the Court of Directors, dating from 17 April 1844-16 April 1845.The item also contains copy of a letter from the Commissioners for the Affairs of India [Board of Control] to the Court of Directors, dated 8 September 1846, which relates to the above subjects. This letter includes:A copy of the agreement made between the British government and the Imaum of Muscat, 2 October 1844 (ff 800-803)A copy of the instructions for commanders of Her Majesty’s ships for enforcing the terms of the above agreement (ff 804-805)A copy of a letter from Lord Palmerston, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to HM envoys at Teheran [Tehran] and Constantinople [Istanbul], 31 August 1846, regarding Hennell’s suggestions (ff 806-808).The item also contains copy of a letter from Henry Unwin Addington, Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to the Commissioners for the Affairs of India, dated 3 September 1846, which also relates to the above subjects.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5410, Draft 786/46’, ‘Collection’, ‘Vol: 1’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 774, and terminates at f 811, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence cited in, or enclosed with, a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, 31 March 1847. A copy of this Political Letter can be found at IOR/F/4/2191/107336. Further enclosures can be found at IOR/F/4/2191/107340. The item is the fourth in a series of five items on the ‘slave trade’ [trade in enslaved people].The item contains a letter from the Court of Directors to the Governor of Bombay, dated 18 November 1846. The letter contains comments and instructions related to:The recent engagement entered into by Her Majesty’s Government and Syud Sueed, Imaum of Muscat [Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd, Imam of Muscat]The suggestion by Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to persuade the Courts of Persia [Iran] and Turkey [Ottoman Empire] to prohibit the ‘slave trade’ on the same basis as the agreement with the Imaum of Muscat, as a means of further suppressing the tradeThe discrepancy between the English and Arabic versions of the previous treaty signed by the Imaum and Captain Moresby, as highlighted by Captain Atkins Hamerton, Her Majesty’s Consul and Company Agent in the Dominions of the Imaum of Muscat.The item also contains the correspondence sent out by the Government of Bombay in light of the Court’s comments and instructions, as well as a response to these instructions from Sir Robert Oliver, Superintendent of the Indian Navy.The Court’s letter also communicates the views of Henry John Temple (Viscount Palmerston and Minister for Foreign Affairs) on the subject.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5698, Draft 542/47, Vol: 4’, ‘Collection No. 1 of No. 47’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 96, and terminates at f 106, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: Translation of a Firman from the Shah of Persia [Iran], Futteh Allee Shah [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār], to the Governor-General of Fars, Hussein Allee Meerza [Prince Governor of Fars, Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā Farmānfarmā], dated Shaban AH 1242 [March 1827]. The Firman concerns a dispute between the Government of Fars and the British in Fars, including allegations that the British Resident in the Persian Gulf (Ephriam Gerrish Stannus) and other British officials were involved in ‘violence offered’ by the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat against Sheikh Abdul Russool [Shaikh of Bushehr, Shaikh ʿAbd al-Rasūl Khan] (see IOR/L/PS/9/70/176). The Firman directs Hussein Allee Meerza to apologise to the British Resident for the allegations made against him, and to make amends for the dispute, including by returning property plundered from British subjects, and removing customs duties from the property of ‘Ambassadors’.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 2 in No. 41, in the letter of the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 23 March 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/192).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This item consists of copies of correspondence, consultations, and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay. All the documents are from the Government of Bombay.The item briefly traces the development of the establishments in the Arabian Gulf, giving the starting points of the Residencies in Bussora [Basra], the Gulph of Persia [Arabian Gulf], and Bushire [Būshehr]. The discussion covers the merging of the Muscat Residency with Bushire, and the proposed position of Political Agent in the Gulph of Persia, to be filled by William Bruce, with Robert Taylor as the Assistant to the Agent, reflecting the change in East India Company roles in the Gulf from commercial to political. A dragoman will remain at Bagdad [Baghdad], a commanding officer at Kishm [Qeshm], and Native Agents elsewhere. The item also discusses the salaries to be paid to all the Agents and Residents, and the state of British trade with the Ottoman Empire including tariffs and duties paid.The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Political No. 855, Draft 106, P.C. 200, Season 24/5, Examiner’s Office March 1824’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 74, and terminates at f 97, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the file also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 October 1856, Numbers 46-50) and the Government of Bombay (17 October 1856, Numbers 77-79). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the Governor General (folios 90-94r) are concerned with Persian progress against Herat and Kelat [Kalat], the return of Futteh Khan from Afghanistan with the ratified Anglo-Afghan Treaty of Friendship (1855), the critical position of Herat and pleas for help from Eesa Khan [Isa Khan Bardorani, Minister-Regent of Herat].The section from Bombay (folios 94v-99) is also concerned with the critical position of Herat and Dost Mahomed's [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] inability to capitalise on the situation, the evacuation of British staff officers from Bushire, and discussion over objections raised in 1799 to the occupation of Perim Island in the Red Sea.Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 November 1856, Numbers 55-58) and the Government of Bombay (17 November 1856, Number 87-92). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letters from the Governor General (folios 120-128) discuss a request from Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] for an audience with a representative of the Government of India to discuss Herat, and a decision by the Government of India to grant a temporary subsidy to Dost Mahomed to facilitate operations against Persia. They also cover British preparations for war against Persia, and a defence of Commander James Felix Jones (Political Resident, Persian Gulf) for his dismissal of British staff officers from Bushire. The carelessness displayed at Bombay in packing arms for Cabool [Kabul], and financial aid for Herat are also discussed.The section from Bombay (folios 129-131) includes arrangements for an expedition against Persia, and details (in terms of troops and ships) of the composition of the force.Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
Abstract: This item consists of copies of political letters from the Government of Bombay to the Court of Directors of the East India Company. The enclosures to these letters are contained in the subsequent items. It is the first in a series of fifteen items on the Persian Gulf.The item concerns letters about the following events:Customs difficulties of a merchant under British protection in Bushire [Bushehr]Despatch of East India Company ships to convey officials connected with the commission for settling the boundary between Turkey [the Ottoman Empire] and Persia [Iran]The visit of Commodore John Porter, Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, to the Arabian CoastThe recent appearance of Suheil bin Ateish [Suhayl bin ‘Uṭaysh] near Bahrein [Bahrain], after he had allegedly captured a vessel from Bahrein with valuable cargoThe intention of Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣal bin Turkī bin ‘Abdullāh Āl Sa‘ūd] to rebuild the town and fort of Adeed [Khawr al ‘Udayd]A dispute over the property of a deceased merchant and banker of MuscatAggression between Debaye [Dubai] and Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi]Rumours of a planned attack by Muscat on Rasel Khyma [Ra’s al-Khaymah] and Debaye, and a planned expedition by Ameer Fysul against OmanThe recovery of Sohar [Suhar] by Syud Humood bin Azan [Sayyid Hamūd bin ‘Azzan al-Bu Sa‘idi] from his sonMoney taken from ‘piratical’ vessels which had plundered ships sailing under British colours being credited to the public treasury in IndiaA complaint to Hennell by Alla Rukhee, a woman from Lucknow, concerning her being defrauded at Kerballa [Karbala].The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Draft no 745 of 1850’, and ‘Collection No 5 in 15 volumes’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with f 4, and terminates at f 10 as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: The item consists of six letters from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors. The letters refer to general updates from the Persian Gulf and surrounding regions between April 1847 and January 1848. It is the first in a series of fifty-nine items on events in the Gulf.The first letter is dated 16 June 1847 and is present at folios 206-207. Partial enclosures to this letter can be found at:IOR/F/4/2238/112323IOR/F/4/2238/112324IOR/F/4/2238/112325IOR/F/4/2238/112326IOR/F/4/2238/112327IOR/F/4/2238/112328.The second letter is dated 3 July 1847 and is present at folios 209-210. Partial enclosures to this letter can be found at:IOR/F/4/2238/112329IOR/F/4/2238/112330IOR/F/4/2238/112331IOR/F/4/2238/112332The third letter is dated 31 August 1847 and is present at folio 212. Partial enclosures to this letter can be found at:IOR/F/4/2238/112333IOR/F/4/2238/112334IOR/F/4/2238/112335IOR/F/4/2238/112336IOR/F/4/2238/112337IOR/F/4/2238/112338IOR/F/4/2238/112339IOR/F/4/2238/112340The fourth letter is dated 30 September 1847 and is present at folio 214. Partial enclosures to this letter can be found at:IOR/F/4/2238/112341IOR/F/4/2238/112342IOR/F/4/2238/112343IOR/F/4/2238/112344IOR/F/4/2238/112345IOR/F/4/2238/112346IOR/F/4/2238/112347IOR/F/4/2238/112348IOR/F/4/2238/112349IOR/F/4/2238/112350IOR/F/4/2238/112351IOR/F/4/2238/112352IOR/F/4/2238/112353The fifth letter is dated 13 November 1847 and is present at folios 216-217. Partial enclosures to this letter can be found at:IOR/F/4/2238/112354IOR/F/4/2238/112355IOR/F/4/2238/112356IOR/F/4/2238/112357IOR/F/4/2238/112358IOR/F/4/2238/112359IOR/F/4/2238/112360IOR/F/4/2238/112361IOR/F/4/2238/112362IOR/F/4/2238/112363IOR/F/4/2238/112364IOR/F/4/2238/112365The sixth letter is dated 31 January 1848 and is present at folios 218-220. Partial enclosures to this letter can be found at:IOR/F/4/2238/112366IOR/F/4/2238/112367IOR/F/4/2238/112368IOR/F/4/2238/112369IOR/F/4/2238/112370IOR/F/4/2238/112371IOR/F/4/2238/112372IOR/F/4/2238/112373IOR/F/4/2238/112374IOR/F/4/2238/112375IOR/F/4/2238/112376IOR/F/4/2238/112377IOR/F/4/2238/112378IOR/F/4/2238/112379IOR/F/4/2238/112380The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘Draft N. 345/48’, ‘Collection No. 2, Vol: 1’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 204, and terminates at f 220, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: the item also contains an original pagination sequence.
Abstract: Memorandum outlining the recent history of smuggling in the Persian Gulf, and the results of an investigation made by His Majesty's Government, the Government of India, and the Admiralty into the extent to which assistance could be given to Persia in the suppression of the contraband traffic. It records objections to assisting Persia given by Sir Lionel Haworth, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences and terminates at f 67, as it is part of a larger physical volume; this number is written in pencil, and is located in the top right corner of the recto side of the folio.
Abstract: This memorandum, written by Lieutenant-Colonel William Frederick Travers O'Connor, concerns the new subdivision of Persia into two spheres of influence – Russian and British – with the present neutral zone falling into the British sphere. The memorandum considers what system of Consular or other representation should be adopted in order to maintain not only law and order, but also British influence in the area.Before discussing the issue of Consular representation, O'Connor mentions two alternative suggestions regarding the future of Southern Persia (the first being that Britain should decline to extend its influence beyond its present zone, and the second being that Southern Persia should be turned into one or more independent states), which he dismisses as lying outside the sphere of practical politics.Assuming that the British sphere will encompass the whole of Southern Persia, O'Connor advocates the continuation of the existing post of British Minister at Tehran (located in the Russian sphere), and suggests that the Minister should be supported by Consular officers residing in the capital of each province. O'Connor suggests that Consul or Consul-General posts – to be held by officers of the Indian Political Department – should be present in the following places: Sistan [also spelled Seistan in this file] (as at present); Kerman (for the province of Kerman); Shiraz (for Fars, excluding the Gulf hinterland); Mohammerah [Khorramshahr in modern-day Iran] (for Arabistan); and Bushire (for the Gulf and for hinterland affairs).In addition, O'Connor advocates the appointment of a Resident or Consul in the Bakhtiari country. He suggests that his proposed Consulates be run in the same way as the existing Consulates at Seistan, Meshed and Kerman.O'Connor goes on to address the problem of the rivalry between the Home Government and the Indian Government on the subject of Southern Persia. He makes the following two proposals: either Southern Persia should be placed under direct control of the Indian Government, or it should be guaranteed that the Minister at Tehran will always be an officer from British India, who has been nominated for the post by the Indian Government.In this memorandum, O'Connor suggests that the future arrangement of Consular representation in Southern Persia has been made complicated by the anomalous status of the Resident in the Persian Gulf. O'Connor argues that, in the post-war period, whilst it would still be possible to retain a Resident at Bushire, it would not need to be such an important and highly paid appointment; he appears to imply that his proposed Consul at Shiraz and Consul at Bushire would take over the Resident's responsibilities regarding inland Persia and the Gulf and its hinterland respectively.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 18, and terminates at f 20, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: Memorandum providing an overview of the considerations of British representation in El Hasa [Al Hasa] and Qatif from 1904, with suggestions put forward by the Government of India and Sir Lionel Haworth, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf. It includes the reasons behind the need for representation, and the implications of relations with Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd].Written by John Gilbert Laithwaite of the India Office.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences and terminates at f 64, as it is part of a larger physical volume; this number is written in pencil, and is located in the top right corner of the recto side of the folio.