Abstract: Part of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Alexander Stratton, HM Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire, sent from Bagdad and dated 9 August 1802.The letter describes events following the death of Soliman Pasha Pasha [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] and the nomination of Ally Pasha [‘Alī Pāshā al-Kahyah] as successor in the context of threats to Bagdad from the Wa-ha-bies [Wahhābī movement] and Persia [Iran]. Jones suggests that the Porte [Government of the Otttoman Empire] assert its authority in Bagdad by appointing Eusoof Pasha [Yūsuf Ẓīa al-Dīn Pāshā, Grand Vizier to the Ottoman Sultan] as Pasha of Bagdad.The first part of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/261.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This file consists of letters between the Secretary to the Political Resident in Persian Gulf, Bahrain, and the India Office, London. The letters are regarding Iran Intelligence Report no. CB 1885(X), which was sent to the Persian Gulf Residency. The letters specify which copies were sent to Persian Gulf and War Staff. Some of the letters are notifications confirming receipt of the Report.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: Copies of dispatches from Sir Harford Jones, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Persian Court, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company, in London. Dispatches are sent from Bombay [Mumbai], Schyras [Shiraz], Teehran [Tehran, also written Tahran in the present volume], Tabreze [Tabriz, also referred to as Tauris in the present volume], and Sultania [Soltaniyeh] and his letters relate to his diplomatic mission to the Persian Court. Some of the correspondence constitutes an outline of, and defence against, charges made by the Governor-General at Fort William, Lord Minto [Gilbert Elliot Murray Kynynmound, 1st Earl of Minto], against Jones’s conduct during his mission, including letters from British and Persian [Iranian] officials in support of his case. Other matters connected to the mission are also discussed, such as: its scale and style; its successes; the treaty (Treaty of Friendship and Alliance, 12 March 1809) and subsidy (paid by Britain to Persia) that resulted from it; and the difficulties caused by the simultaneous of Brigadier-General John Malcolm, East India Company Envoy to Persia.Other matters covered include:Relations between the Ottoman Empire and PersiaNews from Europe, particularly in connection to the Napoleonic WarsThe Russo-Persian War, including unsuccessful attempts to negotiate an armisticeIntelligence regarding Captain William George Keith Elphinstone’s mission to Caboul [Kabul]French influence in Persia and the presence of French diplomatic agents in the regionThe appearance of Jean Robbio, a French agent, in Muscat and Bushire [Būshehr], and the seizure of his correspondence in September 1810 (folios 329-336)The potential for trade with Persia, including a memorandum on the subject written by Jones (folios 65-66)Routine matters relating to finance and personnel.Some of the papers are included as enclosures to Jones’s dispatches. The correspondents include: John Malcolm; Lord Minto; Robert Dundas, President of the Board of Control for India; Robert Adair, Ambassador to the Ottoman Porte, Constantinople; George Canning (and his successors, Earl Henry Bathurst and Marquess Richard Colley Wellesley), Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Hajee Mahammed Hossein Khan [Hajji Muhammad Hossein Isfahani], Persian Minister; Meerza Mahammed Sheffea [Mirza Mohammed Shafi Mazanderani], Grand Vizier of Persia; Meerza Bozurg [Mirza 'Isa Khan Farahani], Minister to the Crown Prince of Persia; Fath Ali Shah [Fatḥ ʻAlī Shāh], Shah of Persia; Charles Pasley, Political Agent of the Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William and Assistant to Brigadier-General John Malcolm; Askar Khan Afshar, Persian Ambassador to Paris; Abbas Meerza ['Abbās Mīrza Qājār], Crown Prince of Persia; Stephen Babington, Assistant-in-Charge, Bushire [Būshehr]; Claudius James Rich, Resident at Bagdad [Baghdad]; Henry Rudland, Resident and Agent at Mocha.Physical description: 1 item (478 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Marquess Wellesley, Governor-General of Bengal, sent from Bagdad and dated 12 August 1802.The letter forwards correspondence (attached) relating to the death of Soliman Pasha [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad], and reports on Jones’s meetings with Ministers of the Government of Bagdad and the state of affairs in the city and surrounding country since the Pasha’s death.Attached are:1. Notes covering the period 5-12 August 1802, describing events after the death of the Pasha, debates among Ministers of the Government of Bagdad concerning the issue of succession in the context of threats to Bagdad from the Wa-ha-by [Wahhābī movement] and Persia [Iran], and the nomination to the Porte [Government of the Ottoman Empire] of the Kia Ally Pasha [‘Alī Pāshā al-Kahyah] as successor.2. A copy of a letter from Jones to Alexander Stratton, HM Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire, sent from Bagdad and dated 4 August 1802. The letter concerns the expected death of Soliman Pasha and succession of Ally Pasha. Jones suggests that Stratton should encourage the Porte to take control of Bagdad on Soliman Pasha’s death to forestall attacks from the Wa-ha-by or Persia. The letter also forwards reports of Persian military movements and French activity in Bagdad.A duplicate of this letter dated 4 July 1802 is catalogued as IOR/L/SP/9/76/251.3. Part of a letter from Harford Jones to Alexander Stratton dated 9 August 1802, describing events following the death of Soliman Pasha and the nomination of Ally Pasha as successor. The remainder of the letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/262.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: This item contains copies of two letters:1. A letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Marquess Wellesley, Governor-General of Bengal, sent from Bagdad and dated 20 June 1802. The letter forwards intercepted letters from a French traveller in Caboul [Kabul] (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/235-238 and 247). Jones pledges to continue to monitor this correspondence and pass on intelligence. The letter also forwards reports from an informant ‘employed to the Northward’ (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/243).A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/249.2. A letter from Harford Jones to Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay, sent from Bagdad and dated 31 May 1802. The letter concerns payment for a shipment of gunpowder for the Pasha [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] which was captured in the Gulf, and a shipment of cloth which was lost at the bar of the Bussora [Basra] River [Shatt al-Arab].A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/254.Physical description: 1 item (3 folios)
Abstract: Three letters from William Digges Latouche, Resident at Bussora [Basra], to the Court of Directors for Affairs of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies [East India Company].The first letter, sent from Bussora and dated 1 May 1781, covers subjects including:Reports received from Bushire [Bushehr] concerning the movements of English ships and civil conflict in Muscat, including a report that a force from Julphar [Ra’s al-Khaymah] is planning to interveneReports received from India regarding the conflict with the Mahrattas [First Anglo-Maratha War, 1774-1783]An intercepted Dutch letter relaying news of the rupture in relations with Britain to Dutch colonies in IndiaPeace between the Basha [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] and the Ghesaal Arabs [Khazā‘il tribe] and Latouche’s hopes that this will increase the trade and security of BussoraRobberies allegedly connected to the Chaub [Banū Ka‘b].Another copy of the same letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/9.The second letter, sent from Bussora and dated 15 May 1781, covers subjects including:The arrival in Bussora of the merchants Eyles Irwin and John Richmond Smyth and arrangements for their passage to IndiaThe transit via Bussora of dispatches from London to IndiaThe movements of other travellers, including suspected French and Dutch agents.Another copy of the same letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/9.The third letter, sent from Bussora and dated 15 June 1781, covers subjects including:Arrangements for the passage of various East India Company employees from Bussora towards India and related movements of ships in the GulfThe activities of the Basha, including his order of gallivat ships from Bombay [Mumbai] and reinforcement of BussoraNews of the capture of Dutch colonies in the Caribbean, which Latouche has forwarded to BombayNews from Bombay regarding English shipsIntelligence from Madras [Chennai] regarding the movement of French ships and the conflict [Second Anglo-Mysore War, 1780-1784] with Heyder Ally [Ḥaydar ‘Alī, Ruler of Mysore].Another copy of the same letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/12.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Three letters from William Digges Latouche, Resident at Bussora [Basra], to the Court of Directors for Affairs of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies [East India Company].Two copies of a letter dated 11 April 1781. The letter forwards intelligence received in Bussora and discusses issues in communicating with London. Subjects covered include:The detention of messengers carrying letters received from India via the ship
Morning Staren route to AleppoReports received from Aleppo and Constantinople [Istanbul], in particular news of a rupture with Holland which Latouche has forwarded with high priority to India via the
Morning Star, and attempts to intercept Dutch communicationsArrangements for East India Company merchants Eyles Irwin and John Richmond Smyth to travel to India via BussoraThe movements of French travellers and attempts to intercept a French officer reported to be travelling to IndiaThe expedition of the Basha [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] against the Ghesaal Arabs [Khazā‘il tribe]Political intelligence from the Gulf region, including a rumoured attack on Ispahan [Esfahan] by Sadoo Caun [Muḥammad Sādiq Khān Zand], and civil conflict in Muscat.The second letter, dated 25 February 1781, forwards copies of letters received via the
Morning Starto the Court of Directors via the camp of the Basha and Constantinople. Another version of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/3.Physical description: 1 item (5 folios)
Abstract: An extract of a letter from Samuel Manesty, Resident in Bussora [Basra], to John Barker, Consul in Aleppo, dated 18 July 1803.The letter concerns intelligence previously reported by Barker that Lord Whitworth, HM Ambassador to France, has left his post, suggesting an imminent resumption of hostilities between Britain and France. Manesty asks Barker to monitor the activities of the French Consul and other French residents and travellers in Aleppo, and also congratulates Barker on his appointment as Consul.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Alexander Stratton, HM Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire, sent from Bagdad and dated 23 September 1802.The letter concerns events in Bagdad since the death of the Pasha [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā], the issue of succession, and the possible threat from Persia [Iran], and forwards related correspondence (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/272-274).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Alexander Stratton, HM Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire, sent from Bagdad and dated 4 July 1802.The letter concerns the expected death of Soliman Pasha [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad] and succession of Ally Pasha [‘Alī Pāshā al-Kahyah]. Jones suggests that Stratton should encourage the Porte [Government of the Ottoman Empire] to take control of Bagdad on Soliman Pasha’s death to forestall attacks from the Wa-ha-by [Wahhābī movement] or Persia [Iran]. The letter also forwards reports of Persian military movements and French activity in Bagdad.A duplicate of this letter dated 4 August 1802 can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/261.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Alexander Stratton, HM Minister Plenipotentiary to the Ottoman Empire, sent from Bagdad and dated 30 August 1802. The letter forwards reports from Persia [Iran] of military preparations believed to be related to a campaign against the Wahabies [Wahhābī movement] and urges Stratton to press the Porte [Government of the Ottoman Empire] to assert its authority in Bagdad.Attached are:1. A letter from an informant of Harford Jones, sent from Erzeroum [Erzurum] and dated 26 May 1802. The letter forwards reports of Russian troop build-ups and military preparations in the Caucasus and the planned Russian annexation of Erivan [Yerevan].2. A ‘Bulletin from Persia’ written in French, dated Bagdad, 19 August 1802. The Bulletin reports developments in the campaign of Fet Ali Shah [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] in Corrassan [Khorasan] and planned campaigns against Merve [Mary/Merv] and the Vhabies [Wahhābī movement]. The bulletin also reports on events in Afghanistan, describing campaigns to secure Kandahar and Herat by the forces of Mahmud Chah [Mahmūd Shāh Durrānī], and suggesting that Fet Ali Shah has no designs in this direction.3. A copy of a letter from John Barker, Proconsul in Aleppo, to Harford Jones, sent from Aleppo and dated 21 August 1802. The letter forwards reports from Egypt that the evacuation of British forces has been delayed and that reinforcements are heading for the country. Attached are extracts of related letters from Antonio Vondiziano, Vice-Consul in Larnaca (in French), and an informant of John Barker in Rosetta [Rashid] dated 8 July 1802.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad], to Lord Elgin, HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, sent from Bagdad and dated 3 September 1801.Jones states that he is planning to leave Bagdad for a location south of the city along with the Residency staff, despite the objections of the Pashaw [Büyük Sulaymān Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad].The letter also conveys reports from Persia [Iran] and Afghanistan, including: reports that Hossein Kouli Khan [Ḥusyan Qulī Khān Qājār] has captured Ispahan [Isfahan]; reports of executions carried out by Hossein Kouli Khan and the King [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia]; reports of a defeat of Zeman Shah [Zamān Shāh Durrānī, Ruler of Afghanistan] to his brother Shah Zadeh Mahmood [Maḥmūd Shāh Durrānī]; and reports of a Russian incursion into Georgia.A duplicate of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/172.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)