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1. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, Oct 1 1855’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the President in Council (22 August 1855, Numbers 46-48) and the Government of Bombay (one undated and 29 August 1855, Number 57). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The subject matter of the letters from the President in Council (folios 67-69) includes the construction of police border posts along the Burmese Frontier, a proposal to build a wall around the cantonment at Peshawar, and an update on the dispute between the Maharaja of Cashmere [Kashmir] and his nephew Jowahir Singh.The section from Bombay (folios 70-74) covers Russian objections to the export of animals from Turkish Arabia to the Crimea by the British, and proposals for raising a detachment of irregular horse or mounted police at Aden.Physical description: 1 item (8 folios)
2. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, Dec 14 1855’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the President in Council (8 November 1855, Numbers 59-60) and the Government of Bombay (16 November 1855, Number 70). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatches from the President in Council (folios 109-110) are concerned with policing arrangements at Peshawar, and progress reports from the Government of India's diplomatic mission to the Court of Ava.The section from Bombay (folios 111-112) is concerned with measures to prevent the Foutheli communicating with Aden.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
3. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, January 14.1856’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 December 1855, Number 64) and the Government of Bombay (17 December 1855, Numbers 76 and 78-79). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The despatch from the Governor General (folios 19-21r) focuses on an expedition led by Brigadier Chamberlain against the Rabeah Kheil.The section from Bombay (folios 21v-24) contains an assessment of the military forces that will need to be despatched to the Persian Gulf in the event of conflict with Persia, the prospects of conflict in the vicinity of Aden between the Oulaki and Foutheli, and arrangements for mounted police at Aden.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
4. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, August 15 1855’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (4 July 1855, Number 5), the President in Council (3 July 1855, Numbers 38-39), and the Government of Bombay (9 July 1855, Numbers 48-52). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letter from the Governor General (folios 25-26) includes updates from Afghanistan, and a letter to be sent to the Amir of Afghanistan on the future policy of the Government of India in Central Asia.The focus of the section from the President in Council (folios 27-42r) covers the demarcation of the boundary between British India and Burma, raids into British India from Burma, the line to be taken by the Government of India in response to these raids, proposed improvements to the security of the frontier with Burma, and arrangements and instructions for a diplomatic mission to the Court of Ava. It also contains a very brief update on the Nepalese-Thibetan [Tibetan] War.The section from Bombay (folios 42v-44) focuses on proposals for the punishment of Somalis (for allegedly attacking British officers) and the blockade of Berbera. Brief updates on Muscat and Turkish Arabia are also included.Physical description: 1 item (20 folios)
5. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, January 29.1857’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (22 December 1856, Numbers 62-65) and the Government of Bombay (31 December 1856, Numbers 108-114 and 1-2 January 1857, Numbers 1-6). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letters from the Governor General (folios 51-56r) are concerned with a request from the Governor of Hong Kong for an additional European regiment, developments in Afghanistan, the question of whether a subsidy should be provided to Dost Mahomed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan] in return for operations against Herat, and punitive measures taken by British authorities against tribes on the Punjab frontier.The section from Bombay (folios 56v-64) covers the capture of Karrak [Khārk] and Bushire, the supply of weaponry and finance to Dost Mahommed [Dost Mohammad Khan, Amir of Afghanistan], and the appointment of Sir James Outram as commander of the British Expeditionary Force against Persia. It also details the expansion of operations against Persia, re-enforcements sent to Persia, and reinforcements required for the Bombay Presidency as a result of operations in the Persian Gulf.Physical description: 1 item (14 folios)
6. ‘Secret Letters received, by way of Marseilles, Nov 3 1855’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the President in Council (22 September 1855, Numbers 52-54) and the Government of Bombay (3 October 1855, Numbers 60-61). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The section from the President in Council (folios 83-87r) discusses an attack on the Kokan Pass by the Aka Kheil [Aka Khel] of the Afreedees [Afridi], the departure of the Kokan Envoy from Peshawar, the progress of the Government of India's diplomatic mission to Ava, and provides updates from Afghanistan.The dispatches from Bombay (87v-92) discuss a proposal to withdraw troops from Turkish Arabia, arrangements for peace between the Oulaki and Foutheli, a proposal to send Indian Cavalry to Aden for policing purposes, the policy towards slave ships arriving at Aden, and the blockade of the coastline of the Habr Owel tribe for the alleged murder of officers of the Somali Expedition.Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)
7. ‘Secret Letters received Nov 14 1855 by way of Marseilles’
- Description:
- Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the President in Council (8 October 1855, Number 55) and the Government of Bombay (13 and 17 October 1855, Numbers 62-65). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The dispatch from the President in Council (folio 93r) is concerned with the site for the new city of Dalhousie and the construction of a lighthouse on the Alguada Reef.The section from Bombay (folios 93v-95) discusses the consequences of the peace agreement reached between the Oulaki and the Foutheli, and finding volunteers from India to serve as mounted police at Aden. It also provides brief updates on Turkish Arabia, Persia, and the Slave Trade.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
8. Persian Gulf Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises correspondence between Thomas Herbert Maddock, Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General, and John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai], with relevant enclosures, and minutes of the Governors in Council. The enclosures comprise letters to and from: Captain Samuel Hennell, Political Resident, Persian Gulf; Lieutenant-Colonel James Shirreff, Commanding the Detachment at Karrak [Kharg, also known as Khark]; the Adjutant-General of the Army; Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin Shee, Commanding the British Detachment in Persia [Iran]; the Superintendent of the Indian Navy; the Political Agent in Turkish Arabia [Ottoman Iraq]; and the Judge Advocate-General.The papers mainly cover:The approbation of the Governor-General of India for the actions undertaken by the Hennell relating to Khooshed Pasha [Khūrshid Pasha], Commanding the Egyptian Army in Nedgd [Najd, also known as Nejd], and negotiations for the possible return of the Residency from Karrak to Bushire [Bushehr]The disapprobation of the Governor-General of the expulsion of Sheik Nasir [Shaikh Nāṣir Āl Mazkūr II, a former Governor of Bushire] from the island of Karrak by Liuetenant-Colonel Shirreff, who is considered to have over-stepped his authority and interfered in political matters which are the remit of the Political ResidentArrangements for the removal of the British detachment in Persia, (if deemed by Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil , HM Chargé d’Affaires at Tehran, to be no longer required by the Shah of Persia), to Bagdad [Baghdad] and then Karrak for onward sea transport to Bombay, including statement by the Adjutant-General of the Army of the strength and disposition of the British detachment in Persia (f 118)Lieutenant-Colonel Shirreff’s request for powers to assemble General Courts Martial in order to deal with the alleged threat to security at Karrak from Persia, ‘incendiaries’ and ‘well-poisoners’, and assent to his request on condition that, unless under attack or siege, capital punishments must be referred to a superior authority.There is a note at the beginning of the item stating that the ‘Enclosure in Bombay Secret Letter No. 78, dated 20th June 1839, is missing from this Collection.’Physical description: 1 item (26 folios)
9. Affairs in Bhawulpoor
- Description:
- Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 19 of 1853, dated 14 March 1853. The enclosures are numbered 3-10 and are dated 25 November 1852 to 9 March 1853.Most of the enclosures consist of correspondence regarding ‘disturbances’ in the Bhawulpoor territory [Bahawalpur], in relation to the disputed succession of Saadut (also spelled Sadick Khan in this item) [Ṣādiq III] as Nawab Amir and his deposition by Hajee Khan alias Mahomed Futteh Khan [Muḥammad Fath' Khān], and the possibility of troops being required to be sent into Bhawulpoor territory from Upper Sind [Sindh].The main correspondents are as follows: the Commissioner in Sind (Henry Bartle Edward Frere); the Quarter Master General of the Army; and the Government of Bombay.This item also includes: a letter from HM Envoy at Tehran, Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, forwarding an extract from a recent number of the official Gazettepublished in Tehran, announcing that an arrangement had been concluded between the Prince Governor of Khorassan [Khorasan] and Alee Khan Seestanee ['Ali Khān Sistanī] for the protection of roads; and a minute by the Governor of Bombay concurred in by the Board, directing that copies of Sheil’s letter be sent to the Commissioner in Sind, the Government of India, and the Secret Committee.Physical description: There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-10, on folios 435-436. These numbers are repeated for reference on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure.
10. Aden Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 137 of 1846, dated 16 November 1846. The enclosures are dated 7 October-16 November 1846.The papers relate to the affairs of Aden, notably the following:The obstruction of kafilahs [caravans carrying supplies] and communications into Aden from the interior, by the followers of Sayud Ismail [Sayyid Ismā‘īl] and members of the Foutheli tribe [Faḍlī, also spelled Foutheli and Fouthelee in this item] located in the near Sheik Othman [Shaykh Uthman], and the claim by Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Political Agent at Aden, that the Foutheli are secretly in the pay of Sultan M’Houssain of Lahedge [Sulṭān Muḥsin bin Faḍl al-‘Abdalī, Sulṭān of Lahej] (f 191)The apparent success of the British blockade of Shugra [Shaqrah] by the HC [Honourable Company’s] schooner Constanceand Haines’s belief that once the Abdali [‘Abdalī], Foutheli, and other ‘hostile’ tribes discern that the British at Aden can obtain most supplies from the coast of Africa and from India they will sue for peaceHaines’s request for a small vessel from India to assist with the blockade ‘to the westward’ which he has imposed to detrimentally affect the exports of Lahedge and injure the Sultan’s interestsThe proposal of Haines for the destruction the castle lately erected by the Foutheli Chief within four miles from the beach of Shugra, as a punishment for the latter’s ‘aggressive’ actions against the British at Aden (ff 197-198), and the Government of Bombay’s view that this measure is not at present advisable as it would increase ill-feeling towards the BritishHaines report that he has taken measures to ensure the sufficient supply of provisions for three months, and his suggestion that all purchases of grain, grass and wood, etc., are made by the Commissariat Department in Aden alone, rather than it competing with the Engineer Department in the Aden marketThe despatch by the Superintendent of the Indian Navy of the HC brigantine Tigristo Aden for addition to the Indian Naval Squadron there (f 211).The principal correspondents are Haines and the Government of Bombay.Physical description: 1 item (32 folios)
11. Aden Affairs
- Description:
- Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 102 of 1847, dated 15 December 1847. The enclosures are numbered 3-9 and are dated 29 November to 15 December 1847.Enclosure Nos. 3-4 consist of two letters from the Political Agent at Aden, Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Arthur Malet, reporting news from Aden, including:The neighbourhood of Aden remaining ‘tranquil’, due to Sultan Hamed ibn Abdulla Foutheli [Aḥmad bin Abdullāh al-Faḍlī] declining to ratify an agreement made between his brother and Hydra ibn Maidee [Shaikh Ḥaydarah bin Mahdī] of Bir Ahmed [Bi’r Aḥmad] for assistance in plundering the Abdali kafilas [caravans] entering AdenSheil writing to Hydra ibn Maidee and cautioning him against any such ‘outrage and breach of faith’ which would interfere with the commerce of AdenNo new cases of smallpox occurring since Haines’s last letterThe cool weather during the month of NovemberThe death Sultan M Houssain Fudthel [Muḥsin bin Faḍl al-'Abdalī] on 29 November.Enclosure No. 4 includes enclosed copies of translated letters from Ahmed M’Houssain Fudthel [Aḥmad bin Muḥsin al-‘Abdalī] and his brothers, and from their father Sultan M’Houssain Fudthel to Haines, regarding the Sultan delegating to his sons responsibility for securing the roads, and the sons requesting the restoration of the stipend formerly paid to their father. This enclosure also includes a letter in reply from Haines to Sultan Ahmed Fudthel (following the death of his father), expressing his pleasure at the brothers commencing to secure the roads, stating that he has written to the Government of Bombay regarding the stipend, and offering his condolences on the death of Sultan M’Houssain Fudthel.Enclosures 5-6 consist of a minute of the Government of Bombay and a letter from Malet to Haines, regarding the approval of the Government of Bombay of Haines’s actions following the death of the late Sultan of Lahedge, requesting Haines to express the regret of Government to the family of the deceased, and informing Haines that the question of the restoration of the pension of the Sultan of Lahedge has been referred to the Governor-General, but he has not yet replied.Enclosure No. 7 is a letter from Malet to the Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General, Henry Miers Elliot, forwarding copies of the correspondence with Haines relating to the death of the Sultan of Lahedge.Numbers 8-9, listed in the abstract of contents as copies of the Bombay Overland Timesand the Bombay Overland Telegraph and Courier, dated 15 December 1847, are not included in this item (a note dated 30 October 1906 states that they are missing).Physical description: 1 item (13 folios)
12. Coll 5/68 ‘Air route to India: Air facilities on the Arab Coast; Security of the Air Route; emergency landing arrangements’
- Description:
- Abstract: The file contains correspondence related to the security of the Arab Coast Air Route, used by both Imperial Airways and the Royal Air Force (RAF). The majority of the file is devoted to proposals made by Sir Trenchard Craven William Fowle, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, in his letter dated 28 June 1939: see folios 44-50. His proposals can be summarised as follows:Alternative landing facilities should be established for use in the event of civil disturbances at Sharjah and Dibai [Dubai].The Political Resident should be given the discretion – in the event he is unable to consult the home government – to use force against ‘troublesome Shaikhs’ that threaten the continued operation of the Air Route.There is also a small amount of discussion in the file around the possibility of negotiating a fresh agreement with the Shaikh of Ra's al-Khaymah for the provision of air facilities.The main correspondents in the file are as follows: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Charles Geoffrey Prior), officials of the Air Ministry, officials of the Foreign Office, and officials of the India Office (J P Gibson and Roland Tennyson Peel). The Admiralty is also consulted over the Resident's proposals.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 commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 56; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.