Abstract: This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 13 dated 2 February 1856. The enclosures are dated 6 December 1855-29 January 1856.The primary correspondents are the Secretary to the Government, Bombay; Charles Augustus Murray, HM Envoy in Persia [Iran] ‘at a place near Tehran’; and Commander James Felix Jones, Indian Navy, Acting Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire [Bushehr]. The item also includes minutes of the Governor and President in Council, Bombay, and the members in Council and a memorandum by the Secretary to the Government, Bombay.The papers cover the following matters:Murray’s report to the Bombay authorities of the withdrawal of the British Mission from Tehran due to the ‘offensive conduct’ (f 168) of the Persian Government, and recommendation to increase naval security in the Gulf at BushireDiscussions by the Government of Bombay of measures required to enhance British security in the Gulf region, including augmenting the Naval Squadron at Bushire under Commodore Richard Ethersey and improving communications between Bushire and Bussorah [Basra] and BaghdadThe decision to despatch the HEIC [Honourable East India Company] steamers
Ajdahaand
Victoriato Bushire with a detachment of European artillery, with the prospect of further steamers to followThe Government of Bombay’s request to the Government of India for instructions regarding action to be taken in the event of a total breakdown in diplomatic relations, in particular the question of sending a force to the island of Karrack [Kharg, also known as Khark]The Bombay Government’s request that Jones remind Commodore Ethersey that his officers should abstain from corresponding with associates in India about the current diplomatic rupture, following the appearance of an article in the
Bombay Timeswhich implies that the ‘quarrel betwixt the Hon’ble Mr Murray and the Shah of Persia is occasioning an amount of inconveniency to the [British] State’ and shows ‘to what an extent the personal indiscretions of an intemperate man may interfere with public affairs’ (f 182).Physical description: 1 item (22 folios)
Abstract: This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 101 of 1846, dated 27 August 1846. The enclosures are dated 30 July-27 August 1846.The papers chiefly relate to reports of an impending attack on Aden by a force led by ‘a fanatic named Sayud Ismail [Sayyid Ismā‘īl, also spelled Syud in this item] who having made his way from Mecca to this vicinity by slow marches, accompanied by a number of Dervises [dervishes] and other religious Zealots, has loudly proclaimed his determination to dislodge the “Feringhees” [foreigners] from the “strong hold” of the Moslem’ (f 146), and notably cover and include the following:A report by Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Political Agent at Aden, to the Government in Bombay, of intelligence received regarding the progress of Sayud Ismail and his followers towards Aden between 1-15 August, including: Sayd Ismail’s apparent meetings with the local ‘chiefs’ gathering additional followers from various tribes; the support of a son of Sultan M Houssain of Lahidge [Sultan Muḥsin bin Faḍl al-‘Abdalī, Sultan of Lahej] in the ‘Holy cause’; the influence of Sayud Ismail and his reputation for possessing ‘superhuman’ (f 147) powers of conquest, causing 1200-1400 inhabitants of Aden to leave the town in anticipation of the defeat of the EnglishCopies of Haines’s instructions to Lieutenant-Colonel H R Milner, Commanding the troops at Aden, and Lieutenant-Colonel W C Barker, Senior Naval Officer, regarding arrangements to repel any act of aggression, including: prevention of arms entering Aden via the defensive wall; assessment of the military force and ammunition at Aden; searching of all boats entering Aden harbour; and surveillance of the numbers entering daily through the town gates (ff 149-151)Minute of the Governor and President in Council, Bombay, concurred in by members in Council, regarding measures to be taken in response to the information received about a potential attack on AdenInstructions issued by the Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, to the Military Board, the Superintendent of the Indian Navy and the Deputy Quartermaster-General of the Army, Bombay, regarding: arrangements to supply to Aden any deficiencies of military stores and salt by the ship
Seminarisor another vessel; a return of all troops and armaments at Aden (f 166); information regarding which vessels can be immediately sent or be got ready to sail to Aden, including those proceeding for the Persian Gulf; termination of the pensions (or stipends) of any ‘chiefs’ who may have joined Sayud Ismail; and agreement that no force need be despatched at this stage to Aden.Physical description: 1 item (31 folios)