Abstract: Copies of dispatches Nos. 59 and 60 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton.In dispatch No. 59, of 12 August 1827, Macdonald Kinneir reports the transmission of a letter, addressed from himself to General Peskavitch [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia], which was belatedly conveyed by the Prince Royal, Abbas Mirza [Crown Prince of Persia, ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār], following the Russian capture of Abbasabad [‘Abbasabad], the reply to which was originally enclosed with this letter (now catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/36). He goes on to discuss the ongoing war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], including:The failed attempt to negotiate an armistice and peace terms between Peskavitch and the Prince Royal, conducted by the Persian envoy Mirza Saleh [Mīrzā Ṣāliḥ Shīrāzī] and Peskavitch’s private secretary Gribiodoff [Alexander Sergeyevich Gribodoyev] (see IOR/L/PS/9/71/34)The poor conduct and missed opportunities in the war by both the Russians and PersiansThe deficient leadership of both the Shah of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] and the Prince Royal in the war.Dispatch No. 60, of 17 August 1827, originally enclosed confidential papers given to Macdonald Kinneir by his secret informant in the Prince Royal’s camp (now catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/37).This document was originally enclosed, numbered 2, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 20 August 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/33).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 22 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, at the Royal Camp near Ahar, to the Chief Secretary to the Supreme Government of India, George Swinton, of 5 October 1826. In the letter, Macdonald Kinneir details his audience with the Shah of Persia [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār], in which the Shah reports the defeat of the Persian army [led by the Crown Prince of Persia, ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār] by Russia in the Caucasus, and requests that Macdonald Kinneir make representations to the Governor-General of India, Lord Amherst, for supplies of weapons and other military stores with which to fight Russia. Macdonald Kinneir also details his reply to the Shah, in which he indicates that recent fighting in India and Britain’s friendly relations with Russia would make it difficult to meet his request. He also details the advice he gave to the Shah for the defence of Persia, including recommendations to muster troops from across Persia, improve defences on the frontier with Russia, and to conduct an irregular campaign against Russian forces.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 2, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 13 October 1826 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/151).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 65 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, at the Royal Camp at Seraab [Sirab?], to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton, of 20 September 1827. Macdonald Kinneir details a disagreement between Abbas Meerza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] and the Shah of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] concerning the ongoing war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], resulting in the determination of the Shah to send Meerza Abul Hassan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī, Foreign Minister of Persia] to London as an ambassador to discuss peace. Macdonald Kinneir discusses his audiences with the Shah and meetings with the Shah’s ministers on this subject, during which he sought to discourage the Shah from sending an envoy to London and made an agreement for a mission to be sent to Petersburgh [St Petersburg] instead. Macdonald Kinneir also discusses the Shah’s ‘ardent desire’ for peace and the financial and territorial concessions he might be willing to make to Russia, and the designs of and rivalry between the Shah’s ministers.The letter originally enclosed related correspondence between Macdonald Kinneir and members of the Persian Government (now catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/52-58).This document was originally enclosed in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 22 September 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/50).Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: Dispatch No. 38 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, sent from Tabreez [Tabriz] and dated 14 December 1828.The letter discusses:The plans of the Prince Royal [‘Abbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] to travel to St Petersburgh [Saint Petersburg] to seek financial and territorial concessions from Russia, and possibly to travel from there to EuropeMacdonald Kinneir’s opinion of the character and popularity of the Prince Royal and his influence over Persia’s foreign policyThe deployment of troops by the Prince Royal against the Rouandiz [Rawāndiz Kurds], which Macdonald Kinneir suspects is aimed at acquiring territory from Turkey [Ottoman Empire]The movements of the Shah [Fatḥ-‘Ali Shāh Qājār].The letter also forwards a dispatch to the Governor-General of Bengal (IOR/L/PS/9/71/302 and 304).A duplicate of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/303.Physical description: The letter was perforated in an attempt to stop the spread of disease.
Abstract: Dispatch No. 38 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, sent from Tabreez [Tabriz] and dated 14 December 1828.The letter discusses:The plans of the Prince Royal [‘Abbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] plans to travel to St Petersburgh [Saint Petersburg] to seek financial and territorial concessions from Russia, and possibly to travel from there to EuropeMacdonald Kinneir’s opinion of the character and popularity of the Prince Royal and his influence over Persia’s foreign policyThe deployment of troops by the Prince Royal against the Rouandiz [Rawāndiz Kurds], which Macdonald Kinneir suspects is aimed at acquiring territory from Turkey [Ottoman Empire]The movements of the Shah [Fatḥ-‘Ali Shāh Qājār].The letter also forwards a dispatch to the Governor-General of Bengal (IOR/L/PS/9/71/302 and 304).A duplicate of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/301.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Copy of a letter from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Tabreez [Tabriz], to the Governor-General of India, Lord Amherst, of 8 April 1827. The letter is labelled private and confidential, and concerns the ongoing war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], detailing:The interest of the Duke of Wellington in Britain intervening to preserve the 'independence and integrity of Persia'The intention of General Yermoloff [General Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov, Governor-General of Georgia] of opening a campaign against Persia at the head of a large army in May 1827The unsuccessful expedition of General Madatoff [General Valerian Madatov] across the Araxes [River Aras] into Persian territoryThe reaction of Abbas Meerza [Crown Prince of Persia, ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār] to Britain’s refusal to award Persia the subsidy stipulated for in Anglo-Persian treaty relationsThe eagerness of France and the Austrian Empire to develop relations with Persia.Macdonald Kinneir also considers the conclusion of the war, indicating that he expects that Russia will claim Erivan [Yerevan] and other Persian territory north of the Araxes. He also expresses his concern that Persia will subscribe to unfavourable peace terms with Russia, reflecting on the intentions and character of the Shah of Persia [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār]. In addition, he discusses the potential for the expansion of Russian influence in Persia, and surrounding areas including Khiva and Bokhara [Bukhara], and the attendant risks to British territory in India.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 1, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 21 April 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/214).Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: Copy of a letter from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Teheran [Tehran], of 21 December 1826. The letter originally gave no addressee but is ‘supposed to be addressed’ to the Chief Secretary to the Supreme Government of India, George Swinton. The letter details Macdonald Kinneir's communications with the Prince Royal, Abbas Meerza [Crown Prince of Persia, ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār], the Shah of Persia [Fath-'Ali Shāh Qājār], and senior Persian ministers concerning proposals for the dispatch of the Persian Foreign Minister, Meerza Abool Hussan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī] to St Petersburgh [St Petersburg] to negotiate peace with Russia in the Caucasus [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. The letter details Abbas Meerza's willingness to send an ambassador, and reports the Shah's decision to send Meerza Mahomed Ali [Mīrzā Muḥammad ʿAlī Khān Shīrāzī] to St Petersburgh as a precursor to a mission by Meerza Abool Hussan Khan. Macdonald Kinneir also gives his reasons for recommending Meerza Abool Hussan Khan as ambassador, and details the discussion of other matters concerning the war between Russia and Persia, including Russian preparations for a renewed offensive and Abbas Meerza's military situation, the possibility of Britain making subsidy payments to Persia, the diplomatic mission of Daoud Khan [Prince Dāvūd Khān Zādūriyān] to Constantinople [Istanbul], and the mission of Mr Noskoff [Ivan Fyodorovich Noskov]. The letter also originally enclosed:A memorandum of a conference between Macdonald Kinneir's assistant, John McNeill, and Abbas MeerzaThe transcript of a letter from Abbas Meerza to Archduke Constantine [Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich of Russia]Translations of two documents given to Meerza Mahomed Ali for his mission to St PetersburghA letter from Major William Monteith to Macdonald Kinneir.These documents are now catalogued, numbered 1-5, as IOR/L/PS/9/70/158-162.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 1, in Macdonald Kinneir's letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 23 December 1826 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/156).Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
Abstract: Letter and Enclosures to HM Secretary of State for India, dated 6 December 1871.The papers consist of correspondence from Charles Alison, HM Minister at Teheran [Tehran], concerning the reception given at Constantinople by the Ottoman Sultan to the refugee Prince Abbas Mirza, and the statement reported in a newspaper at Baghdad that the Prince had been appointed Heir Apparent by the late Mahomed Shah [Muhammad Shah Qajar]. The correspondence reports the protests of the Shah of Persia at both pieces of news, and the request of the Persian Minister of Foreign Affairs that the Prince be returned to Baghdad.The Enclosures are dated 18-23 August 1871.Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)