Abstract: The file contains correspondence relating to the abduction and enslavement of a young man from Muscat, who was found working at Petroleum Concessions Limited’s (PCL) oilfields in Qatar, and attempts by the Political Agent and others, including Saleh Al Mana [Ṣāliḥ Āl Māni‘], a representative of the Sheik [Shaikh] of Qatar, to retrieve him from captivity. Principal correspondents in the file include: the Political Agent at Bahrain (Cornelius Pelly), Basil Henry le Riolet Lermitte, Manager for PCL, and Saleh Al Mana. The file includes a copy of a statement, dated 13 December 1948, made by the freed man at the Political Agency in Bahrain, which describes his abduction and captivity.Note: The Emir of Zakrit [Zekreet, also spelled Zekrit and Zikrit in this file] is accused of detaining the enslaved man (folios 3 and 5); however, in a letter to Pelly from a representative of Petroleum Concessions Ltd, Bahrain, it is indicated that this may have been a case of mistaken identity ('mistaken Emirs') and it was perhaps the Emir of Dukhan who held the enslaved man (see f 12).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 22; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-18; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence sent to and from the Persian Gulf Residency (the Resident at the time being Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell), concerning the slave trade between the coast of East Africa and the Persian Gulf, and Britain's maritime efforts to suppress it. The main correspondents are Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary of the Government of Bombay, Lt-Col Sheil, Her Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary at the Council of Persia and Commodore J.P. Porter, Commanding Indian Naval Squadron.The correspondence covers the interception of ships carrying slaves, agreements and treaties for the suppression of the slave trade and the use of native interpreters on British ships. The file contains several reports detailing the numbers of slaves imported from Africa to various parts of the Persian Gulf.Physical description: Foliation: The file has been foliated from the front cover to the last page of the file, with pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto page. The inside back cover has been left unfoliated.
Abstract: Enclosures nos. 2, 3, 7-10, 12, 13, 16-20, 22-24, 27-30, 32-39, 42, 43 and 45 to dispatch no. 108 from the Secret Department, Bombay Castle, dated 31 December 1841. The enclosures are dated 28 October-28 December 1841.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to instances of confirmed, alleged or suspected enslavement and trade in enslaved persons in the Persian Gulf, and efforts for the suppression of that trade.The primary correspondents are the Political Resident, Persian Gulf, and the Government of India.Physical description: 1 item (70 folios)
Abstract: The file is comprised of correspondence and reports sent to and from the Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hennell, relating to reports of slaves being imported from Africa to the Persian and Arabian coasts of the Gulf. Intelligence reports are sent to Hennell by his agents at Sharjah, Muscat, and Bandar-e Lengeh. In turn, Hennell reports on slave trading activities to Arthur Malet, Chief Secretary of the Government Bombay (Arab coast incidents) and to Colonel Justin Sheil, Her Majesty's Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Persia (Persian coast incidents).Physical description: Foliation: The file's foliation begins on the front cover and runs through to the last page in the file. It uses small pencil numbers marked in the top-right corner of each recto page. The inside back cover of the file is unfoliated.Condition: There is evidence of considerable insect damage visible throughout the file, making some items difficult to read.
Abstract: The volume contains secret correspondence (original correspondence received and copies of correspondence sent) within the following three separate categories: Bahrein [Bahrain]; Muscat and Bunder Abbass [Bandar Abbas] (and local); and miscellaneous and local. The Resident in the Persian Gulf during the period covered by the volumes was Commander (James) Felix Jones (acting until July 1856).The correspondence is principally with Henry Lacon Anderson, Secretary to Government, Bombay and other East India Company officials, including Commodore Richard Ethersey, Indian Navy, commanding the Persian Gulf Squadron; Captain Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Political Agent, Turkish Arabia; and the commanders of vessels of the Indian Navy. There is also correspondence with other British officials, including Charles Augustus Murray, Envoy and Minister-Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia, and correspondence (some of it in Arabic) with local rulers and Persian officials.General topics include:the slave trade;political intelligence;the Wahabees [Wahhabis];the operations of the Indian Navy in the Persian Gulf;Russian involvement in Persia;relations with Persia;administrative matters;appointments;the transmission of dispatches around the region;pearl fishing;the Anglo-Persian War (1856-57).Specific topics include:correspondence concerning the effect of the British suppression of the slave trade, January - May 1856 (folios 12-19);correspondence concerning the migration of the Al Ali tribe to Demaum [Dammām], March 1856 - January 1857 (folios 20-90);correspondence concerning relations between Muscat and Persia in the light of the claim of the Imam of Muscat to Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas], February - August 1856 (folios 92-110);letter from Jones to Henry Frederick Disbrowe, Assistant Resident, Persian Gulf, dated 3 May 1856, briefing him on his duties at Bushire during Jones's temporary absence (folio 144);papers concerning Civil Surgeons' fees for attendance on the families of public officers of the East India Company in the light of the unhealthy nature of the climate at Bushire, June - September 1856 (folios 148-152);correspondence between Jones and the Government of Bombay and between Jones and the staff officers of the Bombay Army, concerning military operations in the Persian Gulf, September 1856 - February 1857 (folios 172-297).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence runs across the two volumes into which this record has been bound (Part 1 ff 1-141B; Part 2 ff 142-299). The foliation sequence commences at 1 on the (modern) title page of volume one and terminates at 299, the last folio before the back cover of volume two. The numbers are written in pencil and appear in the top right hand corner of the recto page of each folio. Foliation anomalies: ff 141, 141A, 141B. This is the system in use.Pagination: three original pagination sequences, which generally number only those pages bearing text, numbered 1-124 (ff 12-90); 1-30 (ff 92-111); and 1-305 (ff 113-297) are also present. The numbers are written in ink and appear in various positions at the top of each page.
Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, printed reports, and notes for the period from November 1920 to February 1923 relating to the Kuwait/Najd boundary.The main topics discussed include:The attack on Jahra by the IkhwanBahrain Agency Mission to Ibn Sa`ud, 1920Ikhwan raidsKuwait Mission to Ibn Sa`ud, 1921Death of Shaikh Salim, 1921Boundary settlementThe volume includes an index (folio 232) which lists topics including: air reconnaissance; boundary, Kuwait-Iraq; Chasib mission; Council for Kuwait; letters with Ibn Sa'ud; trade with Najd.The principal correspondents in the volume include: the Political Agent, Bahrain; the Political Agent, Kuwait (James Carmichael More); the Civil Commissioner in Mesopotamia, Baghdad (Arnold Talbot Wilson).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 233; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-232; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes from February 1919 to August 1920, mainly relating to boundary questions between Ibn Sa'ud and the Ruler of Kuwait, Shaikh Salim [Shaikh Sālim al-Mubārak Āl Ṣabāḥ], as well as attacks on the Ikhwan and British relations with Ibn Sa'ud.The volume includes an index (folio 115) to topics and people discussed in the file. The principal correspondents in the volume include: the Political Agent, Kuwait (James Carmichael More); the Political Agent, Bahrain (Harold Richard Patrick Dickson); Ibn Sa'ud; the Ruler of Kuwait; and the Civil Commissioner, Baghdad.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 115; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 5-114; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence which form enclosures to a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 3 August 1846. A copy of this letter can be found at IOR/F/4/2157/103838.The item relates to a report by Heskeal bin Yusoof [Ḥizqīl bin Yūsuf], Native Agent at Muscat, that an enslaved man named Yusoof [Yūsuf] from Hyderabad had fled from Shaik Said bin Guzeeb, Chief of Linga [Shaikh Sa‘īd bin Qaḍīb, Shaikh of Bandar-e Lengeh]. Heskeal bin Yusoof’s report provides details of Yusoof’s backstory and how they came to meet.The item also contains correspondence from the Government of Bombay and Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, which confirms that, as a ‘native of India’, Yusoof should not be enslaved and is free to travel wherever he wishes as a free man. Hennell confirms that he has written a letter of remonstrance to Shaik Said bin Guzeeb.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5410, Draft 786/46’, ‘Vol: 11’, ‘Collection N. 10 of N. 99’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’. The ‘N. 10’ has been crossed out with different ink.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 896, and terminates at f 903, 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 volume contains correspondence relating to a number of subjects, listed below. The principal correspondents throughout are Commander (James) Felix Jones, initially Acting Resident, then Resident in the Persian Gulf; and Henry Lacon Anderson, Secretary to the Government of Bombay.The volumes contain correspondence relating to events in the Gulf, and are arranged by subject as follows:Bahrain (folios 10-24); despatches from the Government of Bombay in response to 1854-55 events in Bahrain; theft of property from Banyan (Indian) traders in Bahrain, and the suspicious death of a Banyan trader;Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] (folios 25-65): the attack upon Abu Dhabi of the deposed Shaikh Sa’id bin Tahnun, in collaboration with Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr; an act of piracy off the Al-Qaṭīf coast;Shargah, Rasul Khymah [Ra’s al-Khaymah], and Himreeyah [Ḩamrīyah] (folios 66-127): an incident of piracy at Sharjah, and attempts by British officials to obtain compensation; conflict between Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr, ruler of Ra’s al-Khaymah, and the tribes of Ḩamrīyah; Wahhābī forces moving toward the Oman coast;Muscat and Bunder Abbass [Bandar-e ʻAbbās] (folios 128-62): investigation into the shipwreck and plunder of a vessel carrying pilgrims, and the murder of some of the vessel’s crew; the treatment of British subjects at Muscat; conflict and settlement between the Persian Government and Imam of Muscat over customs at Persian ports including Bandar-e ʻAbbās;The Slave Trade (folios 163-297): resources in the Gulf for fighting the maritime slave trade; Jones’s recommendations for improvements and changes to the policing of waters; the actions of the British Agent at Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh], in relation to diplomatic relations between Britain and Persia; the capture of a boat carrying slaves under Turkish colours.Physical description: Foliation: This item is in two parts and the foliation sequence runs through both volumes as a continuous sequence. The foliation sequence begins on the title page of part one and ends on the third sheet from the back of part two. The sequence uses numbers written in pencil, which can be found in the top-right corner of the recto side of each folio. An original pagination sequence is present between ff 11-297; these numbers are written in ink and can be found in the top left and top right of the verso and recto side respectively. The following foliation anomalies occur: 1, 1A and 1B.
Abstract: Memorandum prepared by Edward Hertlset, Foreign Office Librarian, on 5 March 1874 (printed by the Foreign Office 10 March 1874). The document gives a historical overview (from 1517 to 1874) of claims on the Red Sea coast, with particular focus on those of the Ottoman Turks and the Egyptians. It discusses attempts by the French, Italians and Americans to gain a foothold in the region. It ends with a summary of things as they stand, with political and commercial considerations, as well as those of the slave trade.Hertslet quotes extensively from his sources, notes on which appear in the left-hand margin.Physical description: Foliation: the sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A second foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 1-34; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto side of each folio.Pagination: The booklet also contains an original typed pagination sequence.
Abstract: The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, printed reports, memoranda, and notes, relating to the manumission procedure in Kuwait. Correspondence also discusses the procedure to follow if Kuwait slaves take refuge at other British agencies in the Gulf. Further discussion surrounds the issue of consistency of practice and whether guidelines should be issued by the Government of India.Included in the volume is a copy (ff 34-44) of typed notes 'Part 1:Notes for Guidance on Persian shore of Persian Gulf; Part 2: Notes for guidance on Arabian shore of Persian Gulf' with sections on Kuwait, Bahrain, Maskat and Trucial Coast.Also included (folio 79) is a copy of the proclamation issued by the Government of India in 1873 'notifiying the penalites which British subjects will incur by illegally possessing and in any way trafficking in slaves, or aiding others in such traffic.'The principal correspondents in the volume include the Political Agent, Kuwait (Stuart George Knox; James Carmichael More); the Political Agent, Bahrain (Francis Beville Prideaux); the Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department (Sir Louis William Dane); the Assistant Resident, Bushire (Richard Lockington Birdwood); the Ruler of Kuwait (Shaikh Mubarak bin Sabah al-Sabah; Shaikh Salim al-Mubarak al-Sabah).Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 148; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 2-147, and ff 3-133; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: The volume starts with an index (ff 4-8) which lists the subjects of the correspondence in the volume. The correspondence in the volume is in the form of letters, telegrams and reports related to the internal affairs taking place at Sur and the involvement of various tribes in those affairs, mainly the Bani Bu Ali and the Janabah. Among the issues covered in the correspondence are the following:The Amirs of Ja'alan [Emirs of Ja‘lan] Bani Bu Ali requesting a licence for rifles, ammunition, and cartridgesArrangements for meetings between the Amirs of Ja'alan, the Political Agent at Muscat, and the Political Resident at BushireReports of some of the Sur tribes firing on Bertram Sidney Thomas and the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, and the fines imposed on the tribes as a resultPetitions raised by the British subjects at Sur who were concerned about their own safety during the fightingThe fights between the Bani Bu Ali and the ‘Arama and Fawaris tribes and the number of casualties on both sidesThe Muscat Government’s refusal of a request from the Bani Bu Ali for payment for their campaign against the Janabah.The volume also includes two reports on the Sur affairs (ff 129-156) and (ff 256-291) sent by the Political Agent, Muscat, to the Political Resident, Bushire. The reports cover the following:Historical summary of the Bani Bu Ali tribeHistorical summary of the Janabah tribeGeographical description of SurThe slave trade at SurRecent events at SurReview of the current situation.Among other correspondents in the volume are the following: the Wali of Sur, Hamad bin Hilal; the Amirs of Ja‘alan, Shaikh Muhammad bin Nasir and Shaikh Ali bin Abdullah Al Hamudah; and the Council of Ministers to His Highness the Sultan of Muscat and Oman.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 310; 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.