Abstract: Secret and Confidential letter from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Khoee [Khoy], to the Chairman of the Court of Directors of the East India Company of 12 October 1827, which was received on 25 February 1828. Originally enclosed was a letter from Abbas Meerza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] to the Chairman, on the subject of the subsidy claimed by Persia (now catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/65). Macdonald Kinneir discusses the provisions in the Anglo-Persian treaty [the Definitive Treaty of 1814] that provide for this subsidy, arguing in favour of expunging the article concerning the subsidy in return for a one-off payment to Persia, arguing that:Persia will continue to request payment and send missions to Britain and India while the provision existsAbbas Meerza may ‘throw himself entirely to the arms of Russia’ out of frustration at the non-payment of the subsidyNon-payment risks damaging Britain’s reputation in Central AsiaAbbas Meerza’s current financial difficulties caused by the ongoing war [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828] make him more likely to accept such an arrangement.Macdonald Kinneir also indicates that since the signature of the 1814 treaty Persia has ceased to recognise the commercial treaty negotiated by Sir John Malcolm in 1800, recommending that the Persian Government should be induced to recognise that the 1800 treaty is still binding, and enclosing a note on the subject (now catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/66).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Letter from HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company, of 20 November 1825, which was received from the Foreign Office on 21 July 1826. The letter details the payment of a bill for the education of Persian students in England, which has been deducted from the balance of the subsidy paid by Britain to the Persian Government.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Letter from the Secretary to the Board of Control, Thomas Peregrine Courtenay, at Whitehall, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company, of 2 May 1815. The letter indicates the Board of Control’s permission for the Secret Committee to communicate to the Court of Directors of the East India Company letters and enclosures from HM Ministers to Persia [Iran], James Morier and Henry Ellis, of 30 November 1814 (not included in this item, see IOR/L/PS/9/60/158), which include details of the negotiations for the cessation of the subsidy paid by the Company to Persia.Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Letter, in Persian, from Abbas Meerza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] to the Chairman of the Court of Directors of the East India Company (IOR/L/PS/9/71/65 (1)) and a translation of the letter in English (IOR/L/PS/9/71/65 (2)). Abbas Meerza raises the stipulation in Anglo-Persian treaty relations [the Definitive Treaty of 1814] for the provision of a subsidy from Britain to Persia [Iran] in the event of Russian aggression leading to the outbreak of war between Russia and Persia. He requests that the subsidy be paid, on account of the ongoing war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828] and his responsibility, and urgent need, to pay for Persia’s war effort.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 1, in the letter of the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to the Chairman of the Court of Directors of the East India Company of 12 October 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/64).Physical description: Folio 1 comprises a large sheet which has been folded
Abstract: Letter, in Persian, from Abbas Mirza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] to the Chairman of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, Hugh Primrose Lindsay (IOR/L/PS/9/71/150 (1)), and a translation of the letter in English (IOR/L/PS/9/71/150 (2)). In the letter, Abbas Mirza expresses his disappointment that the British Government has failed to fulfil its treaty obligations to Persia [Iran] by withholding mediation and the payment of subsidy to Persia during the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. Abbas Mirza indicates that he still expects Britain to fulfil its treaty obligations, on account of Persia not having been the first aggressor in the war, and argues that Persia still needs British support due to the imminent agreement of peace between Persia and Russia.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 2, in the letter of the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 17 December 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/148).Physical description: The first folio comprises a large sheet which has been folded
Abstract: Letter from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Tabreez [Tabriz], to the Secret Committee of the East India Company, of 8 May 1827, which was received from the Foreign Office on 9 July 1827. In the letter, Macdonald Kinneir reports an audience with the Prince Royal of Persia, Abbas Meerza [Crown Prince of Persia, ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār], held whilst Russian armies are reportedly marching on the frontier with Persia. During the audience the Prince Royal requests that the British supply the Persians with a subsidy as stipulated by Anglo-Persian treaty relations, which Macdonald Kinneir denies on the basis that Persia opened hostilities against Russia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. The letter details the Prince Royal’s response to this refusal, in which he: indicates that Persia was responding to sustained Russian aggression on the frontier between Russia and Persia; argues that Persia has the right to defend its territorial integrity; and expresses his frustration at perceived failures by the British to uphold their treaty obligations to Persia. Macdonald Kinneir also reports that he dissuaded the Prince Royal from dispatching an envoy to London, and expresses his concern that failure by the British Government to intercede on Persia’s behalf in the crisis would pose a risk to British influence in Persia.The letter originally enclosed letters from the Prince Royal to the President of the Board of Control, Charles Watkin Williams-Wynn, and to the Chairman of the Court of Directors of the East India Company, forwarded at the request of the Prince Royal (now catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/70/223-224).Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: This item consists of copies of a Political Despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secretary of State for India, dated 25 August 1873 and received via Brindisi on 22 September 1873, forwarding copies of papers relating to payment of the subsidy to Muscat and the allowances offered by the Sultan of Muscat [Sultan Turki bin Sa'id Al Bu Sa'id] to his nephew (and former Sultan) Syed Salim [Salim bin Thuwayni Al Bu Sa'id] (who had rebelled against Turki and attempted to seize power) and to his brother Abdool Azeez [Sayyid Abdul Aziz bin Sa'id Al Bu Sa'id]. The suggested arrangement is a payment of a monthly sum of $300 each to Syed Salim and Abdool Azeez on condition that they reside in British territory and do not interfere in the affairs of Muscat, and that the stipends should be deducted from the Zanzibar subsidy. The despatch is in continuation of correspondence ending with the telegram to the Secretary of State from the Viceroy, No. 1537, of 10 July 1873.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 164, and terminates at f 171a, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The sequence contains six foliation anomalies: f 164a, f 165a, f 167a, f 168a, f 170a, and f 171a.
Abstract: This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a secret despatch from the Government of India Foreign Department to the Secret Committee, Number 55 of 1856, dated 8 November 1856. The enclosures are numbered 3-7 and are dated 1 to 3 November 1856.They consist of letters from the Government of India to the Chief Commissioner of the Punjab, and minutes of the Government of India. The enclosures relate to: the reported desire of the Ameer of Cabool, Dost Mahomed Khan [Amīr of Kabul, Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy] for the Government of India to muster and pay the troops which the Ameer would provide whilst they are employed against the Persian [Iranian] force at Herat, and for a meeting with the British authorities; and a proposed subsidy to be paid to the Ameer if he engages in operations at Herat.Physical description: 1 item (10 folios)
Abstract: Correspondence, minutes, and memoranda relating to the payment of subsidies to the Sultan of Muscat, in particular that of the Arms Traffic Subsidy. The principal correspondents are officials at the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, Government of India (Foreign and Political Department), India Office, Foreign Office, and the Political Agency in Muscat. The papers deal with the question of the renewal of the Arms Traffic Subsidy at various times:In February 1932, when Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd ibn Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd] succeeded his father as Sultan (this is also when the payment of the Zanzibar Subsidy was questioned)At the beginning 1935 when a three year extension was due to lapseAt the end of 1935 when it was decided to discontinue the subsidyIn November 1937 after the Sultan had requested the subsidy to be restoredIn 1939-45 when the payment of a War Subsidy was also considered.Also contained within the file is correspondence discussing the right of the Sultan to import arms following the end of the Arms Traffic Subsidy and the question over the likelihood he might do so. Connected to this are communications from the Intelligence Bureau concerning suspicion over the activities of the Sultan's father in Japan (folios 128-30, 132-42).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 204; 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 2-204; these numbers are also written in pencil and circled.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: Copies of the papers originally enclosed with the letter of HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, to the Secret Committee of the East India Company, of 3 July 1825 (catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/70/35). The papers concern the revision of the subsidy account between Britain and Persia, detailing the basis upon which the account has been adjusted in favour of Persia, authorising the payment of the outstanding balance to Persia, and detailing an unsettled claim made by the Persians. They include:Copy of a letter from the Chief Secretary to the Supreme Government of India, George Swinton, to Henry Willock, of 24 December 1824Copies of two letters from Swinton to Major George Willock, who had been charged with representing the Persian claims for the settlement of the subsidy account on behalf of Persia, both dated 24 December 1824Copy of a letter from the Accountant-General at Fort William, Henry Wood, to Swinton, dated 20 December 1824, enclosing a statement of the subsidy account indicating the balance due to PersiaExtract from an unsigned letter to the Accountant-General, dated 14 October 1824Extract from a report from the Accountant-General, dated 22 November 1824Copy of a letter from Henry Willock to Swinton, of 23 June 1825.Physical description: 1 item (20 folios)
Abstract: A translation of a rukum [raqm, chancery letter] from the Prince Royal [‘Abbās Mīrzā, Crown Prince] of Persia [Iran], to the Agent of the Prince Royal at the Court of Tehran [Mīrzā Ismā’īl], dated 5 February 1824.The letter discusses:Negotiations with the Porte [Ottoman Empire], including a visit from a Turkish minister and reports from Bagdad [Baghdad]The proposed transfer of responsibility for diplomatic relations between Persia and Britain to the British Government in India, which is opposed by both the Prince and the Shah [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār]The issue of delayed subsidy payments from Britain to PersiaEvents in the Caucasus, including a fire in the bazaar at Shusha and Russian setbacks in Daghestan [Dagestan]Issues concerning Russian representatives in Persia, in particular the treatment of a Russian veterinary surgeon.The translation was enclosed in the letter of Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia, to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 12 February 1824 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/159).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: A copy of a letter from Henry Willock, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Persia [Iran], to George Canning, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, sent from Tabriz and dated 12 November 1823.The letter reports Willock’s resumption of his duties as Chargé d’Affaires from his brother Major George Willock. It also discusses the issue of delayed subsidy payments to Persia and forwards a dispatch on the subject from the Supreme Government of India (IOR/L/PS/9/69/139).The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 12 November 1823 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/137).Physical description: The letter was perforated in an attempt to prevent the spread of disease.