Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from the Governor General of India (8 February 1855, Number 14), the President in Council (22 February 1855, Numbers 15-17) and the Government of Bombay (28 February 1855, Numbers 18-19). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The letter from the Governor General consists of two folios only (folios 65-66r) and is concerned with the policy to be pursued at Aden.The letters from the President in Council make up the bulk of the bundle (folios 66v-74r) and the subject matter includes the following: reports from Afghanistan regarding relations with Persia, opinions amongst Afghans on a proposed treaty of friendship with the Government of India, and reports on preparations – causing discontent – in Nepal for military action against Thibet [Tibet].The section from Bombay consists of three folios only (folios 74v-76). It is predominantly concerned with the risk of the Sultan of Lahedge [Lahej] being overpowered by his enemies, and the question of whether the Political Resident at Aden should be empowered to provide small sums in financial aid.Physical description: 1 item (12 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries, and partial transcripts, of secret letters received from both the Governor General of India (8 February, Numbers 7-13) and the Government of Bombay (16 February, Numbers 14-17 and 19-20). The amount of detail for each entry therefore varies.The subject matter of the letters from the Governor General (folios 19-61) includes the following: criticism of the Government of India's Punjab Frontier Policy from Major John Jacob, Nepalese military preparations for an invasion of Thibet [Tibet], news from Burmah [Burma], discussion over whether the Government of India should intervene in a feud between Gulab Singh – the Maharaja of Cashmere [Kashmir] – and his nephew Jowahir Singh, and discussion over the line of policy the Government of India should take over a proposed treaty of friendship with Afghanistan.The section from Bombay consists of two folios only (folios 62-63). They consist of brief updates on Aden and the Persian Gulf.Physical description: 1 item (46 folios)
Abstract: The item consists of correspondence relating to the embassy of Sir Gore Ouseley to the Court of Persia [Iran]. The letters are principally from Ouseley to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors. Matters covered by the papers include:The progress of Ouseley’s mission, including his journey to and arrival in Persia, his expense, his engagements with the Persian ministry, and his negotiations with the Persian monarch, Futeh Ali Shah [Fatḥ ʻAlī Shāh Qājār] over the Definitive Treaty of PeacePersia’s relations with Afghanistan and Ottoman Bagdad [Baghdad]The conduct of Ouseley’s predecessor, Sir Harford JonesRussian influence and activities in Persia, including military operations along the northern frontier and the signing of the Treaty of Gulistan on 24 October 1813Instructions for William Ouseley to travel to the Caspian Sea region in order to investigate the possibilities of building a naval docks.Other correspondents, included as enclosures, include: Lord Minto [Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 1st Baron Minto], Governor-General of the Presidency at Fort William; Abul Hassan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān], Envoy Extraordinary from the King of Persia to the Court of King George III; Sir Harford Jones, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia; Marquis Wellesley [Richard Colley Wellesley, 1st Marquess Wellesley], Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Jafer Ali Khan [Ja‘far ‘Alī Khān], Native Agent in Shiraz; William Bruce, Resident at Bushire [Bushehr]; Charles Pasley, former Envoy to the Court of Persia; Brigadier-General John Malcolm; Futeh Ali Shah; and Meerza Mahomed Shefi [Mirzā Muḥammad Shafi’ Māzandarāni], Grand Vizier of Persia.At the end of the item, probably misfiled, is an original letter from the explorer and orientalist Georg August Wallin. The letter is dated Damascus, 19 May 1849, and is addressed to an unnamed ‘Captain’. The letter is written in both English and Arabic and is an account of his overland journey from Bagdad to Damascus.Physical description: 1 item (181 folios)
Abstract: These folios consist of summaries of letters from HM Minister to Persia, Charles Augustus Murray, sent from Baghdad (6 June, Number 46; and 8 June, Numbers 47-48).The summaries concern Herat, including the Persian Government’s reported intention to delay their departure from Herat, the conclusion of the Treaty between Ferook Khan and the American Minister at Constantinople, and the receipt by Murray of an invitation from the Persian Government to resume his diplomatic functions at Teheran [Tehran].Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: This bundle consists of summaries of letters from HM Minister to Persia [Iran], Charles Augustus Murray, sent from Baghdad (2 April 1857, Number 12; 7 April 1857, Number 18; 8 April 1857, Numbers 19-20; and 10 April 1857, Number 22).The summaries report on the situation in Persia, including: the draft of the Treaty sent by the Persian Government for the acceptance of the American Minister at Constantinople, which Murray viewed as being ‘full as incongruities and inaccuracies purposely introduced in order to lower our [Great Britain’s] maritime influence in the Persian Gulf’; the nature of the protection which Persian protégés of the British experienced from the French Mission; ‘scurrilous’ articles against Britain and the British Government in the official
Gazette of Persia; and ‘great discontent’ in Persia caused by a forced war contribution.Physical description: 1 item (6 folios)
Abstract: The file comprises letters and their enclosures, sent under the heading of ‘Secret Department’, to the Resident in the Persian Gulf (Captain Samuel Hennell). The letters are sent by LR Reid, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay.The file’s contents include correspondence relating to:the Imam of Muscat’s desire to return the yacht
Prince Regent, given to him by King William the Fourth, and arrangements for its repairs at Bombay (folios 2-13, 76-77);praise for and costs associated with Captain Hamerton’s journey to Brymee [Al Buraymī] (folio 14);the ratification of the Convention of Commerce agreed between the British Government and the Imam of Muscat at Zanzibar on 31 May 1839 (folios 14-39), including a copy of a letter (in English and Arabic) from Lord Palmerston (Henry John Temple) to Sultan Said Syeed bin Sultan [Sa‘id bin Sulṭān] the Imam of Muscat, dated 2 April 1840 (folios 18-22);Egyptian designs on Arabia and Muscat, with details of a discussion between Colonel Hodges, Her Majesty’s Consul in Alexandria, and Mahomed Alli Pasha [Muḥammad ‘Alī Bāshā] (folios 40-43, 52-55);Commander Brucks’s orders for the prohibition of gun salutes in the Gulf, and regulations for the use of gun salutes (folios 44-51);disapproval of the East India Company Board of Directors of Hennell’s pledge to the Sultan of Muscat to protect his territory from invasion (folios 56-57);the granting of permission by Government for the British Agent at Muscat ‘to remove at the unhealthy season from that place’ (folios 61-62);British response to the blockade at Kateef [Al-Qaṭīf], Sohat [Sayhat] and Ajeer (folios 63, 78);British policy to not interfere in differences between the Maritime Arab Chiefs (folios 64-66);a letter sent by Lord Palmerston to the Imam of Muscat, dated 4 October 1840, on French designs on Oman (folios 67-68);the Imam of Muscat’s proposed trip to Zanzibar (folios 69-72);the Imam of Muscat’s designs on Bahrain (folios 73-75).Physical description: Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. It begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the last folio before the back cover, on number 80. Foliation anomalies: no ff 21-22.Pagination: There is an incomplete pagination sequence, which is written in ink, in the top-right corners of the rectos and in the top-left corners of the versos.
Abstract: Enclosures nos. 2-106 to dispatch no. 107 from the Secret Department, Bombay Castle, dated 31 December 1841. The enclosures are dated 9 March-31 December 1841.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in the Persian Gulf, including:A proposed extension to a British-enforced Maritime Truce between the Gulf chiefs by between two and five years, and a complaint from Shaik Sultan been Suggar [Sultan bin Saqr] of the Joasmee [Al-Qasimi] that the truce hampers his ability to retaliate against land attacks from Shaik Kaleefa bin Shakhboot [Khalifa bin Shakhbut Al Nahyan] of Aboothebee [Abu Dhabi]Alleged acts of piracy in the GulfA tour of Gulf ports by HMS
EndymionA disagreement with Shaikh Nasir, Governor of Bushire, over a customs payment and his ensuing refusal to allow the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf to land at Bushire [Bushehr]A shipwreck on the Island of Karrack [Kharg] of a boat carrying the widow and two sons of the late Firman Firma [Husayn Ali Mirza Farmanfarma, Prince-Governor of Fars]A proposed survey of the Karoon [Karun] riverThe intention of Ameer Khaled [Khalid ibn Saud ibn Abd al Aziz, Emir of Nejd] to invade Oman, the despatch of a British officer to dissuade him, and a proposal to supply arms to chiefs willing to resist his advanceThe temporary retirement of Captain Samuel Hennell as Political Resident in the Persian Gulf because of ill health and appointment of an Acting ResidentA commercial treaty between Persia [Iran] and the UK and the effects of the agreement, including the return of a British Ambassador to Tehran and the withdrawal of the Political Residency from KarrackArrangements for withdrawing from Karrack and considerations of the effect the withdrawal will have on the island’s residentsDiscussions of the need for a permanent Assistant Resident position.The primary correspondents are: the Political Resident; the Government of India; the Senior Naval Officer; and HM Ambassador, Tehran.The item contains a single enclosure in French, a letter from the Russian Ambassador in Tehran.Physical description: 1 item (309 folios)
Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-3 to a despatch from the Secret Department, Bombay [Mumbai] Castle, dated 23 February 1848. The enclosures are dated 23 October-15 December 1847. The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to affairs in Persia [Iran] and Bokhara [Emirate of Bukhara], including: attempts to secure the release of Colonel Charles Stoddart, Captain Arthur Conolly and Lieutenant Wyburd [William Henry Wybard] from imprisonment in Bokhara; a treaty of commerce signed between Persia and France; and the state of affairs in Azerbijan [Iranian Azerbaijan] after the resignation of Bahman Meerza [Bahman Mirza Qajar] as Governor. The primary correspondents are the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Persia and the Prime Minister of Persia.Physical description: 1 item (22 folios)
Abstract: The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] to the East India Company Court of Directors, dated 10 June 1845. Further enclosures to this letter can be found in IOR/F/4/2122/100073.The item refers to a request by the Governor General of India for political officers to provide details on the Company’s political relations with ‘native states’. The majority of the item is made up of the subsequent response from Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Captain in the Indian Navy and Political Agent at Aden, who provides information on Aden and the surrounding territory.His report (ff 311-347) is split into:A history of Aden and Yemen from AH 7 [c 628 AD] to the mid-1830s (ff 311-328), including a ‘Table Shewing the descent of the present reigning Family at Lahedge [Lahij]’ (f 325)A description of the events at Aden between 1837-43, including Haines’s dealings with M’Hassan Foudthel, the Sultan of Aden [Sultan Muḥsin bin Faḍl al-'Abdalī, Sultan of Lahij], and how Aden came to be under British control (ff 328-337)A brief description of the tribes in the territories surrounding Aden (f 338)A brief note on the climate of Aden (f 339).Haines’s report also contains several enclosures:Letters sent by Haines to Captain Smith, Senior Naval Officer at Aden, and Major S Bailie, Commanding the Military Force, in January 1839 requesting their aid in taking Aden under British control (ff 340-341)A letter from Haines to the Government of Bombay, 25 January 1839, describing the storming of Aden by the British in January 1839 (ff 341-343)A copy of a treaty concluded by Haines and the Sultan, 11 February 1843 (ff 343-345)A copy of the bond obtained from the Sultan, signed 20 February 1844, confirming the salary he will receive from the British as well as an oath of loyalty on behalf of himself and all individuals under his jurisdiction (ff 345-346)A map of the ‘South Coast of Arabia’ [south-western Yemen], April 1845, indicating: mountain ranges; settlements; tribal regions; and areas of cultivation (f 347).Correspondents: Haines; the governments of Bombay and India; M’Hassan Foudthel; and Sultan Ahmed [Sultan Aḥmad bin Muḥsin al-‘Abdalī], son of M’Hassan Foudthel.The majority of the material in the item is dated from 1838-45, apart from the original circular sent by the Governor-General of India, which is dated 17 October 1833.M’Hassan Foudthel is also written as M’Houssain Fudthel and M’Houssain Futthel.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5061, Coll[ection]: 20, Vol: 1, Draft 29/46’, ‘Collection N. 1 of N. 59’ and ‘Examiner's Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 300, and terminates at f 349, 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 item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and minutes cited in, or enclosed with, an Extract Bombay [Mumbai] Political Consultation dated 31 December 1844. The contents are a continuation of enclosures to a Political Letter from the Government of Bombay to the East India Company Court of Directors, 10 June 1845, which can be found at IOR/F/4/2122/100072.The item consists of a letter from Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Political Agent at Aden, to the Government of Bombay, 25 November 1844. This letter contains copies of numerous bonds and a treaty made between Sultan M'Houssain Fudthel of Lahidge [Sultan Muḥsin bin Faḍl al-'Abdalī, Sultan of Lahij] and Haines between 1838 and 1844, all of which relate to the transfer of Aden from Sultan M'Houssain Fudthel to the East India Company. Haines also provides a background narrative to the bonds and treaty, mentioning the blockade and storming of Aden by the British in November 1838-January 1839, as well as numerous attempts by the Sultan to recover Aden from the British 1839-1840.The item also contains instructions from the Government of Bombay to send a copy of Haines’s letter to the Government of India.The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 5061, Coll[ection]: 20, Vol: 2, Draft 29/46’, ‘Collection N. 2 of N. 59’ and ‘Examiner's Office’.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 350, and terminates at f 360, 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 file consists of a memorandum detailing the relations of the British Government with the tribes of the Aden hinterland by Richmond Thackeray Willoughby Ritchie, India Office, Secretary to the Political and Secret Department.It discusses the following: boundary lines, difficulties with the Turks which led to the delimitation, British responsibility resulting from the demarcation, relations with the Amir of Dthala [Aḑ Ḑāli‘] in particular, and protectorate agreements; it also gives a summary of troops stationed across the hinterland.It makes several references to 'the attached Memorandum' which is a separate file: IOR/L/PS/18/B156 'Memorandum respecting the Aden Frontier Delimitation'.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at f 167, and terminates at f 169, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, 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 172-174; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are circled.Pagination: the file also contains an original printed pagination sequence.
Abstract: Enclosures no. 2-113 to dispatch no. 23 from the Secret Department, Bombay Castle, dated 24 September 1838. The enclosures are dated 3 July-24 September 1838.The enclosures consist of copies of correspondence relating to preparations for the East India Company’s invasion of Afghanistan in order to depose Dost Mohamed [Dost Mohammad Khan] as Emir and replace him with former Emir Shah Shuja ul Mulk [Shah Shujah Durrani, also referred to as Shah Shooja ool Moolk and other variants]. Topics covered include:The arrival of Colonel Claude Martin Wade to serve as Political Agent, Loodianah [Ludhiana], and accounts of his meetings with Shah Shuja and members of his courtNegotiations for a treaty between Shah Shuja and Runjeet Singh [Ranjit Singh], Maharajah of the Sikh EmpireAttempts to recruit other adherents to Shah Shuja’s cause, including the Emir of Bokhara [Bukhara], the Chief of Koondooz [Kunduz] and the Khan of Kelat [Kalat]Shah Shuja's professed inability to pay for the raising of his own troops and request for further British aidReports of arrangements made by Dost Mohamed to prepare for the invasion, including a prohibition of communications between his subjects and Shah Shuja or the BritishAppointments of British officers to serve in Shah Shuja’s forcePractical arrangements relating to transport, equipment, stores and the suitability of roads and passes on the planned invasion routeArrangements for a meeting between the Maharajah and George Eden, Baron Auckland, Governor-General of IndiaA mission to Peshawur [Peshawar] by Lieutenant Frederick Mackeson and a mission to Cabool [Kabul, also written as Caubul] by Captain Alexander Burnes to gain adherents to Shah Shuja’s causeEfforts by Dost Mohamed to gain the support of the Khaibar [Khyber] chiefs and their subsequent actions to cut off or contaminate the water supply for Fort Fattehgurh [Fort Jamrud]Reports of two Russian agents visiting Bokhara, Caubul, Lahore and Calcutta [Kolkata] and examining mountain passes in the Hindoo Koosh [Hindu Kush]Enquiries into the loyalties of the emirs of Sinde [Sindh] and the preparations of a force at Bombay [Mumbai] in case of an uprising there.Folios 179-244 deal with the arrival of Lieutenant Mackeson to serve as Political Agent, Bhawalpur [Bahawalpur, also written as Bahawalpoor], accounts of his meetings with the Nawab Bhawul Khan Bahadur [Bahawal III] and members of his court, and negotiations for a treaty between the Nawab and the Company confirming the Nawab’s support of Shah Shuja.Folios 122-136 and 257-281 deal with various intelligence reports from Afghanistan detailing the activities of Persia [Iran] and the siege of Herat, as well as discussions into the veracity and accuracy of such reports.The primary correspondents are Colonel Wade, Captain Burnes, Lieutenant Mackeson, Shah Shuja, Lord Auckland and William Hay Macnaghten, Secretary to the Government of India.Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 3, and terminates at f 379, 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. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.