Abstract: Extracts from the private journal of the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, from 17 December 1827 to 27 March 1828. The journal covers the period of the negotiations for the peace treaty signed at Toorkomanchaee [Treaty of Turkamanchay] in February 1828, which ended the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828]. Macdonald Kinneir details his involvement in the negotiations, which took place primarily at Dehkarghan [Azarshahr] and Toorkomanchaee, including his conferences, discussions and communications with the key negotiators, including the Russian Commander-in-Chief, General Paskewitch [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia], Abbas Mirza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia], and the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Meerza Abul Hassan Khan [Mīrzā Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī]. Macdonald Kinneir gives a detailed account of the events in the lead up to and aftermath of the conclusion of the treaty, including:The negotiations concerning the reparations to be paid by Persia to Russia, and the delays to the delivery of the moneyRussian threats to resume the war owing to mistrust caused by delays to the delivery of the reparationsThe breaking off of negotiations at Dehkarghan and resumption of negotiations at ToorkomanchaeeThe signing of the treatyThe agreement between Macdonald Kinneir and Abbas Mirza for the abrogation of the third and fourth articles of the Definitive Treaty between Britain and Persia in return for 200,000 tomans from BritainThe withdrawal of Russian troops from the Province of Azerbijaun [Azerbaijan] and the return of Abbas Mirza to Tabriz.Also included in the journal are copies of the following communications:Letter from Captain Ronald Dugald Harcourt Macdonald to Macdonald Kinneir, ff 12-13Written pledge, in French, from the Russian agent Prince Kondacheff guaranteeing the safety of reparations payments, ff 22Letter, in French, from General Paskewitch to Macdonald Kinneir, ff 33-34.This document was originally enclosed, in No. 93, in Macdonald Kinneir’s dispatch No. 34 to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 28 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/253).Physical description: 1 item (38 folios)
Abstract: A summary of the terms of the peace treaty [Treaty of Turkamanchay] between Russia and Persia [Iran].The terms cover:Arrangements for the evacuation of the Khanate of Talyche [Talysh] by PersiaArrangements for the payment of an indemnity by Persia to Russia, with the province of Adzerbaidjane [Azerbaijan], excluding Ardebil [Ardabil], remaining under Russian occupation until the full payment of the indemnityArrangements for the gradual withdrawal of Russian troops from Adzerbaidjane in tandem with payments of instalments of the indemnity by Persia.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 Secret Committee of the East India Company of 16 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/201).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: Draft articles of the peace treaty [Treaty of Turkamanchay] between Russia and Persia [Iran] concerning commerce, written in French.The articles cover issues including: freedom of trade for merchants of both countries in each other’s territory; legal arrangements for settling trade disputes; customs duties; the right of Russian merchants to own commercial property in Persia; and judicial arrangements for addressing crimes committed by Russian subjects in Persia.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 16 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/201).Physical description: 1 item (4 folios)
Abstract: The proceedings of seven conferences between Russian and Persian [Iranian] plenipotentiaries at Dekhargane [Azarshahr] and Tourkmentchai [Turkamanchay] between 10 November 1827 and 10 February 1828, written in French and signed by Jean Paskevitch [Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia] and A Obreskoff [Aleksandr Mikhailovich Obreskov].The proceedings cover discussions concerning the terms of a peace settlement in the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], in particular the issue of the future border between the two states and the indemnity demanded by Russia.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 3, 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 16 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/201).Physical description: 1 item (20 folios)
Abstract: Copy of a letter, in French, from Jean Paskevitch [Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia] to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, sent from Tourkmenchai [Turkamanchay] and dated 17 February (Old Style)/29 February (New Style) 1828.The letter concerns the indemnity demanded by Russia from Persia, forwarding two letters by Prince Abbas Mirza [‘Abbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] on the subject.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 3, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 12 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/191).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Copies of: a letter, in Persian, from Abbas Mirza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] (IOR/L/PS/9/71/200 (1)) with an English translation (IOR/L/PS/9/71/200 (2)), and a letter, in French, from General Jean Paskevitch [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia] (IOR/L/PS/9/71/200 (3)), which are addressed to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir. The letters praise Macdonald Kinneir’s efforts in facilitating the recent signature of the peace treaty [Treaty of Turkamanchay] ending the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828].This document was originally enclosed in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 11 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/198).Physical description: 1 item (5 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 84 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Tabreez [Tabriz], to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton, of 14 February 1828. Macdonald Kinneir reports the suspension of the plans of General Paskevitch [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia] to recommence hostilities in the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], and the imminent signature of the peace treaty at Turkoman Shahee [Turkamanchay]. He comments on the terms of the treaty, indicating that he believes the Russian pecuniary demands too harsh and the territorial settlement likely to lead to further border disputes. Macdonald Kinneir also reports the de-escalation of the military situation, including plans for the retirement of Persian troops from Tehroun [Tehran] and Zinjan [Zanjan] and the return of the occupied fortress of Ardebil [Ardabil] to Persia.Macdonald Kinneir also reports the ‘hostile aspect’ of the situation on the frontier between Turkey [the Ottoman Empire] and Russia near Kars and Akiska [Akhaltsikhe] and the build-up of troops.This document was originally enclosed in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 14 February 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/184).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Copy of dispatch No. 85 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Turkamun Chaee [Turkamanchay], to the Chief Secretary to the Government of India, George Swinton, of 22 February 1828. Macdonald Kinneir reports the signature of the peace treaty ending the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828] at Turkamun Chaee [Treaty of Turkamanchay]. He describes the treaty as ‘humiliating’ for Persia, but indicates his opinion that the treaty represents a positive outcome, as it has averted the ‘impending destruction’ of Persia as an independent kingdom by Russia, and has obviated the risk of a ‘collision’ between Britain and Russia, which might have attended further military advances by the latter.This document was originally enclosed in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 22 February 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/189).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)
Abstract: Copy of Dispatch No. 87 from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Tabreez [Tabriz], to the Governor-General of India, of 10 March 1828. Macdonald Kinneir reports that he has ‘indefatigably laboured’ to facilitate the conclusion of the peace treaty recently signed [Treaty of Turkamanchay] to end the war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], and encloses copies of communications from General Paskevitch [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia] and Abbas Meerza [ʿAbbās Mīrzā Qājār, Crown Prince of Persia] as testimony (now catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/71/200). On the basis of his conduct he requests permission to wear the Order of the Lion and the Sun, conferred upon him by the Shah of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār] over a year previously.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 1, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 11 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/198).Physical description: 1 item (2 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 Commander-in-Chief of the Russian armies in Georgia, General Paskevitch [General Ivan Fyodorovich Paskevich-Erivansky, Governor-General of Georgia], of 23 February 1828. Macdonald Kinneir indicates his satisfaction at the ‘very flattering letter’ received by himself from General Paskevitch concerning the former’s role in the recent signature of the peace treaty between Russia and Persia at Turkoman Chahee [Treaty of Turkamanchay] (not included in this item), and expresses his ‘warmest acknowledgement’ for the respectful behaviour of Paskevitch and his officers towards ‘every Englishman’ in Persia.This document was originally enclosed, numbered 2 in enclosure No. 9, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 16 March 1828 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/201).Physical description: 1 item (2 folios)