Abstract: Letter requesting a copy of his demi-official letter to Sir Bartle Frere on proceedings in Russia to be ready on his return to Bushire; regarding the accounts of the Residency Library; and making correspondence arrangements including details of who to write to him via in Koweit [Kuwait] and what to do with mail received for him in his absence.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Letter, in Arabic and English, informing Pelly that the bearer of the letter, Abdool Assis Ben Assass [Abdul Aziz bin Aziz], will be his guide into the interior of Nejd if Pelly is still willing to employ him.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: This file compiles copies of appeals made by representatives of Indian Muslims to the British Government (and in one case, to the Shah of Persia [Reza Shah Pahlavi]), regarding the desecration of various holy buildings and monuments by Ibn Saud's [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd's] Wahabi forces. The nature of the appeals is twofold: appeals dating from 1930 request that the Viceroy of India (Edward Frederick Lindley Wood – referred to in the file as Lord Irwin, succeeded by Freeman Freeman-Thomas) use his influence on behalf of the British Government to urge Ibn Saud to reconstruct demolished shrines and monuments such as those at Janatul-Bakia [Jannat al-Baqīʿ]; later appeals, which date from 1933, call on the British Government to remain neutral regarding affairs in the Hejaz and Nejd, and to refrain from providing Ibn Saud with military, naval, or any other kind of assistance.The file includes a divider which gives a list of correspondence references contained in the file by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence (folio 2).Physical description: Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 31; 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 3-29; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
Abstract: Brief notes written by Lewis Pelly, recording the lack of evidence of any practice of ceremonies based on sun or fire worship but highlighting some of the peoples in the region of Al Yamama [Al Yamāmah] who have names relating to the moon and stars.Enclosed with the notes is a report (folios 50-61) regarding the Selaib [Sebaih] tribe (of Qatif) and containing details of how the tribe got their name; how they commemorate festivals; their lack of ritual in relation to the burial of the dead; and their religious faith and beliefs.Physical description: 14 folios
Abstract: Memorandum regarding the diet of Bedouins in the interior of Nejd [Najd] and contrasting it with that of those in coastal areas.The memorandum focuses primarily on camel's milk, including the Bedouins' dependence on it during spring and its nourishing properties for both horses and goats.The memorandum goes on to discuss the tobaccos and other substances smoked by the Bedouins' where their pipes are purchases from, and the differing reactions to Bedouins smoking depending on where they are from.The memorandum itself is undated, however the information contained within it was most likely acquired by Lewis Pelly during his stay in Kuwait and subsequent visit to Riyadh January to March 1865.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Brief note about Koweit [Kuwait]'s main inland trade being with the Bedouins of Nejd [Najd] and that the trade consists of wood, weapons, coffee, rice, bamboo and piece goods as well as giving details on where these goods are brought from.Below the main note is a line about the climate in the Koweit neighbourhood.Although the note is undated, the information was most likely gathered during Pelly's visit there January to February 1865.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Note about the Mundwee [Mandvi] of Cutch [Kutch] and Occa including their names being derived from Medina and Mecca, and how this is believed to relate to the Prophet's tribe Kereish [Qureish].The memorandum goes on to discuss the family of the founder of the Wahabee [Wahhabi] sect, Abd al-Wahab, and how the spiritual power of the sect is now wholly apart from his family.Physical description: 1 folio
Abstract: Memorandum, written by Lewis Pelly, about Mohammed ibn Saood [Muhammad ibn Sa'ud] who was the first ruler to conquer all of the Nejd [Najd] territory, as well as the provinces of Al Ahsa [Al Hasa], Khatif [Al Qatif] and part of the Omman [Oman] Coast.The memorandum also discusses his successors including his son Abdal al Azeex [Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad ibn Sa'ud] and grandson Saood [Saud bin Abdul-Aziz bin Muhammad ibn Sa'ud] and the battles fought over the territory.The memorandum is undated, however it contains information most likely compiled by Lewis Pelly during his visit to Riyadh in March 1865.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: Duplicate copy of the printed memorandum (folio twenty-seven) recording the request from the Secretary to the Government of India for a full account of Pelly's visit to Riad [Riyadh] and giving the Government of Bombay resolution that the instruction should be forwarded to Pelly with a request that he comply with it as soon as possible.This duplicate copy does not have a memorandum number, nor is it dated or signed.Physical description: 2 folios
Abstract: Correspondence to and from Lewis Pelly regarding arrangements for and during Lewis Pelly's journey to Riyadh. There are three main types of correspondence contained within the file:Firstly, correspondence between Lewis Pelly and Ameer Faysul ben Torky aul Saood [Amir Faisal ibn Turki Al-Sa'ud] regarding Pelly's intention to travel to Riyadh to meet with him, and including correspondence with Eusef ben Beder [Yusuf bin Bedr] regarding arrangements for a guide to take him there.Secondly, correspondence between Lewis Pelly, Edwin Dawes, Chief Officer,
Bereniceand William Pears Johnstone, Political Agent at Busreh [Basra] regarding accompanying Pelly on his journey.Finally, correspondence with James Charles Edwards, Uncovenanted Assistant Resident at Bushire, and Captain Henry W Warner of
Bereniceregarding arrangements in Bushire during Pelly's absence, including care of his rooms and horses; arrangements for his mail including forwarding important letters to him; and arrangements for
Bereniceto take Hajee [Haji] Ahmed, Residency Arabic Mirza (interpreter), to Bahrain in order for him to compile reports on the area for Pelly, and regarding Pelly's return from Riyadh to Bahrain.The file contains an original file label, in Lewis Pelly's handwriting, titled 'Riadh'.Physical description: Foliation: The contents of the file have been foliated in the top right hand corner of the recto of each folio using a pencil number enclosed in a circle. The file has been refoliated and the numbers no longer in use have been crossed through.
Abstract: Official correspondence between Lewis Pelly and the Secretary to Government in the Political Department Bombay, some of which is in draft form regarding reports by Lewis Pelly on his trip to Riyadh, and his opinions on the ongoing dispute between the Sultans of Muscat and the Wahhabi.The correspondence from Lewis Pelly gives accounts of the journey to Riyadh; the challenges of collecting specimens and readings owing to the constant supervision of their travelling companions; and his opinions on both the differences between the Sultans of Muscat and the Wahhabi and the ongoing dispute between the two peoples.The correspondence from the Government of Bombay comprises requests for information, both on the Muscat-Wahhabi dispute, and also forwarding requests from the Government of India for a full account of Pelly's time in Riyadh which had been requested from him but had not been received.Physical description: Foliation: The contents of the file have been foliated in the top right hand corner of the recto of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle. Some of the folios contain a previous foliation sequence, identical to the one in use except that the circled numbers have been crossed through.
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 Sultanieh [Soltānīyeh] and dated 8 July 1824.Subjects covered in the letter include:Events in KhorasanThe rumoured death of the Khan of Khiva Mahomed Raheem Khan [Muhammad Rahīm Bahādur Khān I]The dismissal of Mahomed Reza Mirza [Muhammad Rezā Mīrzā] as Governor of GilanAn earthquake on 2 June which caused extensive damage in Cazroon [Kāzerūn] and elsewhereA reported act of ‘piracy’ in the Gulf originating from Sharga [Sharjah]Conflict in Arabia between the Wahabees [Wahhabis] and the forces of Mahomed Ali Pasha [Muhammad ‘Ali Pasha, Wāli of Egypt].The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the Court of Directors of the East India Company dated 14 July 1824 (IOR/L/PS/9/69/186).Physical description: The letter was perforated in an attempt to stop the spread of disease.