Persian Gulf Affairs [‎142r] (19/148)

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This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. Secret Department to the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. , Number 84 of 1847, dated 30 September 1847. The enclosures are dated 9 June-11 September 1847.

The primary documents are despatches of Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , to the Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, and for the information of the President and Governor in Council, chiefly forwarding copies of reports and letters received, and his correspondence with various officials, notably: Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary A diplomatic representative who ranks below an ambassador. The term can be shortened to 'envoy'. at the Court of Persia [Iran]; Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. [Ottoman Iraq]; and Arnold Burrowes Kemball, Acting Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. . The correspondence of the latter two notably include letters addressed to them by Lord Cowley [Henry Wellesley, 1st Earl Cowley], HM Minister Plenipotentiary at Constantinople [Istanbul].

The despatches cover numerous matters, including the following:

1) The apparent designs of the Ottoman Empire to extend its authority and influence over the Island of Bahrein [Bahrain], including: a report from Commodore John Croft Hawkins, on the HC [Honourable Company] Steam Frigate Queen , describing a visit on board the ship by the Sheik of Bahrein [Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah Āl Khalīfah, Shaikh of Bahrain] and confirming the non-appearance of either the Turkish vessel or Turkish agent said to have been proceeding towards the island; and the emphatic refusal, by Nejib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , Governor of Bagdad [Muḥammad Najīb Pāshā, Governor of Baghdad], to recognize a letter apparently addressed to the Sheik of Bahrein by the Mootesellim [ Mutasallim During the eighteenth century this was the third most powerful official in Ottoman Iraq (after the Pasha and the Kiya). The title was given specifically to the Governor of Basra. ] of Bussorah [Governor of Basra], inviting the former to put himself under the protection of the Ottoman flag.

2) The temporary detention at Shiraz, by an informant of Sheil, of a messenger said to be carrying a letter addressed to the Shah [Muḥammad Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] from an ‘influential Prince of India’ inviting him to ‘invade Hindoostan by the way of Affghanistan [Afghanistan], and assuring him of every support and cooperation’ (f 139), and Sheil’s dismissal of its seriousness.

3) British measures in relation to effecting the abolition of the ‘African Slave Trade’, notably:

• The announcement to the Ottoman Porte that Hennell has obtained the consent of the ‘Independent Maritime Chiefs of the Arabian Coast’ (f 142) to the total abolition of the trade in enslaved persons from Africa (the agreement to come into effect at the end of the next year)
• Arrangements to be made by the Ottoman authorities regarding registration of crews of all vessels belonging to Bussorah and Koweit [Kuwait]
• Hennell’s desire, following reports that large numbers of ‘Hubshees or Abyssinian [Ethiopian] slaves’ (f 147) have been imported from the coast of Berbera, to bring the measures agreed with the Ottoman Sultan, Independent Maritime Chiefs of the Arabian Coast and the Imam of Muscat into full effect immediately, and his suggestions to strengthen the British naval presence and powers of inspection in the vicinity of Zanzibar, Berbera and Zelah [Zeila] and in the Gulf, and to make seizures of ‘contraband cargo’ to deter Persians from further trade in enslaved persons
• The concerns of Hennell and Kemball regarding amended instructions issued by the Turkish [Ottoman] Government to Nejib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. , for the disposal of enslaved persons who are liberated under the recent convention, specifically the option that ‘rescued’ Africans may remain in Ottoman territory if they choose to rather than being conveyed on board a British vessel. Included is a translated copy of the Turkish Government’s instructions to the Governor of Bagdad directing that the ‘liberated... [ones] must be allowed to stay where they please’ (ff 155-156)
• Hennell’s advice to the senior naval officer at Bushire [Bushehr] to only take measures against a vessel belonging to a subject of the Imam of Muscat, lately arrived with ‘a cargo of 30-40 negro [Black African] and Abyssinian slaves from Muscat for sale’ (f 160), once it has left Bushire Harbour, as it is a foreign (Persian) port
• Hennell’s and Kemball’s desire to ensure the swift implementation of instructions issued by Nejib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. to the Mootsellim of Bussorah (ff 204-205) regarding the measures to be taken against Turkish vessels and Turkish merchants involved in the exportation of enslaved persons from Africa, and for the speedy removal of manumitted persons from Bussorah temporarily to Bushire and Bassidore [Basaidu], and subsequently to India.

4) Hennell’s mediatory involvement in the affair of the ‘plunder’ in 1846 of the wreck of the large bugla Large trading vessel. [ buggalow Large trading vessel. ] Akab , belonging to the Sheik of Kishm [Shaik of Qeshm], near Bushire Harbour, including: the complaint by the Sheik that the boatmen of Bushire plundered the boat’s rigging and stores; and the return in 1847 of plundered articles, via Sheik Nassir of Bushire [Shaikh Nāṣir of Bushehr], including a list of plundered articles (f 171) and a list of items handed in to Sheik Nassir by each Nakoda [Nakhuda, a boat captain or master] (f 175).

5) Rumours that the officers of a Turkish vessel visiting ports of the Arabian coast are claiming they are going to replace British with Turkish influence in the Gulf, notably: the alarm of Shaik Muctoom (Debay) [Maktūm bin Butti bin Suhail, of Dubai]; the apparent exultation of Sultan ben Sugger (chief of the Joasmee [ al-Qāsimī One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. ] tribe) [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. , Ruler of Sharjah and Ra’s al-Khaymah, al-Jazirah al-Hamra and Ar Rams, variously]; the general concern of the independent Arab rulers on the coast of the Gulf; and Hennell’s dismissal of the story, insisting that the Turkish functionaries are only protecting their trade and preventing the importation of enslaved persons.

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1 item (75 folios)

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English in Latin script

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