‘Proceedings of Captn Owen of HMS Leven at Bombassa [Mombasa] – Memorial to His Majesty from the Imaum of Muskat complaining of Captn Owens conduct in accepting the cession of the Island of Bombassa to the British Government’

Content

This item consists of copies of correspondence, statements, and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters 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. . The principal correspondents are: 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. ; the Imaum of Muscat [Imam of Muscat, Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Sulṭān Āl Bū Sa‘īd], Captain William Fitzwilliam Owen; the Governor of Mauritius, Sir Lowry Cole; the Chieftain of Bombassa, Sooleman Ibn Ali Muzroee [Sultan of Mombasa, Sulayman ibn ‘Ali al-Mazru‘i].

The item concerns the actions of Captain Owen of HMS Leven . While surveying the east coast of Africa, he accepted the cession of Bombassa [Mombasa]. The Chieftain of Bombassa wanted British protection against the Imaum of Muscat, offering half his revenues in return. The item consists of:

• The Imaum’s complaints that Bombassa is part of his territory and Owen prevented him from attacking it
• The Imaum’s complaints that ships belonging to his subjects carrying slaves were intercepted by the British
• The evidence that the British collected about the Imaum’s claim to sovereignty over Bombassa
• The decision whether to accept Bombassa as a British Protectorate or not. The Board of Control Formally known as the Board of Commissioners for the Affairs of India, it was established by an Act of Parliament in 1784 to supervise the activities of the East India Company. ruled that it should be left alone.

The item includes a contents page, and the title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Political No. 870, Draft 392, P.C. 276, Examiner’s Office March 1823’.

Extent and format

1 item (52 folios)

Arrangement

The documents are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front of the item to the rear.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 28, and terminates at f 79, 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 The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

IOR/F/4/785/21163

History of this record

Date(s)

9 Jul 1802-13 Jun 1825 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 13 Jul 1825, draft 392/1824-25, IOR/E/4/1046 pp 111-13

Subjects

Slave tradeForeign relations

Places

Bombassa

People & organisations

Sultan of MombasaGovernor of MauritiusImam of OmanGovernment of Bombay

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‘Proceedings of Captn Owen of HMS Leven at Bombassa [Mombasa] – Memorial to His Majesty from the Imaum of Muskat complaining of Captn Owens conduct in accepting the cession of the Island of Bombassa to the British Government’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/785/21163, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001762.0x000120> [accessed 5 July 2024]

Link to this record

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