Letter book of copy letters from Pelly to colleagues in Bombay and the Gulf. [‎132v] (268/392)

Content

The letterbook contains copies of letters from Lewis Pelly to colleagues in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , India and England, on a number of subjects relating to the role and responsibilities of the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. including the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. 's relations with Persia, its role in keeping the maritime peace and arbitration of disputes, and the growth of trade in the region, as well as British interest in local trades such as pearling.

The main correspondence is with 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. , including letters to both Sir Bartle Frere and Sir William Robert Seymour Vesey Fitzgerald, the consecutive Governors of Bombay during the period the letterbook covers. This correspondence relates primarily to matters in Muscat, where successive changes in rulership have led to instability, and Bahrain and Qatar where the actions of the tribes in attacking ports and British subjects result in naval action being taken against them by the British authorities.

The residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. 's relationship with the Persian authorities is also discussed both in correspondence with the Government, and with Charles Alison, the British representative in Tehran as there are a number of decisions by the Persian authorities during this period which restrict both trade through the Persian ports and the residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. 's ability to communicate with Persian authorities along the Persian coast.

Other matters discussed in the volume include the day to day operations of the residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , with correspondence to James Charles Edwards, the uncovenented assistant resident, as well as with arrival new staff, recently appointed to the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. to work alongside Pelly including Edward Charles Ross and George Andrew Atkinson at Muscat, Abraham Nickson Hojel at Bushire, Henry W Warner at Gwadar and Alfred Cotton Way as the 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. for the southern Gulf.

Other correspondence of interest includes a number of letters to the commanders of marine vessels in the Gulf, correspondence with individuals involved in the development of telegraph and steamer communications throughout the Gulf, and correspondence with Sir Clement Markham and Sir Roderick Murchison discussing the acquisition of samples of shells, pearls, oysters and rocks both for geological interest and to assist in attempts to refresh the pearl beds in Ceylon (Sri Lanka).

The reverse of the volume, which has been turned over, so the writing appears upside down in relation to the folio numbers, contains correspondence relating to Pelly's finances in relation to the collapse of the Bank of Bombay, the liquidation of the Commercial Bank and the establishment of the new Bank of Bombay. The majority of this correspondence is with Messrs Remington & Co and Narayn Wussadeojee, who handled his affairs in Bombay; and Messrs Smith, Elder & Co who handled his affairs in England.

Also included in the volume, on folio 193v, is the address of G Lejean, a Paris restaurateur.

Extent and format

1 volume, 193 items (198 folios)

Arrangement

The letter book has had two separate uses: from folios 1-120 are copies of correspondence relating to affairs in the Gulf. The letter book has then been turned upside down and a new series of correspondence relating to banking and financial matters commences in reverse from folios 191-180.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The volume has been foliated in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. of each folio using a pencil number enclosed in a circle. Some renumbering has taken place and the folio numbers which are no longer in use have been crossed through.

Written in

English in Latin script

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