Copy of Dispatch No. 28 from HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia, Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning

Content

Copy of dispatch No. 28 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, of 19 December 1825. The letter concerns the internal state of affairs in Persia and the possibility of a conflict to secure the succession to the throne following the death of the Shah, Futteh Ali Shah [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār]. Willock argues that the struggle for the succession would leave Persia vulnerable to Russian encroachment, which would be of strategic concern to the British in India. He offers a detailed assessment of the character, abilities, loyalties, and means for contesting the succession of the various governors, factions, and other persons of importance in Persia, including Prince-Governors such as the late Prince-Governor A Prince of the Royal line who also acted as Governor of a large Iranian province during the Qājār period (1794-1925). of Kermanshah, Mahomed Ali Mirza [Muhammad 'Ali Mirza, Dawlatshah]; the Prince-Governor A Prince of the Royal line who also acted as Governor of a large Iranian province during the Qājār period (1794-1925). of Fars, Hoosein Ali Mirza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā, Farmānfarmā]; and the Prince-Governor A Prince of the Royal line who also acted as Governor of a large Iranian province during the Qājār period (1794-1925). of Khorasan, Hussun Ali Mirza [Hasan 'Ali Mirza, Shuja' al-Saltanah]. Willock also gives a detailed character sketch of the Crown Prince of Persia, Abbas Mirza ['Abbās Mīrzā Qājār], and argues that Britain should support his claim to the throne as a means of warding off the spread of Russian influence in Persia. To achieve this, he recommends strengthening Abbas Mirza’s armed forces by means of money, arms and officers to train his troops.

This document was originally enclosed in Willock’s letter 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. of the East India Company of 31 December 1825 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/62).

Extent and format

1 item (36 folios)

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Letter

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/L/PS/9/70/63

History of this record

Date(s)

19 Dec 1825 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Internal politicsKings and rulers--Succession

Places

Persia

People & organisations

HM Chargé d'Affaires to PersiaCrown Prince of PersiaGovernment of PersiaSecretary of State for Foreign Affairs

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Copy of Dispatch No. 28 from HM Chargé d'Affaires to Persia, Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/9/70/63, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100038378586.0x0002ce> [accessed 26 August 2024]

Link to this record

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