Letters from William Digges Latouche to the Secret Committee
IOR/L/PS/9/76/33
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The record is made up of 1 item (4 folios). It was created in 26 May 1783-18 Jun 1783. It was written in English. The original is part of the 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. .
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Two letters from William Digges Latouche, Resident at Bussora [Basra], 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 Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. for Affairs of the United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies [East India Company].
The first letter, dated 26 May 1783, covers the transit of overland mail via Aleppo, in particular the clash of authority between Mrs Marianna Abbott, the widow of the late Consul John Abbott, and David Hays, Proconsul, over the management of correspondence in Aleppo.
The second letter, dated 18 June 1783, covers subjects including:
- Arrangements for the travel of Major Geils and M Froment to India and the transit of the important despatches they are carrying, including preliminary peace articles with France, Spain, and America [American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783]
- The difficulties in communicating with Muscat due to a blockade by Grain [Kuwait] following an attack on Zebara [Al Zubara] by Sheik Nassir [Shaikh Nāṣir Khān Āl Mazkūr] of Bushire [Bushehr]
- Latouche’s complaints against David Hays regarding his management of correspondence in Aleppo
- The murder of Shaik Baracat [Shaikh Barakāt] by his brother Guthman [Ghazbān] and the latter’s assumption of the leadership of the Chaub Arabs [Banū Ka‘b].
- Extent and format
- 1 item (4 folios)
- Written in
- English in Latin script
- Type
- Archival file
Archive information for this record
- 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/9/76/33
- Date(s)
- 26 May 1783-18 Jun 1783 (CE, Gregorian)
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History of this record
Related search terms
- Subjects
- CommunicationAmerican War of Independence (1775-1783)Peace treaties
- Places
- GrainZebaraShatt al ArabAleppo
- People & organisations
- ResidentShaikh of BushireBanū Ka‘b (Tribe)
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Letters from William Digges Latouche to the Secret Committee, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/9/76/33, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/node/9630> [accessed 13 June 2026]
- Link to this record
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/9/76/33
- Title
- Letters from William Digges Latouche to the Secret Committee
- Pages
- 1r:4v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence