Letters between Harford Jones and Lord Elgin

Content

Copies of five letters between Lord Elgin, HM Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, and Harford Jones, Resident in Bagdad [Baghdad]:

1. A letter from Elgin to Jones, sent from Constantinople [Istanbul] and dated 16 November 1799. The letter announces Elgin’s arrival in Constantinople and assumption of his duties, offers assistance, and asks for information regarding Bagdad and Persia [Iran]. A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/103.

2. A letter from Elgin to Jones, sent from Constantinople and dated 21 December 1799. The letter orders Jones not to open or read any letter addressed to Elgin from India. A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/103.

3. A letter from Elgin to Jones, sent from Constantinople and dated 21 December 1799. Elgin renounces the use of cyphers in his communications with India. A duplicate of this letter is catalogued as IOR/L/PS/9/76/104.

4. A letter from Jones to Elgin, sent from Bagdad and dated 17 January 1800. The letter reports the transit of Elgin’s dispatches to India via Bagdad and Bussora [Basra] and congratulates Elgin on his appointment as Ambassador. Jones also outlines the policy of the British Government in India towards Persia [Iran], reports on events in Afghanistan, and describes British interests in Bagdad. It also reports a rumour that the Shereef [Sharīf] of Mecca has offered to read the khutbeh [Friday prayer sermon] in the name of Baba Khan [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār, Shāh of Persia] instead of the Grand Signior [Sulṭān of the Ottoman Empire] in exchange for money. A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/105.

5. A letter from Jones to Elgin, sent from Bagdad and dated 17 January 1800. Jones acknowledges the receipt of Elgin’s letter of 21 December and pledges not to open or read letters addressed to Elgin from India as instructed. A duplicate of this letter can be found in IOR/L/PS/9/76/107.

Extent and format

1 item (6 folios)

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival file

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/9/76/106

History of this record

Date(s)

16 Nov 1799-17 Jan 1800 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

DiplomacyCommunication

Places

PersiaBagdadAfghanistan

People & organisations

HM Ambassador to the Ottoman EmpireShah of PersiaRuler of the Afghan EmpireGrand Sharif of MeccaResident

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Cite this record in your research

Letters between Harford Jones and Lord Elgin, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/9/76/106, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100109378744.0x000001> [accessed 17 July 2024]

Link to this record

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