Persian Gulf Affairs

Content

This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch 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. [Mumbai] Secret Department 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. , Number 58 of 1847, dated 16 June 1847. The enclosures are dated 7 April-27 May 1847 (although some internal copy documents date back to 23 January 1847).

The primary documents are letters from Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , to Arthur Malet, Secretary to the Government, Bombay, enclosing his correspondence with Major Henry Creswicke Rawlinson, 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. in Turkish Arabia A term used by the British officials to describe the territory roughly corresponding to, but not coextensive with, modern-day Iraq under the control of the Ottoman Empire. (in Baghdad), and the Honourable Mr Henry Wellesley, HM Chargé d’Affaires in Constantinople [Istanbul, Ottoman Empire], and other related correspondence and documents.

The main subject covered is British efforts for the suppression of the ‘African slave trade’ in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , notably:

• The Ottoman Porte’s order of 23 January 1847, (ff 154-155) implying [rather than explicitly granting] powers granted to British and East India Company vessels in the suppression of the slave trade with regard to vessels under the Turkish [Ottoman] flag landing at Turkish ports on the Euphrates river, notably Bussorah [Basra]; the Porte’s desire for secret Anglo-Turkish communications on the matter due to political sensitivities; and the Porte’s request that the new prohibition measures not be put into effect until 1 June 1847 in order to provide sufficient warning for Turkish vessels
• Rawlinson’s suggestion to the Nejib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. [Mehmed Necib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. also known as Muhammad Najib Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ], Governor of Baghdad, and Hennell that the ‘slave cargoes’ of Persian [Iranian] and Arab vessels in Turkish waters be considered ‘contraband’ and therefore subject to measures for the suppression of ‘piracy’
• Hennell’s report of his success in obtaining the agreement of the Arab Maritime Chiefs for the total abolition of the trade in enslaved peoples from the African coast involving their boats and those of their subjects; empowering British cruisers to detain, examine suspected vessels and seize and confiscate those carrying slaves; and for the agreement to come into force in the next season (10 December 1847 onwards). Includes translation and copy in Arabic of the engagement entered into by Sheik Sultan ben Sugger, Chief of Ras-el-Khymah and Shargah [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī One of the ruling families of the United Arab Emirates; also used to refer to a confederation of seafaring Arabs led by the Qāsimī tribe from Ras al Khaima. , Ruler of Ra's al-Khaymah and Sharjah] dated 30 April 1847, appended with names of additional signatory sheiks [shaikhs] (ff 180-182)
• Empowerment of the British authorities to arrange the return of enslaved people to their country of origin on the African coast, due to alleged Turkish lack of desire or resources for the task; logistical arrangements; and suggestion that returnees could be transmitted as labourers on the African coast or to the West Indies
• Hennell’s concerns about the lack of agreement by the Persian Government to suppress the trade in enslaved people, and possible evasion of British policing measures by Arab Maritime Chiefs and their Persian connections, notably at Mohamerah [Khorramshahr, formerly Mohammerah].

Extent and format

1 item (53 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 88

986 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/450

Arrangement

There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-7, on folio 146. These numbers are repeated for reference on the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. of the last folio of each enclosure.

Written in

English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic 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/L/PS/5/450, ff 145-197

Former external reference(s)

No. 58 of 1847

History of this record

Date(s)

16 Jun 1847 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

LabourTreatiesDiplomacySlave trade

Places

Persian Gulf

People & organisations

Political ResidentPolitical AgentHM Chargé d'Affaires to the Ottoman Empire

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Persian Gulf Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/450, ff 145-197, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100118977838.0x000013> [accessed 18 July 2024]

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