The Mission to Shoa

Content

This part of the volume consists 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 115 of 1842, dated 15 October 1842. The enclosures are dated 4 July to 14 October 1842, and relate to the mission to Shoa [Shewa].

The enclosures consist of: dispatches from Captain William Cornwallis Harris, on a special mission at the Court of Shoa, to John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to 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. ; and a letter from Willoughby to Thomas Herbert Maddock, Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General.

The enclosures contain the following: reports by Harris on the proceedings of the mission under his charge; a report by Harris on the state of slavery and the 'slave trade' [trade in enslaved people] within and beyond Abyssinia [the Ethiopian Empire], which includes a sketch map entitled ‘Sketch delineative of the ROUTES OF SLAVE-CARAVANS through Abyssinia to the shores of ARABIA.’ (folio 517); distribution lists of presents; and correspondence regarding the expedience of the continuance of the mission for a longer period.

Extent and format

1 item (160 folios)

It is part of

‘ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY’, Vol 51

1230 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/413

Arrangement

There is an abstract of contents of the despatch, numbered 1-8, on folios 389-391. These numbers are repeated for reference on the last verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. of each enclosure.

Written in

English in Latin 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/5/413, ff 388-547

Former external reference(s)

No. 115 of 1842

History of this record

Date(s)

15 Oct 1842 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Slave tradeSlaveryDiplomacyEmbassies and consulatesGifts

Places

AbyssiniaShoa

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

The Mission to Shoa, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/413, ff 388-547, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100129648765.0x000006> [accessed 21 March 2025]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100129648765.0x000006

IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000319.0x0000e4/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content