Persian Gulf Affairs

Content

This part of the volume consists of 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. 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 137 of 1842, dated 30 November 1842. The enclosures are numbered 3-57 and dated 1 June to 30 October 1842.

They mostly consist of correspondence relating to affairs in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . The enclosures concern matters including:

• The Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Dundas Robertson, reporting that he has addressed a letter to Abddoolla bin Sooneyan [‘Abdullāh bin Thunyān bin Ibrāhīm Āl Sa‘ūd], the new ‘chieftain’ of Nedgd [Najd, also spelled Nedjed in this item], regarding his ‘intercourse’ with the ‘Piratical Arab Tribes of Oman’, and 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. directing Robertson that all ‘interference’ with him should be avoided
• Robertson’s explanations for his proceedings in relation to Shaik Nassir [Shaikh Nāṣir, Governor of Bushire, i.e. Bushehr] on Robertson’s arrival at Bushire to re-establish the British Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. there
• The duty leviable on horses exported from Bushire according to the Commercial Treaty with Persia [Iran] of October 1841, and the suggestions of the Assistant Resident in Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Lieutenant Kemball, in relation to the purchase of colts for the cavalry and artillery
• Robertson stating that he places no value on the plan he drew up for obtaining a ‘good, convenient and healthy’ port in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. for the use of the naval squadron, and that it would be unwise to give the scheme a moment’s consideration
• Measures proposed by Robertson for obtaining privileges for the Honourable Company’s vessels of war in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and the Red Sea
• Necessary repairs to the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. buildings at Bushire
• The inconvenience caused as a result of the despatches sent on board the Honourable Company’s brig of war Euphrates not having been landed at Bushire when the vessel passed that port on the way to the Island of Karrack [Kharg Island]
• Robertson reporting on the intention of Persia to attack Bahrein [Bahrain]
• The conduct of the Persian soldiers stationed at Bushire towards Lieutenant Campbell of the Indian Navy when Campbell visited the Commodore in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , William Lowe
• The rates of pilotage levied by the Persian authorities on Karrack
• The removal of the naval stores from Karrack to Bassadore [Basaidu]
• Commodore Lowe hoisting a flag at his house on Karrack
• Lowe reporting the occurrence of a dispute between the Garrison of Karrack and some of the subjects of the Imaum [Imām] of Muscat, leading to six of the Garrison being wounded
• The Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Shargah [Sharjah] reporting the latest intelligence from Shargah, including the success of the pearl fishing that year (1842), and that no ‘disturbance or piracy’ has occurred on the seas
• Robertson's opinion on the necessity or otherwise of maintaining an Agent at Brymee [Al Buraymi]
• The arrangements made by Robertson for filling up the vacancy resulting from the death of the Agent stationed at Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh]
• HM Chargé d’Affaires at Tehran, Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, nominating Mahomed Alli Khan [Muḥammad ʿAlī Khān, also spelled Mahomed Allee Khan in this item] to act as Agent at Shiraz (in place of the dismissed Mirza Mahomed Reza [ Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Muḥammad Rizā]) until the fourteen year old Mirza Mahomed [ Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Muḥammad], for whom the position has been reserved, is qualified to take up the duties of the office
• The account of the ‘Chief’ of Bahrein, Sheek Abdoola bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah, also spelled Abdoollah bin Ahmed and Abdoolla bin Ahmed in this item], of the circumstances surrounding the murder of Hamood bin Omeeree [Ḥammūd al-‘Umayrī, also spelled Hamood bin Omeree and Humood bin Oomeree in this item] and his servants, who had obtained protection from the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Bahrein, Mahomed Ali [Muḥammad ʿAlī, also spelled Mahomed Ally in this item], during the ‘disturbances’ on the Island; and the dismissal of Mahomed Ali by the Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
• The complaint of Sultan bin Suggur [Sulṭān 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] against the ‘Chief’ of Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn], Abdoolla bin Rashid [‘Abdullāh bin Rāshid], erecting a bastion, contrary to the agreement concluded between them in 1840
• The observations of the Advocate General, Bombay, Augustus Smith Le Messurier, on the case of the killing of a subject of the Imaum of Muscat by a British seaman, reported on by HM Consul in the Dominions of the Imaum of Muscat, Captain Atkins Hamerton; and the opinion of the Advocate General on the extent of powers with which Hamerton is vested under the terms of the treaty the United Kingdom recently entered into with the Imaum
• HM Chargé d’Affaires at Tehran forwarding copies of his despatches to HM Principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the Earl of Aberdeen, relating to affairs at Tehran
• The amount of compensation to be paid to the Shroff of the Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. at Bushire for the articles belonging to him which were destroyed when his house was attacked by a mob in 1838
• Robertson’s explanations of his reasons for not having availed himself of the permission granted by the Persian Government to reside during the Summer months at Khoormooj [Khormoj].

The main correspondents are the following: the Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; the Assistant Resident in Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; the 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. , John Pollard Willoughby; the Chief 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. , L R Reid; the Secretary with the Governor General of India, Thomas Herbert Maddock; the Commodore in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; and HM Chargé d’Affaires at Tehran.

Other correspondents include: Lootf Ally Khan [Luṭf ‘Alī Khān]; the Native Agent Non-British agents affiliated with the British Government. at Shargah [Sharjah], Moollah Hoossein [Mullā Ḥusayn]; the Ruler of Bahrein; Sultan bin Suggur; the Advocate General, Bombay; the Shah of Persia, Mahomed Shah [Muḥammad Shāh Qājār]; the Grand Vizier or Prime Minister of Persia, Hajee Meerza Aghasee [Ḥājī Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Āqāsī]; the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Meerza Abul Hussan Khan [ Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī, Īlchī Kabīr, also spelled Meerza Abul Hassan Khan, and Meerza Abool Hossan in this item]; the Collector of Customs, Henry Glass; and J A Malcolm, a merchant.

Extent and format

1 item (185 folios)

It is part of

‘ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY’, Vol 52

1268 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/414

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/5/414, ff 445-629

Former external reference(s)

No. 137 of 1842

History of this record

Date(s)

30 Nov 1842 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Dismissal from employmentNaval affairsDiplomacyPearl industry and tradeHorsesCustoms dutyHomicideForeign relationsFlagsWarships

Places

PersiaPersian Gulf

People & organisations

Ruler of Ra's al-Khaymah and SharjahAdvocate GeneralPersian Gulf Political ResidencyPolitical Resident, Persian GulfEmir of Najd, Wahhabi dynastyNative Agent, Trucial Coast, SharjahNative Agent, LingahHM Chargé d'Affaires to IranNative Agent, ShirazKing of BahrainEmir of Umm al-Qaywayn, Āl Mu'allā dynastyPolitical Agent and Consul, ZanzibarSuperintendent of the Indian NavyGovernor of Bushire

Share this record

• Share on twitter
• Share on facebook

Cite this record in your research

Persian Gulf Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/414, ff 445-629, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100139592713.0x000001> [accessed 4 October 2024]

Link to this record

https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100139592713.0x000001

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_100000000319.0x0000e5/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Copyright: How to use this content