File 2182/1913 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Policy towards Bin Saud (Capt. Shakespear's Mission)' [143r] (287/426)
The record is made up of 1 item (211 folios). It was created in 22 Sep 1914-17 Jan 1916. 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
Copy of a letter from Bin Baud at Buraldah to
3hailCil Sir wiUbarrik * 8Ild received by him on 6th liovembei
1914.
After Compliments,
Your letter dated 25th Zi'sl Qa'dah enclosing
Colonel Cot's letter was brought by your servant
Paris: I have understood it and also the (other)
enclosure which was from yourself. a s regards reply
to you, the matter is certainly as you represent it,
Co not think tiist X will opt in ^
x “ , *- L * L c,C/ ^ xn it in any way contra-
ry to you; and 1 have informed you that 1 will follow
you. And as regards the Glorious Government you know
cty ooject and so do they, and I will not venture upon
anything without first informing your
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.
.
As you know I received a copy of the sane letter from
the Consul at Bahrain and I replied fittingly to it
arm explained my object and also my unsettled movements
at present which are due to the disturbances of which
you are aware. I have no intention of opposing their
(His Majesty's Government is meant here) wishes, and
as an interview is necessary I will tell Abdullah
to provide the transport at Thahnan which will be more
secret (than Ujair) so that I moy know the result
(of the meeting): if 1 have full information from them
oi what tney want i will let you alone know not
those whom i detest (the Turks) and I hove promised
them (Ihe British) to meet at Majma' whence my people
are to inform me upon his (Captain Shakespesr's)
arrival, and os for Colonel Cox's letter I have
written to the Consul at Bahrain a good answer end
have explained to him by objects - and I enclose a
letter which you can send on if necessary.
* To Colonel Knox, apparently a copy of tae sent to
him via Bahrain.
About this item
- Content
Part 4 primarily concerns British policy towards Bin Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd], following the outbreak of the First World War. It includes the following:
- discussion regarding Bin Saud's relations with the Ottoman government, and the need for the British to secure Bin Saud's goodwill, especially in the event of the Ottoman government entering the war on the German side;
- details of Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear's mission (as a political officer on special duty) to meet with Bin Saud, with the aim of ensuring that, in the event of hostilities between Britain and the Ottomans, no assistance is offered to the latter by Bin Saud;
- translated copies of letters from Shaikh Mubarak [Shaikh Mubarak bin Ṣabāḥ Āl Ṣabāḥ], Ruler of Kuwait, to Bin Saud, urging the latter to side with the British Government;
- details of a proposed preliminary treaty between the British and Bin Saud;
- reports of Captain Shakespear's death;
- reports on Bin Saud's military engagements against Bin Rashid [Saʿūd bin ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Āl Rashīd];
- a copy of a draft of a preliminary treaty between the British government and Bin Saud;
- details of proposed gifts from the British to Bin Saud of arms and ammunition captured from the Ottomans, plus a £20,000 loan.
The principal correspondents are the following:
- Secretary of State for India [Robert Offley Ashburton Crewe-Milnes, 1st Marquess of Crewe];
- Viceroy of India [Charles Hardinge];
- Foreign Office;
- 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. ;
- War Office;
- Permanent Under-Secretary of State for India, Thomas William Holderness;
- Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Zachariah Cox;
- 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. , Kuwait (Lieutenant-Colonel William George Grey);
- Secretary to the Government of India's Foreign and Political Department [Alfred Hamilton Grant];
- Lieutenant-Colonel Stuart George Knox (on special duty in the absence of the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. );
- Captain William Henry Irvine Shakespear;
- Bin Saud.
- Extent and format
- 1 item (211 folios)
- Written in
- English in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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File 2182/1913 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Policy towards Bin Saud (Capt. Shakespear's Mission)' [143r] (287/426), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/387/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100034341124.0x000061> [accessed 6 June 2026]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/10/387/1
- Title
- File 2182/1913 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Policy towards Bin Saud (Capt. Shakespear's Mission)'
- Pages
- 3r:23v, 24ar, 24r:45v, 48r:63v, 64ar, 64r:85v, 85ar:85av, 86r:119v, 120ar, 120r:120v, 121ar, 121r:212v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence
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