Book 88: Letters Outwards

Content

The file consists of letters sent outwards from 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; most of the letters have been penned by Samuel Hennell (Assistant Resident), followed by James Morrison (newly appointed Resident), and Thomas Mackenzie (Civil Surgeon). This correspondence is predominantly addressed to the following: Charles Norris, 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. (Political Department); Thomas Elwon, Commodore of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; and William Hay Macnaghten, Chief Secretary to the Government of India, at Fort William, Calcutta (Political Department).

Some subjects briefly discussed include the replacement of the Governor of Bushire, Mirza Ally Khan [ Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. ‘Alī Khān], with Shaikh Nasir [Shaykh Nāṣir], which was achieved with the assistance of the Chief of Koweit [Kuwait]. The file also covers the increasing popularity of Humood ben Azan, Chief of Sohar [Ṣuḥār], and the corresponding decline in the authority of Muscat; the Chief of Sohar had formerly been a subject of the Imam of Muscat, Sa‘īd bin Sultān Āl Sa‘īd. The Imam called in the 'Maritime Arabs' to provide assistance with dealing with the Chief of Sohar, and the correspondence therefore discusses the Assistant Resident's fears that this could lead to an outbreak of general piracy and lawlessness.

Another political matter that gets some attention is a contest over Katif [Al-Qaṭīf] between Fasil ben Turki [Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Āl Sa‘ūd], Wahabee [Wahhabi] Chief, and Shaikh Abdoola bin Ahmed [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah], Chief of Bharein [Bahrain]. The defeat and capture of ‘Alī Mirzā, Prince of Shiraz, by the troops of Mahomed Shah [Muḥammad Shāh Qājār] is also briefly mentioned.

The topic that gets the most attention is an 'outbreak of piracy' instigated by the Beniyas [Bani Yas] tribe under their Chief, Shaikh Khuleefa ben Shackboot [Khalīfah bin Shakhbūṭ] of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi], and their subsequent suppression via British naval power. It therefore covers the process of establishing restitution payments for the Beniyas's 'acts of piracy', and subsequent measures taken by the British to enforce the Chief's compliance.

Some letters in the file attempt to draw the attention of 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. to the poor state of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; the Resident considers the resources available to be inadequate for the duties required of the force. It therefore contains the Resident's recommendations to the Government concerning the number and types of ships that should be stationed in the Gulf.

The file contains the following notable enclosures:

• Memorandum of the property and cash plundered by the subjects of Shaikh Khuleefa ben Shackboot of Aboothabee, the restitution of which is required by that Chief, dated 14 January 1835 (see f 5).
• List of the vessels plundered by the Joasmee [ 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. ] and Beniyas tribes when cruising against Sohar on the coast of Batinah [Al-Bāṭinah] as allies of the Imam of Muscat, dated 27 February 1835 (see f 19v).
• List of demands to be made on the Chief of Aboothabee in compensation for the 'outrages' committed by the Beniyas on the 'peaceable Arabs' of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , dated 27 April 1835 (see f 39v).
• General statement of the vessels 'detained or piratically' seized by the Beniyas tribe and subsequently recovered by the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Squadron, dated 21 May 1835 (see f 48).
• Translation of a truce agreed by the Arabian Chiefs for a period of six months, dated 21 May 1835 (see ff 51v-52).
• Statement of the cash and property received from the Beniyas together with detail of disbursements, dated 5 July 1835 (see ff 55v-56).
• Sketch of naval means estimated as required for the efficient discharge of the duties of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , dated 16 December 1835 (see ff 85v-86).

The content has undergone a degree of weeding as indicated by the gaps in the original pagination, and some content is therefore missing as a result. In addition, some letters are only present as fragments (i.e. only the beginning, or the end of certain letters can be found within).

Extent and format

1 volume, (96 folios)

Arrangement

The file is arranged chronologically from 8 January to 28 December 1835.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the cover and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

The file contains the following foliation corrections; 1, and 1A.

Pagination: An original pagination sequence is also present in the file; this sequence is written in ink, and the numbers are located in the top outermost corner of each page. There are gaps in the pagination indicating that the file has undergone a degree of weeding.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Letter book

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/R/15/1/67

History of this record

Date(s)

8 Jan 1835-28 Dec 1835 (CE, Gregorian)

Places

AboothabeeMuscatBatinah Coast

People & organisations

Assistant Resident, BushirePersian Gulf Naval SquadronSenior Naval Officer in the Persian GulfEmir of Abu Dhabi, Āl Nahyān dynastyBani Yas (Tribe)

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Book 88: Letters Outwards, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/67, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x000028> [accessed 26 April 2024]

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