‘Secret Letters Outward’

Content

The file contains copies of letters sent under the heading ‘Secret Department’ from 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (either from the Resident, Captain Samuel Hennell, or the Assistant Resident, T Mackenzie), to the Chief Secretary to the Government Bombay, throughout 1840 and 1841.

The principal subjects covered by the correspondence are:

• The British position at Karrack [Jazīreh-ye Khārk], including discussions of increasing the British garrison on the island, the state of health of the garrison’s European soldiers, procurement of supplies (provender), and proposals to avoid loss of life amongst the European troops during the summer months;
• Discussions on the viability of a British occupation at Bahrain (spelt Bahrein throughout) should the British need to evacuate their position at Jazīreh-ye Khārk;
• The Egyptian occupation of Nedgd [Najd], including at Lahsah [Al-Hasa], and the movements and actions of the Egyptian army, led by Korshid Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. ;
• Ratification of the Treaty of Commerce between Britain and the Imam of Muscat, Sa‘id bin Sulṭān, at Zanzibar;
• French ships at Muscat, French intentions to establish a consular agent at Zanzibar, and French occupation of an island of the African coast;
• Affairs in Persia, including the Shah of Persia’s intentions to march against Bagdad [Baghdad];
• Relations between Muscat and Persia, including a proposed matrimonial alliance between the two states;
• Reports to Government, comprising précis of the situation in the various parts of Persia, Arabia and the Gulf, including one report with information on Bremee [Al Buraymī], taken from a reconnaissance undertaken by Captain Atkins Hamerton (folios 38-46);
• Anglo-Egyptian relations, and the risk of interruptions to the overland mail route linking Britain to India via Egypt and Syria, and Hennell’s recommendations for an alternative route across Asia Minor;
• Wahabee [ Wahhābī A follower of the Islamic reform movement known as Wahhabism; also used to refer to the people and territories ruled by the Al-Saud family. ] influence on the Arab coast;
• A report (folios 80-82) of Austen Henry Layard’s travels through Persia, and his meeting with Mahomed Takee Khan of the Bukhtiaree [Bakhtiari tribe].

As a result of the volume having been significantly weeded in the past, there are multiple instances of truncated letters throughout the volume, some of which are identifiable by their having been crossed out in blue pencil.

Extent and format

1 file (95 folios)

Arrangement

The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest items at the front of the file to the latest at the end.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: There is a foliation sequence, which is circled in pencil, in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. of each folio. This sequence, which should be used for referencing, begins on the front cover, on number 1, and ends on the last folio of writing, on number 93. Foliation anomalies: f 27 is followed by f 27A.

Pagination: There is a pagination sequence, which appears in the top right corners of the rectos and in the top left corners of the versos.

Condition: Insect damage in the form of small holes around the edges of pages, throughout the file.

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/15/1/93

Former external reference(s)

Vol 127

History of this record

Date(s)

1 Jun 1840-30 Dec 1840 (CE, Gregorian)

Context of creation

The ruler of Muscat, Sa‘id bin Sulṭān, transferred his power from Zanzibar to Muscat in 1840, having gradually developed Zanzibar and its surrounding country into an economically important producer of cloves.

The Egyptian-Ottoman War (1839-1841) created instability in the Levant A geographical area corresponding to the region around the eastern Mediterranean Sea. , Arabia and the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. . Britain allied with the Ottomans, while France allied with Egypt.

Subjects

Geographical explorationInternational relationsMilitary operationsTreatiesConvention of Commerce (1839)

Places

BahreinKarrack (island)NedgdBremee

People & organisations

Assistant Resident, BushirePolitical Agent and Consul, Zanzibar

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Cite this record in your research

‘Secret Letters Outward’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/93, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x000042> [accessed 20 April 2024]

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