'File 24/2 Oil concessions, Volume II'

IOR/R/15/4/12

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The record is made up of 1 file (200 folios). It was created in 1 May 1937-1 Jul 1938. It was written in English and Arabic. 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. .

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Content

The file contains correspondence regarding the negotiations and signing of oil concessions in the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. (United Arab Emirates). The correspondence is principally between the British Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in Sharjah, the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in Bahrain, the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in Muscat, representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited (mostly Frank Holmes), and various rulers of the Trucial Shaikhdoms.

The matters covered by the file include:

  • the question of whether to include Kalbah within the Muscat concession;
  • the British Government's policy of only permitting ruling Shaikhs to grant concessions to Petroleum Concessions Limited, and the wish of the rulers of Sharjah, Dubai, and Ras al-Khaimah to negotiate with the Standard Oil of California;
  • the intentions of Shaikh Said bin Maktum [Sa‘īd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm], ruler of Dubai, and Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr [Sulṭān II bin Saqr Āl Qasimī], ruler of Sharjah, to open a bank branch in their territories;
  • the conduct of Frank Holmes;
  • the negotiations over the Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras al-Khaimah concessions;
  • the visit of Imperial Airways agents to Umm al-Qaiwain with a view to opening permanent facilities there;
  • the visit of Basil Henry Lermitte, representative of Petroleum Concessions Limited, to the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. to begin negotiations for the Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Qaiwain, and Abu Dhabi concessions;
  • reports of communication between Hajj Abdullah Williamson [William Richard Williamson], agent of Petroleum Concessions Limited, and the rulers of Ras al-Khaimah and Abu Dhabi, urging them to hold out for better terms;
  • arrangements for a geological survey of Jabal Hafit;
  • negotiations with Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr over the political agreement between Petroleum Concessions Limited and the British Government;
  • reports of American geologists seen working in Abu Dhabi territory.
Extent and format
1 file (200 folios)
Arrangement

The file is arranged chronologically.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 202; 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. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-198; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
Type
Archival file

Archive information for this record

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/15/4/12
Former external reference(s)
24/2

History of this record

Date(s)
1 May 1937-1 Jul 1938 (CE, Gregorian)

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'File 24/2 Oil concessions, Volume II', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/4/12, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000000831.0x000396> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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