Correspondence from James Charles Edwards, Uncovenanted Assistant in the Persian Gulf

Mss Eur F126/44

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The record is made up of 1 file, 56 items (161 folios). It was created in 20 Dec 1862-13 Nov 1874. 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. .

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Correspondence from James Charles Edwards written to Lewis Pelly during his absences from Bushire to visit other areas of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , visiting India and returning to England.

The main subject of the correspondence is the day to day running 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. and Edwards reports on the appointing of new staff, retirements and resignations, the annual audits of the treasury and arranging visits to see the Governor of Bushire. Also reported on are matters relating to Bushire itself including outbreaks of Fever and Cholera, and the need for a British India Steam Navigation Company representative in Bushire to assist with the sending of mail and packages to and from Bombay and Tehran.

Edwards also provides reports for Pelly on matters in the Gulf which are primarily focused on the ongoing dispute between the Wahabis and the Sultan of Muscat, but later focus on the situation in Muscat following the death of Sultan Thuwaini bin Said in 1865, his son Salim II bin Thuwaini becoming Sultan and the opposition to this from his uncle Turki bin Said who eventually takes control and becomes Sultan in 1868.

Also reported on frequently are matters in Persia, relating to internal politics, the Telegraph system and a territorial dispute with Afghanistan over Seistan; and the movements of various vessels around the Gulf including the Berenice who sank in 1866.

The letters also make reference to Pelly's residence, garden, horses and equipment and the care and maintenance of these during his periods of absence.

Extent and format
1 file, 56 items (161 folios)
It is grouped into
Arrangement

The file has been arranged chronologically. This arrangement has led to a number of enclosures being itemised separately from their originating letters, the items on folios 91-95 and 98-100 are all enclosures to the letter on folios 96-97.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: File foliated in the top right hand corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle.

Written in
English in Latin 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
Mss Eur F126/44

History of this record

Date(s)
20 Dec 1862-13 Nov 1874 (CE, Gregorian)

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Correspondence from James Charles Edwards, Uncovenanted Assistant in the Persian Gulf, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F126/44, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/node/9356> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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