‘Appointment of Mr Claudius James Rich to be Resident at Bagdad – Mr Hine allowed the option of resuming his former situation of Assistant to the Residency and to discharge it’s Medical duties – Application from Mr Rich regarding his allowances submitted to the Court’s favourable consideration.’

Content

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, letters to and from 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. .

The item relates to the appointment of Claudius James Rich to the position of Resident at Bagdad [Baghdad]; the importance of maintaining a positive relationship with the Resident of Bussorah [Basra]; Rich’s chief object of establishing secure channels of communication between England and India through the central location of Bagdad. In addition, the item refers to the offer made to Doctor John Hine, Acting Resident of Bagdad, to continue with the charge of medical duties as Assistant to 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. . The item also includes copies of letters of introduction for Rich written by 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. and transmitted to multiple agents and officers in Tripoli, Egypt, Malta and the Mediterranean.

Folios 117-126 contain discussions of a clause (Stat G. III, Chapter 52, Sect. 57) relating to restrictions on the 'salary, perquisites and emoluments' for civil servants employed by the East India Company. In particular, the discussions centre on the previous service of Rich and whether he is entitled to emoluments and a higher allowance as Resident. The uniqueness of the office of 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. - and how the clause does not apply to this office - is also mentioned.

The majority of the material in the item is dated from early 1808, with later material (September 1808) revealing that the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. has decided to abolish 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. at Bagdad.

Correspondents: 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. ; Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. of the East India Company; Claudius James Rich, Resident at Bagdad; George Cumming Osborne, Secretary to Government, Bombay; John Hine, Acting Resident in charge of Bagdad; John Elphinstone, Accountant General, Bombay; Agent or Consul of his Britannic Majesty at Tripoli; Officer commanding His Majesty's Naval Forces in the Mediterranean; Officer commanding His Majesty's Naval Forces on the Coast of Egypt; and the Governor of Malta.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Political No. 19, Season 1808/09, Draft 178, Para 78' and 'Examiner's Office November 1808'.

Extent and format

1 item (33 folios)

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 99 and terminates at f 131, as it is part of a larger physical volume; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the bottom right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Pagination: the volume also contains an original pagination sequence.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

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/F/4/259/5660

History of this record

Date(s)

18 Jan 1804-7 Sep 1808 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 30 Aug 1809, draft 178/1808-09, IOR/E/4/1024 p 669

Subjects

Subsistence allowancesRecruitmentEmployment policy

Places

Bagdad

People & organisations

Resident, BussoraGovernment of BombayResident, Baghdad

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‘Appointment of Mr Claudius James Rich to be Resident at Bagdad – Mr Hine allowed the option of resuming his former situation of Assistant to the Residency and to discharge it’s Medical duties – Application from Mr Rich regarding his allowances submitted to the Court’s favourable consideration.’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/259/5660, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001688.0x00024d> [accessed 1 July 2026]

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