‘Territorial settlement in Abyssinia – inexpedient’

Content

The title given above is an amended title. The original title, ‘Prohibition of a Trade with Abyssinia and the Governor of Tigrée, on the part of the Company’, which is written in ink, has been partly crossed out, and the title given above has been added in pencil.

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, letters 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. and the Government of Bengal From c. 1758-1858, the East India Company's administration in Bengal. From 1773-1833, the most senior of the three subdivisions of India, also known as the Supreme Government of India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. . The item is concerned with the mission of Captain Henry Rudland, Resident at Mocha, to the Gulph [Gulf] of Arabia in order to establish trade links between England and Abyssinia. The item is chiefly concerned with:

• The utility of establishing a Resident at Mocha for purposes including the re-establishment of communications between India and England via the Red Sea; the ability to watch the proceedings of the French in the Red Sea and report intelligence back to the Indian Government; the facilitation of trade between England and Abyssinia
• 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. 's pessimism regarding the profitability of establishing trade links with Abyssinia given the cost of maintaining and protecting trade channels, due to the presence of different tribes on the coast, and their criticism of Captain Rudland for making unfounded claims on the profitability of the mission
• The debate between 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 the Government of Bengal From c. 1758-1858, the East India Company's administration in Bengal. From 1773-1833, the most senior of the three subdivisions of India, also known as the Supreme Government of India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. on the utility of pursuing commercial links with Abyssinia and the utility of allowing Captain Rudland to remain in the Arabian Gulph as Resident
• Discussions between Captain Rudland and Henry Salt, His Majesty's Envoy in the Gulph of Arabia, regarding the benefits of trade links with Abyssinia and the site of Amphilah [Eritrean Coast] as an ideal location for the English to have a foothold
• Correspondence between: Captain Rudland; Ras Wellata Sellassi [Wolde Selassie], Governor of the Provinces of Tigre [Tigray] and Endula [Enderta], Antalow [Hint’alo], Abyssinia; and Nathaniel Pearce, an Englishman in the service of Ras Wellata Sellassi; regarding the potential trade links between Abyssinia and England and the exchange of gifts in friendship.

Correspondents include: 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. ; Captain Henry Rudland; Francis Warden, 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. ; Ras Wellata Sellassi; Nathaniel Pearce; Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay; Government of Bengal From c. 1758-1858, the East India Company's administration in Bengal. From 1773-1833, the most senior of the three subdivisions of India, also known as the Supreme Government of India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. ; George Osborne, 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. ; Henry Salt, His Majesty's Envoy in the Gulph of Arabia.

Captain Rudland is alternatively referred to as the Resident at Mocha, the Agent in the Gulph of Arabia and the Agent in the Red Sea. The item includes multiple spellings for Ras Wellata Sellassi.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Political No. 18, Season 1814/15, Draft 20' and 'Examiner's Office November 1812'.

Extent and format

1 item (29 folios)

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 42, and terminates at f 70, 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 file also contains an original printed 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/4/416/10286

History of this record

Date(s)

18 May 1809-29 Oct 1811 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 4 Nov 1814, draft 20/1814-15, IOR/E/4/1031 pp 616-19. See also IOR/F/4/290/6518

Subjects

Trade missions

Places

Abyssinia

People & organisations

Government of BengalHM Envoy in the Gulf of ArabiaResidentGovernment of Bombay

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‘Territorial settlement in Abyssinia – inexpedient’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/416/10286, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001700.0x000399> [accessed 27 June 2026]

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