‘Unfriendly Conduct of the Sheriffe of Mecca, in enforcing inordinate duties on the Woollens sent to Judda for Sale and which rendered their sale impracticable’

Content

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes 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. . The item relates to the 'unfriendly conduct' towards the East India Company by the Sheriffe [Sharif] of Mecca. In particular, the item is concerned with:

• Two separate incidents at Judda [Jeddah] during which 27 pieces of broad cloth which belonged to the Company were taken from the brig Fattah Mobaruk and customs duties were charged to John Benzoni, Assistant to the British Agent in the Persian Gulph [Gulf], on goods which he left at Judda and later collected
• 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 attempts to ascertain the standard customs duties exacted on goods at Judda and whether the Sheriffe has deviated from these regular rates
• Accounts and reports provided by Benzoni, the Sheriffe of Mecca, the Nakhoda [Captain] of the brig Fattah Mobaruk and J [Humruss], a man who has knowledge of the customs duties at Judda and is called upon by the Customs Master at Surat to provide information on this topic
• The conflicting reports of Benzoni and the Sheriffe
• The possible punishments that 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. could apply to the Sheriffe as a consequence of his conduct.

Benzoni's correspondence also refers briefly to a draft Treaty relating to trade that he has concluded with the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. of Egypt.

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. ; Captain Henry Rudland, Agent in the Gulph of Arabia; Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to 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. ; Richard Thomas Goodwin, Secretary and Translator in the Office of the Country Correspondence; Nathan Crowe, Chief at Surat; George Cumming Osborne, Secretary to 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. ; John Benzoni, Assistant to the British Agent in the Persian Gulph; D C Ramsay, Custom Master at Surat; James Farish, Deputy Secretary to 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. ; J [Humruss], Merchant(?); Sheriffe Ghalib of Mecca [Ghālib ibn Musā’id al-Hāshimi, Sharīf of Mecca]; Jonathan Duncan, Governor of Bombay.

Rudland is alternatively referred to within the item as the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. at Mocha and the British Agent in the Persian Gulph.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Political No. 21, Season 1814/15, Draft 20' and 'Examiner's Office November 1812'.

Extent and format

1 item (32 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 112, and terminates at f 144, 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/4/416/10289

History of this record

Date(s)

25 Sep 1809-29 Oct 1811 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 14 Nov 1814, draft 20/1814-15, IOR/E/4/1031 pp 621-22

Subjects

Economic relationsCustoms dutyClaims

Places

Judda

People & organisations

Political AgentAssistant to the British AgencyGrand Sharif of Mecca

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‘Unfriendly Conduct of the Sheriffe of Mecca, in enforcing inordinate duties on the Woollens sent to Judda for Sale and which rendered their sale impracticable’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/416/10289, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001700.0x00039c> [accessed 9 August 2026]

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