‘Resignation by Major Wilson of the Office of Resident at Bushire & nomination of Dr. McNeill – This appointment subsequently cancelled & Mr. D. A. Blane appointed Resident – Dr. McNeill appointed 1stAssistant to the Envoy in Persia – Memorial from Dr. McNeill to the Court.’

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 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. and the 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. The item relates to the appointment of a successor to Major David Wilson as Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and general considerations of the position and allowances of the Resident. In particular, the item concerns:

• The initial appointment of Dr John McNeill, Surgeon to the British Embassy at the Court of Persia, as Wilson's successor and the appointment of Dr James Pringle Riach as McNeill's successor
• Discussions by the Board of 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. regarding how to reduce the expenditure 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. at Bushire [Būshehr], with suggestions to lower the Table Allowance, reduce the Resident's budget for gifts, and condense the number of staff
• The Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. ' criticism that a Military Servant, rather than a Civil Servant, has been appointed Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
• The subsequent cancellation of McNeill's appointment as Resident and the appointment of David Anderson Blane in his place
• A memorandum sent 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. by McNeill which: asserts his unique talents that are required for the Resident position due to uncertain times in Persia; complains of his treatment; and requests a new position that would be equal in status and benefits to that of the Resident.

The memorandum sent by McNeill also contains a number of copies and extracts of letters from his immediate superiors and officials from the Court of Persia as proof of the high esteem in which he is held. Amongst these letters are: a note by Mirza Abdul Hassan Khan [ Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Abdul Hassan Khan], His Persian Majesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs; a firmun by the Shah of Persia [Fath-Ali Qājār]; and a ruckum addressed by His Royal Highness Abbas Mirza ['Abbās Mīrzā Nāyib al-Salṭana Qājār], Prince of Persia.

The principal correspondents of the item are: the Court of Directors The London-based directors of the East India Company who dealt with the daily conduct of the Company's affairs. ; McNeill; numerous secretaries heading departments within the governments of Bombay and Bengal, along with the respective governors of Bombay and Bengal. Other correspondents include: Sir John Nicoll Robert Campbell, Envoy to Persia; Wilson; Riach; and Lieutenant Samuel Hennell, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .

The titles of ‘Resident in the Persian Gulf’ and ‘Resident at Bushire’ are used interchangeably.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department No.1’, ‘P.C. 1181, Draft 427, 1833' and 'Examiner's Office'.

Extent and format

1 item (108 folios)

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume. The item includes a contents page (f 50) noting 'Page', 'Date, 'From', 'To' and 'Date of Consultation'.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description (used for referencing) commences at f 49, and terminates at f 156, 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 and French 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/4/1351/53622

History of this record

Date(s)

5 Jun 1825-5 Nov 1832 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 21 Aug 1833, draft 427/1833, IOR/E/4/1056 pp 919-50. See also IOR/F/4/1288/51605; IOR/F/4/1163/30468; IOR/F/4/1164/30469, 30470; IOR/F/4/1165/30471, 30472; and IOR/F/4/1166/30473

Subjects

ExpensesSubsistence allowancesEmployee grievancesCivil serviceEmployment

Places

TabreezPersian GulfBushire

People & organisations

Government of BengalGovernment of BombayPolitical Resident, Persian GulfPersian Gulf Political ResidencyCourt of DirectorsAssistant to the Political Resident in the Persian GulfJohn McNeillDavid Anderson Blane

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‘Resignation by Major Wilson of the Office of Resident at Bushire & nomination of Dr. McNeill – This appointment subsequently cancelled & Mr. D. A. Blane appointed Resident – Dr. McNeill appointed 1stAssistant to the Envoy in Persia – Memorial from Dr. McNeill to the Court.’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/1351/53622, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100000001800.0x000359> [accessed 7 July 2026]

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