!['Memorandum on the Turkish claim to sovereignty over the eastern shores of the Red Sea and the whole of Arabia; and on the Egyptian claim to the whole of the western shore of the same sea, including the African coast from Suez to Cape Guardafui.' [‎4r] (7/70)](https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000788.0x00038c/IOR_L_PS_18_B8_0007.jp2/full/!1200,1200/0/default.jpg "'Memorandum on the Turkish claim to sovereignty over the eastern shores of the Red Sea and the whole of Arabia; and on the Egyptian claim to the whole of the western shore of the same sea, including the African coast from Suez to Cape Guardafui.' [‎4r] (7/70)")
'Memorandum on the Turkish claim to sovereignty over the eastern shores of the Red Sea and the whole of Arabia; and on the Egyptian claim to the whole of the western shore of the same sea, including the African coast from Suez to Cape Guardafui.' [4r] (7/70)
The record is made up of 35 folios. It was created in 10 Mar 1874. It was written in English and French. 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. .
Transcription
This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.
Berbereh is really a very important position, both
in a political and commercial point of view.
Burton, vol. xxxm. Captain Burton, who visited it in 1855, said it was
Ibid., vol. xxxiv. the true key to the Red Sea, and that it was the
only safe harbour for shipping between Suez and
Cape Guardafui, and that in many respects it was a
better position than Aden.
He also stated that tradition asserted the post to
have been occupied in turns by the Furs (old Per
sians), the Arabs, the Turks, the Gallas, and the
Somalis. He also drew attention to the fact that it
had been coveted by many foreign conquerors, and
Ibid., vols,xxxiii r xxxiv, pp. 408, 411. remarked that circumstances had then (in 1855,
during the Crimean War), thrown it, as it were, into
the arms of the English, and that if they refused the
chance, another and a rival nation would not be so
blind.
The " Aden Pilot " says, the name of an Eng
lishman is much respected by the natives, who
make a marked difference between them and any
Other nation. It then gives the following descrip
tion of the place:—
Berbereh, is the only harbour along the coast. It
is 1J miles wide at the entrance, and free from all
danger, having from 11 to 13 fathoms water at the
mouth, and decreasing very gradually towards the
shore, [t also affords good anchorage and complete
shelter from all winds, except from the westward.
" The town of Berbereh is situated at the head of
the harbour, and is a place of no mean importance
Aden Pilot, p. 59, during the trading months, October to March, when
the tribes from the interior assemble there and
barter their goods with the
Banyan
Merchant of Indian extraction.
merchants.
" A considerable export trade is carried on from the
Pages 43 and 59. Soumali Coast, between Karram and Berbereh, to the
opposite coast of Arabia, especially in sheep and gum.
" During the height of the fair (from October to
March) Berbereh is stated to be a perfect Babel in
confusion as in languages ; no Chief is acknowledged,
Page 59. and the customs of bygone years are the laws of the
place. When the fair is over, the place is entirely
deserted."
Nothing is said by the authorities from which the
<'Aden Pilot" is compiled, about the Sublime
Porte having ever exercised any authority over this
territory.
The fact of the British authorities at Aden having
O
About this item
- Content
Memorandum prepared by Edward Hertlset, Foreign Office Librarian, on 5 March 1874 (printed by the Foreign Office 10 March 1874). The document gives a historical overview (from 1517 to 1874) of claims on the Red Sea coast, with particular focus on those of the Ottoman Turks and the Egyptians. It discusses attempts by the French, Italians and Americans to gain a foothold in the region. It ends with a summary of things as they stand, with political and commercial considerations, as well as those of the slave trade.
Hertslet quotes extensively from his sources, notes on which appear in the left-hand margin.
- Extent and format
- 35 folios
- Arrangement
At the beginning (folios 1-2) there is a table of reference to facts and dates, with reference to the printed page number.
- Physical characteristics
Foliation: the sequence commences at the first folio and terminates at the last folio; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. A second foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 1-34; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not 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 booklet also contains an original typed pagination sequence.
- Written in
- English and French in Latin script View the complete information for this record
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'Memorandum on the Turkish claim to sovereignty over the eastern shores of the Red Sea and the whole of Arabia; and on the Egyptian claim to the whole of the western shore of the same sea, including the African coast from Suez to Cape Guardafui.' [4r] (7/70), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/B8, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023282030.0x000008> [accessed 20 April 2024]
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- Reference
- IOR/L/PS/18/B8
- Title
- 'Memorandum on the Turkish claim to sovereignty over the eastern shores of the Red Sea and the whole of Arabia; and on the Egyptian claim to the whole of the western shore of the same sea, including the African coast from Suez to Cape Guardafui.'
- Pages
- 1r:35v
- Author
- East India Company, the Board of Control, the India Office, or other British Government Department
- Usage terms
- Open Government Licence