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'Memorandum on Bahrein' [‎10v] (20/62)

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The record is made up of 1 file (31 folios). It was created in 13 Jan 1947. 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. .

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20
To Gen.
Mohsin Khan,
29.4.1869.
F.O. to I.O.,
11.5.1869.
I.O. to F.O.,
19.5.1869,
5.6.1869.
Pol. Res. to
Govt, of
Bombay, 165
of 11.9.1869,
181 of
25.9.1869,
184 of
5.10.1869.
of unnecessary irritation at the Court of Tehran and that he was willing,
therefore, should Lord Clarendon desire it, as a matter of courtesy to the Persian
Government, to issue instructions to the Government of India to direct the Resident
in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. (whenever he might on any future occasion, under orders from
India, be about to call the Chief of Bahrein to account for any breach of his
engagements with the British Government) to notify the fact to the British
Minister at Tehran for the information of the Shah s Government.' Circum
stances might, however, arise in which the Resident might, in the general
interests of peace and order, be called upon to act promptly on his own
responsibility, and in such cases the Secretary of State was not willing to waive
what he considered '' as not only a right pertaining to, but a duty incumbent
upon, the British Government. The Foreign Office concurred in these views and
the Persian representative was informed accordingly.
85. The Persian representative on receipt of the Foreign Office letter asked
that in order to make it more palatable to the Shah, certain modifications should
be made in it. After private discussion between Lord Clarendon and the Duke
of Argyll, of which no record exists, and an interview between the Fnvoy and
Lord Clarendon, it was finally agreed to accept the modification embodied in the
opening paragraph of the letter which follows, but also to make the addition
contained in the last paragraph of that letter; and a letter so amended was
despatched to him. The text (omitting an introductory paragraph) of the
amended letter, which is of importance as one of the principal pieces of evidence
subsequently adduced by the Persian Government in support of their claim that
Her Majesty's Government have recognised Persian sovereignty over Bahrein, is
as follows. The sentences in italics are those which were added in deference to
the further representations from General Mohsin Khan referred to above :—
The British Government readily admit that the Government of the Shah
has ^protested against the Persian right of sovereignty oxer Bahrein being
ignored by the British Authorities, and they have <given du# consideration to
that protest. But it is the fact, as yourself and the Government of the Shah
are undoubtedly aware, that the Sheikhs of Bahrein have at different periods
entered directly into engagements with the British Government ; and I beg
to assure you that the British Government hold the Sheikh to these engage
ments solely for the purposes of preventing Piracy and Slave Trade, and of
maintaining the police of the Gulf. If the Persian Government are prepared
to keep a sufficient force in the Gulf for these purposes, this country would
be relieved of a troublesome and costly duty; but, if the Shah is not prepared
to undertake these duties, Her Majesty's Government cannot suppose His
Majesty would wish that in those waters disorder and crimes should be
encouraged by impunity.
" I need scarcely assure you of the friendly feelings entertained by Her
Majesty's Government towards Persia, and their desire on all occasions to
meet as far as possible the wishes of the Shah ; and, in regard to this question,
I have the honour to state to you that, whenever it is practicable to do so, Her
Majesty's Government will cause the Persian Government to be informed
beforehand of any measures of coercion against himself which the conduct
of the Sheikh of Bahrein may have rendered necessary.
'' But the British Government cannot consent to debar its officers, to whom
the superintendence of the police of the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. is entrusted, from the
exercise of the right of punishing by prompt measures any violation of
Treaty engagements by the Sheikh of Bahrein, when a reference to the
Court of Tehran would be attended with embarrassing delays which might
endanger the ^general peace of the 'Gulf; but whenever such a necessity shall
arise a full communication respecting it shall be made to the Persian
Government."
Overthrow and Death of Sheikh Ali {August— September 1869)
86. In August-September 1869 Bahrein was invaded by the ex-Sheikh
Mohammed bin Khalifah, who was joined by one Mohammed bin Abdullah, son
of the Sheikh who had been deposed in 1843 (paragraph 39 above;. The ruling
Sheikh Ali was defeated and killed, while Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah
assumed the leadership of the usurping party.
87. Her Majesty's Minister reported on 14th November, 1869, a conversation
on this incident with the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs in the course of
which the latter admitted that Persia had not acquired sufficient power or
authority in that part of the Culf to enable her to repress acts oi piracy and to

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Content

This printed memorandum, produced by the Foreign Office, dated 13 Jan 1947, deals with the history of Bahrein [Bahrain] from the point of view of the political status of the islands at various periods and dates since 1783, and contains copies of related correspondence and discussions. The principal authorities quoted in the memorandum are listed on folio 1v and appear as references in the right or left hand margin. The memorandum includes an index on folio 1r and a list of appendices on folio 1v. The index contains the the following sections:

  • Geographical situation;
  • Bahrein priot to 1783;
  • 1783-1820;
  • 1820-30;
  • 1830-40;
  • 1840-50;
  • 1850-61;
  • 1861-67;
  • Discussion and Incidents, 1868-70;
  • 1870-80;
  • 1880-92. From the conclusion of the First to the conclusion of the Second Exclusive Agreement with Her Majesty's Government;
  • 1892-1913. From the Second Exclusive Agreement to the Anglo-Turkish Convention of 1913;
  • 1913-34;
  • Summary (A. Claims to or assertions of soverignty over Bahrein, 1783 to 1934. B. Basis of the Persian claim. C. Attitude of His Majesty's Government, 1820-1934);
  • Reference to Law Officers of the Crown;
  • Independent Status of Bahrein;
  • 1934-46 (Establishment of Naval Base at Bahrein; Persian Government's refusal to recognise visas and endoresments of Bahrein; Agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Saudi Arabian Government regarding Transit Dues at Bahrein; The Liabilities of His Majesty's Government in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ; Treatment of Bahreinis in Persia; Bahrein Nationality and Property Laws; Treatment of Persians in Bahrein; Postal Services between Persian and Bahrein; Persian Government decree regarding import of Petroleum Products from Bahrein; Remarks of the Persian Prime Minister to the United States Ambassador; Recent references to Bahrein in the Persian Press).

The memorandum is marked 'Confidential' and 'The Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government'.

Extent and format
1 file (31 folios)
Arrangement

The file contains an index and list of appendices (folio 1) which make reference to paragraph and page numbers.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The foliation sequence commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; 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. Pagination: The volume also contains an original printed pagination sequence.

Written in
English and French in Latin script
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'Memorandum on Bahrein' [‎10v] (20/62), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/18/B485, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023506165.0x000015> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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