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'File 61/11 IX (D 159) Nejd-Hejaz Miscellaneous' [‎53v] (117/391)

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The record is made up of 1 volume (192 folios). It was created in 4 Apr 1939-16 Jan 1942. It was written in English. 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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Enclosure.
Instructions to Cwptain de Gauvy.
Captain de Gaury,
IN accordance with the instructions conveyed to me in foreign Office
telegram unnumbered of the 11th September, you are proceeding to Riyadh to
reside there as the personal representative of His Majesty's Minister at Jedda,
in order to be in a position to supply His Majesty King Abdul Aziz day by day
with first-hand information, and also to act as liaison officer with the legation.
Mr. Heber Percy will accompany you as your assistant. ^
2. The Foreign Office have arranged that you should have the local rank
of first secretary, and Mr. Heber Percy that of honorary attache, and the
Ministry for Foreign Affairs are being informed accordingly in a letter of which
a copy is attached.Q
3. As you are aware, the object of the plan by which you are to reside at
Riyadh is to help to consolidate the good relations between His Majesty's Govern
ment and the King, and to ensure his remaining friendly to us during the war.
This being so, there would be no point in your staying at Riyadh if it appeared
that your presence was becoming irksome to His Majesty in any way. Please
keep this in mind and let me know for the information of His Majesty's Govern
ment how the plan works in practice. If the King comes to the v Hejaz for the
pilgrim season, as he usually does, it will be natural for you to return to Jedda,
at any rate for a time, since, when the King is at Mecca, it is always possible to
arrange an interview with him.
4. Any dangerous dogs that are sleeping should be allowed to sleep on,
e.g., Khor-el-Odeid, and I trust that you will also be able to damp down any
fresh questions that arise that do not seem to call for action. On the other hand,
where, as in the case of the islands between Bahrein and the mainland, there is
a possibility that friction may arise, please inform the legation at once so that
His Majesty's Government may be warned in time.
5. The principal objections raised by the Sheikh of Koweit to the King's
counter-proposals for the Trade Agreement have been received by telegram and
communicated to you so that you will be able to discuss them with the King at
once. There is, however, a despatch on the way which may contain other points.
6. During my visit to Riyadh last month I kept a full diary giving the
essential parts of all talks with the King and Sheikh Yusuf Yasin and any items
of news that I managed to pick up. I should be glad if you would keep a similar
record and send me a copy of the current portion whenever there is an
opportunity.
I 1 ) Not printed.

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Content

The volume consists of letters, telegrams, and reports relating to the affairs of Saudi Arabia. Most of the correspondence is between the British Legation in Jeddah, the Political 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. in Bushire, the Foreign Office in London, the Political Agencies in Kuwait and Bahrain, the 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. in London, and the Government of India.

The volume covers the build up to and outbreak of the Second World War and thus much of the correspondence focuses on this subject. Topics include:

  • the activities of the Germans, Italians, and Japanese in the region;
  • Ibn Sa'ud's allegiance to Britain and the Allies;
  • Ibn Sa'ud's anxiety about Hashemite dominance in Syria and potential attack from hostile Arab nations;
  • anti-Allied sentiment in the region;
  • the financial and political contribution of the United States of America.

Other subjects covered by the volume are:

  • the maintenance of law and order in the Kingdom;
  • the presence of community feeling and national identity;
  • Captain De Gaury's journeys in Saudi Arabia, including a report on agricultural development at Kharj, and the objection to his proposed tour of all of Arabia;
  • Amir Sa'ud's trip to India for medical treatment;
  • the anti-British activities of St John Philby and his subsequent arrest in India.

At the back of the volume (folios 177-186) are internal office notes.

Extent and format
1 volume (192 folios)
Arrangement

The volume is arranged chronologically.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: The sequence starts on the first folio and continues through to the inside back cover. The numbering is written in pencil, circled, and located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. of each folio. The first three folios are marked 1A, 1B, and 1C respectively, then the sequence continues from 2 as normal. There is one other foliation system, written in pencil and inconsistent.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'File 61/11 IX (D 159) Nejd-Hejaz Miscellaneous' [‎53v] (117/391), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/572, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023555604.0x000076> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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