‘Memorandum of Conferences with H.R.H. Abbas Meerza’

Content

Memorandum of the conferences between John McNeill, the assistant to the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, and Abbas Meerza [Crown Prince of Persia, ʿAbbās Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Qājār]. In the memorandum McNeill reports having informed Abbas Meerza of intelligence regarding Russian preparations for a renewed offensive in the Caucasus [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], and of the text of the Declaration of War made by Russia. The memorandum also details McNeill’s recommendation that Persia send an ambassador to St Petersburgh [St Petersburg] to negotiate for peace, and attendant discussion of the likelihood of Persia receiving acceptable terms, whether Abbas Meerza might receive assistance from the British Government, the possibilities for further military action, and the deleterious effect losing the war might have on Abbas Meerza’s position as heir to the throne of Persia. McNeill also details the ambition of Meerza Mahommed Allee [ Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Muḥammad ʿAlī Khān Shīrāzī] to lead the mission to St Petersburgh, and reports his having recommended to Abbas Meerza that the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Meerza Abul Hassan Khan [ Mīrzā A title of honour originally applied to princes, later to military leaders, and later still to secretaries, chieftains, and other ‘gentlemen’. Abū al-Ḥasan Khān Shīrāzī], be charged with the mission instead.

This document was originally enclosed, numbered 1 in enclosure No. 1, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee Pre-1784, the Committee responsible for protecting East India Company shipping. Post-1784, its main role was to transmit communications between the Board of Control and the Company's Indian governments on matters requiring secrecy. of the East India Company of 23 December 1826 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/156).

Extent and format

1 item (8 folios)

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Letter

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/L/PS/9/70/158

History of this record

Date(s)

Dec 1826? (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

DiplomacyBilateral relationsRusso-Persian War (1826-1828)

People & organisations

John McNeill

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‘Memorandum of Conferences with H.R.H. Abbas Meerza’, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/9/70/158, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100038378586.0x00032d> [accessed 5 July 2026]

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