Copy of a Letter from the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Tabreez, to the Governor-General of India, Lord Amherst

Content

Copy of a letter from the East India Company Envoy to Persia [Iran], Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Tabreez [Tabriz], to the Governor-General of India, Lord Amherst, of 8 April 1827. The letter is labelled private and confidential, and concerns the ongoing war between Russia and Persia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], detailing:

• The interest of the Duke of Wellington in Britain intervening to preserve the 'independence and integrity of Persia'
• The intention of General Yermoloff [General Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov, Governor-General of Georgia] of opening a campaign against Persia at the head of a large army in May 1827
• The unsuccessful expedition of General Madatoff [General Valerian Madatov] across the Araxes [River Aras] into Persian territory
• The reaction of 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] to Britain’s refusal to award Persia the subsidy stipulated for in Anglo-Persian treaty relations
• The eagerness of France and the Austrian Empire to develop relations with Persia.

Macdonald Kinneir also considers the conclusion of the war, indicating that he expects that Russia will claim Erivan [Yerevan] and other Persian territory north of the Araxes. He also expresses his concern that Persia will subscribe to unfavourable peace terms with Russia, reflecting on the intentions and character of the Shah of Persia [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār]. In addition, he discusses the potential for the expansion of Russian influence in Persia, and surrounding areas including Khiva and Bokhara [Bukhara], and the attendant risks to British territory in India.

This document was originally enclosed, numbered 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 21 April 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/214).

Extent and format

1 item (6 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/9/70/215

History of this record

Date(s)

8 Apr 1827 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Military campaignsRusso-Persian War (1826-1828)

People & organisations

East India Company Envoy to PersiaShah of Persia, Qajar dynastyViceroy and Governor-General of India in CouncilCrown Prince of Persia, Qajar dynasty

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Copy of a Letter from the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, in Tabreez, to the Governor-General of India, Lord Amherst, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/9/70/215, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100038378586.0x000366> [accessed 7 August 2026]

Link to this record

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