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'File 8/65 IX RENEWAL of COMMERCIAL TREATY' [‎118r] (235/242)

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The record is made up of 1 file (119 folios). It was created in 13 Aug 1951-14 Oct 1951. It was written in English and Arabic. 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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His IZ-ajesty’s Government have also been asked by the Governments
of India and Ceylon to seek the Sultan’s agreement to the
continued exercise of extraterritorial jurisdiction over their
nationals by the British Consular Court.
Major Chauncy should point out to the bultan that His
Majesty’s Government has exercised jurisdiction in Muscat since
the Treaty of 1839 and they therefore hope that, in view of past
usage and of their long-standing and tradional friendship with ohe
Sultan, he will be prepared to allow that continuance of their extra*
territorial privileges. Major Chauncy may at his discretion mention
v O the ^ew stated by Sir Geoffrey Prior (referred to in your telegram No.
L? ^ > \^ < ,109 of 29th March) that the British Bank of Iran and the Middle ^as^
^ might close their branch in Muscat if extra-territoriality is withdrawn.
5. I am doubtful whethe- there is any advantage in calling the
Sultan’s attention to the terms of his treaties with the United States
and French Governments of 1833 and 18^ respectively under which both
these Governments are granted certain extra-territorial privileges.
These T reaties date from the same period as our own Treaty of 1839 under
which we first acquired similar privileges. Our own -reaty has long
since been superseded and so far as I am aware it is many years since
the United States and r rench ^reaties were operative, at least so far
as these particular provisions are concerned. If the Sultan is
unwilling to allow us to retain our extra-territorial privileges, it is
most unlikely that he will agree to the extra-territorial provisions
in his United States and French treaties being enforced should there be
any suggestion of this at any time in the future. Unless therefore
the Sultan is willing to agree to our request for retention of
jurisdiction, to represent to him that we have at least equfal rights
with the Americans and the French would have only the e "feet of
securing the abrogation of such rights in his Treaties with these two
countries. If the Sultan mentions that His Majesty's Government
have asked for no similar privileges in Saudi Arabia and the Yemen
it can be oointed out to him that our friendship with the ^ormer
has been neither so long nor so close as our friendship with him

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Content

Continuing on from the previous file (IOR/R/15/6/260), this file relates to the termination and proposed replacement of the 1939 Commercial Treaty between Britain and the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman.

Most of the correspondence concerns the drafting of a new treaty between the two parties (eventually concluded in December 1951 and ratified in May 1952). The file contains a series of letters exchanged between the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and Consul at Muscat (Major Frederick Charles Leslie Chauncy) and the Sultan of Muscat and Oman [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd] regarding the precise wording of the English text of the treaty. The remaining correspondence, which is mostly between the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and the Foreign Office, concerns proposed amendments to drafts of the treaty. Other related matters of discussion include the following: the question of whether the Sultan will agree to allow the British to retain their 'extra-territorial privileges' in Muscat (i.e. jurisdiction over nationals from other British territories); whether the new treaty should cover consuls and consular functions; the duration of the new treaty, with the Foreign Office preferring a minimum of twelve years; the possibility of prolonging the existing treaty until 31 December 1951.

Also included is a draft of the proposed new treaty (ff 93-103). The Arabic language material consists of the aforementioned correspondence between the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. and the Sultan (English translations are included).

Extent and format
1 file (119 folios)
Arrangement

The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 121; 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.

Written in
English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
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'File 8/65 IX RENEWAL of COMMERCIAL TREATY' [‎118r] (235/242), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/6/261, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100059466704.0x000024> [accessed 28 March 2024]

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