'Attempts of the French to obtain possession of the Island of Cameran in the Red Sea'

Content

This item consists primarily of copies of correspondence and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, letters from the Governments of Bengal and Bombay concerning the purchase of the Island of Cameran [Kamaran, also spelt Kameran, Kumran, and Camran] by Syed Mohamed Akil [Sayyid Muḥammad Aqil al-Ajaybi, also Sayyid Muḥammad Aqil al-Saqqaf, also spelt Seyud Mahomud Akil, Sueed Mooummud Akil] from Shereef Ahmood of Abu-Arish [Hammud bin Muḥammad Sulaymani, Sharif of Abu 'Arish, also referred to as Shaikh Hamood, Sherif of Aboo Aresh]. The letters discuss whether Mohamed Akil was acting for the French, and propose measures to prevent French influence in the Red Sea. This includes correspondence with Sir Edward Pellew, Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Station, about the ships HMS Dedaigneuse , HMS Psyche , East India Company cruisers Mornington , Ternate , and Panther , HMS Concorde , and HM Sloop Victor , and reports from their cruises.

The item also features information on: Mohamed Akil's alleged taking of an American ship, the USS Essex of Salem ; the murders of the Englishman Mr Carter, who was on board the Essex , and her captain (Joseph Orne); the massacre of the rest of the crew; and the sinking of the ship. There is also a description of Mohamed Akil's alleged murder of the French captain M Gaspard. The actions of the French privateer Le Vigilante , and the French frigate Piedmontoise [ Pièmontaise ] are also mentioned.

Correspondents include the Resident at Mocha, the Resident at Muscat, and the Broker Often a local commercial agent in the Gulf who regularly performed duties of intelligence gathering and political representation. at Mocha, and their informants, with letters about Mohamed Akil's movements, biography, and the likelihood of being able to try him for piracy, robbery, and murder.

There is some commercial discussion of trading coffee, woollens, and gunpowder, and a political agreement with the Shereef Ahmood of Abu-Arish.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Political No. 7, Season 1808/1809, Draft 178, Para. 20'; and 'Examiner's Office, July 1808'.

Extent and format

1 item (132 folios)

It is part of

Board's Collections Vol 257

738 images

Ref: IOR/F/4/257

Arrangement

The documents are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front of the item to the rear.

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Archival item

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/F/4/257/5648

History of this record

Date(s)

10 May 1806-6 Mar 1807 (CE, Gregorian)

Related material

Related primary sources

Bombay Pol 30 Aug 1809, draft 178/1808-09, IOR/E/4/1024 pp 579-83

Subjects

PiracyLegal adviceTrade agreements

Places

Cameran

People & organisations

TernateUSS EssexHMS PsycheHMS DedaigneuseCommander-in-Chief, East Indies StationGovernment of BengalMorningtonMuḥammad bin Aqil al-Ajaybi

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'Attempts of the French to obtain possession of the Island of Cameran in the Red Sea', British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/F/4/257/5648, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100116429378.0x000002> [accessed 6 August 2026]

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