Aden Affairs

Content

This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. [Mumbai] Secret Department 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. , Number 28 of 1844, dated 30 March 1844. The enclosures are dated 22 January-30 March 1844.

The enclosures chiefly comprise correspondence between: Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, 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. in Aden; John Pollard Willoughby, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay; the Government of India; and Captain Sir Robert Oliver RN, Superintendent of the Indian Navy. (There are also some minutes confirming the transfer of certain documents to the Marine Department).

The following subjects are covered:

• The general state of affairs at Aden, including the growth of trade and efforts to make the Sultan of Lahidge [Lahej, also spelled Lahedge in this item] swear an oath of alliance to the British Government in return for a monthly salary
• The death of the Imaum of Sana [Imam of Sana'a] on 8 January 1844 and the disputed succession to the chiefship
• Operations to rescue the crew of the late steamer Memnon which was ship-wrecked near Ras Assyr [Cape Guardafui], including: the use of the HC (Honourable Company’s) schooner of war Constance to transport rescued crew and supplies respectively to and from Aden; arrangements for monetary and other gifts to be distributed by the Assistant Agent, Lieutenant Charles J Cruttenden, to local chiefs who assisted the stranded crew and protected the ship and the camp valuables for five months between September 1843 and January 1844; and arrangements to pay the last month’s salary of the crew brought back to Aden
• The Political Agent’s arrangements with Bombay and the Superintendent of the Indian Navy for sending the HC brig of war Tigris and the Constance back to the Bombay Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. once they have fulfilled certain duties as their tenure in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. and Red Sea has been exceeded, and the Superintendent’s intention to send the HC brig Euphrates to the Red Sea station
• Authorisation by the Government of India for the publication of Lieutenant Willmott Christopher’s journal of his proceedings whilst employed on the north east coast of Africa, commanding the Tigris , in the Proceedings of the Bombay branch of the Royal Geographical Society, including a letter from Willoughby to George Buist LLD, Secretary to the Geographical Society of Bombay (f 565)
• Notice by the Military Department to the Superintendent of the Indian Navy of plans to despatch the 47th Regiment Madras Native Infantry to Aden to relieve the 10th and 16th Regiments of Bombay Native Infantry currently at Aden.

Extent and format

1 item (37 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 66

1288 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/428

Arrangement

The enclosure numbers 3-17 are written on the verso The back of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'v'. of the last folio of each enclosure, which also contain an abstract of the contents of the enclosure.

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/L/PS/5/428, ff 532-568

History of this record

Date(s)

30 Mar 1844 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

AlliancesSearch and rescue operationsNaval vessels

Places

AdenRas Assyr

People & organisations

Government of Bombay, Chief SecretaryPolitical AgentSultan of LahejGovernment of IndiaImam of YemenSuperintendent of the Indian NavyAssistant Political AgentBombay Geographical Society

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Cite this record in your research

Aden Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/428, ff 532-568, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100123607107.0x00000a> [accessed 10 August 2026]

Link to this record

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