Aden Affairs

Content

This item comprises 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. [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 3 dated 2 January 1856. The enclosures are dated 10-29 December 1855.

Three letters from Brigadier William Marcus Coghlan, Acting Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. and Commandant in Aden, to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, covering the following matters:

• A general report on the state of affairs in Aden
• Intelligence from Hodeida [Al Hudaydah] and Mocha describing a serious outbreak of fighting at Mecca, apparently resulting from the proclamation ( firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). ) by the Ottoman Porte [Government of the Ottoman Empire] abolishing slavery at Mecca and Jeddah and the Resident's desire to send a steam vessel to Jeddah to ascertain the seriousness of the situation
• Intelligence received from the Vice-Consul at Suez and the Consul-General in Egypt, respectively relating to the recent firman A Persian word meaning a royal order or decree issued by a sovereign, used notably in the Ottoman Empire (sometimes written ‘phirmaund’). of the Porte and the reported insurrection at Mecca, and what specific edicts the Egyptian Government has made with regard to abolishing slavery in its territories.

Also included are: two Resolutions of the Board acknowledging Coghlan’s general report and the ‘urgent’ need to despatch a steamer for duty at Aden; and a letter by the Secretary to the Government of India authorising Coghlan to continue the blockade of Berbera until its objectives achieved.

Extent and format

1 item (14 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 124

1014 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/486

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/5/486, ff 10-23

History of this record

Date(s)

2 Jan 1856 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

InsurrectionsPolitical intelligenceBlockadesAbolition of slavery

Places

AdenBerberaMeccaJeddah

People & organisations

Government of Bombay, Chief SecretaryGovernment of the Ottoman EmpirePolitical ResidentHM Ambassador to Egypt

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Cite this record in your research

Aden Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/486, ff 10-23, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100129828683.0x000002> [accessed 24 July 2026]

Link to this record

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