Aden Affairs: Red Sea and Abyssinia

Content

This part of the volume consists of 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. , 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 10 of 1850, dated 16 February 1850.

The enclosed papers, dated 19 December 1849 to 15 February 1850, concern affairs in Abyssinia [Ethiopia and Eritrea] and on the Red Sea coast. They consist of a letter from 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, to 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. , in which he forwards a report by Lieutenant Adams, Commander of the East India Company schooner, Constance . The report concerns his visits to Mussawa [Massawa], Hodeida [Al Hudaydah] and Mocha, and relays news from these places. The report, or extracts from it, are then forwarded to the Government of India, Fort William, and the British Consul General in Egypt, Charles Augustus Murray.

Adams’s report covers various matters, including:

• French relations with the ruler of Adwa and the Patriarch of Abyssinia
• Heavy duties being levied at ports along the Red Sea coast, particularly Mussawa
• The poor financial state of the Ottoman officers and troops in the region, and their efforts to raise money
• Political affairs in Yemen
• Postal routes in Yeman and surrounding region.

Extent and format

1 item (10 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 101

1378 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/463

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/5/463, ff 108-117

Former external reference(s)

No. 10 of 1850

History of this record

Date(s)

16 Feb 1850 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

Political affairsCustoms administration

Places

AbyssiniaRed Sea

People & organisations

Political Agent

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Aden Affairs: Red Sea and Abyssinia, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/463, ff 108-117, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100149251877.0x000009> [accessed 15 August 2026]

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