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. 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 92 of 1846, dated 5 August 1846. The enclosures are dated 15-27 July 1846.

The primary document is a despatch from 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. at Aden, to the Secretary to Government, Bombay, reporting on the state of affairs in Aden, as follows:

• The continued peace between the neighbouring tribes of the vicinity
• Heavy rainfall in the area surrounding Lahidge [Lahej] and ‘only one good rain shower’ in Aden
• The Sultan of Lahidge’s proposal to visit Haines in Aden and Haines’s recommendation that the Sultan communicate his wishes by other means due to his age and ‘extreme lameness’ and the expense he would incur
• Haines’s assertion that the Sultan will only confirm verbally his ‘secret wish’ to appoint his third son as his successor since a more public disclosure would cause conflict between his three senior sons
• A report that the French war steamer Archimede reached Aden from Suez on 7 July, took in 220 tons of coal from the Peninsular and Oriental Company’s depot and proceeded to Bourbon [the island of Réunion] with despatches
• The healthy state of the garrison and inhabitants of Aden.

The last two enclosures, the Bombay Times summary of Intelligence and Bombay Overland Courier are noted as ‘Missing 29.10.1906’.

Extent and format

1 item (5 folios)

It is part of

'ENCLOSURES TO SECRET LETTERS FROM BOMBAY', Vol 83

1062 images

Ref: IOR/L/PS/5/445

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/5/445, ff 24-28

Former external reference(s)

No. 92 of 1846

History of this record

Date(s)

5 Aug 1846 (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects

WeatherKings and rulers--Succession

Places

Aden

People & organisations

Political AgentGovernment of BombaySultan of Lahej

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Cite this record in your research

Aden Affairs, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/5/445, ff 24-28, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100154581908.0x000012> [accessed 7 July 2026]

Link to this record

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