Mss Eur F126/36-47

The papers and correspondence contained within this series all relate to Lewis Pelly's duties and responsibilities as Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the correspondence is primarily between officials within the Government of Bombay and Government of India; James Charles Edwards, the Uncovenanted Assistant to the Political Resident; local Chiefs and Rulers; and other colleagues and friends.

The topics discussed include the Residency's role in promoting trade, protecting the maritime peace, the suppression of the slave trade; athe expansion of communications via telegraph and steamer; and relations with Persia.

Also discussed in detail are:

• Affairs in Muscat, focusing particularly on the period 1866-1868 following the death of Sultan Thuwaini bin Said al-Saud and the succession of his son Salim bin Thuwaini al Said, who was not recognised as ruler by the British Government and was challenged and ultimately overthrown by his uncle Turki bin Said al-Said.
• Breaches of the maritime peace committed 1867-1868 by the Chief of Bahrain with support from the Chiefs of Abu Dhabi and Qatar, including the response of the British Government to these breaches and the reaffirment of the maritime peace treaty by the relevant Chiefs, including its signing by Muhammad bin Thani, Chief of the Qatar Tribes.

Although Lewis Pelly departed from the Persian Gulf in 1872, he still officially held the position of Political Resident until 1873 and the correspondence within this series continues until 1874 as he was still being consulted by the Government of India and colleagues in the Gulf on matters of particular importance.