IOR/G/29/31

The volume contains copies of correspondence, firmans, and other documents relating to Sir Harford Jones's diplomatic mission to Persia [Iran], 1807-1811.

Much of the volume consists of updates from Jones sent from Schyras [Shiraz, also written Sheerauz in this volume], Tahran [Tehran], and Tauris [Tabriz, also written Tabreza in this volume], regarding the progress of his mission. Details of the following are provided:

• Jones's arrival in Tahran, 14 February 1809
• Jones's audience with the Shah, 17 February 1809
• The negotiaion and conclusion of a Preliminary Treaty between Britain and Persia
• The subsidy and provision of arms to be given by Britain to Persia as part of the treaty agreements
• Jones's response to charges against his conduct made by the Governor-General of the Presidency of Fort William, Lord Minto [Gilbert Elliot Murray Kynynmound], and the disagreement caused by Brigadier-General John Malcolm's silmultaneous mission to the Court of Persia
• The proposal to send a Persian Envoy to London
• Jones's dissatisfaction with his mission being superseded by that of Sir Gore Ousely.

Other matters covered in the volume include:

• Malcolm's proposed military expedition to occupy the island of Karrack [Jazīreh-ye Khārk, also known as Kharg]
• The dismissal of the French Embassy from Tahran and later attempts by the French to re-establish it
• News of peace between Britain and the Ottoman Empire (Treaty of the Dardanelles, 1809)
• Military operations along Persia's northern frontier, during the Russo-Persian War (1804-1813)
• The arrival in Persia of an embassay from the Ameers of Scind [Sindh].

Principal correspondence is from Jones, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Court of Persia, to the Right Honourable Robert Dundas, President of the Board of Control for India. Many of the enclosures comprise letters between Jones, Lord Minto, and Brigadier-General Malcolm, in Bombay [Mumbai]. Other correspondents include: Nasr Oallah Khan [Nasrallah Khan], Chief Minister of Fars; Prince Hassan Ally Meerza [Ḥusayn ‘Alī Mirzā], Governor of Fars; Fatḥ ʻAlī Shāh, Shah of Persia; Meerza Sheffee [Mirza Muhammad Shafi Mazandarani], Grand Vizier of Persia; General Gardanne [Claude-Mathieu Gardane], French Envoy to Persia; James Justinian Morier, Private Secretary to Jones; Abbas Meerza ['Abbās Mīrza Qājār], Crown Prince of Persia; Askar Khan ['Askar Khān Afshār], Persian Ambassador to France; and the Chairman and other members of the Secret Committee.