IOR/R/15/1/72

The file consists of letters sent outwards from the British Residency in the Persian Gulf by the Officiating Resident, Samuel Hennell; and Thomas Mackenzie, Acting Assistant in Charge. The most common addressee is John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Political Department of the Government of Bombay; with those addressed to John Pepper, Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf, a distant second. Letters addressed to various officials/officers of the East India Company, and the British Government make up the remainder.

In general, the correspondence concerns the movement of British war ships, mail, and officers throughout the Persian Gulf; as well as matters of a routine administrative nature. The renewal and enforcement of the maritime truce during the pearl fishing season are also covered.

More specific subjects featured include the following:

• An experiment to measure the consumption rate of two types of wood aboard the Hugh Lindsay.
• The defeat of Ameer Fysul [Amīr Fayṣul], the Wahabi Chief, by Shaikh Khaled ben Saood [Khalid bin Saud] with the assistance of Mahomed Ally Pasha [Muḥammad ‘Alī Pāshā], Ruler of Egypt.
• A report that the Amaeer and Hawajir [Banī Hājir] tribes have taken advantage of the disturbed state of Nedjd [Najd] to undertake plunder and piracy.
• The conflict between Shaikh Khulleefa ben Shackboot of Aboothabee [Khalīfah bin Shakhbūṭ, Chief of Abu Dhabi] and his 'revolted dependant' Khadim ben Nehman [Khādim bin Nehman Na‘mān] of Adeed.
• The Resident's annual tour of the Arabian Coast.
• The uncertainty surrounding the position of Shaikh Nassir [Shaykh Nāṣir] as Governor of Bushire.
• The capture of Mombasa by the Imam of Muscat
• Observations made by the Resident on the extent of the authority of Sulṭān bin Saqr over the Arabian Coast.
• A suggestion from the Resident for the resumption of communications between the Bushire Residency, and the Shiraz Government on matters of a minor nature.
• A suggestion from Shaikh Sulṭān bin Saqr, Chief of Ra's al-Khaymah, that the current maritime truce be renewed as a permanent peace.

The file also contains an itemised list of the repairs required by the Bushire Residency with projected costs, a translation of the maritime truce renewed from 7 April to 29 November 1837, and a list of articles that were found in a godown of one of the caravanseraces at Bushire.