IOR/L/PS/18/B127

Memorandum, written by Colin George Campbell, 31 December 1900, about Koweit [Kuwait], including a brief historical introduction and detailed information for the years 1896, 1897, 1898, 1899, and 1900. Topics discussed include Mubarak al-Sabah [Mubārak bin Ṣabāḥ Āl Ṣabāḥ] having murdered his father (Muḥammad I Al Ṣabāḥ) and claimed his position as Shaikh of Kuwait; the involvement of Kuwaiti subjects in piratical acts; a request by the Shaikh in 1897 for Koweit to be placed under British protection in a similar manner to Bahrein [Bahrain]; Turkish claims to Koweit; the decision in 1899 to obtain an agreement with the Shaikh of Kuwait not to 'cede, lease, mortgage or otherwise alienate or give for occupation any portion of his territories to the Government or subjects of any other Power without previously obtaining the consent of Her Majesty's Government'; Russian interest in Koweit and Turkish movements in relation to it in1899, including attempts to appoint Turkish citizens to posts there; German interest in establishing a railway link to Bagdad [Baghdad] which would include Busrah [Basra] and Koweit; Shaikh Mubarak's relations with Sheikh Abdur Rahman bin Faisal [ʻAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Fayṣal Āl Saʻūd] and Koweiti involvement in the affairs of Nejd [Najd]; and the strengthening of Shaikh Mubarak's position with Turkey and the Porte since the appointment of Mohsin Pasha as Vali at Busreh.

The margins of the memorandum contain cross-references to official correspondence with the Government of India and Foreign Office.

An appendix to the memorandum, on folio 6, contains:

• Translation of Arabic bond, signed by Malcolm John Meade, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, and Mubarak Al-Sabah, Shaikh of Kuwait, 23 January 1899
• Translation of Arabic letter, 23 January 1899, from Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm John Meade, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to Sheikh Mubarak-bin-Sabah, Sheikh of Kuwait regarding the signing of the agreement as given in the Arabic bond.