IOR/L/PS/18/B388

This is a copy of a printed memorandum, with correspondences by Lieutenant-Colonel Lewis Pelly, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, dated January to February 1863, concerning locating the Persian Gulf Residency at Cape Mussundoom [Musandam]. In letter No. 2A (folios 1-4), dated 1 February 1863, with post-scripts dated 2 February 1863, to the Honorable Henry Lacon Anderson, Chief Secretary to Government in the Political Department, Bombay, Pelly enumerates some of the benefits of changing the location to Musandam and poses thirteen points for consideration should Government approve. Following this is an earlier letter, No. 1A (folios 5-9), dated 12 January 1863, Pelly writes to Anderson with his original memorandum proposing the change of location for the Persian Gulf Residency in the context of developing the Persian Gulf steam line and telegraphic communication. Pelly gives an overview to the background in which Bushire was chosen as the location for the Residency and why it was not well selected, and then gives reasons why Musandam would be better suited. Pelly lists eleven reasons, which include: centrality, telegraphic station, coal depot, and strategic location for policing piracy.