Mss Eur F126/44

Correspondence from James Charles Edwards written to Lewis Pelly during his absences from Bushire to visit other areas of the Persian Gulf, visiting India and returning to England.

The main subject of the correspondence is the day to day running of the Residency and Edwards reports on the appointing of new staff, retirements and resignations, the annual audits of the treasury and arranging visits to see the Governor of Bushire. Also reported on are matters relating to Bushire itself including outbreaks of Fever and Cholera, and the need for a British India Steam Navigation Company representative in Bushire to assist with the sending of mail and packages to and from Bombay and Tehran.

Edwards also provides reports for Pelly on matters in the Gulf which are primarily focused on the ongoing dispute between the Wahabis and the Sultan of Muscat, but later focus on the situation in Muscat following the death of Sultan Thuwaini bin Said in 1865, his son Salim II bin Thuwaini becoming Sultan and the opposition to this from his uncle Turki bin Said who eventually takes control and becomes Sultan in 1868.

Also reported on frequently are matters in Persia, relating to internal politics, the Telegraph system and a territorial dispute with Afghanistan over Seistan; and the movements of various vessels around the Gulf including the Berenice who sank in 1866.

The letters also make reference to Pelly's residence, garden, horses and equipment and the care and maintenance of these during his periods of absence.