Mss Eur F126/45

Correspondence relating to Lewis Pelly's work as Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, including a few letters written after Pelly's departure from the Gulf providing him with news and updates on situations as he was, until late 1873, expected to return to his position at Bushire.

The correspondence focuses largely on Muscat and includes a number of letters from British individuals posted to the Agency there during this period including Herbert Disbrowe, George Lucas, George Andrew Atkinson and Edward Charles Ross. The correspondence discusses the death of the Sultan, Said bin Thuwaini in 1866 who was alleged to have been murdered by his son and heir Salim II bin Thuwaini, Salim's struggles to maintain power and control including his relations with the Omani tribes and the threat from his uncle Said Turki who took control of Muscat from Salim and was named Sultan in 1868.

Other matters discusses include British relations with Persia, in particular the difficulties the residency faced from Persian officials in Bushire, British officials travels through Persia and news of famines and illnesses affecting Persian towns and cities, this correspondence is primarily from Oliver St John and Ronald Ferguson Thomson who were both based in Tehran.

From March to July 1872 the Assistant Political Resident, Charles Grant, was posted to Bahrain to act as agent there following concerns over Turkish attempts to assert claims to some towns and areas on the Arab coastline of the Gulf and there are seven letters from Grant detailing his time in Bahrain and reporting primarily on the Steamers and Naval vessels calling there, British relations with the locals and the movements of Turkish individuals and vessels in the area.

Other matters discussed in the volume include trade in the Gulf and more specifically at Bushire, famines and illnesses throughout the Gulf region; the various mail steamers and naval vessels travelling through the Gulf; relations between the various Arab Chiefs and the question of the sovereignty of Gwadar.

As many of the correspondents were friends of Pelly's the letters also contain personal observations and news of family and mutual friends.