IOR/F/4/290/6518

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, letters to and from the Government of Bombay and the Government of Bengal. The item relates to the decision to re-establish a Resident or Agent of the East India Company at Mocha in order to pursue commercial and political objects in the 'Arabian Gulph' – comprised of the Red Sea, Egypt and Abyssinia [Ethiopia]. In particular the item is concerned with:

• The principal objects of the position, namely: the extension of trade in the Arabian Gulph; the procurement of intelligence on the activities of the French in the area; and the establishing of communication routes with Europe via Egypt and Malta
• Discussions of the likelihood of success of the above objects and the validity of the mission, including consultation with the Superintendent of Marine for the Government of Bombay on the channels of conveyance for packets
• The appointments of Captain Henry Rudland as Resident at Mocha and John Benzoni as his Assistant, including consultation with the Auditor of Civil Accounts regarding their allowances
• Reports by Rudland, Benzoni and the Custom Master at Bombay on the trading of goods in the Arabian Gulph, particularly in Abyssinia.

Correspondents include: Court of Directors of the East India Company; Government of Bombay; Government of Bengal; Dr J Pringle, [Previous] Resident at Mocha; William Taylor Money, Superintendent of Marine, Government of Bombay; Mr Petrucy, Swedish Consul General to Alexandria; William Smith, Acting Commissary of Stores, Bombay; Rudland; Benzoni; Peter Paré Travers, Custom Master, Bombay; John Elphinstone, Auditor of Civil Accounts.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Political No. 27, Season 1809/10, Draft 186' and 'Examiner's Office November 1809'.