IOR/F/4/650/17854

This item consists mostly of copies of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, letters from the governments of Bombay and Bengal. It is the fifth in a series of eight items on the subject of the alleged piracy of the Joasmee [al-Qawāsim, also referred to as Joassmee] (the others are: IOR/F/4/648/17850, IOR/F/4/649/17851 and 17852, IOR/F/4/650/17853, IOR/F/4/651/17855, and IOR/F/4/652/17856 and 17857). The main topics covered are:

Efforts to deal with piracy in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean, including:

• Reports of attacks on shipping by Joasmee pirates
• The views of Abdoollah ben Saood [‘Abdullāh bin Sa‘ūd Āl Sa‘ūd], Chief of the Wahabees [Emir of Diriyah], on Joasmee activities
• The efforts of the Imam of Muscat to subdue Ras Ul Khyma [Ra’s al-Khaymah].

The planned expedition (carried out in 1819) to destroy the maritime forces of the Arab tribes that are accused of piracy, including:

• Discussions regarding the required size and composition of the attacking force, and arrangements for its conveyance and provisioning
• Plans for cooperating with the Imam of Muscat, and for informing both Persian and Ottoman authorities of the expedition.

The arrangements to be put in place following the completion of the expedition, including:

• Discussions as to the future role that Britain should have in the Gulf, including information collected regarding the histories of the Arab tribes of the Gulf, and the populations and economies of several major ports of the Gulf and of Bahrein [Bahrain]
• Discussions as to the future role of the Imam of Muscat and of the Ottoman Empire in the Gulf region

The situation of Bahrein, including:

• The question of whether Bahrein has been providing assistance to the Joasmees
• Discussions as to the future of Bahrein, and the interests of both Persia and the Imam of Muscat in this.

The military campaign of Ibrahim Pacha [Ibrahim Pasha Kavalali], Commander in Chief of Egyptian Forces, against the forces of Abdoollah ben Saood, and the mission of Captain George Forster Sadlier [Sadleir] to meet with Ibrahim Pacha and propose cooperation in an attack against Ras Ul Khyma.

The primary correspondents are: Sir Evan Nepean, President and Governor of Bombay in Council; Francis Warden, Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay; William Newnham, Acting Chief Secretary to the Government of Bombay; William Bruce, Resident at Bushire; Captain Sadleir; and Abdoollah ben Saood.

The title page (f 207) of the item contains the following references: ‘PC 16, Draft 383, 1821/2’; ‘Vol: 5’; and ‘Examiner’s Office 1821’.