IOR/F/4/1351/53622

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, letters from the Government of Bombay, the Government of Bengal and the Court of Directors of the East India Company. The item relates to the appointment of a successor to Major David Wilson as Resident in the Persian Gulf and general considerations of the position and allowances of the Resident. In particular, the item concerns:

• The initial appointment of Dr John McNeill, Surgeon to the British Embassy at the Court of Persia, as Wilson's successor and the appointment of Dr James Pringle Riach as McNeill's successor
• Discussions by the Board of the Government of Bombay regarding how to reduce the expenditure of the Residency at Bushire [Būshehr], with suggestions to lower the Table Allowance, reduce the Resident's budget for gifts, and condense the number of staff
• The Court of Directors' criticism that a Military Servant, rather than a Civil Servant, has been appointed Resident in the Persian Gulf
• The subsequent cancellation of McNeill's appointment as Resident and the appointment of David Anderson Blane in his place
• A memorandum sent to the Government of Bombay by McNeill which: asserts his unique talents that are required for the Resident position due to uncertain times in Persia; complains of his treatment; and requests a new position that would be equal in status and benefits to that of the Resident.

The memorandum sent by McNeill also contains a number of copies and extracts of letters from his immediate superiors and officials from the Court of Persia as proof of the high esteem in which he is held. Amongst these letters are: a note by Mirza Abdul Hassan Khan [Mīrzā Abdul Hassan Khan], His Persian Majesty's Minister for Foreign Affairs; a firmun by the Shah of Persia [Fath-Ali Qājār]; and a ruckum addressed by His Royal Highness Abbas Mirza ['Abbās Mīrzā Nāyib al-Salṭana Qājār], Prince of Persia.

The principal correspondents of the item are: the Court of Directors; McNeill; numerous secretaries heading departments within the governments of Bombay and Bengal, along with the respective governors of Bombay and Bengal. Other correspondents include: Sir John Nicoll Robert Campbell, Envoy to Persia; Wilson; Riach; and Lieutenant Samuel Hennell, Assistant Resident in the Persian Gulf.

The titles of ‘Resident in the Persian Gulf’ and ‘Resident at Bushire’ are used interchangeably.