IOR/F/4/1596/64625

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the East India Company Court of Directors and the governments of Bombay [Mumbai] and India. It is the first in a series of two items on general affairs in the Persian Gulf (the other is IOR/F/4/1596/64626), with some of the enclosures to the political letters contained in the second item.

As well as the above, principal correspondents include: Samuel Hennell, Assistant Resident (also called the Acting Resident) in the Persian Gulf; Thomas Elivon, Commodore in the Persian Gulf; Captain John Pepper, Commander of the Amherst; and the Native Agents at Shargah [Sharjah], Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh], Bahrein [Bahrain], and Muscat.

The item covers several subjects. The majority of the item relates to acts of 'piracy' committed by inhabitants of Debaye [Dubai] and Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi], including details of:

• The measures taken by Hennell to force the Chiefs of Debaye, Obed bin Saeed [‘Ubayd bin Sa‘īd Āl Bū Falāsah] and Mukhtoom bin Bustey [Maktūm I bin Buṭṭī Āl Bū Falāsah] to give up the offenders and pay compensation
• The 'piracy' committed by a fleet from Aboothabee on a number of different vessels including the Duriah Dowlut [Daryā Dawlat], a ship from Bombay flying under English colours
• The engagements undertaken by Company ships, notably the Amherst and the Elphinstone, to suppress the 'pirates' and exact compensation from Shaik Khuleefa bin Shackboot, Chief of Aboothabee and the Benyas [Shaikh Khalīfah bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān, Ruler of Abu Dhabi and of the Beni Yas]
• The compensation agreed on by Shaik Khuleefa after being threatened with the destruction of the Benyas' forts, boats and the blockade of their ports; details of which can be found at ff 266-267
• The subsequent trials of the 'pirate chiefs' Mohummud bin Suggur bin Zeb [Muḥammad bin Ṣaqr bin Dhīb] and Mohumed bin Mirhud [Muḥammad bin Rāshid?] at Bombay, including a detailed report by the Advocate General on the latter's trial which can be found at ff 345-354.

To a lesser extent, the item also contains information on:

• An attack on a boat belonging to Kasaab [Khaṣab] by people from Juzeerat ool Humra [Al Jazīrah al Ḩamrā’] and a request by the Shaik of Kishm [Qeshm] for the British to intervene
• An attack on Soweek [As Suwayq] by Shaik Humood bin Azan [Shaikh Ḥammūd bin ‘Azzān Āl Bū Sa‘īd] during the Imam of Muscat's absence, including Hennell's concerns about the retaliations ordered by the Imam's son and nephew who have been left in charge as governors of Muscat
• A six-month truce arranged by Hennell between: Obed bin Saeed; Shaik Shakboot (the father of Shaik Khuleefa); Sultan bin Suggur [Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī, Ruler of Ra's al Khaymah and Sharjah] and Rashid bin Humeed [Rāshid I bin Ḥumayd al-Na‘īmī], Shaikh of Ojman [Ajman], the terms of which can be found at ff 263-264
• Events at Bushire relating to claims on the governorship by Shaikh Nasir [Shaikh Nāṣir II Āl Mazkūr], who is supported by the chiefs of Brazgoon [Borāzjān], Shubunkrah [Shabānkāreh] and Rohilla [Rūd Ḥillah]
• A request from the Prince-Governor of Shiraz for the British to help capture the fugitive sons of the late Prince of Shiraz.

Other matters briefly referred to include:

• Claims for salvage of the Duriah Dowlut by the crew of the Amherst
• The communication chain between the Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Government of Bombay
• Minor updates on events at Bahrein regarding control over Katif [Al-Qatif].

The political letters sent between the Government of Bombay and the Court of Directors also briefly touch on a number of other minor topics, mostly relating to expenses, 'piracy', and the Company policy of non-interference in the Gulf.

There are multiple variant spellings of multiple people and place names. In particular, the 'pirate' Mohumed bin Mirhud's name is also written as: bin Murghad; Mujhud; Meeshad; Meerjud; Misheed; Meshud; Mishud; Mujhid; Mijhid; Mujhed; Muhad; Mulah; Mujheed; and Meshid. A later correction in pencil reveals that this name should in fact be 'Rashid'.

The title page of the item contains the following references: 'Bombay Political Department', 'P.C. [Previous Communication] 1944, Draft 432, 1837' and 'Examiner's Office'.