IOR/F/4/1797/73811

The item consists of copies and extracts of correspondence, minutes and resolutions cited in, or enclosed with, political letters from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] to the East India Company Court of Directors. The item relates to activities of Sampson Naylor, Packet Agent (also called Steam Packet Agent) to the Company and HM Vice Consul for Mocha (also written Mocka). In particular, the item makes mention of:

• The refusal of Commander Joseph Henry Rowband, Commanding the Company ship Hugh Lindsay, to provide passage to Naylor from Suez to Mocha due to the latter’s alleged intoxication and ‘delirium’
• Doubt on the part of the Government of Bombay as to Naylor’s authenticity as they have no official record of his appointments, and their further concerns about the suitability of Naylor for the position of Packet Agent
• Their additional request for clarity on the position of Captain Lyons, Resident and Deputy Agent at Suez
• Correspondence from Colonel Patrick Campbell, HM Consul General at Alexandria, which confirms both Naylor’s and Lyons’s respective appointments
• A report from Commander Nott, Acting Commander of the Company ship Euphrates, regarding the uncivil treatment of Sheik Tyeb [Mīrzā Shaikh Tayyib Ibrāhimji, former Native Agent at Mocha] by Naylor
• Sheik Tyeb’s report that Naylor has employed Ujmee Abdool Russool [‘Abd al-Rasul ‘Ajami], an agent of Ibrahim Pacha [Ibrāhīm Pasha], as an assistant and has permitted him to read copies of all correspondence sent between Sheik Tyeb and the Government of Bombay during Sheik Tyeb’s employment as Native Agent at Mocha
• A protest against Naylor by Syed Abdoola bin Assom of Colundy [Sayyid ‘Abdullah bin ‘Assam of Quilandi] following the detention of his ship, Sahala, at Mocha by Naylor, a copy of which can be found at folios 106-107.

Nott’s report also contains an update on the Egyptian forces in Yeomen [Yemen] at Taidjh [Ta’izz, also written Taidgh]. The item’s content dates from 1838, except from a certificate of registration for the ship, Sahala, which is dated 4 January 1830.

As well as the above individuals, correspondents include: Rear Admiral Sir Charles Malcolm, Superintendent of the Indian Navy; and Acton S Ayrton, Notary Public at Bombay.

There are multiple spellings given for the names Ujmee Abdool Russool and Syed Abdool bin Assam of Colundy, as well as for the ship, Sahala.

The title page of the item contains the following references: ‘Bombay Political Department’, ‘P.C. [Previous Communication] 2540, Draft 81, 1840, Collection No. 7’ and ‘Examiner’s Office’.