IOR/R/15/1/143, ff 140-158

The letter relates to the Persian Gulf squadron’s expedition to Bahrain and Al-Qaṭīf, to attack the boat and position of the fugitive Humud bin Mujdell, and to obtain reparations from Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah at Bahrain.

There are three principal enclosures to Kemball’s letter, some of which have their own enclosures:

1. Letter no.177 of 1854 (142-44) from Commodore George Robinson, Commanding Officer Persian Gulf Squadron, to Kemball, dated 25 November 1854. Robinson reports that he delivered Kemball’s letter to Humud bin Mujdell, the reply to which (folios 142, 143) compelled Robinson to continue the proposed action against Humud bin Mujdell. Robinson states that twelve boats of the squadron were manned and armed for the operation. The Falkland, under the command of Commander Hewitt, was dispatched with the task of attacking Humud bin Mujdell's position, and destroying his buglah [boat]. Robinson reports that his fleet came under fire from a tower situated in the Sheikh of Al-Qaṭīf’s territory. Robinson writes that he despatched a letter to the Shaikh (not included in the file) demanding an explanation for this action (folios 140, 141). Robinson reports of the success of the operation, including the burning of Humud bin Mujdell’s boat. Four of Humud bin Mujdell’s men were killed, and seven or eight injured.

Robinson's letter includes the following enclosures:

• A letter (folios 145-48) from Commander H Hewett, Commanding Officer of the Honourable Company’s sloop Falkland, dated 22 November 1854. Hewett's letter is a detailed account of the operation against Humud bin Mujdell, including Humud bin Mujdell’s surrender, and a description of the four injuries suffered amongst the British sailors;
• A letter (folio 140) from the Shaikh of Al-Qaṭīf to Robinson, dated 23 November 1854;
• A translation (folio 141) of the letter (folio 140) from the Shaikh of Al-Qaṭīf to Robinson, dated 23 November 1854;
• A letter (folio 142) from Humud bin Mujdell to Robinson, dated 22 November 1854;
• A translation (folio 143) of the letter (folio 142) from Humud bin Mujdell to Robinson, dated 22 November 1854;

2. Letter no.183 of 1854 (folio 153) from Robinson to Kemball, dated 4 December 1854. Robinson writes that, on his arrival in Bahrain, Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah promptly paid the reparations demanded from him by Kemball, of 2,599 Muḥammad Shah rupees;

3. Letter no.402 of 1854 (folios 154-55) from Kemball to Robinson, dated 11 December 1854, in which Kemball congratulates and commends Robinson and his colleagues on the success of the operation against Humud bin Mujdell;

4.The translation of a letter (folio 156) from Kemball to Humud bin Mujdell, dated 12 December 1854;

5.The translation of a letter (folio 157) from Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah to Kemball, dated 3 December 1854. Shaikh Muḥammad states that he has paid the sum of 2,599 rupees demanded of him by the British Government, although he questions the full extent and nature of the reparations that he has been held responsible for;

6. The translation of a letter (folio 158) from Kemball to Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah, dated 12 December 1854, in which Kemball states that Shaikh Muḥammad’s appeal against his complicity in the plunder of boats and sale of captives in his dominions is unlikely to be heard out.