IOR/L/PS/9/68/257

Copy of a letter from Major-General Sir William Grant Keir, aboard HMS Liverpool, at anchor off the Island of Kenn [Kish], to HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, of 10 February 1820. The letter concerns Keir’s communications with the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat and the Prince of Sheeraz [Shiraz], originally enclosing:

• The translation of a letter from the Imaum of Muscat to Keir, dated 10 Rabīʿ II 1235 [27 January 1820] (not included in this item, see IOR/L/PS/9/68/258)
• The substance of a letter from Keir, to the Imaum of Muscat, of 10 February 1820 (not included in this item, see IOR/L/PS/9/68/259)
• The translation of a firmaum [firman, order] from the Prince of Sheeraz to Keir, dated 9 Rabīʿ I 1235 [26 December 1819] (not included in this item, see IOR/L/PS/9/68/260).

The letter discusses these communications, and the situation in the Persian Gulf, including:

• The extension of the General Treaty [General Treaty with the Arab Tribes of the Persian Gulf] to Bharein [Bahrain]
• The reciprocal agreement for the opening up of ports for trade between the Imaum of Muscat and the Joasemees [al-Qawasim]
• British efforts to discourage attacks on Bharein by the Imaum of Muscat and the Prince of Sheeraz
• The suspension of Keir’s plans for operations against ports on the Persian coast
• The conditions on Kenn.

The letter was enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 18 March 1820 (see IOR/L/PS/9/68/256), which was received on 13 July 1820.