IOR/L/PS/9/70/2

Copy of dispatch No. 5 from HM Chargé d’Affaires to Persia [Iran], Henry Willock, in Tehran, to HM Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, George Canning, of 12 February 1825. The letter gives a review of the policies of Britain and Russia towards Persia during the preceding ten years, and the question of the succession to the Persian throne. The letter discusses various aspects of these topics, including:

• The reduction of British influence in Persia following the cessation of military and financial assistance and the reduction of its diplomatic presence
• The Russian diplomatic missions of the Governor-General of Georgia, General Yermoloff [General Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov], and the Russian Chargé d'Affaires to Persia, Mazarovich [Semyon Mazarovich]
• The respective influence of Britain and Russia with the Crown Prince of Persia, Abbas Meerza ['Abbās Mīrzā Qājār]
• Abbas Meerza’s position and influence in Persia
• The Russian commitment and efforts to support the succession of Abbas Meerza to the throne
• The role of the Shah of Persia [Fath-‘Ali Shāh Qājār] in the positions of Britain and Russia in Persia.

Willock concludes with the recommendation that Britain should support Abbas Meerza in succeeding to the throne without the assistance of Russia, to counteract the spread of Russian influence in Persia.

This document was originally enclosed in Willock’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 16 February 1825 (IOR/L/PS/9/70/1).