IOR/L/PS/9/71/32

Memorandum of a conversation between Dr John McNeill and Meerza Abdul Wahab, the Moatamid ud Dowleh [Mīrzā ‘Abd al-Wahhāb Nishāṭ Iṣfahānī, Mu‘tamid al-Dawlah], of 21 July 1827. In the memorandum the surrender of the Persian fortress of Abbas Abad [‘Abbasabad], which had been under siege by Russia in the war between Persia [Iran] and Russia [Russo-Persian War, 1826-1828], and the subsequent threat this poses to Persia, is discussed. Meerza Abdul Wahab indicates his opinion that a ‘golden opportunity’ has been lost for the agreement of an advantageous peace with Russia, and his belief that the cession of territory ‘beyond’ the River Arras [Aras] should be made to secure peace and avoid further losses to Russia. McNeill indicates that the East India Company Envoy to Persia, Lieutenant-Colonel John Macdonald Kinneir, entertains similar sentiments, and there is discussion of representing the latter’s ‘general assent’ to Meerza Abdul Wahab’s point of view for the purposes of recommending peace to the Shah of Persia [Fatḥ-‘Alī Shāh Qājār].

This document was originally enclosed, numbered 3, in Macdonald Kinneir’s letter to the Secret Committee of the East India Company of 22 July 1827 (IOR/L/PS/9/71/29).