IOR/L/PS/5/483, ff 373-451

This item contains manuscript copies of secret letters, despatches, memoranda, intelligence reports relating to the development of an Agency in Somalia.

Topics covered:

• A despatch from the Acting Political Resident at Aden including a report by Lieutenant Burton, 18th Regiment Bombay [Mumbai], Commander in Charge of the Somalia Expedition. This report includes a recommendation to establish an Agency at Berbera together with a plan of Berbera (ff 385v-386r) and a drawing of the proposed Berbera Agency building (f 387r).
• A request by Lieutenant Burton to be granted a second year for exploration of this part of Africa
• A proforma table (f 398v) for the 'Indent on the Ordnance Department for the Undermentioned Article required for the use of the Political Department Emergent, Aden 26 February 1855'
• Statement by Colonel Clark in explanation and reply to the accusations brought against him by Colonel Outram, concerning initiating overtures to a hostile chief (the Foudhli).

Correspondents include: the Political Resident at Aden; Lieutenant Burton, Commander of the Somalia Expedition; H C Montgomery, Chief Secretary to the Government of Fort Saint George, Madras [Chennai]; H L Anderson, Secretary to Government, Bombay; and Sultan Ahmad bin Abdullah al Foozlie [Aḥmad bin ‘Abdullāh al-Faḍlī].