IOR/L/PS/5/375, ff 391-525

Copies of correspondence relating to affairs in the Persian Gulf and Arabian coastline, chiefly British attempts to avert potential conflicts between Arab maritime rulers, the disruption of trade with India, acts of ‘piracy’, and the undermining of British influence in the area.

The papers notably cover:

• Efforts of Captain Samuel Hennell, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, to mediate and promote resolution of the dispute between Abdoollah bin Ahmed, [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Aḥmad Āl Khalīfah] Shaik of Bahrein [Bahrain], and his ‘fugitive’ subject Esa bin Tareef [Shaikh ‘Īsá bin Ḥamad bin Ṭarīf Āl Bin ‘Alī al-‘Utbī] and members of his Al-i-Ally [Āl Bin ‘Alī] tribe, who have taken refuge in Abothabee [Abu Dhabi] under the rule of Kuleefa bin Shakboot [Shaikh Khalīfah bin Shakhbūṭ Āl Nahyān], the Shaik of Abothabee [Shaikh of Abu Dhabi]. Includes: the Shaik of Bahrein’s secret pledge allowing all the ‘fugitives’ to resettle on the coast of Gutter [Qatar]; the British restrictive boundary line beyond which Arab maritime operations are ‘forbidden’; the role of the Indian Navy in facilitating negotiations and patrolling the Gulf
• British policy with regard to a possible attempt by Khorshid Pasha [Khūrshīd Pāshā, also spelled Khoorshid and Koorsheid, and Pacha, in this volume], Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Forces in Nedgee [Najd, also known as Nejd], to conquer the island of Bahrein and ascertainment of the Shaik of Bahrein’s allegiance
• Events on the island of Karrack [Kharg, also known as Khark], recently occupied by the British after an incident in Bushire [Būshehr] and deteriorated relations with Meerza Assud [Mirza Assad], Governor of Bushire, notably: the departure in April 1839 of Sheik Nasir [Shaykh Nāṣir] to seek asylum in Koweit [Kuwait]; departure of the Belochee [Balochi] garrison from the fort and its take-over by the British; arrangements by Lieutenant-Colonel James Shirreff, Commanding the Detachment at Karrack, for martial law on the island and his difference of opinion with Hennell regarding the Persian ‘threat’
• Events in Bushire following the British departure, notably: arrangements for a British presence in the town; conditions at the Residency building; Persian attempts to persuade the British to return there including Hennell’s communications with the Prince of Shiraz, and the latter’s deputing of a negotiator, Mohamed Hussain Khan Sirdar, to promote re-establishment of friendly relations; Hennell’s refusal to return unless Meerza Assad is removed and refuting the latter’s claims that the British navy fired first on his people at Bushire; discussion of whether Mirza Assad was acting independently or upon orders from Shiraz or Tehran
• Intelligence from Meerza [Mirza] Riza, the News Writer at Shiraz concerning purported Persian military operations towards Herat and Bushire
• Naval tour of the Persian Gulf and Arabian coastline by Rear Admiral Sir Frederick Maitland and Lieutenant Edmunds, Assistant Resident Persian Gulf [also referred to as Captain in this volume], to ascertain: the political stance of various sheiks towards each other and the British, and potential for a united coalition against an attacking foe; the resistance capability of Bahrein; and the views of the Bahreini people towards the Egyptians and the British. Includes Maitland’s report, with notes taken by Captain Edmunds, of the meetings held with the different sheiks between 22-30 April 1839 (ff 503-511).

The principal correspondents are: Captain Hennell, and John Pollard Willoughby, Secretary to the Government, Bombay [Mumbai].

Other correspondents include George Barnes Brucks, Commodore of the Squadron of the Indian Navy in the Persian Gulf; John Croft Hawkins, Commander and Senior Officer, Bushire; and Lieutenant-Colonel Shirreff.

There is a note before the papers commence stating: ‘Enclosure in Bombay Secret Letters No. 65-6, dated 18th May 1839, is missing from this collection’.