IOR/L/PS/5/450, ff 353-399

This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 70 of 1847, dated 6 August 1847. The enclosures are dated 11 May-6 August 1847 (although some internal copy documents date back to 23 November 1846).

The primary documents are minutes and resolutions of the Governor in Council; letters from Arthur Malet, Secretary to Government, Bombay, to Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, Henry Miers Elliot, Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor-General, and Captain Atkins Hamerton, HM Consul and Honourable Company’s Agent in the Dominions of HH the Imam of Muscat; reports of the Collector of Customs; and related documents.

The subjects covered include:

• Whether British cruisers have the right to seize boats committing ‘piracies’ within Turkish waters in the Persian Gulf, and the question of possible redress Britain could provide to aggrieved Arab Chiefs
• Investigation of a complaint by the Sheikh of Bharein [Shaikh of Bahrain] about double import duties levied on Bahreini boats at Bombay, including reports of the Collector of Customs, Bombay, indicating that extra duties had been levied due to lack of appropriate certificates being furnished; and the Customs Department’s return of the extra duties levied earlier that year to the Bahreini boat owners, on this occasion
• British policy to prevent interference and extension of Turkish influence in the affairs of the Persian Gulf, notably regarding the independence of Bahrein and Koweit [Kuwait], including show of maritime force to deter aggression by Turkey
• Desire of the Governor of Bunder Abbass [Bandar Abbas] to commence hostilities against the Imaum [Imam] of Muscat, and preventive intervention by Hennell and by Hamerton who is sent to warn the Muscat ruler against hostilities with Persia [Iran].