IOR/L/PS/5/428, ff 532-568

This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 28 of 1844, dated 30 March 1844. The enclosures are dated 22 January-30 March 1844.

The enclosures chiefly comprise correspondence between: Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Political Agent in Aden; John Pollard Willoughby, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay; the Government of India; and Captain Sir Robert Oliver RN, Superintendent of the Indian Navy. (There are also some minutes confirming the transfer of certain documents to the Marine Department).

The following subjects are covered:

• The general state of affairs at Aden, including the growth of trade and efforts to make the Sultan of Lahidge [Lahej, also spelled Lahedge in this item] swear an oath of alliance to the British Government in return for a monthly salary
• The death of the Imaum of Sana [Imam of Sana'a] on 8 January 1844 and the disputed succession to the chiefship
• Operations to rescue the crew of the late steamer Memnon which was ship-wrecked near Ras Assyr [Cape Guardafui], including: the use of the HC (Honourable Company’s) schooner of war Constance to transport rescued crew and supplies respectively to and from Aden; arrangements for monetary and other gifts to be distributed by the Assistant Agent, Lieutenant Charles J Cruttenden, to local chiefs who assisted the stranded crew and protected the ship and the camp valuables for five months between September 1843 and January 1844; and arrangements to pay the last month’s salary of the crew brought back to Aden
• The Political Agent’s arrangements with Bombay and the Superintendent of the Indian Navy for sending the HC brig of war Tigris and the Constance back to the Bombay Presidency once they have fulfilled certain duties as their tenure in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea has been exceeded, and the Superintendent’s intention to send the HC brig Euphrates to the Red Sea station
• Authorisation by the Government of India for the publication of Lieutenant Willmott Christopher’s journal of his proceedings whilst employed on the north east coast of Africa, commanding the Tigris, in the Proceedings of the Bombay branch of the Royal Geographical Society, including a letter from Willoughby to George Buist LLD, Secretary to the Geographical Society of Bombay (f 565)
• Notice by the Military Department to the Superintendent of the Indian Navy of plans to despatch the 47th Regiment Madras Native Infantry to Aden to relieve the 10th and 16th Regiments of Bombay Native Infantry currently at Aden.