IOR/L/PS/5/486, ff 267-276

This item comprises enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee [Bombay Secret Letter], No. 18 dated 5 March 1856. The enclosures are dated 13-27 February 1856.

The item comprises a report by Brigadier William Marcus Coghlan, Acting Political Resident and Commandant, Aden, to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, on the situation in the Aden and the Red Sea coast region of Yemen, enclosing five letters conveying intelligence from: Captain John James Frushard, Indian Navy, Senior Naval Officer at Aden and the Red Sea Station; Stephen Page, HM Acting Vice-Consul and Officiating HC [Honourable Company] Agent at Juddah [Jeddah, also spelled Jedda in this item]; Mahmoud Pasha [Maḥmūd Pāshā], Governor of Yemen; Khajia Georgie Kastandi (Teoffani) [Georgie Kostanti Theofani] of Hodeida [Al Hudaydah]; and Haji Abd-er-Rassool [‘Abd al-Rasūl] of Mocha.

Coghlan’s report and enclosures chiefly relate to the varying rumours of the advance of a force of between 30,000 and 50,000 of the Asseer [‘Asir, also spelled Aseer in this item] tribe southwards to Yemen with the intention of attacking and capturing Hodeida and other Red Sea ports of that country, and Lahedj [Lahej]. There is particular reference to:

• The arrival of the Elphinstone and the Queen at Hodeida and the arrangements put in place by their commanders for the protection of the governor of the town and his family
• Details of the strength of the defences and fortifications at Hodeida
• The apparent gratitude of Mahmoud Pasha, Governor of Yemen, for the arrival of the British vessels, his departure north to Lohea [Al Luhayyah] to reassure that town’s inhabitants, enrolment of additional soldiers, and impression that additional military assistance is on its way from Bombay.

Coghlan’s report also covers news on the situation in Mecca and Juddah following the recent rebellion, including that: both cities are now tranquil; the rebellion led by Abd-el-Mutalib [Sharif ‘Abd al-Muṭṭalib bin Ghālib bin Musā‘ad] has largely petered out since the military engagement at Tayf [Ta’if, also spelled Taif in this item] between ‘Bedowins’ [Bedouin] and [Ottoman] Turkish soldiers; and that a new Seriff [Sharif] is soon arriving in Mecca.

Also included in the item is a Resolution of the Board indicating that the Governor in Council wants the number of volunteers from the Sind Irregular Horse for service at Aden to be raised to a full complement of one hundred men.