IOR/L/PS/5/449, ff 137-195

This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 11 of 1847, dated 30 January 1847. The enclosures are dated 11 November 1846-26 January 1847.

The item comprises copies of despatches of Major Samuel Hennell, Resident in the Persian Gulf, to the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, with numerous relevant enclosures, notably: copies of Hennell’s despatches to Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Sheil, HM Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary at the Court of Persia [Iran]; the reports of Commodore John Croft Hawkins, Commanding the Naval Squadron in the Gulf; and communications from Persian Government officials. Hennell’s despatches are accompanied by related documents including: minutes of the President and Governor and members in Council, Bombay, recording their approbation of Hennell’s actions; communications from the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, to Hennell, acknowledging his letters and informing him of the Government of Bombay’s approbation of his actions; and communications from the Secretary to the Government, Bombay, to the Secretary to the Government of India, forwarding copies of Hennell’s despatches.

The item relates to the measures adopted by Hennell, in accordance with the agreement of the Governor of Fars, for the punishment by British vessels of war of ‘piratical’ acts committed by the inhabitants of certain ports on the Persian coast in 1845 and 1846. The papers notably cover the following matters:

• Hennell's request (f 173) to the Governor of Fars for permission to take retributive steps in response to the ‘piratical’ acts of the people of Sheik Abdoollah ben Khulfan, principal ‘Chief’ of Aseeloo [Shaikh Khalfān of Bandar-e Asalouyeh], and the authorisation given by the Governor of Fars (f 176)
• The mission of Commodore Hawkins to the ports of the Persian coast in December 1846 with the vessels of war the HCS [Honourable Company’s] ship Clive and the HC brig Euphrates, including his report of the measures he has undertaken against the port of Aseeloo and to placate the Governor of Kharrack, Sheik Abdool Rahman [Shaikh ‘Abd al-Rahman, Governor of Bandar-e Charak] (ff 157-160), and further report of measures taken with respect to the Sheiks of Nulcheloo [Nakhilu, also spelled Nukheeloo in this item] and Cheror [Chiruyeh, also spelled Chiroo and Cheroo in this item] (ff 181-184)
• Hennell’s meeting with Samed Aga, Sirhang, [Ṣamad Āghā, senior military officer and nephew of the Governor of Shiraz] regarding ways of settling affairs to avoid any collision between (British) Government vessels of war and the people of Aseeloo, including Hennell’s doubts about the Sirhang’s level of authority and the likelihood of the Aseeloo people being punished for offences against non-British subjects
• Hennell’s acceptance that the avoidance of bloodshed in settling the affair is positive (especially as he believes the Governor of Fars will be more likely to leave the surveillance of the Persian coast to the British), coupled with his regret that he cannot avail himself of the opportunity to teach ‘the piratical inhabitants of Aseeloo a salutary lesson’ (f 150)
• Hennell’s dismissal of the claim (f 167) by Esa ben Tareef, the Sheik of Bidda [Isá bin Ṭarīf, of Al Bidda?] that the three boats seized by Commodore Hawkins at Aseeloo were the property of individuals (though originally belonging to Aseeloo) who were under his protection (Hennell states that it is ‘the custom of many of the natives of Aseeloo to have two establishments, one in that Port, and the other upon one of the Islands, or on the Arabian Coast, they are thus enabled to claim the protection of either one side or the other as suits their purpose’, f 165), but agreement that the specie [money in coin] found on board one of them can be restored to its claimant, Sultan ben Salamah of Bidda [Sulṭān bin Salāmah], as long as he swears an oath before the cazee [qadi, magistrate or judge] of Bahrein in the presence of the British Agent that is it truly his property
• Instructions issued by Hennell to Commodore Hawkins for the despatch of the Euphrates (after the termination of the proceedings against the ‘piratical’ ports on the Persian coast) to Shargah [Sharjah] to ascertain from the agent Moollah Houssein [Mullā Ḥusayn] if any attack by sea is anticipated in the ‘war’ between Sheik Sultan ben Suggur of Russal Khyma [Shaikh Sulṭān I bin Ṣaqr al-Qāsimī of Ra’s al-Khaymah] and Sheik Saeed bin Tahmoon [Shaikh Sa‘īd bin Ṭaḥnūn] on one side, and the chiefs of Debajee [Dubai], Amulgavine [Umm al-Qaywayn] and Ejman [Ajman] on the other, and in that likelihood the Euphrates is to cruise up and down that area to avert any ‘breach of the Maritime Truce’
• Notification, in January 1847, to Commodore Sir Henry Martin Blackwood that, based on information received by the Clive, all matters in dispute with the ‘Chiefs in the Gulf’ will be adjusted without the need for any of Her Majesty’s vessels under his command to go there.