IOR/L/PS/5/449, ff 196-208

This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 12 of 1847, dated 30 January 1847. The enclosures are dated 1 December 1846-28 January 1847.

The correspondents are: Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Political Agent at Aden; the Secretary to the Government, Bombay; and the Secretary to the Government of India.

The papers cover the following matters:

• Haines’s requisition of the HC [Honourable Company’s] schooner of war Constance to enquire into the claim made by the Government of Mussawa [Massawa, also spelled Mussowah in this item] against a Banian, enclosing a copy of his instructions to the Senior Naval Officer Aden to urge the commander of the Constance to settle the matter to the satisfaction of all parties if possible. Later correspondence confirms the settlement of the dispute
• The peaceful state of the country and the well supplied markets
• The agreement of the Abdali [‘Abdalī] and Foutheli [Faḍlī] chiefs to a six month truce, and the salaries given to various other ‘chiefs’
• The serious illness of Sultan M’Houssain Fudthel of Lahidge [Sultan Muḥsin bin Faḍl al-'Abdalī], his apparent improvement, and his enquiry regarding the prospective payment of his salary
• News that the Imaum of Sanâ [Imam of Sana‘a] has reached [‘Raynat Guszab’?] near Zebeid [Zabid] with a force of several thousand men with the possible intention of seizing Zebeid, Mocha and Hodeida [Al Hudaydah], and the Governor-General’s opinion that there is no reason to interfere in the Imaum’s proceedings so long as they do not threaten British interests
• Confirmation that the Constance found no change in the depth of water around the Zebayr [Zubayr] Islands (subsequent to the recent volcanic eruption there)
• Progress on the construction of defences at the entrance of Aden harbour
• The stalemate between the Sherriff [Sharif] of Mocha and Hodeida’s forces and those of Shiek Alli Homeida [Shaikh ‘Alī Ḥumaydah]
• Political discord on the Abyssinian [Eritrea] coast and the possible future disruption to trade.