IOR/L/PS/5/446, ff 246-276

This part of the volume consists of copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 121 of 1846, dated 15 October 1846. The enclosures, numbered 3-15 and dated 2 September to 15 October 1846, relate to the construction of defence works at Aden.

The matters covered mainly concern:

• The progress made in the construction of the principal defence works, as reported in a memorandum by the Executive Engineer at Aden, Captain James Kilner, and his assistants, dated 29 September 1846 (enclosed in No. 3)
• The view of the Political Agent at Aden, Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, that it would be more advantageous to employ Arab labourers instead of Indian labourers on the public works at Aden
• The question of whether the number of convicts employed on the construction of the fortifications at Aden could be increased, and whether any vessels of the Indian Navy could be made available for the accommodation of these convicts.
• The enclosures consist of correspondence, the above memorandum, and two minutes of the Government of Bombay.

The main correspondents are the following: the Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Arthur Malet; the Secretary, and the Under-Secretary, to the Government of India with the Governor-General; the Military Board, Bombay; the Political Agent at Aden; and the Executive Engineer at Aden.