IOR/L/PS/5/445, ff 382-436

This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 110 of 1846, dated 30 September 1846. The enclosures are dated 14 May-29 September 1846.

The principal correspondents are: Major Samuel Hennell, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Secretary to the Government, Bombay; and the Under-Secretary to the Government of India. Also included are minutes of the Governor and President and members in Council, Bombay.

The papers cover and include the following matters:

• Proceedings regarding the settlement of the British Government’s claims, on behalf of British subjects and of Persian subjects, upon the Shaik [Shaikh, also spelled Sheik in this item] of Kenn [Kish, also referred to as Ges in this item], on account of the property ‘plundered’ by inhabitants of the island from the wreck of the HC [Honourable Company’s] schooner Emily in 1845 (a large portion of which is alleged to have come into the possession of the Sheik of Kenn). Included are copies of Hennell’s letter to the Governor of Fars, the statement of Hajee Jacoob [Ḥājjī Ya‘qūb], the Government Pilot sent to investigate the whereabouts of the ‘treasure’, and correspondence between the Sheik of Kenn and Commodore John Croft Hawkins, in relation to the payment, by instalments, of compensation (ff 392-397)
• Copper sheathing recovered by ‘salvors’ [divers] of Debaye [Dubai] from a location where HMS Fox ran aground in January, the Bahrein [Bahrain] Native Agent’s detention of the metal and prevention of its sale in Bahrein, its conveyance to Bushire [Bushehr] for sale by Hennell and division of the profits between the salvors and the British Government
• A copy of Hennell’s report to HM Minister at the Court of Persia [Iran], forwarded for the information of the Government of Bombay, on the prospective early return to Bushire of Shaik Nasir [Shaikh Nāṣir II Āl Madhkūr] and containing his views on Houssein Khan [Ḥusayn Khān], Ruler of Fars, and the general character of his Government (ff 409-411)
• The placing, by Hennell, of the HC schooner Constance at the disposal of Commodore Hawkins for despatch to the Presidency of Bombay
• Intelligence reports, sent by Heskeal bin Yusoof [Ḥizqīl bin Yūsuf], Acting Native Agent at Muscat, to the Persian Secretary to Government (ff 416, 419-420, 425, 428, 430-431, 433-434), covering affairs in Muscat, notably political matters, conflicts between inhabitants and tribes, killings and disturbances. The reports mention the bugla [buggalow] Futhool Moobaruck which left Bombay in May running aground near Jazir, whose crew were allegedly refused assistance by the inhabitants and robbed of their clothes (f 420), and the fate of Thomas Brookman, an English traveller in Oman (f 434).