IOR/L/PS/5/487, ff 108-120

This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 30 of 1856, dated 16 April 1856. The enclosures are dated 17 March-8 April 1856.

The enclosures cover and include the following:

• Minutes of the Governor of Bombay and members in Council discussing the course to be pursued in the event of any requisition being made on the Government of Bombay by Charles Augustus Murray, British Ambassador to the Court of Persia [Iran], for the despatch from Bombay of an armed force to the Persian Gulf, consequent to Persia’s apparent military campaign to occupy Herat. The minutes cover: the decision not to take any action solely on the requisition of Murray but only and if orders are received from the Secret Committee indicating that the British Government has called for an expedition, in addition to Murray’s request; the need to confirm Persia has taken Herat and is not ‘defending’ it against an attack from Dost Mohammed Khan [Dūst Muḥammad Khān Bārakzāy]; and a reluctance to send a land force to the Persian Gulf
• Concerns expressed by Commander Felix Jones, Acting Resident, Persian Gulf, on the unsuitable location of the Residency at Bushire [Bushehr], notably its exposure to the sea, tendency to be cut off from the sea beach, excessive heat, the sea wall built by the Persian authorities in front of the Residency and the Persian garrison towers overlooking the private apartments, and the Government of Bombay’s sanction of 500 rupees for the cost of erecting verandahs with blinds to ensure privacy.