IOR/L/PS/6/692, ff 238-252

This item is a collection to Bombay Political Despatch No. 46 of 25 April 1859, from the Secretary of State for India to the Government of Bombay Political Department (the Political Despatch itself is not included in this item). The collection consists of papers forwarded with the Government of Bombay’s Political Despatch No. 34 of 4 November 1859 to the Secretary of State for India. It comprises correspondence from the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy to the Governor and President in Council, Bombay, relating to a letter from the Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron in Muscat reporting on illuminations, gun salutes, and other celebratory responses in Muscat (also written as Muskat in this item) to the announcement of Queen Victoria assuming the direct government of India [South Asia].

The Oriental Translator to Government in the Persian Department is ordered to prepare a letter and translation in English on behalf of the Governor of Bombay for the Imam of Muscat expressing gratitude for the display of loyalty to the British Nation. Neither a copy of the letter nor a translation is included here.

Correspondents include: the Secretary of State for India, London; the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Navy; the Commander, Persian Gulf Squadron, Muscat; the Governor and President in Council, Bombay; and the Secretary to the Government of Bombay.