IOR/L/PS/6/693, ff 289-383

This item is a collection to Bombay Political Despatch Volume 32 of 23 May 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. 32 of 20 October 1859 to the Secretary of State for India. It comprises correspondence from the Resident in the Persian Gulf to the Secretary to the Government of Bombay, relating to a bugla (also written as buggalow, and referred to as bateel), called the Murzook [Marzūq, also written Murzork], arriving from the port of Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh] and seized in the Bushire [Bushehr] roads [sea lanes] at Bassidore [Basaidu Island] for carrying ‘slaves’ [enslaved people] on board, including seven men, ten women, and eight children. The former ‘slaves’ were transported to Bombay [Mumbai] on the brigantine Tigris and given into the charge of the Commissioner of Police, responsible for their reception, maintenance, and for submitting depositions (ff 328v-335). The bugla was condemned and assessed for fitness (or seaworthiness). The crew were detained, with funds sent to their families in Rasul Khyma [Ra’s al-Khaymah].

Correspondents include: the Resident, Persian Gulf; the Secretary to the Government of Bombay; the Political Resident, Aden; the Commander-in-Chief, Indian Navy; the Sub for the Assistant Master Builder; the Assistant Master Attendant; the General Paymaster; the Solicitor to the Government of India; the Advocate General; the Commissioners of Police, Bombay; the Commander of the Indian Naval Squadron in the Persian Gulf; HM Chargé d’Affaires at the Court of Persia [Iran], Tehran; the Persian Governor of Bushire; the Persian Minister for Foreign Affairs; and the Commissioner for Suppression of Slavery in Persian Ports.