IOR/L/PS/5/372, ff 120-126

This item comprises a copy of [extracts of] an enclosure to a despatch from the Government of Bombay Secret Department to the Secret Committee: Bombay Secret Letter No. 14 of 1838, dated 1838. Annotated ‘Received via Marseilles 26 October 1838’. The letters in the enclosure are dated 18 June-5 July 1838.

The papers chiefly consist of letters and reports from Samuel Hennell, Officiating Resident in the Persian Gulf, to the Secretary to the Government of Bombay, and to Lieutenant-Colonel James Shirriff [frequently spelled Sheriff in this item], Commanding the Field Force on the Island of Kharrack [Kharg, also spelled Karrack and Carrack in this item]. The following matters are covered:

• Hennell’s measures for the secure onward despatch of important communications for HM Minister at the Court of Persia [Iran]
• The disembarkation of the British expeditionary force, guns, stores and tents, at Kharrack, and arrangements for use of the southern bastion of the town and locations for coal and military stores
• Arrangements for maintaining communications between Kharrack and the Residency at Bushire [Bushehr], the stationing a ship of war at Bushire, and Hennell’s requisition from Shirriff of a 150-strong force to defend the Residency in case of a Persian attack
• Hennell’s meeting with Sheikh Nasir [Shaikh Nāṣir], in charge of Kharrack, and the latter’s complaints regarding his oppression by the Fars Government which he offers to commence hostilities against on condition of British support
• Hennell’s opinion that the residents of Kharrack would be happy to be rid of Shaikh Nasir and his family and have the British there permanently
• Hennell’s confirmation that the Governor of Bushire has not objected to the British landings at Kharrack but has sent messengers to convey the news to the Prince of Shiraz who is ‘headstrong and irritable’ (f 122), and that Bakir Khan [Bāqir Khān], head of the powerful local Tungastoon [Tangestān] tribe was hostile to the occupation
• The recommendation by Hennell that reinforcements of European soldiers, additional guns, artillery men, ammunition and stores be sent from Bombay
• The arrival at Bushire of warships Tigris and Elphinstone, and the transport ship Tamerlane which has gone to Kharrack to land troops, stores and coals.