1. 'E 12 Ibn Rashid'

Description:

This file contains correspondence between the British Political Agent at Bahrain, British Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, the British Civil Commissioner at Baghdad, as well as officials in the Government of India and ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Sa‘ūd).The correspondence concern British involvement in Central Arabia and relations between Ibn Sa‘ūd and the Āl Rashīd family of Ḥā’il. Covered within the correspondence are details about the assissination of Sa‘ūd bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Rashīd at the hands of his cousin and the subsequent succession of ‘Abdullāh bin Mit‘ab Āl Rashīd, the son of the seventh Amīr of Ḥā’il, Mit‘ab bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Rashīd.The file also contains a genealogical 'Table of the Ruling Al Rashid (Shammar) Family of Jabal Shammar' (folio 28) and details of the 1920 deputation from Ḥā’il to Riyadh to arrange a treaty with Ibn Sa‘ūd (folio 20).1 file (46 folios)Foliation: This file has a foliation number in the top right hand corner of the recto of each folio. The number is enclosed by a circle.

2. ‘I Riyadh (VII) Colonel Dickson’s v[isit] to Riyadh (Includes visits of other Europeans to Riyadh’

Description:

Correspondence and other papers relating to visits made by Europeans and Americans to Saudi Arabia, and specifically to Riyadh:A visit made in 1937 by Lieutenant-Colonel Harold Richard Patrick Dickson, former Political Agent at Kuwait, reportedly in his capacity as a representative of the Kuwait Oil Company. The papers include English translations of press reports of the visit as reported in various Arab newspapers, including the Baghdad newspaper Al-Kifah, the Cairo newspaper Al-Mukattam[ Al-Muqattam] and the Wakalat-ul-Sharq Al-Arabia(ff 3-16).Dickson’s request to the Political Resident to visit the Ruler of Saudi Arabia Ibn Saud [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd] in December 1938, and the Ruler of Kuwait’s [Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ] strong objection to the visit (ff 18-28).Lord Alington’s [Captain Napier George Henry Sturt] visit to Ibn Saud in April 1939, including notes on his visit, and demi-official letters exchanged between the Political Agent at Kuwait (Major Charles Crawshaw Galloway) and the Political Resident (Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven William Fowle) commenting on Alington’s description of Ibn Saud (ff 27-37).Correspondence dated 1942 between the Political Agent at Kuwait and the United States military relating to unauthorised entry into Saudi Arabia by foreigners (ff 41-42).A note written by the Political Agent at Bahrain (Edward Birkbeck Wakefield), dated 5 April 1943, on wartime conditions in Saudi Arabia, based on reports received by Dr Harold Storm and Gerrit Dirk Van Peursem, both of the American Mission at Bahrain, following their medical tour of Saudi Arabia (f 44).Correspondence dated August 1943 relating to a visit to Ibn Saud by Lieutenant-Colonel Harold B Hoskins, personal envoy of US President Roosevelt (ff 45-54).1 file (58 folios)The file’s contents are arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest item at the front to the latest at the end.Foliation: the foliation sequence for this description commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 60; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.

3. ‘File 7/11 Flights of unidentified aircraft’

Description:

The file contains letters, telegrams and other papers relating to unidentified aircraft either seen or heard over the Arab coast during the Second World War, and the emergency landing of a B-17 Flying Fortress at Abu Dhabi in May 1944. Correspondence is sent and received by a host of British officials including political and consular agents and RAF officers.A telex sent by the Political Resident to the Government of India on 25 November 1940 reported that Italian radio broadcasts had claimed success in a bombing raid over Bahrain, accounting for recent reports of unidentified aircraft in the area (folio 6). A large part of the correspondence in the file concerns payments made by the crew of the B-17 Flying Fortress to local Arabs, who offered them water and assistance. The crew members gave an array of banknotes to one man, which staff at the Political Agency in Bahrain attempted to convert into rupees at the Eastern Bank (folio 38). Further correspondence relates to a complaint made by the clerk at the Agency in Sharjah, over abuse directed at him by staff from the RAF base in the town (folios 46-47).1 file (52 folios)The file is arranged in approximate chronological order, from the earliest items at the front of the file to the latest at the end. The office notes at the end of the file (folios 51-53) mirror the chronological arrangement. Circled index numbers, written in red crayon and ink, can be found throughout the volume, and refer to the office notes.Foliation: The main foliation sequence starts on the front cover and ends on the inside back cover, and uses circled pencil numbers in the top-right corner of each recto. A second foliation sequence is also present between ff. 2-49; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.

4. '1/C Volume IV Miscellaneous'

Description:

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, memoranda, and notes, relating to a variety of miscellaneous topics in the period December 1923 to July 1924.The principal topics discussed are:A proposal to replace the Iraq Post Office in Kuwait, 1924.Purchase of land in Iraq by Kuwait subjects, 1924.The visit of Naif Al Hithlain, 1924.`Ajman and Mutair raid, 1924.Internal Kuwait situation, 1924.Ikhwan movements, 1924.RAF flights Baghdad-Bahrain-Kuwait, 1924.The volume contains an index (folio 4) which lists items including: American Mission; Armenian Woman; Clerical Establishment; Embezzlement and Fraud, Prevention of; Germans not allowed in Kuwait; 'Government Telegraph Code'; Hijaz steamers; Hospital Bum; Ibn Sa'ud; Index to Summaries of Intelligence; Khuwair (also referred to as Khor az-Zubair) [Khawr az Zubayr] Postal Service; King Husain proclaimed Khalifah at Basrah; Naval Reporting; Pearling Loans; 'Persian Gulf Pilot'; Petrol; Presents; Publications; Purchase of land in Iraq by Kuwait subjects; Rifles, Storage of; Slave Trade; Smuggling.1 volume (312 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 307; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers; nor does it include the five leading and ending flyleaves.Additional foliation sequences are present in parallel between ff 5-307; these numbers are also written in pencil but, where circled, are crossed through.

5. '11/2 PROPOSED EXTRADITION TREATY BETWEEN BAHRAIN, NEJD, & KUWAIT - SAUDI AGREEMENT'

Description:

This file concerns the proposal and development of an Extradition Treaty for the mutual surrender of criminals between Bahrain and Nejd [Najd], later Saudi Arabia, following a visit by the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf to ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd [Ibn Saud] in February 1932. The file includes correspondence between the Secretary to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Vincent Biscoe and Lieutenant-Colonel Trenchard Craven Fowle, Political Residents in the Persian Gulf; Captain Charles Geoffrey Prior and Lieutent-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Agents at Bahrain; Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Bahrain Government.The file includes a copy of a Treaty of Extradition between 'Iraq and Hejaz[al-Ḥijāz], Najd and Dependencies(ff 5-7), signed at Mecca on 21 Dhū al-Qa‘dah 1340 [8 April 1931] by Nuri As Sa'id [Nūrī al-Sa‘’id], Prime Minister of Iraq, and Faisal 'Abdul 'Aziz [Fayṣal bin ‘Abd al-‘Azīz Āl Sa‘ūd], and a draft Extradition Treaty between Bahrain and Najd by Belgrave (ff 11-14), which excludes the return of escaped slaves and a stipulates that applications for extradition should be forwarded through the Political Agent, Bahrain. A further draft copy of the treaty with Arabic translation is enclosed with a letter from Belgrave, dated 7 Rabī‘ I 1351 [10 July 1932]. There is further correspondence regarding the clause on excluding escaped slaves and making applications for extradition through the Political Agent (ff 21-29), as well as copies of correspondence between the Political Resident and the Colonial Office and India Office, London, regarding the proposed Extradition Treaty (ff 30-42). On 25 November 1932, it is decided by the Secretary of State for India that the matter should be left in abeyance.At the end of the file is a compliments slip, dated 29 August 1942, enclosing printed copies of:Agreement for Friendship and Neighbourly Relations between the Government of the United Kingdom (acting on behalf of His Highness the Sheikh[Shaikh] of Kowait[Kuwait] ) and the Government of Saudi Arabia, Jedda, 20 April 1942 (ff 44-47);Trade Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom (acting on behalf of His Highness the Sheikh of Koweit) and the Government of Saudi Arabia, Jedda, 20 April 1942 (ff 48-49);Agreement for the Extradition of Offenders between the Government of the United Kingdom (acting on behalf of the Government of Koweit) and the Government of Saudi Arabia, Jedda, 20 April 1942 (ff 50-51).1 file (51 folios)The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: The main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present between ff 2-51; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.

6. '11/3 ACTIVITIES OF SAUDI ARABIANS IN DOHA'

Description:

This file is entitled 'Activities of Saudi Arabians in Doha'; however, it concerns the activities of Saudi Arabians in Bahrain. The file includes correspondence between Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Captain George Ashmead Cole, Political Agent at Bahrain; and Charles Dalyrmple Belgrave, Adviser to the Bahrain Government.Correspondence between 1934 and 1935 concerns a Saudi proclamation ( i‘lān) posted on a wall in the Manama Pearl Bazaar without the permission of the Government of Bahrain (ff 2-3); action regarding a Nejd [Najd] travel document issued to Mohomed Ali [Muḥammad ‘Alī bin ‘Īd] and signed by Shaikh Mohomed al-Tawil [Muḥammad al-Ṭawīl], a Saudi official accompanying the Saudi Arabia Delegation in Bahrain (ff 4-8); and a case involving a Saudi subject charged with importing a rifle into Bahrain and selling it at Muharraq, plus a subsequent letter from Hamad Sulaiman [Ḥamad bin Sulaymān], a member of the Saudi Arabian Delegation in Bahrain, to Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah regarding the matter (ff 9-13). The remainder of the file (ff 14-25) consists of copies of correspondence between the Political Resident and the India Office with regards to the issue of the flying of the Saudi Arabian flag by the Trade Agent of ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd [Ibn Saud] on Fridays at Kuwait, and how this issue pertains to the other Shaikhdoms of the Persian Gulf, including Bahrain.Notable Arabic documents include the aforementioned proclamation, dated 23 Sha‘bān 1353 [1 December 1934], concerning plans by the Government of Saudi Arabia to offer to carry fifty pilgrims in motor cars from Hasa (al-Aḥsā’) to Mecca and Medina (f 3), with a partial translation appearing on folio 25; and the aforementioned travel document ( tadhkirat huwīyat al-musāfir) issued by the Government of Saudi Arabia and including the stamps of the passport offices of Qatif [al-Qaṭīf] and Bahrain (f 5).1 file (27 folios)The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. File notes appear at the rear of the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover and terminates at the inside back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 1-24; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled.

7. '11/6 SAUDI ARABIAN CURRENCY'

Description:

This file concerns the circulation of currency between Saudi Arabia, the Persian Gulf and India. The file contains correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; the Political Agent at Bahrain; Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Advisor to the Government of Bahrain; C W F Skrimshire and M Gunn, the Eastern Bank Limited, Bahrain; Yousuf bin Ahmed Kanoo [Yūsuf bin Aḥmad Kānū]; the Residency Agent, Sharjah. There is also correspondence from the India Office and the Government of India, which has been forwarded to the Political Agent by the Political Resident.The correspondence for 1935-36 (ff 3-21) concerns the import of large quantities of Indian rupees into Saudi Arabia via the port of Jedda and Persian Gulf ports, due to the Saudi government’s preference of paying officials and tribal subsidies in rupees instead of dollars. The essence of this situation is explained in a report by Loch, entitled 'Note on the Rupee-Maria Theresa Dollar position in Najd, Hasa and Bahrain', sent to the Political Resident on 3 March 1936. The correspondence for 1939-40 (ff 22-49) concerns further abnormal exports of rupees from Bahrain to Kuwait and Hassa (al-Aḥsā’) due to a lack of confidence in the stability of the Saudi Arabian riyal as a result of the Second World War; also discussed is the possibility of an embargo being placed on the export of rupees from India to Saudi Arabia and the impact that that would have on the Trucial Coast states and Qatar. The final section of correspondence for the year 1944 (ff 50-55) concerns a request from ‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Saud) for the British government to send senior military and financial experts, preferably Sunni Muslims, to Saudi Arabia to aid the establishment of an army and reorganise the financial structure of the state.1 file (60 folios)The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. File notes appear at the rear of the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-61; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.

8. '11/9 AMIR OF DHAHRAN'

Description:

This files concerns relations between the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Amir of Dhahran [al-Ẓahrān] on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. The correspondents in the file include Khalid Sidairi [Khālid al-Suayrī], Amir of al-Ẓahrān; the Political Agent at Bahrain; and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire.The correspondence of May 1945 (ff 2-5) concerns the appointment of Khālid al-Suayrī by Abdul-Aziz [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd (Ibn Saud)] to administer the Amirate [Emirate] of Dhahran [Imārat Muqāṭi‘at al-Ẓahrān]. The correspondence of April 1946 (f 6) concerns a visit of the Bahrain State Engineer to Hassa [al-Aḥsā’] 20-25 March 1946 at the request of the Amir of Hassa (perhaps also of the Amir of Dhahran?) to advise both on the electrification of the town of Hofuf [al-Hufūf], and on the question of whether equipment and infrastructure had been supplied by the United States of America or Britain.1 file (6 folios)The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. File notes appear at the rear of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.

9. '11/18 EXCHANGE OF MAILS BETWEEN HASA & BAHRAIN'

Description:

This file concerns the exchange of postal services between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and covers:1932-1933 (ff 2-30): the conveyance of post between Hasa [al-Aḥsā’] and Bahrain, as well as between Hasa and other foreign countries via Bahrain;1934 (ff 31-43): Saudi Posts, Telegraph and Telephone Department establishing a daily mail service between Bahrain and Hofuf [al-Hufūf] and Katif [al-Qaṭīf];1933-1934 (ff 44-51): use of Arabic language in the wording of the 'Bulletin de verification' (ff 44-51);1935 (ff 52-61): the exchange of mails between Bahrain and Hofuf and Katif and the discontinuance of the use of the term 'Agent of Hofuf at Bahrain' (ff 58-61);1940 (ff 62-69): the conveyance by air or surface of letters for the outside world by air or sea mail, which it is stated must be posted at Al Khobar [al-Khubar] with Saudi Arabian stamps (ff 62-69).The correspondents in the file include: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf at Bushire; the Political Agent at Bahrain; the Superintendent of Post Offices, Lower Sind and Persian Gulf in Karachi; and the Postmaster at Bahrain.1 file (69 folios)The papers are arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. File notes appear at the rear of the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-33; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.

10. '14/7 (XVIII) and (XX) Arab Coast. Miscellaneous'

Description:

This file contains correspondence between British officials in Bushire, Bahrain, and Sharjah.Topics include:The visit of Lady Willingdon to Sharjah.A raid by Manasir tribe and murder of the Amir of Khan village.Diving on the Trucial Coast and measures to improve the living conditions of the divers. Includes translation of letters from Shaikh Sa'id bin Maktum, ruler of Dubai to the Residency Agent, Sharjah; and from Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Government of Bahrain to Political Agent, Bahrain.The building of a fort by the Sheikh of Sharjah.A pilgrimage to Mecca by Sheikh Abdullah, Sheikh of Qatar (1940).1 volume (61 folios)The papers are arranged chronologically from the front to the rear of the file. There are file notes at the back of the file explaining how the file is arranged.Foliation: This consists of pencil numbers, located in the top right hand corner of the recto of each folio. The foliation sequence commences on the front cover and concludes on the last folio before the back cover.

11. '14/21 Correspondence re Zaora'

Description:

Correspondence regarding the area of Zaora between the towns of Ajman and Himriya. The Chief of Abu Dhabi sought to despatch provisions by sea for forces sent by him to Zaora for the protection of his tribesmen that he wished to settle there. Correspondence discusses that the Shaikh of Dubai and the Shaikh of Ajman were 'in defensive and offensive alliance with one another against the Chief of Abu Dhabi' and they sought to prevent Zaora having the presence of a tribe protected by the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi.Correspondents include: Residency Agent, Sharjah; Assistant Political Agent, Bahrain; First Assistant to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; Charles Arnold Kemball, Political Resident Persian Gulf, Secretary to the Government of India Foreign Department, Calcutta; Shaikh Za'id bin Khalifah, Chief of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Humeid, Chief of Ajman.1 volume (194 folios)The papers are arranged chronologically from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: The sequence consists of small uncircled numbers in the top right hand top corner of each folio. The sequence runs from the first folio to the last folio of text.

12. '14/72 B. 3. Messrs Malcolm and Abu Musa 1898 - 1906'

Description:

This file relates to the application of Arsham and Tigranes Joseph Malcolm for mining rights to iron oxide on Abu Musa island and other locations such as the islands of Dalma, Ghagha, Sir Abu Nu'air and Musandam Peninsula. Letters also discuss the resources of salt, gold and the activities of the German company, Wonckhaus and Co. There are many letters in Arabic with translations.The main correspondents are Lieutenant-Colonel, Malcolm John Meade,the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf ; Sir William John Cuningham, Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department; Residency Agent, Sharjah; Residency Agent, Lingah; Political Agent, Muscat; Shaikh Zayid bin Khalifah, Chief of Abu Dhabi; Shaikh Saggar bin Khalid, Chief of Sharjah.1 volume (63 folios)The file is arranged chronologically from the front to the rear of the file. There is a typed contents page at the front of the file. There are file notes at the back of the file explaining how the file is arranged.Foliation: The main sequence, which is being used for referencing, commences on the first folio of writing, with number 1 and goes through to the last folio of writing, numbered 73. This sequence consists of pencil numbers, located in the top right hand corner of the recto of each folio. There is also a second former foliation sequence, which is incomplete and which commences on the first folio of writing with number 1, and runs intermittently until number 64. This former sequence commences with numbers in red canyon, latter written in pencil, which are located near to the top right hand corner of each folio. Foliation anomalies: 1, 1A, 1B.the sequence commences on the title folio, on number 1, and runs through to 65, ending on the inside of the back cover of the volume. There is also a former pagination sequence which begins on the fifth folio, and runs through to the last folio of writing.