The discussion in the volume relates to the migration of the Al Bu Ainain (a tribe of '1000 males') from Wakrah, Qatar, to 'Qasr as-Sabaih', a settlement 30 miles north of Katif [Al-Qaṭīf]. The correspondence contains the discussion between British officials as to whether Qasr as-Sabaih lay in territory of the Ruler of Kuwait or was under Turkish jurisdiction. It also discusses how the 'headman of the Al Bu Ainain', Abdullah bin Ali, approached a number of authorities to seek their assistance, including the Ruler of Bahrain, the Wali of Basrah, and the Turkish authorities in Al Hasa.Further discussion in the volume concerns the flying of the Turkish flag over the fort at Qasr as-Sabaih and the relationship of the Al Bu Ainain with the Turkish authorities. The file finishes with a note (folio 90) that the Al Bu Ainain had come to a private arrangement with the Ruler of Kuwait whereby in return for the payment of a yearly allowance, the Ruler would not encourage Bedouin raiding against the tribe.Included in the volume is a statement (folio 36) of 'Distribution of Garrisons in Hasa, Qatif and Qatar' giving numbers of Turkish troops and supplies at each location. The volume also includes some extracts (folios 65-75) from
'Bahrain News'and
'Kuwait News'.Correspondence (folios 77-89) also discusses a possible migration of Sheikh Nasir bin Shahin al-Tuwar of Fuwairat from Qatar to Qasr as-Sabaih.The principal correspondents in the volume include: the First Assistant Resident, Bushire (A P Trevor); the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Percy Zachariah Cox; the Political Agent, Kuwait (William Henry Irvine Shakespear); the Political Agent, Bahrain (C F Mackenzie and David Lockhart Robertson Lorimer); and the Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department (S H Butler).1 volume (91 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 front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 91; 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 3-90; 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numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
This printed memorandum, compiled on 30 June 1888 by Edmund Neel at the Secret and Political Department of the India Office, contains excerpts of correspondence sent and received by the Government of India and Political Residency in the Persian Gulf between 26 December 1873 and 18 April 1888.The main subject is a Turkish garrison at El Bidaa [al-Bida‘], and Turkish (Ottoman) sovereignty over El Katr or Guttur [Qatar], to fight the increase of piracy along the coast.1 file (3 folios)Foliation: The foliation for this description commences at f 142, and terminates at f 144, as it is part of a larger physical volume; 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 5-149; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
The volume contains correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf and the Legation of the United States of America at Baghdad, concerning enquiries and statistics for the Bahrain Trade Report.1 file (9 folios)The papers in the file are arranged chronologically. There are file notes at the end, on folios 8-9. The notes are arranged chronologically and refer to documents within the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 11; 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 2-5; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
The file contains correspondence between the Political Agency at Bahrain, the Political Residency in the Gulf, the India Office and the Eastern Bank Limited concerning the opening of a branch of the Bank in Qatar in 1947.The file also contains some correspondence with Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī, Ruler of Qatar, and correspondence between the Ruler of Qatar and the Eastern Bank, in Arabic with English translation.The dismissal of the branch's bank manager in 1950 is also the subject of some later correspondence within the file.1 file (57 folios)The papers in the file are arranged chronologically. There are file notes at the end, on folios 56-58. The notes are arranged chronologically and refer to documents within the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) 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 between ff 2-55; these numbers are also written in pencil and ink, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
The file contains correspondence between the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Political Residency in Bahrain, concerning the possibility of granting to the Associated Ethyl Company a concession to manufacture ethyl fluid from sea water in Bahrain and sell it to the oil companies.1 file (13 folios)The papers in the file are arranged chronologically. There are file notes at the end, on folios 13-14. The notes are arranged chronologically and refer to documents within the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 15; 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 2-10; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
The file contains correspondence relating to survey expeditions carried out in the Trucial Coast (today's United Arab Emirates) region by Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited, a subsidiary of Petroleum Concessions Limited. The correspondence is principally between the Residency Agent at Sharjah, the Political Officer of the Trucial Coast, also at Sharjah, the Political Resident at Bahrain [Persian Gulf Political Residency], the Political Agent at Bahrain, representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited and Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited, the Foreign Office, the rulers of Sharjah and Dubai, as well as the leaders of a number of more minor tribes.The correspondence covers the arrangements for, and the progress of, survey work carried out by the company during the winters of 1947/48 and 1948/49, in the territories of Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras al Khaimah [Ra's al-Khaymah], and in particular within the vicinity of Buraimi [Al-Buraymī].Matters of a political nature were referred by the company to the Residency Agent or the Political Officer. The following issues are covered within the file:numerous incidents of resistance from local Bedouin inhabitants, usually triggered by transgression of tribal boundaries, particularly from the Beni Qitab, Manasir, and Naim [Āl Na‘īm] tribes;tribal and territorial allegiances that impacted on the work of the surveyors, and the efforts to secure access to survey areas for the company from the interested parties.Folios 69-73 are internal office notes.1 file (72 folios)The file is arranged chronologically.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 2-73; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled.
The file contains correspondence relating to policy matters concerning Petroleum Concessions Limited and their subsidiary company, Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited. The correspondence is between the India Office, the Political Residency at Bushire (later Bahrain) [Persian Gulf Political Residency], the Political Agency at Bahrain, representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited in Bahrain and London, and the American Consul at Dhahran in Saudi Arabia.The papers contained within the file cover the company's policy on the following matters:a request for information on the oil industry submitted by the United States Government through their Consul at Dhahran;the potential disputes that may arise between rulers and tribal leaders over the ownership of oil rights;a resolution (folio 17) to increase the capital of Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited;Folio 18 is a cover letter from Petroleum Concessions Limited for a copy of the Iraq Petroleum Company Handbook (not present).Folios 20-21 are internal office notes.1 file (20 folios)The file is arranged chronologically.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 2-19; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
The volume contains correspondence relating to the work of Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited, a subsidiary of Petroleum Concessions Limited, in Qatar. The correspondence is principally between the Political Agent in Bahrain, the Political Residency in Bahrain [Persian Gulf Political Residency], representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited (at their offices in Bahrain and the United Kingdom) and Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited, the Foreign Office, the India Office, the Government of India, the Senior Naval Officer in the Persian Gulf, the Staff Liaison Officer (RAF) in Bahrain, and the ruler of Qatar, Abdulla bin Qasim al Thani [‘Abdullāh bin Qāsim Āl Thānī].The papers contained in the file cover the following matters:
use of certain radio frequencies by Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited;jurisdiction of the Shaikh of Qatar over non-Qatari and non-British subjects in his country;employment of foreign nationals, including Iranian drivers and mechanics, Palestinian welders and other technicians, and Hungarians and Romanians;employment of the Lebanese firm Contracting and Trading Company to recruit skilled labour;use of the telegraphic address PETROQAT QATAR by Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited;the provision of meat for workers in the field;the extent of the Qatar concession, specifically if it covers its waters and islands;interference in the erection of navigational buoys by Su'aad bin Abdur Rehman Al-Thani, Shaikh of Wakrah;advance payment of concession royalties to Shaikh ‘Abdullāh of Qatar;the Shaikh of Bahrain's claims on Zubarah.Folios 155-66 are internal office notes.1 file (166 folios)The file is arranged chronologically.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 2-152; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
The volume contains correspondence relating to the work of Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited, a subsidiary of Petroleum Concessions Limited, in Qatar. The correspondence is principally between the Political Agent in Bahrain, the Political Residency in Bushire [Persian Gulf Political Residency], representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited (at their offices in Bahrain and the United Kingdom) and Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited (in the field in Qatar), the Foreign Office, the India Office, the Government of India, the ruler of Qatar, Abdulla bin Qasim al Thani [‘Abdullāh bin Qāsim Āl Thānī], and the ruler of Bahrain, Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah.The papers contained in the volume cover the following matters:the employment of foreign workers within the oil industry in Qatar, particularly that of Americans, Portuguese Goans, and Bahrainis;the expansion of drilling operations during the early stages of the Second World War;plans for a sea terminal on the Qatari coast, and a pipeline to any such port;the striking of oil at a new second well in March 1941;the form and method of payment of the concession royalties to the Shaikh of Qatar by the oil company;measures taken by the Oil Control Board to ensure continuing supplies of oil during the Second World War;the reopening of the Qatar oil fields following a short closure due to war;rates of pay and provision of meals for oil workers.Also within the volume is a report by the Acting Political Resident, William Rupert Hay, on his visit to Qatar on 13 November 1941 (folios 64-66) and a petition to the ruler of Bahrain (folios 148-52) signed by thirty-six Bahraini pearl merchants and boat captains; it complains that higher wages in the Qatar oil industry are attracting essential divers away from the pearling boats (folios 148-52).At the back of the file (folios 224-37) are internal office notes.1 volume (238 folios)The volume is arranged chronologically.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 5-223; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The file contains correspondence relating to the oil concession in the Sharjah territories. The correspondence is between: the Political Agent at Bahrain; representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited and Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited, in London, Bahrain, and the Trucial Coast [United Arab Emirates]; the Residency Agent at Sharjah; the Political Residency at Bushire (later Bahrain) [Persian Gulf Political Residency]; the India Office; Sultan bin Saqr [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī], the Ruler of Sharjah; and the Government of India.The majority of the file covers an amendment to the 1937 concession agreement between the oil company, Petroleum Concessions Ltd, and Shaikh Sultan that was made in February 1946. This amendment was made in order to extend the permitted drilling period following the Second World War, during which no drilling was carried out. Permission to open negotiations over the matter was sought from the British Government by the company. There is a copy of the agreed amendment on folio 72.Other matters covered by the file include:the desire of Shaikh Sultan to open a bank branch in Sharjah in order to receive royalty payments;confirmation of the initial 1937 concession agreement;the presentation by Petroleum Concessions Limited of a gift of motor vehicles to Shaikh Sultan;payment of the annual concession payment by the company to Shaikh Sultan;the arrival of a geological party in the Trucial Coast in early 1946;the correct channels of communication with the British Government to be used by the company.Folios 19-28 is Memo B 467 of the India Office and includes a copy of the commercial agreement between the company and Shaikh Sultan, a copy of the 'political agreement' between the company and the British Government, and copies of correspondence relating to both.Folios 76-80 are internal office notes.1 file (79 folios)The file is arranged chronologically.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 2-75; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled.
The file contains correspondence relating to Petroleum Concessions Limited's operations in the territories of Dubai. The correspondence is between the Political Resident at Bushire (later Bahrain) [Persian Gulf Political Residency], the Political Agent at Bahrain, the Political Officer at Sharjah, and E V Packer, Manager of Petroleum Concessions Limited at Bahrain.The papers within the file cover the matter of the suspension of operations in the region during the Second World War and the initiation of drilling in Dubai in 1950.Folio 8 contains internal office notes.1 file (7 folios)The file is arranged chronologically.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 addition foliation sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-7; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
The file contains correspondence relating to the movement of company (Petroleum Concessions Limited) planes in the Persian Gulf. The main correspondents are: representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited and its subsidiary companies (Petroleum Development (Qatar) Limited and Petroleum Development (Oman and Dhofar) Limited); the Political Agent at Bahrain; the Political Residency at Bushire (later Bahrain) [Persian Gulf Political Residency]; Sir Charles Belgrave, Advisor to the Shaikh of Bahrain; the India Office; the Air Vice-Marshal, Commanding British Forces in Iraq; the Government of India, External Affairs Department; Shaikh Abdullah bin Qasim al Thani [‘Abdullāh bin Qāsim Āl Thānī], ruler of Qatar; Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr [Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī], ruler of Sharjah; Shaikh Said bin Maktum [Sa‘īd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm], ruler of Dubai; and the Political Agent at Muscat.The papers within the file are mostly concerned with permission for landings and flyovers by company planes in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Sharjah, Dubai, and Oman. These permissions are sought by the company from the appropriate ruler (as sovereign) and the RAF (for use of the airfields), via the appropriate British Government officer (in this case, the Political Agent at Bahrain). The permissions sometimes include details of the planes, such as name, registration, passengers, pilot, engineers, and wireless operators.Other matters covered by the file include:the distribution by the company of their own aviation fuel to aerodromes across the region;the planning and permission of an aerial photographic survey of Qatar and its territorial waters carried out by the company in early 1947.There is a gap in the correspondence between 1939 and 1945, due to the Second World War.Folio 123 is a sketch map of southern Qatar, showing the limits of the proposed aerial survey.Folios 159-68 are internal office notes.1 file (167 folios)The file is arranged chronologically.