Lewis Pelly's notes on events in Baroda 1873-1874 leading up to his appointment as Special Commissioner in Baroda. The notes comprise references to letters and documents in the left hand column and his thoughts on the matters contained within them in the right hand column. Pelly's observations are written intermittently in ink and pencil.The matters commented on in the notes include the special measures implemented in Baroda in an attempt to reform the state administration and finances; the Resident at Baroda (Colonel Robert Phayre)'s correspondence with the Government of Bombay on these measures and his discussions with the Gaekwar of Baroda (Malharrao) in regard to them; and the approach taken by the Government of Bombay to resolve matters in Baroda.6 folios
Note, written by Lewis Pelly, recording that a copy of a telegram had been made 28 March 1875.The telegram in question is included and is from the Viceroy (Thomas George Baring, Second Baron Northbrook) to Pelly regarding Pelly's telegram about the poisoning of Colonel Robert Phayre and regarding the Police enquiry he assumes is being conducted and asking him to keep it all as secret as possible and to keep him informed.A pencil note directly after the telegram requests that a copy of the telegram be made and placed in the file labelled 'prisoners and witnesses'.1 folioWatermark: The paper contains the Britannia watermark.
Two pencil notes written by Lewis Pelly, one dated 14 January 1875 and the other 18 January 1875, possibly replies to Charles Umpherston Aitchison, Foreign Secretary to the Government of India.The notes relate to forty lakhs of money which had allegedly been removed from Baroda and was intended to be deposited at a Bank in Bombay in an account belonging to Malharrao, Gaekwar of Baroda.1 folio
Note regarding the return of letter No.115 Political of 10
September 1873, from the India Office to the Government of India, which had been
transmitted to Pelly with letter No.2621P of 30 October 1873 for information.1 folioThe item is written on the verso of folio 54.
Handwritten observations by Lewis Pelly on the intentions and actions of both England and Russia within Asia. The observations discuss questions such as whether the interests of Russia and England in Asia are adverse to each other; and whether recent national movements in Europe, along with the condition of Turkey will introduce new interests into Asia.The observations are in draft form and contain numerous crossings out, corrections and additions. The verso of folio 64 and all of folio 65 are also blank.13 folios
Unidentified note, with no translation, which appears to have been written in Mahajani, an Indian script used in accounting and banking which was most commonly used by the Indian peoples from Sindh to Bengal.1 folio
Note about the Mundwee [Mandvi] of Cutch [Kutch] and Occa including their names being derived from Medina and Mecca, and how this is believed to relate to the Prophet's tribe Kereish [Qureish].The memorandum goes on to discuss the family of the founder of the Wahabee [Wahhabi] sect, Abd al-Wahab, and how the spiritual power of the sect is now wholly apart from his family.1 folio
The note states '1864-1866 Miscellaneous papers concerning Riadh trip and other papers concerning Riadh trip placed in my book containing my reports of travel'.1 folio
Brief note about Koweit [Kuwait]'s main inland trade being with the Bedouins of Nejd [Najd] and that the trade consists of wood, weapons, coffee, rice, bamboo and piece goods as well as giving details on where these goods are brought from.Below the main note is a line about the climate in the Koweit neighbourhood.Although the note is undated, the information was most likely gathered during Pelly's visit there January to February 1865.1 folio
Pencil note from the Royal Geographical Society enquiring whether Pelly will be able to send them his full report on his travels to Lingah [Bandar-e-Lengeh], Kishm [Qeshm] and Bunder Abbas [Bandar Abbas]. The note has been written on the reverse of an invitation to breakfast with Charles Sturge, President of the Birmingham Temperance Society, 9 July 18651 folio
Draft notes, written in faint pencil, giving sections and headings for Lewis Pelly's report on his journey to Riadh [Riyadh].The notes contain details of comments and observations required for a sketch map of the route taken and make reference to the need to take notes on the country travelled through and the peoples and tribes encountered and told about en-route.The notes themselves conclude on folio 45, and the remaining folios are blank.6 folios