In this letter, Commodore George Robinson, Commander of the Persian Gulf Squadron, attaches two enclosures. The first enclosure is a copy of a letter, dated 12 June 1853, from Lieutenant Robert Anstice Stradling, Commander of the HC schooner
Constance, containing information from the lower part of the Gulf. In this letter, Stradling recounts his recent meeting with His Highness Syed Theweeny at Muscat [Sayyid Thuwaynī bin Sa‘id al-Sa‘id], regarding the tribute paid by the latter to Abdullah ben Fyzul [Faisal bin Turki bin Abdullah Āl Sa‘ūd, ruler of the Second Saudi State]. Stradling relays intelligence obtained from the Agent at Sharja [Sharjah], Hadji Yacoob, which includes information on the landing of large numbers of slaves, both at Ras-el-Khyma [Ra's al-Khaymah] and at Amalgawein [Umm al-Qaywayn]. In addition, Stradling relays information received from the Agent at Lingah [Bandar-e Lengeh], stating that a boat belonging to Syed ben Raschid, brother of Abdullah ben Raschid of Amalgawein, has reportedly been landed at Sharja with 240 slaves on board. Stradling gives details of other boats carrying slaves having been seized at Lingah. He states that he believes that the Shaikh of Lingah is awaiting the Resident's instructions on the disposal of the slaves. This letter is followed by a blank page. The second enclosure, which appears on the verso of folio 37, is a copy of a letter in Arabic, addressed to Sayyid Thuwaynī bin Sa‘id al-Sa‘id, from the people of Najd.4 folios
The letter relates to the Persian Gulf squadron’s expedition to Bahrain and Al-Qaṭīf, to attack the boat and position of the fugitive Humud bin Mujdell, and to obtain reparations from Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah at Bahrain.There are three principal enclosures to Kemball’s letter, some of which have their own enclosures:1. Letter no.177 of 1854 (142-44) from Commodore George Robinson, Commanding Officer Persian Gulf Squadron, to Kemball, dated 25 November 1854. Robinson reports that he delivered Kemball’s letter to Humud bin Mujdell, the reply to which (folios 142, 143) compelled Robinson to continue the proposed action against Humud bin Mujdell. Robinson states that twelve boats of the squadron were manned and armed for the operation. The
Falkland, under the command of Commander Hewitt, was dispatched with the task of attacking Humud bin Mujdell's position, and destroying his buglah [boat]. Robinson reports that his fleet came under fire from a tower situated in the Sheikh of Al-Qaṭīf’s territory. Robinson writes that he despatched a letter to the Shaikh (not included in the file) demanding an explanation for this action (folios 140, 141). Robinson reports of the success of the operation, including the burning of Humud bin Mujdell’s boat. Four of Humud bin Mujdell’s men were killed, and seven or eight injured.Robinson's letter includes the following enclosures:A letter (folios 145-48) from Commander H Hewett, Commanding Officer of the Honourable Company’s sloop
Falkland, dated 22 November 1854. Hewett's letter is a detailed account of the operation against Humud bin Mujdell, including Humud bin Mujdell’s surrender, and a description of the four injuries suffered amongst the British sailors;A letter (folio 140) from the Shaikh of Al-Qaṭīf to Robinson, dated 23 November 1854;A translation (folio 141) of the letter (folio 140) from the Shaikh of Al-Qaṭīf to Robinson, dated 23 November 1854;A letter (folio 142) from Humud bin Mujdell to Robinson, dated 22 November 1854;A translation (folio 143) of the letter (folio 142) from Humud bin Mujdell to Robinson, dated 22 November 1854;2. Letter no.183 of 1854 (folio 153) from Robinson to Kemball, dated 4 December 1854. Robinson writes that, on his arrival in Bahrain, Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah promptly paid the reparations demanded from him by Kemball, of 2,599 Muḥammad Shah rupees;3. Letter no.402 of 1854 (folios 154-55) from Kemball to Robinson, dated 11 December 1854, in which Kemball congratulates and commends Robinson and his colleagues on the success of the operation against Humud bin Mujdell;4.The translation of a letter (folio 156) from Kemball to Humud bin Mujdell, dated 12 December 1854;5.The translation of a letter (folio 157) from Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah to Kemball, dated 3 December 1854. Shaikh Muḥammad states that he has paid the sum of 2,599 rupees demanded of him by the British Government, although he questions the full extent and nature of the reparations that he has been held responsible for;6. The translation of a letter (folio 158) from Kemball to Shaikh Muḥammad bin Khalīfah, dated 12 December 1854, in which Kemball states that Shaikh Muḥammad’s appeal against his complicity in the plunder of boats and sale of captives in his dominions is unlikely to be heard out.19 folios
The letter is conveying a request for the detention of Hajee Abbas bin Mahomed [Hājjī ‘Abbās bin Aḥmad] in Bahrain. It is noted that this request was forwarded to Major Charles Grant, 1 Assistant Resident, via memo No. 189/103 of 1874 dated 17 February 1874. A copy of this letter in Arabic is also present (f. 153).Enclosed with the letter is a list of debts (in Arabic and English) of named individuals.4 folios
The letter is informing the Shaikh of Bahrain that the balance of debts owed by and owed to the bin Rejubs [Bin Rajab] will be enquired into by the law courts of Bahrain. It notes that the final balance will be determined in three month's time. If this meets with the Shaikh's approval, the letter requests that he order an enquiry into the case. The letter includes an Arabic translation.1 folio
Letter in Arabic, with English translation, from Shaikh Zayid ben Khalifeh [Zayid I bin Khalifa Al Nahyan], Chief of Aboothabee [Abu Dhabi] to Lewis Pelly, dated 19 Ramadhan 1287 (13 December 1870) and received by Pelly at Bushire 19 December 1870.Letter regarding the Ghobaysat [Qubaisat] tribe who had departed Aboothabee, but had settled and begun to build at Odaid [Al ‘Udayd] and informing Pelly that as his territory extends from Nakee-ul-Hejare [Nakhl, Hajar] to Aghnaz he cannot permit them to claim this area and settle there as it falls within his jurisdiction.The letter goes on to request permission to breach the peace at sea in order to retake Odaid and informing Pelly that he does not wish the tribe to settle at Odaid as they will cause great disturbances and will most likely commit breaches of the peace at sea.2 folios
Letter written in English and translated into Arabic regarding Pelly's expectation that on arriving in Koweit [Kuwait] he would be greeted by Amir Faysul [Amir Faisul ibn Turki al Sa'ud] and his disappointment on finding that he was not there.The letter goes on to request either a reply to this letter, or a person sent to accompany him to Riadh [Riyadh].1 folio
Letter requesting that Ahmed accompany Captain Warner on the Residency Steamer to Bahrein [Bahrain], and on arrival communicate with the Sheikh [Muhammad bin Khalifah Al-Khalifah], including handing him an enclosed letter in Arabic.The letter goes on to instruct that Ahmed use his stay in Bahrein to gather information, with names of places, rivers etc, on the adjacent mainland to Bahrain and the province of Nejd [Najd] and to write a report on his findings, as well as collecting information on Pearl Fishing in the area.The second half of the letter (on the recto of folio eleven) has been crossed through and a pencil letter, possibly intended as a replacement for the crossed through section, has been given on the verso of folio eleven:Pencil letter regarding Pelly's expected date of arrival from the interior of Nejd and making arrangements to travel to Bahrein, including requesting either horses, donkeys or ponies from Shaikh Ali bin Khalifah Al-Khalifah and instructing him to inform the villagers of his intended visit.On the verso of folio twelve is a letter in Arabic, which is most likely the enclosed letter for Shaikh Muhammad bin Khalifah Al'Khalifah, referred to in Pelly's letter. On the recto of folio eleven is an Arabic ink stamp seal.2 folios
Letter discusses William Bruce's meeting at Bushire with Hassan ben Mohummed ben Gaith [Hasan bin Muhammad bin Ghaith], Vakeel of Hassan ben Rehma [Hasan bin Rahma], the Joassemee [Āl Qāsimī] Chief. Bruce reports that Hassan ben Rehma continues to deny having captured any British property. Bruce states that Hassan ben Rehma intends to send his Vakeel to the Presidency to enter into more full and firm engagements with the British Government. Bruce reports that he has entered into a few preliminary articles with Hassan ben Mohummed ben Gaith. Includes the following enclosures: [1] translation of a letter, received 2 October 1814, from Abdella iben Soud [Abdullah bin Saud], the Wahabee [Wahabi] Chief, to Bruce, in which the Wahabee Chief promises to ascertain whether or not Hassan ben Rehma is holding any English property; [2] translation of a letter, received 2 October 1814, from Hassan ben Rehma, Ameer of the Joassemes [Qawāsim], to Bruce, in which he states that he has sent Hassan ben Gaith [Hasan bin Muhammad bin Ghaith] on his behalf, should Bruce wish to renew engagements; [3] copy of a preliminary agreement made between Bruce, on the part of the British Government, and Hassan iben Mohumed iben Gaise [Hasan bin Muhammad bin Ghaith], on the part of Ameer Hassan iben Rehma [Hasan bin Rahma], the Chief of the Joassemees [Qawāsim] at Ras el Khima [Ra's al-Khaymah], at Bushire, on 6 October 1814. The preliminary agreement is written in English and Arabic, and concludes by stating that it is subject to the approval of the Governor in Council of Bombay.6 folios
The letter is informing the Political Resident that the Shaikh of Bahrain has issued orders to detain Hajee Abbas bin Mahomed [Hājjī ‘Abbās bin Aḥmad] until his accounts have been inspected, as originally requested by Ibrahim bin Rujub [Ibrāhīm bin Rajab] in an address to the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (see ff. 154-155).2 folios
Letter in Arabic from Thuwaini bin Said al-Said, Sultan of Muscat.The letter is most likely written sometime between 1863 and 1865 as Lewis Pelly only commenced his position as Political Resident in the Persian Gulf in mid-1862 and Thuwaini bin Said was killed in February 1866.1 folio
Letter regarding his thirty-four years of service to the British Government and his petition for a pension as he is no longer able to carry out his duties.1 folio
Letter regarding recent murders in Muscat and the methods that the 'Arabs' guilty of committing them have for obtaining protection from prosecution.1 folio