Aden Affairs

This item comprises copies of enclosures to a despatch from the Government of Bombay [Mumbai] Secret Department to the Secret Committee, Number 18 of 1844, dated 29 February 1844. The enclosures are dated 13 October 1843-17 February 1844. The item chiefly comprises correspondence between Captain Stafford Bettesworth Haines, Political Agent in Aden, and John Pollard Willoughby, Chief Secretary to the Government, Bombay, relating to the Political Agent's formal investigation of complaints and charges against Moollah [Mullah] Jaffir (also spelled Jaffer in this item), the Native Assistant and Interpreter, and Hussain bin Ali, Inspector of Bazaars at Aden. The enclosures to Haines's letters are primarily transcripts, including some translations, of examinations, cross-examinations and depositions by the relevant parties and numerous witnesses (ff 147-187). The Political Agent concludes that the principal accuser, the senior Sayeed of Hydroose [Sayed 'Alawī of Hydroose (of Aden?), also spelled Hydroos in this item], conspired with Sultan M'Houssain Fudthel [Sultan Muḥsin bin Faḍl al-'Abdalī, Sultan of Lahej], to have the two officials removed by accusing them of bribery and by creating an incident during which Agency staff were shot at. The investigation clears the two defendants of all charges and the Political Agent confirms to Willoughby his belief that the motives were: religious hatred between the accusers, who were Soonners [Sunni], and the accused, who were Sheah [Shia]; that the Sultan's daughter Naômee had been promised to the Sayeed's brother if Moolla Jaffer was removed; and that the accusers had been implicated as buyers or receivers of slaves in recent slavery cases. The Government of Bombay consider that the investigation has, however, shown Moollah Jaffer unfit to continue in office at Aden and that since his presence would prevent good relations with the Sultan of Lahidge [Lahej] and his family, Haines is to discharge him and send him to Bombay on the next steamer leaving Aden, adding that considering the proficiency of Haines and his assistant Charles J Cruttenden in the local language no successor is to be appointed.The item also includes some material relating to the Political Agent's relations with the Chief (Sultan) of Lahidge in connection with the stipend to be paid to the latter, and the general state of affairs in the Aden area.

The enclosure numbers 3-7 are written on the verso of the last folio of each enclosure, which also contain an abstract of the contents of the enclosure.

Unrestricted