Three letters sent from the Qajar court to Sir Gore Ouseley in the course of his diplomatic mission. These are:
Letter from Fath-Ali Shah to Sir Gore Ouseley concerned with the allegiance between Persia and England. This is dated to February 1812. The original letter, handwritten in Persian, has been mounted onto another piece of paper. With it is a handwritten translation into English.
'From His Royal Highness' - a letter from [Fath-Ali Shah] to Sir Gore Ouseley to thank him for the gift of a 'elegant crystal candlesticks' and other articles which were 'wholly in keeping with our desire'. This is undated. The original letter, handwritten in Persian, has been mounted onto another piece of paper. With it is a handwritten translation into English.
'A Letter from His Royal Highness Abbas Mirza Prince Royal of Persia to the Rt. Honble. Sir Gore Ouseley Bt.' concerning sending Murza Salih, a scribe of the court, to describe the circumstances at the court. Murza Salih has been chosen as he has previously spent time in England and can therefore talk to Ouseley without the use of an interpreter. Written in March-April 1822. The original letter, handwritten in Persian, has been mounted onto another piece of paper. With it is a handwritten translation into English and a further typed translation.
The Papers consist of copies of letter sent by Stoddart, a newspaper cutting about his death, and the original containing envelope. These are:
Copy of a letter from Stoddart to Crawford to inform that he had been appointed Commander of the Escort, a position gained for him by Mr Ellis, which is not onerous and has increased his yearly salary. He also writes that he will stay in Persia unless a more attractive opportunity opens for him. He asks for news from England. Typed, 2 pieces, dated 17 April 1837.
Copy of a letter from Stoddart to Crauford (different spelling to letter above) from 'Bokhauran' (Bukhara) in which he writes that his appointment to Bokhauran should have made him his own master and therefore at liberty to write more freely. However four days after his arrival he was imprisoned and from 21 December 1838 until February 1841 was unable to write at all. Now however, he is at liberty. He gives news of Heraut (Herat) and Kabool (Kabul) and the military manoeuvres of the Persian and English armies. He writes that he is now well-treated and bears no ill-will. He asks for news to be sent via the Foreign Office. Typed, 3 pieces, dated 1 May 1841.
'The Murder of Lieut. Col. Stoddart and Capt. Conolly, in Bokhara' - a newspaper cutting from an unknown newspaper giving the details of the execution of Stoddart and Conolly on 17 June 1842.
The original containing envelope with the title, 'Murder of Lt. Col. Stoddart by the Amir of Bokhara on 17.6.1842 - & of Captain Conolly'.
