Harford Jones collection, 1783-1814

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Summary

Creators:
Jones, Harford, Sir, 1764-1847
Abstract:
Collection chiefly consists of correspondence between Sir Harford Jones (1764-1847), Henry Dundas, first Viscount Melville (1742-1811), and Robert Dundas, second Viscount Melville (1771-1851). The collection spans Jones's time in the Persian court.
Extent:
92 items
Language:
The records are in English .

Background

Scope and content:

This diplomatic archive spans Harford Jones's time at the Persian court; it consists of correspondence and documents, most of which are written by Jones. The bulk of the collection is comprised of 71 letters dating from September 1799 to January 1814, all written to, or enclosures intended for, firstly Henry Dundas first Viscount Melville and secondly Robert Dundas second Viscount Melville.

Biographical / historical:

Sir Harford Jones Brydges, first baronet (1764-1847), diplomat and author, was born on January 12, 1764. On February 16, 1796 he married Sarah, eldest daughter of Sir Henry Gott of Newland Park, Buckinghamshire; they had one son and two daughters. In commemoration of his descent, through is material grandmother, from the family of Brydges of Old Colwall, Herefordshire, he assumed, by royal signature, dated May 4, 1826, the additional name of Brydges. Early in life Jones entered the services of the East India Company, working as assistant and factor at Basrah, 1783-1794, and its president in Baghdad, 1798-1806. He acquired great proficiency in oriental languages, and with the assistance of Robert Dundas's patronage he was appointed envoy-extraordinary and minister-plenipotentiary to the court of Persia, where he remained from 1807-1811. He was attached to the first Persian mission lead by Sir John Malcolm (1801). He remained in Tehran from 1809 to 1810, in the service of the Dundases. During this time his main achievement was the Preliminary Treaty of 1809 that effectively barred France from the route to India. In 1810, his authority in Tehran was crucially undermined by the East India Company, through Lord Minto's appointment of Sir John Malcolm as envoy while Jones represented the crown. Snubbed by the Persians, he reacted furiously. Eventually Sir Gore Ouseley was appointed as London's new ambassador to the Shah and on hearing the news Malcolm decided to leave Persia for India, and Jones was recalled. In 1832 he was sworn of the privy council, and in 1841 was appointed deputy lieutenant of the county of Herford. He died at his seat at Boultibrook, near Presteigne, on March 17, 1847.

Henry Dundas, first Viscount Melville (1742-1811), politician, was born on April 28, 1742 in Edinburghshire, Scotland. He married Elizabeth (1751-1843), coheir of David Rannie, merchant and shipbuilder. They had four children. In May 1775, Dundas became lord advocate, and in 1782 he became treasurer of the navy. He was elected to Parliament for Scotland in 1790. Dundas was close political ally of William Pitt, the Younger. He became home secretary in 1791,President of the Board of Control in 1793, and secretary of state for war in July 1794. In 1805, Dundas was impeached after a commission of inquiry uncovered accounting transgressions in naval records. Dundas returned to Scotland. He died on May 27, 1811 in Edinburgh.

Robert Saunders Dundas, second Viscount Melville (1771-1851), politician was born in Edinburgh on March 14, 1742, the only son of Henry Dundas and his wife Elizabeth. Robert served as his father's private secretary from 1794, through thinking it also useful for him to be in parliament: he was brought in as MP for Hastings in 1794, Rye in 1796, and Midlothian in 1801. He married and heiress, Anne Saunders on August 29, 1796. The couple had four sons and two daughters. In 1807, after his father's "retirement", he became President of the Board of Control for India. In 1811, he was promoted firs lord of the Admiralty. In 1814, he was appointed a governor of the Bank of Scotland, and he was elected chancellor of the University of St. Andrews, and made a knight of the Thistle in 1821. He resigned his political offices in 1830, over debates about the Reform Act, never to hold office again. He died on June 10, 1851 at Melville Castle.

Acquisition information:
The collection was purchased by the Library Collectors' Council from Maggs Bros. of London, January 2014.
Arrangement:

The collection is arranged chronologically. It is housed in two boxes.

Rules or conventions:
Finding Aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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