This index to the Despatches From U.S. Ministers to Persia, 1883-1906, collection provides the dates each reel covers. Government Information MAY NOT hold all of these reels. The record in the library catalog describes the extent of our holdings. For help, or to make an appointment to view a reel, email rad@colorado.edu
In this microfilm publication, are reproduced 12 volumes that consist, for the most part, of despatches addressed to the Department of State by United States diplomatic representatives to Persia (Iran) between February 9, 1883, and August 13, 1906. On the first roll are reproduced selected pages from 7 State Department registers of correspondence, which, taken as a unit, comprise a register of the despatches from United States representatives accredited to Persia from February 9, 1883, to November 28, 1906. Although this register lists correspondence dated as late as November 1906, the dispatches after August 13, 1906, are not included in this series.
These despatches and their enclosures relate to such subjects as commercial relations between the United States and Persia, rivalry between Russia and Great Britain for commercial supremacy in Persia, protection of United States citizens and commercial interests in Persia, activities of American missionaries in that country, attacks upon religious minority groups, the introduction into the United States of plants from Persia, cholera and influenza epidemics, and Persian representation at the World's Columbian Exposition and at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
In addition to numbered despatches and their enclosures, these volumes contain many unnumbered communications, some of which are marked "Private" or
"Confidential." These unnumbered communications, more informal than despatches and often also accompanied by enclosures, may report official matters that required secrecy or that were not fully covered in the despatches or they may convey personal news, acknowledgments of appointment, announcements of arrival or departure, and bills for official expenses. The volumes also contain occasional telegrams or cables, which are not numbered, communications from private citizens and White House officials, memoranda prepared by State Department officials, and a few communications addressed to officials outside the State Department.
The first United States diplomatic representative to Persia was Samuel G. W. Benjamin, commissioned Charge d’Affaires and Consul General on January 29, 1883, and Minister Resident and Consul General on February 27, 1883. He presented his credentials in Persia on June 11, 1883, and remained at Tehran until May 18, 1885. After his departure the United States continued to maintain a Minister Resident and Consul General in Persia until April 29, 1901, when Herbert W. Bowen was confirmed as the first Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to that country. Bowen was on his way to the United States when news of his appointment reached him, however, so that none of his communications from Persia were written in that capacity.
As the title of the early diplomatic representatives indicates, they served in a dual capacity--as Minister Resident and as Consul General. The despatches reproduced in this microfilm publication are those written in the former capacity, although they are usually signed under the title "Minister Resident and Consul General." Despatches sent in the capacity of Consul General were bound separately and are in the series of despatches from United States consuls in Tehran, 1883-1906.
An index by name of writer follows this introduction, giving for each his title, the inclusive dates of his communications, and the numbers of the rolls on which the communications are reproduced. The following abbreviations for titles are used: MR and CG—Minister Resident and Consul General; and EE and MP--Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary.
The spreadsheet attached below contains a reel-by-reel description of the complete collection.