Mss Eur F699/1/1/1/26

Correspondence from John Peter Grant. Letters numbered 1-12 with index and detailed summaries.

1. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, 3 Aug 1857. Asks for permission for Golab Sing to be appointed to raise a Sikh Corps on the lines of the Punjab Police Corps, part of the Corps to be Grant's personal and office guard. Endorsed: answered approving.

2. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Berhampore, 9 Aug 1857. Reports all quiet in Berhampore. The people are afraid of the defensive preparations going on, amongst which is the second unsuccessful attempt to blow up the College. Grant cannot obtain Sikhs in Berhampore. He has just heard of the arrival of the 'Shannon', it is presumed she is carrying troops. Outram asks for the immediate despatch of the wing of the 29th to Dinapore. Discusses troop movements, and Outram's plans. Colonel Napier and Mr Money have joined Outram. Suggests more gun-boats for the river, manned by sailors, to help protect the coaling stations, names 12 stations. There is good news of Eyre's detachment.

3. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, on the river near Jungypore, 10 Aug 1857. Writes that Outram suggests that to send the wing of the 29th by water might delay the march of the Madras regiments up the Grand Trunk Road. The Madras troops should be accompanied by Europeans, and Sir James would rather do without the 29th than delay the march of the column up the Grand Trunk Road. Suggests an indigo planter, Mr Solano, to accompany the column. Outram wishes to have frequent news of troop movements. Grant suggests that Berhampore would be an excellent place for a European regiment Suggests the preparation of some general instructions showing the principles by which officers making strongholds in cantonments should be guided.

4. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Monghyr, 15 Aug 1857. Comments on the quiet desertion of the Irregulars at Bhaugulpore in the night. Mr Yule the Commissioner had just returned from Purneah with these Irregulars as his escort. There is a complete absence of communication of important news between the magistrates. Mr Yule says the Sontals would make good soldiers or police under the right officers. The Hill Rangers are useless. Agrees with the local officers that Captain Stewart should take over the Electric Telegraph from Mr Addley.

5. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Dinapore, 20 Aug 1857. Has received news that the Civil Officers have abandoned the Goruckpore District, and all the Gurkhas are marching from Goruckpore towards Benares on the way to Allahabad and Lucknow. This news is disastrous. Outram has explained his plan of making a sudden move upon Lucknow from Benares through Juanpore. Grant will direct Wingfield to send back two or three Gurkha regiments to protect Goruckpore, and to halt the remainder at Azimghur. Grant is alarmed for the South East Frontier of Oudh and the Bengal Districts behind them, and for the opium and indigo there. Calls attention to the absurdities and inconsistencies in Wingfield's Memorandum on the Gurkhas, and asks for him to be removed. There is a great deal of insubordination in the Central Provinces. Suggests that the officer in charge of the Gurkhas be put in direct communication with Grant. Outram is in good health. All seems satisfactory in Behar. There is no news of Havelock's second retreat. Hopes the Governor General will take the Electric Telegraph out of the hands of the Railway people, whose mismanagements is almost incredible. A report from a gentleman who was at Goruckpore says the Gurkhas' behaviour was unexceptionable, and the abandonment of the District quite unnecessary. Annexed: copy of a letter from Mr Grant to Lieutenant General Outram, Patna, 20 Aug, complaining of a deliberate breach of orders by the Civil Officer in Political charge of the Gurkhas, and by the Civil Officers of the Goruckpore District, which will have very serious consequences. Repeats the orders which were given about the Gurkhas. Wingfield seems to have had some foolish scheme for aiding Havelock and the Lucknow Garrison. Suggests measures to be taken. Has urged the removal of Wingfield, perhaps he could be replaced by Eyre, with some European Infantry and the Mountain Train. Grant will come to Dinapore to consult with Outram.

6. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, off Ghazeepore, 25 Aug 1857. Comments on the abandonment of Goruckpore. He was not told that reference had been made to Calcutta; but it seems that the officers acted before receiving a reply to their reference. Mr Wynyard seems to think that the Government of India has approved of the abandonment, but Grant does not understand the instructions in this sense. Grant take a more serious view of the loss of Goruckpore than Lord Canning; but does not think it would be advisable to send back any part of the Gurkhas now; they are all across the Gogra. Saran should be reinforced at the earliest opportunity, or the opium revenue will be lost. Outram cannot spare Eyre for the Gurkhas. Grant is sorry that Cawnpore is to be held. The Commander in Chief sends reinforcements to Havelock. Grant would recall Havelock and Neill to Benares, and then march to Lucknow only when a sufficient force was collected. Urges the necessity of safeguarding the Central Provinces.

7. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 2 Sep 1857. Reports on the situation in the Central Provinces. Mr Bird has escaped from Goruckpore. Ghazeepore is in good order, also Benares. These are the only two Districts in British hands north of the Ganges. The Gurkhas will restore the Government's authority in Azimgurh and Jounpore. Complains that Wingfield will not take any notice of what he (Grant) says. Part of Allahabad is threatened, and communications along the Grand Trunk Road may be stopped. Suggests that part of the garrison of Allahabad be allowed to undertake expeditions outside the Fort. Mirzapore is in good order, though part of the District is infected by Koer Sing. Suggests the appointment of a military officer to the Gurkhas. Suggests that the Madras Grand Trunk Road Column be kept at Benares, and the Native Infantry Regiment coming up by water be sent to defend Chuprah.

8. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 9 Sep 1857. Announces the arrival of the 1st detachment of the 90th. The Grand Trunk Road between the border and Sherghotty is disturbed, by Umeer Sing. Catania has raised a levy of 220 men, and Grant has ordered the levy of a police corps, from lower caste men who would not be available for the Bengal Army, by reason of their caste. Asks for approval. Hopes for instructions about the negotiations with Maun Sing. Grant is sure that a mistake was made in the Oudh Summary Settlement, comments.

9. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 10 Sep 1857. Sends correspondence with Mr Gubbins, and criticises Gubbins and Mr Catania for recruiting a purely native Christian levy. Hopes the Governor General approves of the line taken. Nearly 400 privates of the Madras regiment have arrived. Sends a note from General Outram who should be at Cawnpore on 11 Sep. Sends a note from Mr Tucker about the political officer with the Gurkhas; Grant believes that Mr Wingfield is the cause of every difficulty with the Gurkhas. Captain Osborne is reported to be very ill. Describes briefly the state of the Allahabad Division. Grant is anxious about the Commissariat, which does not seem to be prepared to supply the great numbers of Europeans expected in the North West Provinces. Tucker reports officially that there will be famine, already grain is at extreme prices, and people are beginning to sell their children. Carriage will also be a problem for the troops. Four papers annexed: 1. Copy of letter from Grant to Mr Gubbins, about the company of newly levied Christians raised by Catania. 2. Reply from Gubbins to Grant about the native Christians. 3. Letter from Mr Tucker to Grant, about Ross and Austell's transfer to Juanpore; also warning Grant that it will not be possible for Grant to work with Wingfield. 4. Copy of letter from General Outram to Grant describing troop movements. Dated 5 Sep 1857, Allahabad.

10. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 23 Sep 1857. Has just heard the news of the arrival of 2,000 men at Calcutta. These should suffice until the July reinforcements arrive. Sends a letter from Captain Osborne about the serious state of affairs at Rewah. Does not see how Osborne can stop the rebels. There appears to be a new group of rebels forming in Saugor and Nerbudda. There are stories of great discontent among the Madras Regiment. Nothing is known of the approach of the Naval Brigade. The Madras wing has been sent to protect Mirzapore. The remainder of the 37th Native Infantry at Gopeegunge has been disarmed. The Dinapore mutineers have turned off the old road to Delhi, and will probably be joined by the 5th Irregulars. A full European regiment with a battery and Madrasees is urgently required to operate against them from Mirzapore. If the 4,000 mutineers Osborne mentions are reinforced, Grant will need more troops than he stated. The Gurkhas have behaved splendidly, defeating the enemy after a long march. Grant is grateful to Lord Canning for placing the Gurkhas directly under him; feels they are trustworthy, and asks for 2,000 more Gurkhas. Koer Sing is said not to have joined the Nagode mutineers yet. The ladies from Nagode have arrived safely at Mirzapore. Letter annexed: from Captain Osborne, 22 Sep. He has had a long private interview with the Maharajah, who said that his chief officers would no longer obey him, and all classes except the educated believed the British Raj to be at an end and no chief will aid the British until Delhi has been retaken. It is believed that the British have no army. Osborne hopes to keep the mutineers out of Rewah; he has sent away Lieutenant Jackson as there is no point in risking his life unnecessarily. Has little news; Lieutenant Barton wrote from Sleemanabad that his corps had mutinied; the Nagode mutineers about 4,000 strong.

11. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 30 Sep 1857. States that Colonel Otter has been told by the Commander in Chief that he cannot take command at Allahabad and also retain his post as Assistant Adjutant General. The Colonel has decided to give up the Allahabad post, but as Grant considers Allahabad to be of vital importance, asks Lord Canning to mention his wish to retain Otter to Sir Colin Campbell.

12. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 8 Oct 1857. Asks Lord Canning if he should receive some Delhi princes, first cousins to the King of Delhi, who have asked to be received. Colonel O'Brien has fired his salute without waiting for Lord Canning's reply to his request.

13. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 10 Oct 1857. Sends an extract from a letter from Captain Pinkney, about the good behaviour of the Madrasees and the total unfitness for command of Brigadier Sage at Saugor. Believes the Madras troops should be sent through Rewah to the Saugor and Nerbudda Division. The news from Oudh is that a great effort is being made against Lucknow, and nearly all the Talookdars have joined the rebellion. Suggests that the route Outram first mentioned should be reconsidered. Grant hopes that Osborne has not stayed too long at Rewah. One paper annexed: extract from a letter from Captain Pinkney to Mr Grant, praising the Madrasees. Brigadier Sage, commanding at Saugor is quite unfit for command; he is crippled, has club feet and has lost the use of his legs, and can only travel in a carriage. During the fortnight Pinkney was in the Saugor Fort, Sage only left his room twice.

14. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 12 Oct 1857. Sends two letters from Captain Osborne. The news from Rewah is better. Colonel Hinde believes that the Madrasees will be sufficient to give Osborne command of the situation. Repeats his recommendation for the formation of a Madras Brigade, and suggests that Captain Pinkney be attached as Civil Officer to the Brigadier's Staff. Grant considers Rewah to be of great importance, if it declares against the British it will be followed by many other defections. Now that the mutineers have passed through, Mirzapore is settling down. It seems that a focus will be formed somewhere about Jhansi and Banda. Preparations have been made for receiving the 53rd. Copies of two letters from Osborne to Mr Tucker annexed: 1. 9 Oct, 10pm,. Osborne names the chief rebels in Rewah. He has given notice that if they and their followers are not out of Rewah by the following night, he will hang a great many of them. He is collecting all the loyal party, and has the Rajah encamped beside him. This outbreak will save the Rewah state as the Rajah sees what scoundrels he has been fostering. Osborne does not think the rebels will dare attack him now, if they do not, he will attack them. Thanks Tucker for all his kindness. 2. 10 Oct, 1pm, Osborne reports that the rebels have removed a large number of the dak horses, so Osborne's express has been returned. He can hold his own, but must have troops. He would attack if he was certain of his men. The Rajah has behaved much better than expected.

15. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 14 Oct 1857. Sends a note from Captain Osborne and copy of his reply, which he hopes will be approved. Grant considers that the Rajah's desertion of Osborne is a very bad sign. Reports progress of the Madras troops. Fears that the Oudh rebels may decide to cross the frontier into the old Provinces. Two papers annexed: 1. Letter from Osborne, 12 Oct, written partly in Greek characters (English words). He is still holding his own, thanks to the want of courage on the part of the rebels. now 300 men would keep the territory from rising, in a fortnight five times that number will be necessary. The Rajah has gone to Govingurh, having lost his courage. Osborne has received reinforcements, but doubts if they will fight. Hopes the Wing and guns have been ordered down, for he cannot hold out long. If the rebels attacked, they would get the best of it, Osborne's position is bad. The news of the fall of Delhi and Lucknow is not believed. Osborne will hold out to the last. 2. Copy of reply from Grant to Osborne, 15 Oct. The Commander in Chief and Governor General believe it would be unsafe for the 17th Madras Native Infantry to go to Rewah unsupported, so the regiment has gone to hold the Kuttra pass. They will be joined by part of the 27th Madras Native Infantry with four guns, and the troops will move into Rewah if they are strong enough. Grant suggests that Osborne should join the 17th Madras Native Infantry at the pass, as it would have a bad effect if Osborne was killed, and there is no longer any point in remaining at Rewah, the Rajah having left. This is Grant's private opinion. Asks if the Rajah would accompany Osborne.

16. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 16 Oct 1857. Apologises for the delay in answering Lord Canning's letter. Entirely approves of Sir John Lawrence's appointment, and thanks Lord Canning for the way in which he spoke on the question which would rise should Lawrence decline the post of Lieutenant Governor of the North West Provinces. Grant would work with satisfaction under any system likely to be imposed upon any part of India. He would feel mortified if he were passed over for the North West Provinces post; however Lord Canning has gratified Grant by hoping that Grant will remain on the Governor General's Council until Bengal becomes vacant. Private.

17. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 26 Oct 1857. Reports an interview with Mr Coles, Superintendent of Nagode, who has spent some days in Rewah. Grant thinks Coles' report more accurate than those of Osborne. Coles believes Rewah to be safe for a month; should it go over to the rebels, it would be followed by all the Bundelcund states. Mr Coles has seen a letter from the Rajah of Nagode to the Rajah of Rewah, urging the latter to delay rising for several months, until the British position is clear. Coles believes the Bundelcund Chiefs are in communication with the mutineers. The detachment of the 17th Madras Native Infantry has been replaced at Mirzapore by Catania's Levy.

18. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 31 Oct 1857. Reports the departure of the Commander in Chief. On his way to Benares he saw the 32nd on the march. He reported that the telegraph was only cut in one place. The Gurkhas have defeated a large body of Oudh invaders, near Chandah. Suggests a notice in the Gazette. Bijeeragoogur, one of the four small Nagode states, has risen, and the Jubbulpore road is closed. Osborne fears that Meyhar will rise. Apologises for his constant requests for troops, but Colonel Longden's arrival was not a day too soon. Fears that the Gurkhas fight in such a way, that if they do not win they will all be destroyed. The closing of the road is serious. Grant had relied on Coles' impression that all was well for a month.

19. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Benares, 10 Nov 1857. Sends letters written from Ghazeepore and a copy of his letter written to Colonel Bush in consequence. There is great uneasiness at Ghazeepore due to the presence of 1,000 sepoys, but great confidence is felt in Colonel Bush's power over his men. However Bush has been ordered to take charge of the Gurkhas and the command will devolve on Captain Robertson, in whom no-one has confidence. Suggests that the sepoys at Ghazeepore be disbanded; or failing that, some competent officer be sent to replace Bush. Four papers annexed: 1. Letter from Mr Tucker to Mr Grant, sending three letters from Ghazeepore; suggests that if the Government wants a mutiny of the 65th, they could not do better than appoint Captain Robertson to the command. There is treasure at Ghazeepore, also opium and the stud. Thinks that Colonel Bush should not be allowed to leave. 2. Letter from Mr Hamilton, Ghazeepore, objecting to Colonel Bush's transfer to the Gurkhas, suggests the 65th be sent on leave. 3. Letter from Mr Bax, Gazeepore, asking for the removal of the 65th because of Colonel Bush's transfer. 4. Copy of letter from Mr Grant to Lieutenant Colonel Bush, 10 Nov, asking him to postpone his departure from Ghazeepore for a few days, until a reply is received from Calcutta about the 65th. Confidential.

20. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Allahabad, 7 Jan 1858. Thanks Lord Canning for his letter of the 2nd, and apologises for the trouble Grant has given through Sir James Colvile. Grant finds that in transcribing his own letter he omitted the sentence with the obnoxious word, but he had forgotten this. Grant is grateful to Lord Canning for the expressions in the Minute sent, and sees the propriety of not addressing 'The Times'. Describes Brigadier Campbell's successful action near Secundra.

21. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Allahabad, 28 Jan 1858. Is delighted to hear that Lord Canning is coming to Allahabad, and offers his house.

22. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Allahabad, 31 Jan 1858. Fears that Lord Canning has not received his letter expressing his pleasure that the Governor General is coming to Allahabad. Grant has heard that Mrs Grant has arrived in Calcutta, so he will be delighted to return to his regular office. Repeats his offer of his house for Lord Canning to stay in.