Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/31

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 726 to 750, consisting of correspondence, relating to applications for posts and other matters. These papers were originally contained in one bundle of one hundred docketed sets of papers, labelled ‘No. 8 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 701 to 800’. Each numbered set of papers usually consists of an original letter sent to the Private Secretary to the Governor General, or to the Governor General, a copy of the reply from the Private Secretary - Humphrey de Bohun Devereux, then Gerald Chetwynd Talbot (appointed 1 August 1856) - and any other papers. In addition, for each set of papers, either on the back of the original letter, or on a separate sheet of paper, is written the number of the set of papers, the year, the name of the writer of the original letter, the official position and location of the sender, the date the letter was despatched, the date it was received, the date it was answered, any cross references to other papers, a brief summary of the letter and a note of any enclosures. Numbers 730, 737, 741, 742, 744, 746, 749, and 750 have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’. Numbers 739 and 743 are missing.

726. July to August 1856. Letter from Mr W C Plowden, Assistant Commissioner in the Punjab, Goordaspore. Asks to be appointed Officiating Assistant to the Sub-Treasurer in the place of Mr Grey, Copy of reply, application noted, no vacancy at present. See also 732.

727. July to August 1856. Letter from Major C Davidson, Resident at Baroda. About a successor to Captain Battye, Assistant Resident at Baroda. Copy of reply, Battye's leave has been extended; Governor General did not realise Davidson would be displeased. See also 530, 628, 234, 235, 259, 727, 838, 1079, 1211, 1213, 1456. Telegraph Message sent number 68, 71, 73. Telegraph Message received number 61, 64.

728. August 1856. Letter from Mr Le Geyt. Recommends Mr Thomas Powell as Deputy Registrar of Merchant Seamen. Copy of reply, decision not yet made. See also 721.

729. August 1856. Letter from Mr P Gomes, Calcutta. Asks for money, Copy of reply, declined. See also 516, 539, 706.

729a. August 1856. Copy of a letter to Major S G J Champneys, Officiating Military Auditor General, Calcutta. Asking for a corrected list similar to that enclosed.

730. August 1856. Letter from Baboo Parbutty Churn Nundy, Shambazar. Asks to be informed of the result of the memorandum of certain merchants of Hautkolla etc. submitted to the Governor General against the proceedings of the Collector of Tolls, Mr Galiffe. Copy of reply, transferred to Home Department.

731. August 1856. Letter from Baboo Chundy Churn Singa, Proprietor of Bali Training School. Submits prospectus and testimonials and asks for a donation. Copies of 2 replies, the Governor General has already subscribed. See also 745.

732. August 1856. Letter from the Hon. E Drummond, Officiating Secretary to the Government, of India, Financial Department. In reply, about Mr W C Plowmen's application to be Assistant to the Sub-Treasurer. Copy of earlier letter about this. See also 726.

733. August 1856. Letter from Lieutenant W Vincent, 49th Native Infantry, Allahabad. In reply explains why he has not been able to resign his commission. Copy of earlier letter about this; also letter about a telegraphic exchange. See also 712. Telegraph Message sent number 20. Telegraph Message received number 18a.

734. August 1856. Letter from Major R Ouseley, Calcutta. Asks for an audience to ask for a Major's pension, and to set himself right with the Governor General.

735. August 1856. Letter from Mr C Hoffnagle, Consul General for the United States, Calcutta. Encloses a letter from the Reverend Mr Caldwell of Roorkee (no longer enclosed). Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

736. August 1856. Letter from Captain CL Showers, 14th Native Infantry, Assistant to the Governor General's Agent, Rajpootana. Wishes to convey his respects to the Governor General. Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

737. August 1856. Copy of reply to the inhabitants of Calcutta. Their petition against the Collector of Tolls has been transferred to the Home Department.

738. August 1856. Letter from Lieutenant J Fullerton, 16th Native Infantry, Acting 2nd in Command, 3rd Regiment Gwalior Contingent, Gwalior. Accepts with thanks the offer of an acting Assistant Commissionership in Oudh. Copy of earlier letter, offering him this post. See also 484, 485, 1852.

740. August 1856. Letter from Sir John Lawrence, KCB (Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath) Murree. Sends a copy of Lord Canning's letter of July 24, a copy of which was not made in the Private Secretary's office. Copy of earlier letter asking for this. Copy of letter of 24 Jul marked Private: if the reports are true, there is not much hope that relations with Persia will be cleared up peaceably. The Persian force is said to be near Julk, and levying contributions from the Bawah country; if true, they are pushing eastward not only by the line of Herat, but 350 or 400 miles to the south. The Governor General may have to require 1880 or 2000 men from Lawrence, though it is still uncertain; if wanted they will have to embark at Kurrachee by 1st October. What does he know of Dost Mahomed's condition, if he is healthy he will be sent muskets to use against the Persians, but not if he is about to be succeeded by his sons and nephews. What supply of arms should be sent to the Ameer?

741. August 1856. Letter from Mr G P Edmonstone, Secretary, to the Government, of India, Foreign Department. Sends correspondence about the boundary with Siam (no longer enclosed).

742. August 1856. Letter from the Reverend J Caldwell, American Missionary, Roorkee. Asks for assistant to erect a combined chapel and school in Roorkee. Copy of reply, declined. See also 751.

744. August 1856. Letter from Major R Ouseley, retired list, Calcutta. Asks for his case to be re-considered, and to be restored to the service, or to be granted a Major's pension; would like an interview with the Governor General. Copy of reply, refusing audience.

745. August 1856. Letter from Baboo Chundy Churn Singh, Proprietor of the Bali Training School. Asks if he may wait on the Private Secretary. Copy of reply, Private Secretary now has the required information, will lay request before the Governor General. See also 731.

746. August 1856. Letter from Major W W Rickards, Political Agent at Jeypoor (Jaipur?), under suspension, Agra. Wishes to know if the papers in his case have finally passed the Council. Copy of letter to Mr Lushington about this. Copy of reply to Rickards, his papers have passed Council, and he will be sent to Bhopal.

747. August 1856. Letter from Dr R P Jeston, Civil Assistant Surgeon, Futtehpore. Asks to be appointed Assistant Surgeon to the Political Agency at Neemuch. Copy of reply, application noted. See also 766.

748. August 1856. Letter from Lieutenant F J H Helbert, Officiating Political Assistant Bundlecund Camp, Sewah. Asks to be appointed 1st Assistant to the Agent for the Governor General Central India. Copy of reply, application noted, no vacancy at present.

749. August 1856. Letter from Mr C S Hogg, Administrator General, Calcutta. Has no information about Mr John Mason as his estate is not in his office, but will communicate with Mr Samuel Mason. Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

750. August 1856. Letter from Dr G Paton, Officiating Director General of Post Offices, Calcutta. Takes exception to Mr W Vincent's appointment to the office of Inspector of Post Offices in Pegu as contrary to the rules. Copy of reply, the appointment was made in ignorance of the rules to which he referred, regrets the occurrence. See also 322.