Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/73

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 1726 to 1750, consisting of correspondence, relating to applications for posts and other matters. These papers were originally included in one bundle of one hundred docketed sets of papers, labelled ‘No. 18 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 1701 to 1800’. 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, Gerald Chetwynd Talbot, 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, and a brief summary of the letter. Numbers 1738, 1740a, and 1748 have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’.

1726. April 1857. Letter from Mr H Stainforth, Member of the Revenue Board, Alipore. Asks for a civil appointment for his son Lieutenant G B Stainforth, 61st Native Infantry. Copy of reply, application noted.

1727. March to April 1857. Letter from Mr W Macartney, Colombo. Having heard that a police force is shortly to be organised in India offers his services, with testimonials. Copy of reply, acknowledgement; his lack of knowledge of the language is probably insuperable. Knowledge of English among the natives outside Bengal is exceptional. See also 1441.

1728. March to April 1857. Letter from Captain John Dinsdale, 22nd Madras Native Infantry, Secunderabad. Asks for re-employment on the staff (he was removed for accepting presents). Copies of letters and testimonials. Copy of reply, refused.

1729. April 1857. Letter from Captain T H Chamberlain, 3rd European Regiment Kidderpoor. Forwards a parcel for the Governor General from Mr Raikes. Copy of reply, acknowledgement. See also 1730.

1730. March to April 1857. Letter from Mr Charles Raikes, Judge of the Sudder Dewanry Adawlut, Agra. Asks the Private Secretary to give the accompanying packet to the Governor General. Copy of reply, acknowledgement. See also 1729.

1731. March to April 1857. Letter from Baboo Mudhusuder Sircar, Writer under the Deputy Collector of Maunbhoom, Purulia. Renews his application for employment. See also 1650.

1732. April 1857. Letter from Mr H V Lillicrap, late Lieutenant Her Majesty's 8th Regiment Calcutta.

Hopes for a private interview in the future. See also 1710, 1373, 1450, 2000.

1733. April 1857. Letter from Dr Vos, Calcutta. Submits a copy of the District Charitable Society's Report (no longer enclosed). Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

1734. March to April 1857. Letter from Mr G B Seton Karr, Bombay Civil Service and Political Agent in the South Mahratta country and Collector and Magistrate of Belgaum. Applies for a political appointment under the Government of India, particularly in Baroda. Copy of reply, no vacancy.

1735. March to April 1857. Letter from Lieutenant G C Finlay, 12th Madras Native Infantry, Ellichpore. Asks for a staff appointment under special circumstances. Copy of reply, acknowledgenent, no vacancy. See also 487, 1673, 1752, 1754, 1788, 1817.

1736. April 1857. Letter from Mr C C Jackson, late Chief Commissioner of Oudh, on leave, Calcutta

Asks for an audience with the Governor General.

1737. April 1857. Reply to Lieutenant J Alban, Baroda. His application has been transferred to the Military Secretary.

1737a. April 1857. Copy of a letter to General Sir Mark Cubbon, K C B Mysore. Asking if he has any arrangement to fill the vacancy caused by Junior Assistant Commissioner Lieutenant Bruce being placed at the disposal of the Madras Government.

1738. April 1857. Letter from Mr John Lowis, Magistrate of Patna. Is surprised at the enormous bill of the India General Steam Navigation Company for shipping the birds, and is making enquiries. Copy of earlier letter, the Private Secretary is surprised at the size of the bill, and asks for particulars.

1739. April 1857. Letter from the Reverend R Henderson, junior Chaplain, St Andrews Church, Calcutta. Suggests he should officiate at Madras for the Reverend Mr Hamilton, Senior Scotch Chaplain there. Copy of reply, agreed. Also acknowledgement and draft reply.

1740. April 1857. Letter from Mr Herman Schlagintweit, Calcutta. About some drawings. Copy of reply about this.

1740a. April 1857. Copy of a private letter of the Private Secretary to the Right Reverend Bishop of Colombo. Sending Lord Canning's subscriptions to the Eton studentships at St Thomas College. The time since he last wrote has been a very anxious one, on account of the mutinous spirit of the 19th Native Infantry and of the suspected similar sentiments of two other regiments at Barrackpore. The reasons are much too long to particularise even if the Private Secretary could do so with accuracy, but one is that the troops were to use a new kind of cartridge, the paper of which is said by them to be greased with bullocks' and pigs' fat. There was some truth in this, but the men were then authorised to buy their own materials for greasing the cartridges. They next complained of the paper in which the cartridges were wrapped up, which being glazed, they said contained animal matter. The Government very patiently ordered an analysis to be made, which proved there was no oily or fatty substance in the paper. The 19th stationed at Berhampore, when ordered to ball practice, refused to receive the percussion caps served out the evening before, and in the night rushed to the place where their arms were stored, loaded some, and assembled on parade. The Colonel came up but was threatened to be shot if he came near, having ordered up a small body of native artillery and cavalry. A parley ensued, and the men retired to their lines, on the condition of the withdrawal of the cavalry and artillery. When this was reported to the Government, the Regiment was ordered to Barrackpore where the other disaffected Regiments were stationed, to be disbanded. A European Regiment was sent for from Rangoon. On the 31st the 19th marched on to the Parade ground, where they found the Major General Commanding the Presidency Division, the 84th Queens, a wing of the 53rd Queens, two batteries of Artillery, Europeans, four regiments of Native Infantry. They laid down their arms, were paid, and marched off to the Pulta Ghat on the river, which crossed and were allowed to encamp till their baggage arrived. The other Regiments suspected of disaffection saw the whole proceeding, one of them is very deeply implicated, and there may be more trouble with them. The Bishop will hardly conceive the alarm felt, even in Calcutta, and the anticipation of dreadful massacres formed, one word, even one look, might have fired the train, and God knows where it might have ended. There is disaffection deeper seated than cartridges and grease, and the Government is quietly seeking the cause. Meanwhile the crisis has passed. The Private Secretary has related this knowing the interest the Bishop feels in his old pupil; he testifies to his calm firm conduct in a trying matter, while he was advised by many to adopt sterner measures still and assured that his course would produce the bloodshed he sought to escape.

1741. April 1857. Letter from Mr J R Ward, Commissioner of Dacoity and Thuggee, Calcutta. Encloses a telegraph asking him to come to Calcutta and see the Governor General and asks what time he should call. Endorsed; immediately. Telegraph Message number 42.

1742. April 1857. Letter from Mr J Capper, Serampore. Acknowledges the Private Secretary's letter with a letter to Mr Gordon Young. Copy of earlier letter to Capper, and copy of letter to Gordon Young.

1743. April 1857. Letter from Major J Laughton, Superintending Engineer 2nd Circle, Punjab, Umballa. Applies to be Chief Engineer in the Punjab. Copy of reply, the vacancy has been filled.

1744. April 1857. Letter from Major N C Macleod, Executive Engineer 10th or Agra Division of Public Works, Calcutta. Asks for an interview, and submits a memorandum of the objects he has in his request.

1745. April 1857. Letter from Major W Jervis, 3rd Europeans, Barrackpore. Asks if anything has been decided about Dr Strong's case. 1/2 anna stamp. Copy of reply, no decision yet. See also 1276, 1536, 1572, 1593.

1746. March to April 1857. Letter from Lieutenant G H Monck Mason 74th Native Infantry, Political Agent at Jodhpur. Apologises for a letter to the Governor General.

1747. March 1857. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel H B Edwardes, Commissioner of Peshawar, Calcutta. About to leave Calcutta, asks if the Governor General wishes to see him.

1748. March to April 1857. Letter from Lieutenant G Baillie, Officiating Superintendent Roorkee Workshops, Roorkee. Acknowledges a draft being payment for the supply of cages for birds.

1749. April 1857. Letter from Captain J P Nixon, 25th Bombay Native Infantry, Assistant Agent to the Governor General Rajputana, Bhurtpore. Asks to be Officiating Political Agent at Bhurtpore. Copy of reply, no vacancy at present. See also 1785.

1750. April 1857. Letter from Mr H Thornhill, Deputy Commissioner Seetapore, Oudh. Forwards a letter from his father-in-law, Mr P Lock, asking the Private Secretary to use his influence to enable Mr Thornhill to return to the North West Provinces. Copy of reply about this.