Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/79

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 1876 to 1900, 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. 1801 to 1900’. 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 1877, 1883, 1884, 1887, 1888, and 1891have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’. Number 1878 is missing.

1876. April to May 1857. Letter from Ensign H Sconce, 74th Native Infantry, Delhi. Asks for a civil appointment in Assam. Copy of reply, apply to Lieutenant Governor. See also 1599, 1721, 1809, 1909, 1918.

1877. April to May 1857. Letter from Sir John Lawrence, KCB, Chief Commissioner of the Punjab, Lahore. Suggests Lieutenant Colonel Saunders Abbott, Deputy Commissioner of Hoshearpore as 1st class Deputy Commissioner in Oudh. Copy of earlier letter about this; and memorandum. Telegraph Message Sent number 64. Telegraph Message Received number 65, 101.

1879. April to May 1857. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel J Carmichael, Private Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, North West Provinces, Agra. About Lieutenant Jenkins, 44th Native Infantry. Copy of reply about this. See also 1765, 1915, 1904, 1939.

1880. May 1857. Letter from Mrs H Cheorot, Calcutta. In reply, the person for whom she asked Lady Canning's aid is Mrs Sloley. Memorandum by Lady Canning. See also 1862, 1871, 1896.

1881. April to May 1857. Letter from Major G Verner, Officiating Commissioner of Arracan, Sylhet. Asks for promotion, preferably to Moulmein.

1882. April to May 1857. Letter from Lieutenant G Heath, 33 Madras Native Infantry Singapore. Asks for civil employment in the Straits. Copy of testimonial. Copy of reply, application noted.

1883. April 1857. Letter from Captain F Willis, Her Majesty's 84th Regiment, Chinsura. The left wing of the regiment marched through Chaudernagore by mistake, and being ignorant whether such was not against precedent, states the circumstances. Governor General's Book number 430.

1884. April 1857. Letter from the Honourable B Peacock, Member of the Supreme Council, Calcutta. Returns the Private Secretary's memorandum about the Black Act; is opposed to unpaid J P's.

1885. April 1857. Letter from Mr G P Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department. Replies about Lieutenant H S V Fisher, 30th Native Infantry. See also 1830, 1860.

1886. April to May 1857. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel the Honourable R W P Curzon, Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, Simla. Asks for a staff appointment for Captain C E Taylor, 35th Madras Native Infantry. Copy of reply to Curzon about Captain Taylor, written by the Private Secretary from Barrackpore, 7 May. The disbandment of 7 companies of 34th Native Infantry was carried out on May 6th very quietly, he hopes this will be the last of it. See also 1064, 1825, 6636.

1887. May 1857. Letter from Sir Henry Lawrence K C B, Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow. Forwards with remarks 10 reports relating to secret treasonable meetings at Lucknow at the house of Mustafa Khan, the king's brother, and states that many artillerymen of the late King's service, as also others, are still unpaid, and the Government thereby tempts Providence. The townspeople are in a better humour. He is gradually getting acquainted with the most respectable of the chiefs. He is of the opinion that sepoys should never be without due proportion of Europeans and artillery and cavalry, and trusts that some of Her Majesty's Regiments ordered to China will come out to Bengal, and the sepoys be sent to China. He believes that if the King returns to Lucknow he is likely to be induced to commit himself to some rash act. One of the reports states that the 22nd Native Infantry were told that the Government, had caused a large quantity of wheat dust to be ground up with bone dust, this was to be distributed to high and low so that they all would lose their caste. Some of the troops were refusing their food. Copy of reply, the Governor General will reply himself; general remarks.

1888. April to May 1857. Letter from Mr C Polites, Agra. About his designs, for bridging the Hooghly. Copy of two letters to Colonel Baker; copies of 4 other letters about this. See also 1049, 1120, 1280, 1611.

1889. May 1857. Letter from Sahel Allum Sultan Timoor Mirza alias Sultan Fazul Moolk, Chundernagore. Asks for a reply to an earlier letter. See also 1567, 1848, 2318, 2869.

1890. April to May 1857. Letter from Captain James Flint, 38th Madras Native Infantry, Singapore. About the appointment of Superintendent of Convicts and Roads. Copy of reply, acknowledgement. See also 1585, 2152, 3045.

1890a. May 1857. Letter from Mr R Manning late Overseer of Howrah. Asks for a reply to his petition for money. 1/2 anna stamp. Copy of reply, his petition has been sent to the Public Works Department. See also 1822, 1846.

1891. February to May 1857. Letter from Captain C L Showers, Acting Political Agent, Meywar Camp, Bhurtpore. States his reasons for the delay in sending Mr Robinson's Revenues Notes; returns thanks for his appointment to Meywar; refers to the new second 5 per cent loan of 1825-6; requests the returns of the MSS on the Persian question. Copy of reply, acknowledgement, References to the Chinese question, and the mutinous 34th. See also 1115. Miscellaneous number 66.

1892. May 1857. Letter from Captain D Robertson, Officiating Superintendent of Marine, Calcutta.

Sends an amended bill for the freight of hill birds by the India General Steam Navigation Company. Copies of 3 letters about this.

1893. March 1857. Letter from Mr E C Caldwell, Combaconum. Informs the Private Secretary he has applied for an Inspectorship of schools. Copy of reply about this. See also 1531, 1566, 1723, 1773.

1894. January 1857. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel N M Durand, Calcutta. Asks to be made Resident of Hyderabad.

1895. April to May 1857. Letter from Mr D T Lonsdale, Extra Assistant Commissioner, Pegu. Submits a letter from his brother, Mr G B C Lonsdale (no longer enclosed). Four 1/2 anna stamps. Copy of reply, acknowledgement. Governor General's Book number 422.

1896. May 1857. Letter from Mr H E Braddon of Messrs Braddon and Company, Calcutta. Acknowledges the receipt of 50 Rupees, Lady Canning's donation to Mrs Sloley. Copies of 2 letters about this. See also 1862, 1871, 1880, 1897.

1897. May 1857. Letter from Mr H E Braddon, Calcutta. Replies about Mrs Sloley. Memorandum about this, by Lady Canning. See also 1862, 1871, 1880, 1896.

1898. May 1857. Letter from Mr R B Chapman, Under Secretary to the Government of India, Home Department. The after packet for the 'Nubia' owing to some misunderstanding not having been put on board at Kedgeree, the Secretary to the Chamber of Commerce asks that the Bombay Mail may be postponed for 2 days. Copy of reply, refused.

1899. May 1857. Letter from Mr R S Rice, Calcutta. Asks for money. Copy of reply, no further messenger from him will be admitted. See also 989.

1899a. May 1857. Copy of letter to Lieutenant Colonel Kennedy, 70th Native Infantry. Permitting him to graze his cattle in Barrackpore Park.

1900. May 1857. Letter from Mr E B Toussaint, Cawnpore. Asks for a letter of recommendation. Copy of reply, the Private Secretary cannot help him further. See also 845, 884, 941, 951, 1801.