Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/83

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 1976 to 2000, 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. 20 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 1901 to 2000’. 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 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1979a, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1997, 1997a, 1998 and 1999 have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’.

1976. May 1857. Letter from Mr J D Green, Cossitollah. Forwards a petition asking for a donation to himself, with 1 enclosure. See also 2009, 2103.

1977. May 1857. Anonymous letter, Calcutta. States that there is general disaffection among the native regiments in India except the Ghurkhas and Sikhs, and suggests that a few corps of East Indians and Europeans be raised at once for the protection of the inhabitants in Calcutta.

1978. May 1857. Letter from Mr S L Blanchard, editor of the 'Hurkaru', Calcutta. Asks for a memorandum of information about the Mutiny. Copy of memorandum. Some of the Zemindars near Delhi have given protection to the Europeans who fled from there. In the neighbourhood of Meerut the Synds and Thats having been acting with the British. The confidence shown in the Government by the native chieftains has been most satisfactory. The Rajah of Gwalior has despatched his picked troops to Agra. The Rajah of Bheulpore has furnished a cavalry force, the Rajahs of Pattaila, Jheend and Rampue have done the same. In fact the Mutineers have met with no sympathy in any quarter. The native regiments at Agra, Allyghur and Moradabad are quite loyal. The Europeans regiments from Persia are daily expected at Bombay, and preparations are made for sending them round in the fastest steamer. The 'Fire Queen' and 'Cape of Good Hope' to Ceylon for troops. 20 May. See also 1963, 1964.

1979. May 1857. Letter from Mr J J Cogswell, Calcutta. Writes that his informant could not identify the sepoys who made so remarkable a communication. 2 letters. Copy of reply about this. See also 1975.

1979a. May 1857. Copy of a letter to Colonel Birch, C B. Communicating instructions for the Commander of the 'Cape of Good Hope', and about the 'Auckland'.

1980. May 1857. Letter from Mr P W Le Geyt, Calcutta. Reports the result of the meeting of the Freemasons, they passed a resolution offering their services to the Government. Copy of memorandum, previous to this meeting; copy of earlier letter to Le Geyt, asking him to try and stop the meeting as it would create excitement. See also 1967.

1981. May 1857. Letter from Captain T B White, Commanding 'Fiery Cross'. Has seen a notice in one of the daily papers that instructions have been sent to Ceylon to stop the troops on their way to China, states that at this season, the monsoon being favourable, it is unlikely that the transports will call either at Ceylon or Singapore, and suggests therefore that the only way to intercept them would be to forward instructions by the Dutch steamer from Singapore to Batavia and Angier at one of which places they would be sure to touch. Copy of reply, the Governor General is grateful for the trouble White has taken. The instructions have however been sent to the Plenipotentiary and General Commanding, known to be touching at Galle and at Singapore, before the transports reach the straits of Sunda. See also 1987.

1982. May 1857. Letter from Mr David Cowrie, Calcutta. Sends a copy of a letter the Chamber of Commerce have written to the Trade Association for submission to the Governor General. They suggest that riots are unlikely in Calcutta as the news from the North West is daily more favourable; but recommend that Europeans are enrolled to form a special constabulary. Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

1983. May 1857. Letter from Dr A Campbell, Superintendent of Darjeeling, Calcutta. Offers his services should the Government require enlistment of Gurkhas and other men of the military tribes of Nepal. Copy of reply, acknowledgement, his services may be required later. Would he inform the Governor General as to the extent to which Gurkhas could be made available for duty in the Plains of Bengal, would they retain their health there and be contented? See also 2028, 2449, 2467, 2571.

1984. May 1857. Letter from Mr C B Hamilton, Calcutta. Asks for money. Copy of reply, sending 10 Rupees.

1985. May 1857. Letter from Mr W C Hurry, Editor of the 'Englishman' Calcutta. Returns thanks for the information of yesterday, which will be highly satisfactory to the residents in the Mofussie.

1986. May 1857. Letter from Mr E C Caldwell, Combaconum. About a post the Private Secretary offered him. See also 1531, 1566, 1723, 1773, 1893.

1987. May 1857. Letter from Mr H Piddington, Calcutta. Submits a memorandum as to the best way of intercepting the troops now on their way to China. Copy of reply, grateful acknowledgement of the suggestion. See also 1981.

1988. May 1857. Letter from Mr H Piddington, Calcutta. Having heard that the troops coming up from Saugor are to be quartered in the Town Hall, offers the use of the Coroner's office. Copy of reply, acknowledgement, the troops are not to be quartered in the Town Hall.

1989. May 1857. Letter from Monsieur H Angelucci, French Consul, Calcutta. Forwards a letter to the Governor General.

1989a. May 1857. Copy of a letter to the Honourable J R Colvin, Agra. Asking him to forward a letter to the Commander-in-Chief.

1990. May 1857. Letter from Mr J R Ward, a Dacoity Commissioner, Hooghly. Submits a report on his enquiries among the disbanded sepoys of the 34th Native Infantry. The sepoys arrived at Hooghly the day they were turned out of cantonments and that afternoon held an auction of their old uniforms in the Chinsurah Bazaar, after which most of them left, leaving some 40 or 50 men who had all started by the morning of the 8th. He was unable to find out the reason for their discontent, they were surly, and unlike the 19th Native Infantry. One man said the British would find out the reason for their demonstration before long, and that then their eyes would be opened. His comrades would not let him give further information. Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

1991. May 1857. Letter from Mr R J Stevenson, Accountant General's office. Having read in the 'Hurkaru' newspaper that the names of the volunteers for the Calcutta militia are being enrolled at Government House, offers his services. Copy of reply, please give name and address to the Commissioner of the Police.

1992. May 1857. Letter from Mr Doxebhoy Pramlee, Manager to the 'Bombay Times'. Submits a bill to the Private Secretary (no longer enclosed). Draft reply about this.

1993. May to June 1857. Letter from Mr A Spiers, son of the late Colonel Spiers, Camp Jokehai. Asks for an uncovenanted appointment in Nagpore, Oudh or Pegu. Copy of reply, application noted. See also 2058, 2149, 2253.

1994. May 1857. Letter from the Reverend A Duff, Calcutta. Sends an address of the native Christian inhabitants of Calcutta showing their good feeling towards the Government. Copies of 2 memoranda about this; copy of reply, acknowledgement.

1996. May to October 1857. Letter from Dr D Macpherson, Surgeon, Madras Establishment. States his services with the Turkish Contingent, asks for a political appointment, with testimonials. Copy of reply, application noted; suitable appointment unlikely. See also 2786.

1997. May 1857. Letter from the Reverend A Duff, Calcutta. Forwards a note for submission to the Governor General an anonymous letter. Having heard that the 73rd at Dacca and the Shikawatee Battalion at Mednapore have either mutinied or shown signs of disaffection, states the route they are likely to take should they proceed toward the Presidency and suggests the advisability of sending gun boats to guard the rivers mentioned.

1997a. May 1857. Copy of a letter to W C Hurry, Editor of the 'Englishman', Calcutta. With reference to an article in the papers that the Madras Fusiliers will be sent up country in steamers; in fact only 150 men have been sent by steamer; the rest and the succeeding regiments as they arrive will be sent to Benares by bullock train and dawk, which is quicker. This is not an official announcement. Private.

1998. May 1857. Letter from Major C Davidson, Resident at Hyderabad. In reply, would not suggest any interference whatever with the Gaekwar's pecuniary embarrassments, as neither he nor his Marbarees will ever regulate the finances of the state on just and honest principles. If the Gaekwar is to be interfered with it would not be in any half and half way. Copy of earlier letter, enclosing letter from Sir Richmond Shakespear asking for advice to deal with the Gaekwar. See also 1873. Governor General's Book number 387.

1999. May 1857. Letter from Mr S L Blanchard Editor of the 'Hurkaru', Calcutta. Refers to a report that Delhi has fallen and that General Anson is assassinated, and asks to be furnished with correct information; he believes that the news about Ferozepore is true. Copy of reply, all that the Government knows about the events at Ferozepore is that the Native Infantry there mutinied. The entrenchments and magazine were safe. Many of the 57th Native Infantry were coming in and giving up their arms, but the 45th Native Infantry were being fired upon wherever found. Nothing has been heard of the fall of Delhi or the assassination of General Anson. 26 May.

2000. May 1857. Letter from Mr H V Lillicrap, late Lieutenant Her Majesty's 8th King's Regiment, Calcutta. Applies for a recommendation for employment on the East Indian Railway Company. Copy of reply, the Governor General does not interfere with such appointments. See also 1373, 1450, 1710, 1732.