Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/87

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 2076 to 2100, 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. 21 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 2001 to 2100’. 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 2076, 2078, 2081, 2082, 2084, 2085, 2088, 2089, 2090, 2092, 2093, 2094, 2095 and 2099a have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’. Numbers 2080 and 2081 are missing.

2076. June 1857. Letter from the Honourable Sir J W Colvile, Calcutta. Introduces Messrs Paul and Carruthers, who have information of interest. Copy of letter to Mr Carruthers which enclosed a translation of a letter he brought to the Private Secretary.

2077. June 1857. Letter from Captain H P Lovell, Agent and Marine Superintendent in Peninsular and Oriental Office, Calcutta. Has received the Private Secretary's letter and signed the receipt and the steamer 'Bengal' will be detained until morning of 21 June in accordance with the Governor General's wishes. Copies of 2 letters asking for the steamer to be delayed, for despatches of the most urgent importance.

2078. April 1857. Letter from Colonel C G Dixon, Commanding the Mhairwarrah Battalion and Commissioner of Ajmere. Submits Lieutenant Carnell's report as to whether or not the Mairs are likely to enlist for general service, and to offer his services in the event of Government raising a Mair Corps, to be constituted of 2/3 Mairs and Mairots, and 1/3 Hindustani.

2079. April 1857. Letter from Dr T Thomson, Superintendent of the Honourable Company's Botanic Garden, Darjeeling. Has heard that the Rajah of Sikkim would be glad to resign his dominions in consideration of a moderate pension. States the advantages of such a possession. Endorsed by Canning: this may come up again in quiet times.

2082. April to June 1857. Letter from the Honourable E A Blundell, Singapore. Reports that all continues quiet at Penang and Singapore, with other news.

2083. May to June 1857. Letter from General Sir Mark Cubbon K C B, Commissioner of Mysore, Nundydroog. About appointment in Mysore. Everything is tranquil in Mysore in spite of the seditious agency of the Press for years past in stirring up the native troops and inhabitants to mutiny and revolt. See also 2062.

2084. June 1857. Letter from Captain B D W Ramsay, Brigade Major, Queen's Troops, Fort William. Various complaints, the 39th was sent to Barrackpore without a guide or water carriers, and his office was not warned of the despatch of the regiment.

2085. June 1857. Letter from Lieutenant P S Stewart, Officiating Superintendent Electric Telegraph in India, Calcutta. Reports that telegraphic communication with Rajmahal, Bhangulpore, Monghyr and Patna has been reopened. The submerged cable in the Hooghly River has been repaired, and the offices above named as well as those at Raneegunge, Bagoda, Sheerghotty, Benares and Mirzapore are in direct communication with the Calcutta office. An Inspector with the necessary stores and implements for repairing portions of the Allahabad line left Benares on 15 Jun with 200 European troops for Allahabad.

2086. June 1857. Letter from Peter Gabriel, a poor blind man, Calcutta. Asks for money.

2087. June 1857. Letter from Messrs Saunders, Cones and Company, proprietors of the 'Phoenix' newspaper, Calcutta. Complains that the news of the death of Sir Norman Leslie in the Southal Country was communicated to the 'Englishman' and 'Hurkaru', but not to the 'Phoenix' and similarly some very cheering news about Lucknow and Cawnpore; the 'Phoenix' wishes to be similarly supplied with news.

2088. June 1857. Letter from Mr D W Taylor, Assistant, Calcutta Mint. Submits further information from the Brahmin Faqueer, that the friendly offers of the several native Rajahs are not sincere, that their object is simply to be near the British camp to be able to take the first opportunity to rise against them. See also 2065.

2089. June 1857. Letter from Mr St G Tucker, Magistrate and Collector of Mirzapore. States that all is well as yet to the south of Ganges and south of the Grand Trunk Road. To the north great anarchy and confusion prevails. Recommends that the 600 horsemen, 500 foot and 5 guns belonging to the Rajah of Rewah expected shortly at Mirzapore should at once move to Jounpore to secure the Grand Trunk Road. He has made arrangements for connecting Benares and Allahabad by a line of Dak runners. The Sikhs are very staunch.

2090. June 1857. Letter from Mr H Piddington, Coroner, Calcutta. Forwards printed notes on the best way of obtaining the maximum efficiency possible from Burdwan coal (as compared with English coal) used in steamers. Copy of reply, a steamer is going to Bombay on 27 Jun and the Governor General would like to put on board as many copies of the pamphlet as may be ready.

2091. June to July 1857. Letter from Cowar Kalle Kishun Roy, Chitpoor. Offers his services, and wishes to enrol as a special constable. Copy of reply, please apply to the Government of Bengal. Note from Mr Beadon.

2092. June 1857. Letter from Mr John Clint, Calcutta. States that a rumour is current that a plan is being laid to kidnap Lord Canning whilst he is out driving.

2093. June 1857. Letter from Captain M J Turnbull, Army Clothing Agent, 2nd Division, Fort William. Has given orders to ensure Dr Duff's safety. Copy of earlier letter, Dr Duff has complained of the unprotected state of his quarter. See also 2094.

2094. June 1857. Letter from the Reverend Dr A Duff, Calcutta. Returns thanks for the Private Secretary's letter stating that the European portion of the Patrol would protect his quarter of the town. Copies of 3 other letters about this. See also 2093, 2244

2095. June 1857. Letter from Mr A R Young, Officiating Secretary to the Government of Bengal. With reference to the Private Secretary's note, sends a letter from the Magistrate of Moorshedabad in testimony of the loyalty of the Nawab.

2096. June 1857. Letter from Lieutenant P H F Harris, 70th Native Infantry, Barrackpore. Asks the Governor General's permission for Captain Carstin, Lieutenant Grierson and himself to fish in the tanks in the Park at Barrackpore. Copy of reply, granted.

2097. June 1857. Letter from Mr J Rennie, Calcutta. Asks for information about his brother. See also 2049, 2064.

2098. June 1857. Letter from the Honourable W J Lewis, Resident Councillor, Penang. Forwards per Honourable Company's Steamer 'Auckland' 6 baskets of Mangosteens for Lady Canning. Copy of reply, grateful acknowledgement.

2098a. June 1857. Copy of a letter to the Post Master of Saugor. Asking him to ensure safe and quick delivery of the accompanying despatches to the Lieutenant Governor North West Provinces and to Sir H Barnard, before Delhi.

2099. June 1857. Letter from Messrs Gillanders, Arbuthnot and Company, Calcutta. Acknowledges a letter, forwarded in a packet from Sir Henry Lawrence to the Governor General. Copy of earlier letter, forwarding enclosure.

2099a. June 1857. Copy of a letter to G F Edmonstone Esquire. Communicating the Governor General's regret at his inability to spare any troops for Central India. All the available force must be directed to those points which are of the first political and military importance.

2100. June 1857. Letter from Mr W J Browne, Head Assistant in charge of Electric Telegraph Office, Calcutta. In reply, states that the interruption between Burdwan and Rajmahal does not in any manner interfere with telegraphic communications with Allahabad. Copy of earlier letter asking for this information.