Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/88

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 2101 to 2150, 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. 22 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 2101 to 2200’. 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 2107, 2109, 2115, 2119, 2120, 2121, 2123, 2129, 2130, 2132, 2133, 2134, 2135, 2140, 2143, 2145, 2146, 2147, 2148 and 2149 have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’.

2101. June 1857. Copy of reply to Mr J Stephen, Dacca. His letter has been transferred to Mr Secretary Beadon. Note to Mr Beadon.

2102. June 1857. Letter from Mr J Rennie, Calcutta. About his brother's prospects of becoming Officiating Superintendent of Marine.

2103. June to July 1857. Letter from the Reverend A Hamilton, Calcutta. Replies about Mr T D Green, and asks if he may remove the doors of the Governor General's pew, and the Aide De Camp's pew. 2 letters. See also 1975, 2009.

2104. June 1857. Letter from Mr C M West, Pilot Service, suspended, Calcutta. Asks for money. Copy of reply, refused.

2105. June 1857. Letter from Buddonauth Ghose and Kristo Chunder Ghose, Calcutta. Ask to know the result of their petition. Copy of reply, it has been transferred to the Government of Bengal. See also 3238.

2106. June 1857. Letter from Monsieur G Casella, Sardinian Consul, Calcutta. Asks for an audience on behalf of the Commander and officers of the frigate 'Beroldo' about to leave for Moulmein. Copy of reply, granted.

2107. June 1857. Letter from Major F R Bazely, Bengal Artillery, Galle. Reports that the 'Cape of Good Hope' with 4 companies of Her Majesty's 37th Regiment left Colombo on 4 Jun to go direct to Calcutta. The 'Semiramis' shall be employed in preference to the 'Fire Queen' for reasons assigned to convey the company from Galle and the troops from Trincomalee to Calcutta.

2108. June 1857. Letter from Mr H Piddington, Calcutta. Sends 100 copies of his pamphlet on coals to the Private Secretary.

2109. May 1857. Letter from Mr D W Mitchell, Secretary to the Zoological Society of London. Acknowledges letter of March with a statement of the Himalayan birds and the account of the Tahir, remarks on the future collection of birds. The interest taken is very great. Copy of earlier letter to the Society.

2110. June to July 1857. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel C Davidson, Resident at Hyderabad. About appointments in the Commission. Copy of reply about these. The Private Secretary hopes the news of Delhi may have an effect on Hyderabad. Meanwhile the Nizam and his minister appear to be acting with exemplary fidelity. There is great distress at the news of the fall of Cawnpore, the death of Sir H Wheeler, and the treacherous massacre by the Nana Sahib. Sir Henry Lawrence was holding Lucknow bravely by the last accounts, and in daily expectation of an attack. Orr writes a good account of his men, but Private Secretary has been too fatally shown the value of protestations, he only hopes he may be right. 8 Jul. Copy of later reply, about appointments. See also 2220, 2424, 2468.

2111. July 1857. Memorandum. About Captain J Young, 4th Native Infantry.

2112. June to July 1857. Letter from Mr E B Toussaint, Howrah. Is now a beggar in Calcutta owing to the recent occurrences at Allahabad and asks for help. Copy of reply, sending 30 Rupees, and promising to remember his case. See also 1900, 2116.

2113. June 1857. Letter from Captain H P Lovell, Peninsular and Oriental Company, Calcutta. Having heard that the 'Hindoostan' may be delayed for 2 days, states that it would be most unwise, she being rather a slow vessel.

2114. June to July 1857. Letter from Mr C B Hamilton, Calcutta. Asks for money. Copy of reply, the Governor General can no longer attend to his applications. See also 696, 840, 870, 899, 1174, 1403, 1427, 1762.

2115. June 1857. Letter from Captain G V Argles, Commander, steam vessel 'James Hume', Calcutta. Has just landed from Patna 14 lacs of treasure, and asks if he will be paid more for increased risk and responsibility as was formerly allowed in time of war. Copy of reply, apply to Home Department.

2116. July 1857. Letter from Mr E B Toussaint, Howrah. Acknowledges with thanks the 30 Rupees sent to him. See also 1900, 2112.

2117. June to July 1857. Letter from Mr W P Palmer, Civil Auditor, Fort William. Transmits an appendix to the books of civil establishments under the Government of Bengal (no longer enclosed).

2118. June to September 1857. Letter from Mr R C Mignon, Colaba, Bombay, Purser and Paymaster, Indian Navy. Asks for a staff appointment. Letter of introduction. See also 2394.

2119. June to July 1857. Letter from Major H Hopkinson, Officiating Commissioner of Pegu, Rangoon. About appointments in the Commission. The local journals are making the worst use of all the absurd rumours from Bengal and disturbing the public, not to mention the chance of doing some harm to Ava; though happily the king is thinking more of his investments than anything else. There is partial disaffection among the 25th Bombay Native Infantry. He asks permission to go to Moulmein where his wife is. Copy of reply, about vacancies in the Commission. The act recently passed will empower him to suppress such journals as he considers dangerous. The measure will doubtless be very unpopular in England. Refers to the loss of Cawnpore; Sir Henry Lawrence is strong in Lucknow, and will soon be attacked. He may certainly go to Moulmein. See also 2142, 2228, 2240.

2120. June to July 1857. Letter from Captain J H Wright, 1st Madras Native Infantry, Executive Officer, Public Works Department, Midnapore. Has been told that the ex-King of Oudh received all his letters from his family in England by special messenger; if true papers of great importance could be obtained by seizing the documents brought out by the next messenger. Suggests the supply of horses to the volunteers in Calcutta. Every native in Calcutta should be required to register all the arms in his possession, and to have unregistered arms, or to sell arms to a native except on a pass, should be treason, punishable fine, imprisonment or death.

2121. June to July 1857. Letter from the Reverend G G Cuthbert, Calcutta. Forwards an address from the native Christians of Kishnaghur (cover only). Copies of 2 replies, acknowledgement, and letter from Mr Beadon.

2122. June to July 1857. Letter from Mr G F Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department. Forwards the Durbar accounts for April and May (no longer enclosed).

2123. July 1857. Letter from Mr T C Fenwick, Calcutta. Asks to be sent to the Upper Provinces to discover the true state of affairs there, the general appearance of the country and the harvest, the dispositions of the inhabitants, and above all, the cause for the distribution of the chapattis (wheaten cakes), and from whence they came. Asks for an interview. Copy of unfavourable letter about Fenwick from Mr Beadon. Copy of reply, declining.

2124. July 1857. Letter from Mr John Hanvey, Dinapore. About the imprisonment of his son. Copy of reply, apply to Home Department.

2125. July 1857. Letter from Captain J Woodley, Superintendent, State Yacht Establishment. States that it is now a year since the 'Sonamooky' was last put into dock for repairs, and painting and cleaning are now absolutely necessary. Copy of reply, put the 'Sonamooky' into dock. See also 2170.

2126. June 1857. Letter from Major G Ramsay, Resident at Nepal. Acknowledges receipt of various letters. Copy of earlier letter asking for acknowledgement.

2127. July 1857. Letter from Mr H V Lillicrap, late Lieutenant Her Majesty's 8th King's Regiment, Calcutta. Asks for a recommendation for an appointment in the Military Police Corps, Raj Mahal Hills. 2 letters. Copy of reply, the Governor General does not interfere with the Lieutenant Governor's patronage.

2129. July 1857. Letter from Mr H Piddington, Calcutta. Having heard that the Government intends to send the heavy troop ships to the Mutla, in view of the impracticability of their being safely brought in to Calcutta through the Hooghly, offers observations against such a course. Copy of reply, thanking him for his paper, and there is no intention of sending the troops to the Mutla; encloses a memorandum about the organisation of European Seamen in the House of Correction. See also 2054.

2130. July 1857. Petition from the Ryots of Koykhally, near Dum Dum. Informing against Hurrow Chunder Hazra, writer for Quarter Master A Simpson, A M of Dum Dum, who is conspiring with sepoys.

2131. June 1857. Letter from Jumma Doss, Officiating Deputy Post Master, Saugor. In reply, 2 sealed packets were forwarded to the Post Master of Bhilsa with instructions to forward them. Copy of earlier letter, sending despatches to the Lieutenant Governor North West Provinces and to Sir H Barnard, before Delhi.

2132. June 1857. Letter from Mr C Grose, Assistant in the Financial Department, Calcutta. Reports the sale of gunpowder to natives by shopkeepers. Copy of reply, acknowledgement. See also 2133.

2133. June 1857. Letter from Mr S Wauchope, Commissioner of Calcutta Police, Calcutta. About the sale of arms and ammunition amongst the natives. Copy of earlier letter, asking for information. See also 2132.

2134. June 1857. Letter from Mr S MacGowan, Moonsiff and Deputy Magistrate, Mirzapore.

Complains that his application for leave has been refused. See also 2061.

2135. June to July 1857. Letter from Prince Mahomed Ruffee Ooddun, Russapuglah. Forwards a translated copy of a proclamation dated 8 June, published by the Commanders of the rebels in a paper called the 'Doobeen' or 'Telescope'. The proclamation comes from the generals of the rebellious sepoys at Delhi and Meerut; the Europeans have conspired to convert their native sepoys into Christianity and will soon turn their attention to all their subjects. The Governor General has issued an order to distribute cartridges made of pig and cow fat, and if 10000 refuse to use them they will be blown up with cannon balls, and if 50000, they will be immediately discharged. The sepoys have made a league to preserve their religion and have left none of the British infidels alive in Delhi and Meerut. The Nabob of Delhi promises that any sepoy who obeys his orders and kills his European master will receive a salary double that of his former wages. The sepoys have acquired at Delhi and Meerut many hundred cannon and a considerable treasure. The subjects of the British must help eradicate the Christian devils from India; they should supply the sepoys with provisions, and will be paid double subsequently. Those who through fear trust the British will have no more than the Nabob of Lucknow has. The Hindus and Mahommedans must make a treaty of mutual alliance, and arrange a settlement for the future. This proclamation should be sent to every place.

2135a. July 1857. Copy of a letter to the Right Honourable the President of the Board of Control. Forwards letters received from Sir Henry Lawrence by secret despatch from Lucknow. List of addresses in Britain.

2136. July 1857. Letter from Dr A J Payne, 2nd Assistant Surgeon, Presidency General Hospital, Calcutta. Applies for the medical charge of the Mysore princes. Copy of reply, no vacancy at present.

2137. July 1857. Letter from Mr W M Williams, Surveyor Draftsman, in Calcutta. Asks for a subsistence allowance.

2138. July 1857. Letter from Mr C Sharp, Superintendent of the Barrackpore Park. Reports on the state of the Park. See also 2157, 2286.

2139. June to July 1857. Letter from the Honourable W J Lewis, Resident Councillor, Penang. Sends some Mangosteens for Lady Canning by the Steamer 'Lightning'. Copy of reply, grateful acknowledgement. Also receipt. See also 2098.

2140. July 1857. Letter from Mr W U Eddis, Manager of the Hizlabut and Syllidah Indigo concerns, Hizlabut near Commercolly. Forwards a copy of the correspondence between himself and the Joint Magistrate of Pubna on the subject of the right of the former to cause search to be made for certain Government property believed to be stolen under the peculiar circumstances stated, and begs to be informed whether Englishmen are not allowed a certain discretion at the present time, and whether he has exceeded that discretion in the case in question. See also 2183.

2141. June to July 1857. Letter from Lieutenant E R H Twyford, 22nd Madras Native Infantry, Adjutant 1st Infantry, Hyderabad Contingent, Wurungul. Applies for employment in the Oudh Commission. Copy of reply, application noted.

2142. July 1857. Letter from Mr G F Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department. Replies about Major Hopkinson's proposal to draw officers from Tenasserim and Aracan, and Captain J P Briggs' transfer to Rangoon. Note by Private Secretary. See also 2119

2143. June 1857. Anonymous letter about the quartering of soldiers daily expected from England.

2143a. July 1857. Copy of a letter to A M Dowleans Esquire. Thanking him for the information about the gas-lighting of Calcutta (apparently in operation for the first time).

2144. June to July 1857. Letter from Lieutenant W A Kerr, 24th Bombay Native Infantry, Adjutant S Mahratta Irregular Force, Sattara. Asks to be Assistant Resident at Baroda. Copy of reply, the post is not vacant.

2145. July 1857. Letter from Mr J W B Money, Barrister at Law, Calcutta. States that Issoree Persad has not yet arrived in Calcutta. He and his brothers had to pay a lac of rupees to Nana Sahib to get away from Cawnpore and on his way was robbed, and is now travelling like a common native. However Jotee Persad has a managing clerk in Calcutta who will be sent for and interrogated. Endorsed: answered privately.

2146. June to July 1857. Letter from Mr C A Shillingford, indigo planter, Purneah. States the defenceless condition of Purneah and asks for 100 European soldiers. Copy of reply, the Governor General regrets that he is unable to spare any European troops, who must be kept together at all costs. See also 2179.

2147. May to June 1857. Letter from Major Sir H W Barnard K C B. About General Anson and general comment on the situation.

2148. June to July 1857. Letter from Mr C West, Cannanore. States that if the ground floor of the Delhi Palace were dug up many wells with poison would be found. 1/2 anna stamp. See also 2166.

2149. July 1857. Letter from Mr A Speirs son of the late Colonel Speirs, Camp Jokehai. Forwards an Urdu newspaper with a translation of an article therein (newspaper no longer enclosed). See also 1993, 2058, 2253.

2150. July 1857. Letter from Lieutenant J F Sherer, 62nd Native Infantry, Adjutant Sylhet Light Infantry Battalion, Cherra Poonjee. Asks to be Commandant of the Kookie Levy and Assistant to the Superintendent of Cachar. Letter from Lord Dunkellin about this. See also 2151.