Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/90

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 2201 to 2250a, 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. 23 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 2201 to 2300’. 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 2201, 2205, 2207, 2208, 2212, 2213, 2215, 2216, 2217, 2225, 2230, 2232, 2233, 2234, 2235, 2236, 2237, 2238, 2239, 2240, 2241, 2242, 2243, 2244, 2247, 2248 and 2249 have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’.

2201. May 1857. Letter from Colonel H M Durand, Governor General's Agent for Central India, Indore. Has heard of the mutiny and thinks the sepoys will rebel wherever they think it is safe. General Ashburnham is trying to obtain troops from the returning forces in Persia, and Dur.

2202. March 1857. Letter from the Honourable P J Halliday, Darjeeling about uncovenanted appointments.

2203. July 1857. Letter from Major C Davidson, Resident at Hyderabad. Suggests Mr Worden as an extra Assistant in the Hyderabad Assigned Districts. Copy of reply, this agreed to Private Secretary. Congratulates Davidson on repulsing the attack on Hyderabad.

2204. July to September 1857. Letter from Captain W D Dickson, 3rd Bombay Native Infantry, Belgaum. Applies for a staff appointment, mentioning the Thuggee and Dacoity Department. Copy of reply, enquiries are being made. See also 2344.

2205. 1857. Extract of a letter from Mr R F Larmour to Mr F A Goodenough. Respecting the necessity of disarming the native population.

2206. July 1857. Letter from Mr C Sharp, Superintendent of the Park, Barrackpore. Reports the death of a deer, probably poisoned.

2207. July 1857. Letter from Mr W K Loftus, Calcutta. Submits a scheme for crossing rivers in the North West Provinces on sheep-skin rafts. Copy of reply, grateful acknowledgement.

2208. July 1857. Letter from the Honourable J P Grant, Calcutta. Sends an extract from 'The Times' about the sailing of the King's Own (4th) in the 'Lord Raglan' for Mauritius, 728 rank and file; and also about the troopship 'Belleisle' at Plymouth, with the 93rd Highlanders for service in China.

2210. July 1857. Letter from Mr J S A H Byrne, Calcutta. Regrets that he is not yet appointed Lieutenant in the Calcutta Yeomanry Corps. See also 2191.

2212. July 1857. Letter from Captain P Chapman, Calcutta. About the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, he already has 134 applications. Copy of reply, asking him to call on the Governor General.

2213. June 1857. Letter from Brigadier General G St P Lawrence, Officiating Agent for the Governor General Rajpootana, Beawr. Forwards the following documents, and reports that Colonel Dixon, Commissioner of Ajmere died on 25 Jun and that Brigadier General Lawrence assumed charge. 1. Telegraph Message from Chief Commissioner of the Punjab to Commander in Chief, despatched Lahore, 13 Jun, about reinforcement for Delhi. 2. Lieutenant H H Greathead, to the Honourable J R Colvin, despatched Delhi, 16 Jun, the plan of operation against Delhi is abandoned until reinforcements arrive. 3. Lieutenant H H Greathead to the Honourable J R Colvin, despatched 16 Jun, explains who refused to attack Delhi and why. 4. The Honourable J R Colvin to Captain Nixon, despatched Agra, 22 Jun, requests him to transmit some papers to the Governor General. 5. The Honourable J R Colvin to Brigadier General G H P Lawrence, despatched Agra, 23 Jun, encloses copies of letters to and from Captain Dennys about his Contingent. Also reports the news received from Sir Henry Lawrence at Lucknow. 6. The Honourable J R Colvin to Captain Nixon, despatched Agra, 23 Jun, sending a copy of a letter from Captain Hardcastle about the Tonk mutineers, and reports the news received from Sir Henry Lawrence. 7. Lieutenant H H Greathead, to Magistrate of Alipore and Lieutenant Governor North West Provinces, Agra, 17 Jun, their position before Delhi has been attacked 6 times, and repulsed with serious losses. They will not attack Delhi until they receive reinforcements. 8. Mr G H Lawrence, to his father Brigadier General G St P Lawrence, despatched Lucknow, 12 Jun, about the state of Lucknow. Also letter from Sir Henry Lawrence, 12 Jun, to his brother George; asks him to look after his children if he is killed, and to make sure that if anything is written about him, it is the truth. Copies. 9. Captain E Hardcastle to Mr Thornhill, despatched Jeypoor, 20 Jun, about the Neemuch mutineers. If the Kerowlee Rajah joins Hardcastle he hopes to be able to destroy the rebels. 10. Brigadier General G St P Lawrence, to Mr Thornhill, despatched Museerabad, 18 Jun, about the state of Tonk, where the Nawab's troops with 8 guns had joined the rebels, and were to march on Agra, where they expected reinforcements.

2214. May to September 1857. Letter from Lieutenant H P Dakeyne, 22 Madras Native Infantry, Secunderabad. Encloses a letter from the Duke of Newcastle (no longer enclosed). Copy of reply, acknowledgement. See also 2035 2431.

2215. July 1857. Letter from Mr J W B Money, Barrister at Law, Calcutta. States the result of his conversation with Lolla Jotee Persaud's head man about the despatch of a messenger to Delhi. See also 2145.

2216. July 1857. Letter from the Honourable P J Halliday, Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, Alipore. Has received the message, martial law will be proclaimed at once.

2217. July 1857. Letter from the Honourable E A Blundell, Governor of the Straits Settlements, Singapore. About the despatch of troops to Calcutta, in addition to those on their way to China; whilst the Governor General expects to receive the troops on board the 'Transit', Lord Elgin and General Ashburnham gave orders only for the 'Simoon' and 'Himalaya'. Under the circumstances he was detaining the 'Transit' until the arrival of the next China mail. 2 copies earlier letter about this, 24 June.

2218. July 1857. Letter from the Reverend Arthur Hamilton, Senior Chaplain, St John's Church, Calcutta. Sends a subscription book and two pamphlets. Copy of reply, sending 100 Rupees towards the Scripture Reader at St John's. See also 2302.

2220. July 1857. Letter from Captain J B Knocker, Calcutta. Encloses a letter from Major Davidson, denies that there are too many absentees on staff employ from 40 Native Infantry.

2221. July 1857. Letter from Mr P Achille, late of the Sardinian frigate 'Beroldi' Calcutta. Asks for money. See also 2222, 2223.

2222. July 1857. Letter from Mr Chevalier Casella, Sardinian Consul, Calcutta. Replies about P Achille, believes he is a deserter. Copy of earlier letter asking for information. See also 2221, 2223.

2223. July 1857. Letter from Mr C Casella, Sardinian Consul. Reports that 'P Achille' is a deserter, Marine Felice Luber. Copy of earlier letter about this See also 2221, 2222.

2224. July 1857. Letter from Mr H E Wallace, Post Master, Benares. Encloses a receipt for a letter from the Governor General to the Lieutenant Governor Agra.

2225. July 1857. Letter from Mr Dudley Smith, Calcutta. Has received a letter from Mr W Cooke of Bustee, Goruckpore, who is very anxious that the good conduct of the Ranee of Bustee should be brought to the notice of the Government.

2226. June to August 1857. Letter from Mr M F Crisp, Moulmein. Encloses a letter for the Governor General urging him to take bolder measures, 2 anna stamp. Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

2227. July to August 1857. Letter from Lieutenant B Wyld, 3rd Madras European Regiment and Executive Engineer, Moulmein. Asks to be made 2nd Assistant at Moulmein; he would like to reach his regiment and strike a blow for the Empire, but it is difficult to reach Hyderabad. Copies of 2 replies about this. Note from Mr Edmonstone and Private Secretary.

2228. July to August 1857. Letter from Major A Fytche, Officiating Commissioner, Tenasserim and Martaban Provinces, Moulmein. About appointments in the Commission. Copy of reply about this. See also 2119, 2142, 2240.

2229. July to August 1857. Letter from Mr Charles Phillips, Head Clerk, Pegu Commissioner's Office, Rangoon. Asks again to be extra Assistant Commissioner at Prome. See also 2012.

2230. July 1857. Letter from Mr F C Chapman, Calcutta. Sends 7 papers connected with the raising of the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry including draft of General Order.

2231. July 1857. Memorial of G F Brown, a civil servant of the East India Company. Claims he was wrongfully removed from his post as Commissioner of the Bhagulpoor Division. Printed.

2232. July 1857. Letter from Colonel W E Baker, Secretary to the Government, Public Works Department, Calcutta. Colonel W E Baker, Secretary, to the Government Public Works Department, Calcutta, 19 Jul, states the absolute necessity for a European guard at Government House.

2233. July 1857. Translation of a letter from an unknown, Lucknow. To his son Rahul Khan, describing the state of Lucknow.

2234. June 1857. Copy of a letter from Captain Nixon, Assistant Agent to the Governor General, Bhurtpoor, to Brigadier General Lawrence. Reporting news just come from Delhi, dated 24 Jun. The mutineers made another attack on the evening of the 23rd; Chamberlain had arrived in Camp. Affairs at Bhurtpoor are very bad, Nixon and Morrison will have to leave. 30 sowars of the Neemuch mutineers arrived on 28 Jun and no effect was made by the Sirdars to drive them off. The Bhurtpoor army will not fight.

2235. July 1857. Letter from Major Holmes of Segowla. Sends 4 papers in a case about 2 sowars in his regiment, for whom he wishes a pardon.

2236. July 1857. Letter from Captain J Stephens, Indian Navy, Commanding Honourable Company's Steam frigate 'Zenobia', Calcutta. Reports that Honourable Company's Steam frigates 'Auckland' and 'Punjaub' will proceed to Madras as ordered.

2237. July 1857. Letter from Colonel H M Durand, Hashungabad. Encloses 2 extras of the Moffussilite newspaper, including a list of officers killed in Gwalior.

2238. July 1857. Letter from Mr C Beadon, Secretary to the Government House Department, Calcutta. Forwards overland bulletins received by express. It is very disappointing to find that 2 May mail had not reached England before this mail left. 2 bulletins containing European news. Note by Private Secretary.

2239. July 1857. Letter from Major L H Hamilton, Alipore. Asks if the Lieutenant Governor may give publicity to the list of stations which are to be guarded. Copy of reply, no objection, except that the strength should not be given.

2240. July to August 1857. Letter from Major H Hopkinson, Officiating Commissioner of Pegu, Rangoon. About convicts at Moulmein. At present in Rangoon and Pegu all is quiet, he does not think the Burmese will attempt anything during the rains, but if the Europeans troops are not replaced by 15 Oct they may do some mischief. It is fortunate that the King regards the death of his white elephant a bad omen, and that he is thoroughly immersed in the building of his city, but it is necessary to be on guard, and the country must not be left to Madras troops. Copy of reply, about appointments in the Commission. See also 2119, 2142, 2228.

2241. July to August 1857. Letter from Mr H Stainforth, Civil Service, Calcutta. Sends an extract from a letter about the mutiny of the Dinapore regiments.

2242. July to August 1857. Letter from Mr H Stainforth, Calcutta. Has heard from Mr Grant of Messrs Gladstone Wyllie and Company that a native had received a letter from Cawnpore of 29 Jun that the Sahib Logue were still alive, but had had many casualties.

2243. August 1857. Letter from Mr C Beadon, Calcutta. About Mrs Macdonall's application to go to Dinapore; there is a prohibition on ladies going up country in the Government steamers.

2244. June to August 1857. Letter from Mr C Beadon, Calcutta. Encloses a memorandum from Dr Duff on the defenceless points of Calcutta. See also 2093, 2094.

2245. August 1857. Letter from Mr A Grote, Alipore. Sends an orchid for Lady Canning, and asks if the Himalayan birds arrived in England.

2246. July 1857. Letter from Messrs G C Hay and Company, United Service Library, Calcutta. Forwards their monthly circular.

2247. July to August 1857. Letter from Mr J Clint, Calcutta. States that a rumour is afloat in Calcutta among the natives that an uprising (about the hour of prayer by the Mohammedans on the day of their Buckerred) will be preceded by a preliminary move of some kind in the fort, and the troopers' line at Ballgunge. He believes that the Bodyguard are not trustworthy. Copy of private letter of Private Secretary sending note to Lieutenant Colonel O'Cavenagh Fort William; copy of grateful acknowledgement to Clint; memorandum about Clint; copy of further letter from Clint, Kishnaghur, that he had not sent any letter to the Governor General.

2248. July to August 1857. Letter from Mr W S Atkinson, La Martiniere, Calcutta. Asks about the case of his cousin Lieutenant W S R Hodson, now acting Commandant of the Guides. Copy of reply about this.

2249. August 1857. Letter from Mr E B Judge, Calcutta. Remonstrates against the order of Colonel Saunders directing Judge's brother Lieutenant C N Judge to proceed to Cawnpore at such a time. Copy of reply, he should apply to the Secretary, to the Commander in Chief for further information.

2250. August 1857. Letter from Mr C H Medley, Calcutta. Asks for employment in the Private Secretary's office. Copy of reply, there is no vacancy.

2250a. August 1857. Copy of a letter to Mrs O'Donnell, Calcutta. The Private Secretary cannot interfere in the matter of her application.