Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/96

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 2501 to 2550, 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. 26 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 2501 to 2550’. 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 2501, 2502, 2507, 2509, 2511, 2512, 2514, 2516, 2518, 2518, 2520, 2523, 2526, 2527, 2528, 2529, 2530, 2531, 2534, 2535, 2538, 2539, 2542, 2543, 2544, 2546, 2547, 2548, 2549 and 2550 have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’.

2501. September 1857. Letter from Mr W P Sims, Proprietor of the Bengal 'Hurkaru', Calcutta. Disclaims an insinuation in today's 'Phoenix' that a petition is lying at his office for signature for the recall for Lord Canning. Copy of reply, acknowledgement. Note for reply.

2502. September 1857. Letter from Mr W Tayler, late Commissioner of Patna. Sends further papers about his case.

2503. September 1857. Letter from Major H E L Thuillier, Deputy Surveyor General, Calcutta. Sends 6 copies of the Military Map of India for despatch by the English Mail. See also 2513.

2504. September 1857. Letter from Colonel Birch, Calcutta. Asks for telegrams to be sent to his house instead of his office for one day.

2505. September 1857. Letter from Mr C Beadon, Calcutta. About a Council meeting. He has heard nothing about Mr T S Ricketts, who must have been killed in the entrenchments or in the boats. He had heard the good news from Delhi. See also 2507.

2506. September 1857. Letter from the Bishop of Calcutta. Thanks the Governor General for the good news from Delhi.

2507. September 1857. Letter from Mr John A Ricketts, Burrisaul. Asks for information about his brother Mr T S Ricketts, of Ricketts, Lucas and Company of Cawnpore. Copy of reply, nothing is known, but there can be no hope that Mr Ricketts escaped. See also 2505.

2508. September 1857. Letter from Captain A Cooper Key, Commander H M S 'Sans Pareil' Calcutta. Is grateful for the good news from Delhi.

2509. September 1857. Letter from Lieutenant E Clark, Deputy Commissioner Jubbulpore. Sends a letter from Major Erskine who is with the Nagpore column at Dumoh; he has heard that the Dinapore mutineers have come from Banda to Nagoda, are said to be 4,000 without guns. He has discovered a conspiracy to murder all the Europeans at Jubbulpore. 9 sepoys of the 52nd have deserted, the rest are now passive. He hopes that European troops are coming up the Kutra pass in pursuit of Koor Sing, for many are ready to rise. Copy of reply, acknowledging receipt, and enclosing a letter to Major Erskine, Commissioner and Agent to the Lieutenant Governor Saugor and Nerbudda territories.

2510. September 1857. Letter from Mr J Garrett, Officiating Deputy Post Master General, Calcutta. Asks whether a letter to Lady Stuart de Rothesay was addressed to France or England.

2511. September to October 1857. Letter from Mr D J Money, Civil Service, Extra Judge of the Sudder Dewanry Adawlut. Encloses a letter from his son of 15 Sep describing what he saw at Cawnpore; asks for information when Havelock relieves the garrison. See also 2530.

2512. September 1857. Letter from Mr F W Place, Calcutta. Congratulates the Government on the Success at Delhi; sends a rough plan of Delhi; awaits further news (plan no longer enclosed).

2513. September 1857. Letter from Major H L Thuillier, Calcutta. Returns Mr Place's rough map as being no use (map not enclosed). See also 2503.

2514. September 1857. Letter from Mrs Charlotte Hodgson, Fort William. Asks for information about Lieutenant G C and Mrs Huxham, 48th Native Infantry, who were in Lucknow. Copy of reply, nothing known at present.

2515. September 1857. Letter from Mr G P Edmonstone, Calcutta. Has heard nothing about Mr and Mrs Huxham; he awaits the receipt of a promised list from General Outram. See also 2514.

2516. September 1857. Letter from Mr E P Moore, Bengal Hurkaru Office, Calcutta. Has received a report that Dost Mahomed is marching with his Afghans upon Peshawur to join Rumbeer Singh's force from Cashmere, and asks whether the news should be suppressed. Copy of reply, the news is quite untrue.

2517. September 1857. Letter from Mr J S A H Byrne, late Customs Officer, North West Provinces Calcutta. Asks to be re-admitted to the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, 1 anna stamp. Copy of reply, application should be made to the Commanding Officer of the Corps.

2518. September to October 1857. Letter from Dr A Duff, Calcutta. Suggests that a member of the Free Church should accompany the Highland Regiments. Copy of reply, accepting offer. See also 2558, 2625a.

2519. September 1857. Letter from Mr A Ross Magistrate and Collector, Ghazeerpore. Forwards a copy of an earlier letter which was destroyed with the mail of 19 Sep from Benares by the mutineers on the Grand Trunk Road.

2520. October 1857. Letter from Mr H Piddinton, Calcutta. Submits a copy of a pamphlet about spontaneous combustion of coal on board ships. Copy of reply, grateful acknowledgement.

2521. October 1857. Letter from Mr D J Money, Extra Judge of the Sudder Court, Calcutta. Asks for his son's appointment as Private Secretary to General Outram be gazetted that he may draw his salary. Copies of 3 other letters about this.

2522. October 1857. Letter from Mr H Piddington, Calcutta. Asks to be appointed Acting Master Attendant; states his services. Copy of reply, application noted.

2523. October 1857. Letter from Captain J S Rogers, Superintendent of Marine, Calcutta. Asks for information about Lieutenant Cantor, 2nd Bengal Fusiliers, stationed before Delhi. Copy of reply, nothing known.

2524. October 1857. Letter from Mr J S A H Byrne, late of the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, Calcutta. Asks for a free passage to Allahabad, to find employment under General Havelock. 1 anna stamp. Copy of reply, the Governor General does not interfere in such matters.

2525. October 1857. Letter from Mr A Matthews, indigo planter, Calcutta. Asks the Governor General to permit his son to resign from the Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry. Letter from Colonel Birch. Copy of reply, the Governor General will await Major Richardson's report.

2526. October 1857. Letter from Mr J A Lind, Calcutta. Reports that a native will, for a reward, reveal to the Government a large amount of hidden treasure. Copy of reply, the Governor General will not move in this matter.

2527. October 1857. Letter from Mr W Tayler, late Commissioner of Patna, Calcutta. Submits a memorandum in refutation of certain misrepresentations supposed to have been made against him regarding his administration at Patna. Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

2528. August to September 1857. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel Henry Aston, late of the Bombay Army, Cape of Good Hope. Sends a memorandum on 'The Native Army', printed statement of his services, and hopes for employment. Copy of reply, acknowledgement. See also 2929.

2529October 1857. Letter from Mrs A Boilard, Calcutta. Thanks the Governor General for his donation, and trusts her petition for compensation will be considered. See also 2436, 2487.

2530. September to October 1857. Letter from Mr D I Money, Extra Judge, Sudder Court, Calcutta.

Has returned his son's note about Cawnpore as requested, for copying. Copy of a letter describing the state of Cawnpore as discovered by the relieving force and their reactions. Copy of reply, returning letter, memorandum by Canning. See also 2511.

2531. October 1857 to January 1858. Letter from The Honourable A Eden, Joint Magistrate and Deputy Collector, Baraset. Asks for information about Captain H L Evans, 17th Bombay Native Infantry, and his family. Copies of 2 replies; there is a Mrs Evans reported on the Cawnpore list; Captain Evans is alive and well, probably at Allahabad, and General Outram wants to have him back.

2532. October 1857. Letter from H Howe Esquire, Secretary late in charge of the office of the Marine Superintendent Calcutta. Submits a letter from the Secretary to the Government of Bengal testifying to the promptitude with which he had despatched a party of Europeans under the command of Lieutenant Davies for service in Assam (no longer enclosed). See also 2586, 3226.

2533. October 1857. Letter from H Howe Esquire. Applies for the acting appointment of Master Attendant.

2534. October 1857. Letter from Captain Griffith Jenkins, Calcutta. Suggests that before the 'Himalaya' is sent to the Cape for horses, enquiries should be made as to how many fit horses are available; for he believes the ships already sent may not be able to be filled.

2535. October 1857. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel R Strachey, Secretary, to the Government, Central India, Benares. States that there is a letter on the way from Cawnpore and encloses one from Colonel Durand with a message from Lord Elphinstone to the Governor General reporting the arrival of the 'Assam' from Mauritius at Bombay with 320 guns of the 4th Regiment, the departure of the 'Cleopatra' from Mauritius to Calcutta, with 500 of the 23rd Regiment, of the 'Mauritius' with 700 of the 23rd, and of H M S 'Penelope' with 200 Artillery, 50 or 60 horses, and some guns.

2536. September to October 1857. Letter from Captain CP Trower, 23rd Bengal Native Infantry, Mhow. Applies for the acting appointment of Assistant to the General Superintendent Thuggee and Dacoitee at Mhow; he has been out of employment since the mutiny of his regiment on 1 Jul; or would accept any military staff appointment. Copy of reply, there will be no acting Assistant at Mhow.

2537. September to October 1857. Letter from Captain W D Dickson, 3rd Bombay Native Infantry, Belgaum. Renews his application of Officiating Assistant General Superintendent Thuggee, at Mhow, or other named posts. Copy of reply, the Mhow vacancy will not be filled, other applications noted. See also 2344.

2538. October 1857. Letter from Major R Ramsay. Submits a letter from Brigadier Sage (no longer enclosed) from Saugor Fort dated 22 Sep; the Brigadier's Agent had sent him a letter, reporting that the Shahghur Raja had sent into Saugor Port the refugees of the late 6th Infantry Gwalior Contingent who had escaped from Lullutpore, including Captain Sale, Captain Irwin and family, and others. Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

2539. October 1857. Letter from Mr F W Place, Calcutta. Asks to be informed if any alterations are to be made at Agra, in respect of that city being the seat of Government of the North West Provinces. Copy of reply, none intended. See also 2699, 2831, 3356.

2539a. October 1857. Letter from Copy of a letter to Captain A Cooper Key, H M S 'Sans Pareil'. Sending him despatches for Ceylon and Madras.

2540. October 1857. Letter from Captain A Cooper Key, Royal Navy, H M S 'Sans Pareil' Calcutta. Recommends Mr Howe, Secretary to the Superintendent of Marine, to be Acting Master Attendant, vacant by the death of Mr Sutherland. Copy of reply, no official notification has been received of the death of Mr Sutherland. See also 2533.

2541. October 1857. Letter from the Bishop of Calcutta. Congratulates the Governor General on the triumph of British forces at Delhi and Lucknow, and thanks the Private Secretary for sending him the news.

2542. October 1857. Letter from Lieutenant G V Malleson, Officiating Assistant Military Auditor General, Calcutta. Submits a printed document received from Mrs Knyvett, the wife of Colonel Knyvett of 38th Light Infantry, containing an account of the escape of her husband and others from Delhi written by Lieutenant Gambier. Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

2543. September to October 1857. Letter from The Right Honourable Lord Elphinstone, Governor of Bombay. Acknowledges receipt of earlier letters; anticipates the fall of Delhi and the relief of Lucknow; is glad that the horse suits the Private Secretary ; hopes the 'Penelope' has arrived. 2 regiments have been sent to Bombay, the 89th has arrived and has been forwarded to Ahmedabad and Deera to enable General Roberts to send on the 200 men of the 85th who are divided between Ahmedabad and Deera. The 95th will go to Kurachee on arrival. Copies of 3 earlier letters to Lord Elphinstone. Governor General's Book No. 556.

2544. October 1857. Letter from Mr R Eames, Calcutta. Asks for information about Captain Hicks, late 22nd Native Infantry who was with General Havelock's force. Note from Colonel Birch. Copy of reply, nothing known.

2545. October 1857. Letter from Mr J S A H Byrne, Calcutta. Asks for the loan of 40 Rupees. anna stamp. Copy of reply, refused.

2546. September to October 1857. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel H M Durand, Mhow. Reports that Sir R Hamilton is expected at Mhow by the end of Sep or early Oct and he will then make over charge to him, and return to Calcutta via Bombay unless he receives other instructions., This acting appointment has been a very unfortunate one, as Sir R Hamilton without sharing in the difficulties, will come in for the credit of restoring order in Central India; he does not consider Captains Hungerford, Elliot, Hutchinson etc deserved any praise from Government. He deplores the irreparable loss of the death of his wife, from the effects of their retreat from Indore.

2547. October 1857. Letter from Captain A Cooper Key, the 'Sans Pareil', Calcutta. Sends a copy of his letter to the Commander of the 'Himalaya' directing him to hold that vessel in readiness to go to Simon's Bay at the Cape of Good Hope to convey horses from there to Calcutta; to fit out the vessel; and to avoid Mauritius where there is no coal.

2548. September to October 1857. Letter from Lieutenant C G Gwynne Philipps, 5th Madras Native Infantry Berhampore, Ganjam. Asks for information about his cousin Captain E Garnons Hughes, 57th Bengal Native Infantry, 2nd in command of the 4th Oudh Irregular Infantry, reported murdered near Lucknow by his men. Copy of reply, nothing known. Note about this.

2549. October 1857. Letter from Mrs C Cantor, Calcutta. Asks for information about Brigadier Gray, late in Command of the Oudh Irregular Force, Lucknow, and Captain J W Sanders, late 41st Native Infantry at Seetapore. Copy of reply, nothing known. See also 2382.

2550. October 1857. Letter from Mr Pierce Taylor, Civil and Sessions Judge of Bancorrah. Contradicts the report in the Englishman that he had appealed to the Court of Directors against the decision of the Government of India in not protecting him against the act of the Lieutenant Governor which deprived him of his promotion. Copy of reply, acknowledgment.