Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/104

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 2901 to 2950 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. 30 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 2901 to 3000’. 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 2901, 2902, 2904, 2906, 2907, 2907a, 2908, 2909, 2911, 2912, 2916, 2918, 2925, 2929, 2937, 2938, 2943, 2944, 2948, and 2950 have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’.

2901. December 1857. Letter from Mr R Marriott, Civil Service, Calcutta. Sends extract from his brother's letter about Cawnpore. Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

2902. November 1857. Letter from Major W Mayhew, Deputy Adjutant General of the Army, Calcutta. Mentions the name of Major G Allan as an officer well-fitted for duty with the Gurkhas.

2904. December 1857. Letter from Mrs E Payne, General Hospital, Calcutta. Asks for information about her brother Lieutenant W W Lynch, Her Majesty's 70th Regiment doing duty with the volunteer cavalry. Copy of reply, nothing known.

2905. December 1857. Letter from Mrs Jane Rose, Calcutta. Asks for money from Lady Canning. Memorandum from Lady Canning; copy of reply sending 20 Rupees and an order for work. See also 2947.

2906. December 1857. Letter from Mrs Emma Ryves, Calcutta. Asks for information about the Punjab where her husband Major W J Ryves is, from whom she has not heard for a long time. Copy of reply, Private Secretary has no news.

2907. December 1857. Letter from Rajah Radhakant Deb Bahadoor, Calcutta. On behalf of the native inhabitants asks for a date on which the Governor General may receive a congratulatory address from the Rajah of Burdwan and other respectable inhabitants of Bengal. 3 copies of printed address and printed reply by Mr Beadon on behalf of the Governor General. Copy of reply to Rajah Radhakant Deb Bahadoor, arranging presentation of the address.

2907a. August 1857 to January 1858. Letter from Maharajah Suttees Chunder of Nuddea, and 4950 others. Send an address from the Hindus to the Governor General. 3 printed copies, with printed reply by Mr Beadon.

2908. December 1857. Letter from Mr G Couper, Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Camp Alum Bagh. On submitting to Sir James Outram the Governor General's message summoning him (Mr Couper) to Calcutta, Sir James said he had expressed a wish to the Governor General that he should remain, and that he would telegraph for further instructions. He describes the respective positions of the British and opposing forces. Asks if the Governor General would like to see some sketches by Lieutenant Mecham, 27th Madras Native Infantry. Copy of reply, he is not to come to Calcutta; the Governor General would like to see the sketches. See also 2980; Telegraph Messages Sent number 262, 272; Telegraph Messages received number 542.

2909. November to December 1857. Letter from Sir R N C Hamilton, Mateeran. Encloses a letter from Lieutenant Shakespear reporting among other things the rescue of Mrs Timins by Major Orr, the defeat of the Walayties, and the happenings at Neemuch; he can do nothing at Indore without Europeans, where Holkar only wants the appearance of support. Three European regiments more would not be too much, two letters.

2910. December 1857. Letter from Captain H Howe, Superintendent of Marine, Calcutta. Replies about Mr Chick. Copy of earlier letter asking for information. See also 2881.

2911. August to December 1857. Letter from Mr C Beadon, Calcutta. States that an official letter will be addressed to the Private Secretary about the telegraph cipher codes, which is sent herewith (no longer enclosed). Five printed papers about the secret cipher code, compiled by Sir William O'Shaughnessy.

2912. November 1857. List sent from the Adjutant General's office. List of officers of the Bombay Army employed on staff duties in the Province of Oudh before the Mutiny, two copies, one copy annotated with the present state of the officers. Three notes about Captain Evans.

2913. December 1857. Letter from Mr M Cross, Madras. States he is eligible for appointments in the Customs, Treasury and Police Departments. Copy of reply, these appointments are under the Government of Madras. See also 2772, 2773. Governor General's Book number 673, 674.

2914. December 1857. Letter from Captain H Howe, Superintendent of Marine, Calcutta. States that there is an excellent opportunity of despatching the three cases of plants which Lady Canning wishes to despatch to England by the 'Barham'. Copy of earlier letter, asking for transport; copies of two letters to R Scott Esquire, the Botanical Garden, about this. See also 2303, 2924.

2915. December 1857. Letter from Mr J S Torrens, Calcutta. Asks to know if Her Majesty's 66th Regiment is to come to Calcutta or to stay in Madras. Copy of reply, Private Secretary does not know.

2916. December 1857. Letter from Mr W Tayler, Calcutta. Asks to be notified of the result of his case in advance of the official notification. Note from Mr Beadon, that the Council are unanimous in declining to interfere with the Lieutenant Governor's order removing Mr Tayler from the Commissionership of Patna. Copy of reply to Tayler to this effect.

2917. December 1857. Letter from Major H L Thuillier, Calcutta. Sends two copies of the entrenched position at Lucknow (no longer enclosed). Copy of reply, the Governor General will be glad to have more copies.

2918. December 1857. Letter from Dr J Macpherson, Calcutta. Submits two copies of an account of the defence of Lucknow written by his brother in law Lieutenant J J M Innes of the Engineers. Copy of reply, grateful acknowledgement.

2919. December 1857. Letter from Major R R W Ellis, Political Assistant for Bundelkhand, Panna. Applies to be Political Agent attached to the force sent to Bundelkhand, in the event of such an appointment being made. Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

2920. December 1857. Letter from Mr J Goodeve, Barrister at Law, Calcutta. Applies to be Standing Counsel, with copies of testimonials. Copy of reply, application will be considered. Governor General's Book number 728, 729.

2921. December 1857. Letter from Major H L Thuillier, Calcutta. Forwards four copies of the Lucknow entrenchment plan (no longer enclosed). See also 2917.

2922. December 1857. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel R Stachey, Benares. In view of the uncertainty of his future position in the Central Provinces, applies for the vacancy in the Mint.

2923. December 1857. Letter from Mr H A Eglinton, Calcutta. Applies to be Officiating Standing Counsel. Copy of reply, his application will be considered. Governor General's Book number 728, 729.

2924. December 1857. Letter from Captain H Howe, Superintendent of Marine, Calcutta. States that Captain Parish will call upon the Private Secretary to state his readiness to take charge of the plants for Lady Canning. Copies of two letters about these. See also 2303, 2914.

2925. December 1857. Letter from Captain J P Nixon, Officiating Political Agent, Bhurtpore. Is grateful that his application to succeed Captain Monck Mason at Jodhpur will be considered; asks to be confirmed in his present appointment. He has deposed the Minister and assumed the Government, of Bhurtpore with good effect. With reference to the defeat of the rebels at Nundesore, Colonel Durand's intention of not following up the insurgents has caused displeasure for though he has cleared Holkar's dominions he has driven all the bad characters to Rajpootana. He is surprised at the Bombay Government's delay in reoccupying Neemuch. He observes with regard to Kotah that Major Benton's death has to be avenged, and that the King should be deposed for 5 years at least. He refers to the good conduct of the Thakoors at Meywar and Marwar. He suggests the permanent withdrawal of European troops from Meerut as the best punishment for the impertinent Mossulmen there. Letter from Mr Edmonstone about Captain Nixon's appointment. Copy of reply, the Governor General will not fill up permanently the Bhurtpore appointment. See also 2610, 3055, Governor General's Book number 405.

2926. December 1857. Letter from Mr C Beadon, Calcutta. The answer to the Arms Act letter from Madras shall not be sent by telegraph.

2927. December 1857. Letter from Mrs M J Macdonnel, Bancoorah. Submits a letter to Lady Canning (no longer enclosed).

2928. November 1857. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel W Anderson, Commandant of the Jodhpur Legion and Superintendent of Serohi, from Brighton. Having obtained his Lieutenant Colonelcy much sooner than he expected, asks to be retained in his present appointment; the late Sir H Lawrence had intended to suggest the separation of the Command of the Jodhpur Legion from the Political charge of Serohi and the union of Jodhpur and Serohi political appointments. Note from Mr Edmonstone, the matter has been disposed of. Private letter from 'G' to Lord Canning about Anderson's appointment.

2929. December 1857. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel Henry Aston, late of the Bombay Army, Cape of Good Hope. Sends a memorandum on 'Khutput', one of the causes of the Mutiny. Low caste men are preferable to high caste men for the Army. Cover with 4d Cape of Good Hope stamp. Copy of reply, acknowledgement. See also 2528.

2930. December 1857. Letter from Mr W Burroughs, Interpreter, Calcutta Police. Asks for a Deputy Magistracy or an Uncovenanted Assistantship anywhere. Copy of reply, apply to Lieutenant Governor of Bengal.

2931. December 1857. Letter from Mr U A Lawlor, Calcutta. Asks for an appointment in the North West Provinces; asks for an audience to prove his knowledge of the country. Two notes about Mr Lawlor, Copy of reply, refused.

2932. December 1857. Letter from Mr Atkinson. Puts forwards the name of Brigadier Showers for the appointment at Moorshedabad.

2933. December 1857. Letter from Mr A Money, Magistrate and Collector of Behar, Gya. Asks to be Governor General's Agent at Moorshedabad. Copy of reply, his application will be considered.

2934. December 1857. Letter from Lieutenant A St J Mildmay, 3rd Bombay Europeans, Bombay. Is obliged to go to England on sick leave, and thus forfeit his staff appointment under the new regulations; asks for an exception to be made, so that he may retain his appointment. Copy of reply, request refused.

2935. December 1857. Letter from Lieutenant W G Cumming, Deputy Bheel Agent and political Assistant Malwa, Mundlaisir. Asks to be made Political Agent in Nimar. Copy of reply, no vacancy at present, application noted. Governor General's Book number 195.

2936. December 1857. Letter from Mr C B Denison, Civil Service, Calcutta. Forwards a letter for the Governor General (no longer enclosed) and is leaving Calcutta for Benares. Copy of reply, acknowledgement.

2937. December 1857. Letter from Mr T Meliss, indigo planter, Purneah. Since the receipt of Private Secretary's letter 100 sailors and 50 riflemen had reached Purneah but have now been taken away by Mr Yule, leaving the station quite unprotected. The rebels at Julpigoree number 5,000, and he asks for more troops. Encloses a Government circular and a most uncivil note from Mr Balfour. Memorandum from Lord Canning, for reply. Copy of letter to Captain Raban, Private Secretary Alipore, encloses extract of Mr Meliss' letter and suggesting a warning to be given to Mr Harrington Balfour to be more courteous. Copy of reply to Mr Meliss, Mr Yule has so far been successful in protecting Purneah; there is no confirmation of the report of 5,000 of mutineers; the Yeomanry Cavalry have crossed the Ganges but no further troops can be sent at present; Mr Balfour's note will be brought to the notice of the Lieutenant Governor. See also 2669, 2735, 2742, 2769.

2938. December 1857. Letter from Mr C Beadon, Calcutta. The orders on Mr Tayler's case are not yet approved; but the Government of India will leave the re-employment of Mr Tayler entirely to the Lieutenant Governor's discretion. See also 2956.

2939. December 1857. Letter from Mr A G Macpherson, Calcutta. Applies to be made Standing Counsel. Copy of reply, his application will be considered. Governor General's Book number 728, 729.

2940. November to December 1857. Letter from Mrs A Tucker, London. Encloses a letter to Mr G S Jones to be forwarded to him. Two 6d English stamps. Copy of letter sending letter to Mr Jones, Cawnpore. Copy of reply to Mrs Tucker, her letter has been forwarded, and sympathising with her loss.

2941. November 1857. Letter from Mr H O'Grady, Galle. Forwards a packet from the Governor of Ceylon for Lieutenant Grey of the Rifles; mentions the arrival of Colonel and Mrs Baker; has obtained a grant of £200 for furniture for the Queen's House.

2942. December 1857. Letter from Mr J M F Macnamara. Warns the Government against Mr Gomeze, an assistant in the Lithographic Press; cover only. Copy of letter sending the above letter to A R Young Esquire, Bengal Office.

2943. December 1857. Letter from Mr C Beadon, Calcutta. Applies for extracts from letters which came in during Jun and July, bearing upon the indiscriminate punishment of sepoys, the burning of villages, and the free hanging of rebels. These extracts are wanted to send to England. Also extract from Major Holmes' letters on the necessity for the hanging of sepoys.

2944. November to December 1857. Letter from Brigadier C L Showers, Camp. Reports events at Neemuch, and traces the recent history of the Mohammedan movement in Central India.

2945. December 1857. Letter from Mr C W Hatch, Calcutta. Applies on behalf of Mr J D Bell, barrister at law, for the office of Standing Counsel. Copy of reply, application will be considered. See also 3226. Governor General's Book number 728, 729.

2946. December 1857. Letter from Dr J G Vos, Secretary, District Charitable Society, Calcutta. In reply about John Peter. See also 2996.

2947. December 1857. Letter from Mrs J Rose, Calcutta. Thanks Lady Canning for her donation and order for work. See also 2905.

2948. December 1857 to January 1858. Letter from Major H Hopkinson, Rangoon. Submits with remarks copy of a letter from Major Phayre wishing to return to India at once and proceed up-country; he feels Major Phayre should return to Burma. Hopkinson asks to be allowed to resume his appointment as Officiating Commissioner of the Tenasserim Provinces, and if Major Phayre has not yet arrived, Major Fytche will act during the interregnum. Note about Captain Hopkinson's appointment. Copy of reply, he will receive official orders, he is to return to Tenasserim; Private Secretary congratulates Hopkinson on his successful administration of Pegu. See also 3157, 2966.

2949. December 1857. Letter from Dr T M Lownds, Bombay. Submits a letter in support of his application to be Surgeon to the Governor General's Agent for Rajputana. See also 2720.

2950. December 1857. Letter from Dr A Campbell, Darjeeling. Has reported to Major Ramsay that the sowars of the Irregular Cavalry who were driven out of Purneah by Mr Yule, were in the Nepal Maeung, and likely to be represented to the Durbar as Government, troops. He hopes to hear news of Captain Curzon's attack upon the Dacca mutineers.