Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/112

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 3301 to 3350, 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. 34 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 3301 to 3400’. 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 3301, 3305, 3307, 3308, 3309, 3311, 3313, 3319, 3321, 3325, 3328, 3329, 3330, 3331, 3335, 3338, 3339, 3340, 3343, 3346, 3347, 3349, and 3350 have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’.

3301. July 1857. Letter from Colonel H M Durand. Offers a few remarks in controversion of Lord Ellenborough's attack on the Governor General for his contributions to Christian institutions. Reports particulars of their retreat from Indore, and attributes this to the treachery and cowardice of the Bhopal and Mehedpur contingents, and to the unfortunate delay in General Woodburn's advance. The Mhow troops are said to have risen almost simultaneously, and the lives of the European officers and their families have been saved by the battery of European Artillery there. He hopes to relieve the Mhow Fort with the aid of General Woodburn's column. The 23rd Native Infantry and 1st Cavalry went to Indore, and thence towards Delhi, after plundering the treasury, with Golkar's troops. Endorsed: received 1858 in office.

3302. March 1858. Letter from F Adams Esquire, Calcutta. Asks for employment, mentions some appointments. Copy of reply, apply to Lieutenant Governor of Bengal. See also 2766, 2880.

3303. March 1858. Letter from Hugh Sandeman Esquire, Allahabad. Applies for a post in the Financial Department. Copy of reply, application noted. See also 3284.

3304. March 1858. Letter from The Head Assistant in charge, Electric Telegraph Office. Submits an explanation for the delay in sending the message relating to the wreck of the 'Ava' steamer off the coast of Ceylon. Draft of earlier letter.

3305. February 1858. Letter from Sir R N C Hamilton, Saugor. Reports the force is detained at Saugor, he does not know how long or why. Sends some money.

3305a. August 1857. Copy of a letter to Lieutenant R Mignon, Indian Navy. Telling him that he will obtain information about the movements of the Honourable Company's Ship 'Punjab' at the Home Office.

3306. February to March 1858. Letter from The Venerable J H Pratt, Archdeacon of Calcutta. Recommends the Reverend M Nicolson to be appointed as Chaplain at Allahabad. The unhealthiness of Aracan has tended to increase the illness of Mrs Nicholson and he hopes she may be permitted to accompany her husband to Allahabad. Copy of reply, Mr Nicholson will be appointed; but it is so unsafe for a lady to go up-country, perhaps his appointment may be postponed until matters are more settled in Oudh.

3307. February 1858. Letter from Lieutenant Osborne, Camp, Myhere, Rewah. Returns thanks for having the destruction of the guns left in his hands. The Governor General's plan would afford the Rajah and his Sirdars great pleasure. He would not advise the Rajah's leaving his territories for Allahabad with the guns. He has asked General Whitlock to march to Dumoh via Myhere and Nagode for effect. He wishes the Myhere Fort to be dismantled. Copy of reply, Governor General approves of his abstaining from encouraging the Rajah bringing his guns to Allahabad.

3308. February to March 1858. Letter from Sir John Lawrence, Camp, Delhi. Compares the services and claims of Lieutenant Bond and Mr Ward, would not wish Mr Bond to be superseded, but that Mr Ward might continue to do duty for which he would receive staff pay. Copy of earlier letter asking for information about Lieutenant Ward, late 5th Native Infantry now with the Guides, the son of Sir H G Ward, Governor of Ceylon. Memorandum about Lieutenant Ward. Copy of reply, Lawrence's suggestion will be followed.

3309. February 1858. Letter from Mr Beadon. In reply about the cipher message from Lord Harris, the 'Semiramis' will be ready for Lady Canning. Forwards a telegram from Sir J Lawrence from Loodiana, and mentions his own anxiety to know Sir John's determination in regard to the Government of the North West Province. Complains of want of news from Allahabad; he did not receive the telegraph from Mr Edmonstone.

3310. February to March 1858. Letter from Captain A H Hope, Madras Artillery, Fort St George. Applies by telegraph for the appointment of Military Secretary to the Commissioner in Mysore. Note from Mr Edmonstone about this. Copy of reply, the Governor General is surprised to receive an application for an office so purely personal, and one on which the recommendation of the Chief Commissioner should so obviously be awaited. See also 3436.

3311. March 1858. Letter from Captain T Rattray, Camp, Sasseram. Forwards the answers of Subadar Hidayut Ali to the 2 questions put to him by the Governor General.

3312. March 1858. Letter from Lord H Ulick Browne, Calcutta. He has done what is necessary about Brigadier MacKenzie's appointment. Asks to be permanently appointed as Under Secretary to the Government of India Foreign Department if Mr Simson is appointed to Oudh. Copy of earlier letter. Copy of reply, application noted. See also 2074. Governor General's Book number 886.

3313. March 1858. Letter from Lieutenant Willoughby Osborne, Rewah. Wishes to know if he will remain permanently at Rewah, and should finish building a house and Treasury. Copy of reply, it is very likely that there will be a Residency at Rewah; he is at liberty to collect timber, to prevent delay, but should only incur absolutely necessary expense.

3314. March 1858. Copy of reply to Lieutenant W A Kerr, Acting Commandant, Southern Maharatta Horse, Bijapur. His application has been transferred to the Military Secretary.

3315. March 1858. Letter from Major F D Atkinson, Officiating Secretary Military Department, Calcutta. In reply about Mr I C Imbert of his office. See also 3228.

3316. March 1858. Letter from Mr Sharp, Barrackpore Park. Further to the escape of the deer. See also 3153, 3269.

3317. March 1858. Letter from W R Baillie Esquire, Superintendent of the Office of the late Government, Central Provinces, Allahabad. Applies for an appointment in the Lucknow administration or elsewhere. Copy of reply: application noted. North West Province. See also 273.

3318. 1858. Letter from H C Wake Esquire, Civil Service, Assistant Magistrate and Collector in charge of the sub-division of Sasseram. Believes a letter to him from the Private Secretary may have been lost.

3319. March 1858. Letter from G Paton Esquire, Post Master General, North West Provinces, Allahabad. In reply, considers the mail route to Bombay via Mungowah [Mungwa?] quite safe. Encloses a memorandum showing the speed at which mail to and from Bombay travels. Will reduce the number of stages and increase the number of runners, with a view to accomplish the 75 miles in 12 or 13 hours, instead of 17. Will have carts between Mungowah and Jubbulpore as there were before the Mutiny. Reports on the road between Agra and Bombay, part is occupied by rebels.

3320. March 1858. Mr C G Page, pleader, small cause court, Calcutta. Submits a Memorial asking for employment, most of his native clients have abandoned him. Copy of reply, the Government of India has no employment to offer him.

3321. March 1858. Anonymous letter. Quoting various texts.

3322. March 1858. Letter from Mr J D Bell, Barrister at Law, Calcutta. Acknowledges the information about Captain Skene. See also 2960, 3273, 3339, 3347, 3355, 3417, 3500.

3323. March 1858. Copy of reply to Captain H Hosseason. His application has been transferred to the Military Secretary. Original letter from Captain H. Hoseason is in Military Secretary's Correspondence. See Mss Eur F699/1/3/2/70, item 3487.

3325. March 1858. Letter from F D Forsyth Esquire. If required, will report on the state of feelings amongst the sepoys and all information about affairs at Umballa. Copy of letter asking for such information.

3326. March 1858. Letter from Lieutenant H P Williams, late 72nd Native Infantry, Lahore. Returns thanks for his appointment.

3326a. March 1858. Copy of a letter to Mr Tomlinson, Government House Calcutta. Sending him an enclosure from the Governor General and informing him that the Private Secretary will be in Calcutta on 19 Mar.

3327. March 1858. Letter from Major H W Norman, Deputy Adjutant General of the Army, Camp, before Lucknow. In reply submits an explanation of the circumstances under which the Commander in Chief nominated an assistant surgeon to the joint medical charge of Simla; but as the post is now vacant, asks for the Governor General's orders. Copy of earlier letter; copy of reply about this. See also 3154, 3234a.

3328. March 1858. Letter from Mr C Beadon, Calcutta. Sends a copy of the only 2 articles about General Havelock's appointment, and states that the general feeling at the time was one of regret that General Neill should have been superseded, not of disappointment with General Havelock's appointment. (Copy of articles no longer enclosed). Copy of earlier letter asking for a search to be made in the Calcutta newspapers for any articles or letters reflecting on the late General Havelock's appointment.

3329. March 1858. Letter from Lieutenant W N Lees, Secretary and Member of the Board of Examiners, Fort William. About works to be used by the Junior Civil Service, and sends a letter from Mr Tucker on the subject. See also 3148, 3230, 3335.

3330. February 1858. Letter from Colonel Baird Smith, Roorkee. Reports all quiet at Roorkee, the enemy at Nagul making no significant movement. The Brigade of Sikh regiments under Brigadier Coke will be complete on 1 Mar when the 22nd Punjab Infantry marches in. The 1st Punjab Rifles and the 17th Infantry are encamped on the right bank of the canal. The entrenchment at Nagul Ghat is evidently a defensive one only.

3331. March 1858. Letter from Mr W Tayler, Patna. Remarks on the injustice of the Honourable Mr Halliday in publishing a blue book, without having previously given him an opportunity of refuting the accusations. Sends a draft reply to certain accusations.

3332. March 1858. Copy of reply to Captain G C Voyle, Dum Dum. His letter has been transferred to the Military Secretary.

3333. March 1858. Letter from Captain H Yule, Public Works Department, Calcutta. Recommends Major Lawford to be Chief Engineer of Mysore. Letter from Mr Simson transferring this. See also 3295.

3334. March 1858. Letter from Captain W B Irwin, 10th Native Infantry, Allahabad. Returns thanks for his appointment.

3334a. March 1858. Copy of a letter to Lieutenant Colonel R Strachey, Allahabad. Asking him to wait upon the Governor General.

3335. March 1858. Letter from Lieutenant W N Lees, Calcutta. Submits an explanation of his appeal against the reduction of his salary; with a memorandum. Copy of reply, he should apply to Government of India. See also 3148, 3230, 3329.

3336. March 1858. Letter from F F Courtenay Esquire, Bengal Club, Calcutta. About his occupation of the Flag Staff Bungalow at Barrackpore. Copy of reply about this.

337. February to March 1858. Letter from W P Palmer Esquire, Civil Auditor, Calcutta. Submits an appendix to the books of Civil Establishments under the Government of Bengal, up to 1 May 1857 (no longer enclosed).

3338. February 1858. Letter from S Cracroft Wilson Esquire, Camp, Meerut. Encloses a letter from Mr Simpson and one from the Reverend Mr Smyth with his own views, about the murder and violation of Christian and European women during the Mutiny. 2 memoranda about this. Copy of earlier letter to Wilson, asking for information. See also 2957, 2960, 3250.

3339. March 1858. Letter from Mr John Sherer, Cawnpore. Will supply information about the murder of Captain and Mrs Skene in a day or two. Copy of earlier letter asking for information. See also 2960, 3273, 3322, 3347, 3355, 3417, 3500.

3340. March 1858. Letter from J C Wilson Esquire. Kasganj having been plundered by 8,000 men, asks permission to proceed to and hold Kuchlab, between which and Nugureea the rebels will cross. Endorsed: Answered by telegram. Telegraph Message sent number 356.

3340a. March 1858. Copy of a letter to Captain H Yule, Calcutta. The Honourable G C Talbot has given up office this day (as Private Secretary).and thanks Yule for his past help. He has mentioned Yule's message about the Hooghly Bridge papers to the Governor General.

3341. January to March 1858. Letter from W C Plowden Esquire, Civil Service Umballa. Applies for employment in Oudh. Copy of reply, application noted. See also 3387.

3342. March 1858. Letter from Mrs E Curtin, Widow of Band Sergeant Curtin, 41st Native Infantry who was blown up by a mine at Lucknow, Chunar. Her husband and brother having been killed at the same time, asks for relief; with a certificate.

3343. March 1858. Letter from Longueville Clarke Esquire, Calcutta. Submits an explanation of some points about the Petition for the recall of Lord Canning. Draft reply; copy of reply, assuring Clarke that the Governor General had not seen the petition for his recall until it had been sent to England. See also 3292, 3293.

3344. March 1858. Letter from Rai Sreenarain Bysack, Treasurer, Government House, Allahabad. Asks for an appointment in Calcutta, mentioning 3 suitable posts.

3344a. March 1858. Copy of a letter to Mrs E Curtin, Chunar. She should apply for compensation to Mr Muir.

3345. February to March 1858. Letter from Lieutenant T G Ross, Commanding Detachment, Sylhet Light Infantry Battalion, Cochar, Eastern Frontier. Asks to be Political Agent at Munnipore, with copies of testimonials. Note from Mr Edmonstone. Copy of reply, application noted.

3346. December 1857. Letter from Lieutenant Colonel James Ramsay, Commissary General, London. Hopes to reach Calcutta by 15 Feb giving up part of his leave. He regrets that the Governor General has had cause to complain of the Commissariat.

3347. March 1858. Letter from Mr J Sherer, Collector of Cawnpore. Submits an account of the Jhansi mutiny, with reference to the fate of Captain and Mrs Skene. See also 2960, 3273, 3322, 3339, 3355, 3417, 3500.

3348. March 1858. Letter from Lieutenant W Osborne, Political Agent, Rewah. Submits with his recommendation a letter from Colonel Hinde asking for the Brevet rank of Lieutenant Colonel for his services in Rewah. Copy of reply, application will be considered.

3349. March 1858. Letter from Captain T Rattray, Commandant of Military Police Corps, Camp, Sasseram. According to information obtained from men from the North West (Province) and the Punjab through the medium of Subadar Hookum Sing, the mutineers obtain their supply of percussion caps from itinerant merchants from Tibet and China, and until the passes between Kashmir and Nepal are closed their resources will not fail. Copy of reply, acknowledgment.

3350. March 1858. Letter from Sir R N C Hamilton, Governor General's Agent for Central India, Camp. Hopes that the Banpore Fort and town will fall on 11 Mar. General Whitlock was at Saugor on 7 March and another division is attacking Chunderee. Encloses a letter to Major Ellis.