Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/114

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 3401 to 3450, 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. 35 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 3401 to 3500’. 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 to 1 April 1858, then Lewin Bentham Bowring] 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 3401, 3402, 3403, 3404, 3408, 3409, 3409a, 3410, 3411, 3417, 3418, 3422, 3423, 3429, 3435, 3437, 3439, 3441, 3442, 3445, 3448, and 3449 have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’.

3401. March 1858. Letter from Mr W Muir, Secretary to Government, North West Provinces, Allahabad. Encloses a letter from Mr Thornhill with a rough sketch of the Armory Square in the Fort of Agra in which Mr Colvin's tomb is placed, and suggests that a monument might be erected by the Government over the graves of Mr Colvin and Mr Thomason, whose grave was said to have been desecrated at Bareilly. See also 3422, 3437.

3402. March 1858. Letter from Baboo Muddhoo Soodun Chowdry, Bareilly Magistrate's Clerk, Moradabad. Refers to his earlier submission through Mr F B Gubbins, of a report on the strength of Khan Bahadoor Khan's force, and a new coin which has recently been issued from the Bareilly Mint. He sends a copy of a proclamation issued by Firozeshah of Delhi, now at Bareilly, in the vernacular, which the writer found pasted on a serai at Mooradabad. Copy of reply, acknowledgment.

3403. June 1857 to March 1858. Letter from Colonel H M Durand, Agent to the Governor General in Central India, Indore. Reports the murder at Sepree of Captain Ferris, and Mr Benbridge, and that telegraphic communication with Sepree has ceased. Describes the critical state of affairs at Mhow, where the regiment would have mutinied but for the Sikhs and Punjabees in it. There is a probability of a mutiny at Jubbulpore. He has given orders to the chiefs of his Agency in a tone different from that of Mr Colvin's proclamation, which he ignores. Reports measures he intends taking. Urges the absolute necessity for having one Agent and one military head for Central India, the Saugor and Nerbudda territories included. Reports the mutiny at Aurungabad of the Nizam's cavalry who have proclaimed the son of the Emperor of Delhi. Endorsed: received in office March 1858.

3404. March 1858. Letter from Mr Longueville Clarke, Barrister, Supreme Court, Calcutta. Has addressed the 3 daily papers contradicting the statement made by himself as to the Governor General having seen the petition for his recall before its despatch to England. See also 3292, 3293, 3343.

3405. March to April 1858. Letter from Major H L Thuillier, Deputy Surveyor General, Calcutta. Recommends Lieutenant Oakes for an appointment in the Revenue Survey and submits a letter from Captain Vaurenen in proof of his qualifications. Names Lieutenant M Elliot and Lieutenant G H Traill as eligible for other vacancies. Copies of two replies about these appointments. See also 3392, 3443, 3602.

3406. March 1858. Copy of a letter to Mr Edmonstone. Withdrawing the prohibition against ladies proceeding to Benares. See also 3393.

3407. March 1858. Copy of a letter to James Lean Esquire, Judge, Mirzapore. Informing him that the prohibition against ladies travelling to Benares has been removed. See also 3383, 3385.

3408. March 1858. Letter from Sir R N C Hamilton, Agent, Central India, Camp, Sirisghur. Encloses a note from Sir Hugh Rose and reports that Chundeyree has been reoccupied. 18th March. Copy of reply, the Governor General will write to him about the expediency of an amnesty for the minor chiefs of Bundelcund. The Azimgurh frontier is uneasy. It is reported that not more than 3,000 were killed in the Lucknow siege. See also 3409.

3409. March 1858. Letter from Sir R N C Hamilton, Sirisghur. Is anxious for the 1st Brigade to finish Chundeyree and advance on Jhansi; hopes the Governor General has ordered General Whitlock to advance on Banda, as it would be a great move for Bundlekhand. See also 2408.

3409a. July 1857 to March 1858. Letter from Major H Hopkinson, Officiating Commissioner of Rangoon. Submits correspondence between Mr Spears and himself, and asks for the views of Government on the King of Ava's proposal to connect his capital with Pegu by electric telegraph; also for views on the Reverend Father Abbona's mission to the court of Ava to negotiate a commercial treaty between the King of Sardinia and His Majesty of Burma. Gives his views about the free navigation of the Irrawaddy, and about a decision of Government in 1851 in favour of Mr Crisp who claimed to be exempt from port dues if he loaded his ship up the Talween at Martaban. He reports the arrival of the 2nd Fusiliers just as Her Majesty's 29th were about to embark on the 'Tubal Cain', and deprecates Rangoon being denuded of European troops. Mr Spears reports the death of the white elephant, the return to Ava of the Burmese embassy to France, and its reception by the King. Three letters. Endorsed: received March 1858 in office.

3409b. October 1857 to March 1858. Letter from Major H Hopkinson, Officiating Commissioner of Rangoon. Submits with remarks, three letters from the Court of Ava. He believes the Burmese are not likely to remain quiet during the cold weather. He hopes to hear of the fall of Delhi, British fortunes there will determine the King of Ava's policy. There is much ill-feeling among the Mogul portion of the community, and cites a conspiracy in connection with the jail peons. It is impolitic to keep a large part of the 25th Bengal Native Infantry at Rangoon, he repeats his request for a ship of war to be sent to Rangoon. Captain Ardagh has arrived for Prome; Captain Grant is expected to stay. Note from Mr Edmonstone. Copy of reply, acknowledgment. Endorsed: received March 1858 in office.

3410. March 1858. Letter from Mr T D Forsyth, Civil Service, Cawnpore. Submits an extract from a report made by him to the Commissioner of Cis Sutlej States, in connection with the Mutiny, at Umballa. Copy of reply about this. See also 3429, 3441, 3501.

3411. March 1858. Anonymous letter. Recommending mercy for the rebels and mutineers. Two 1 anna stamps.

3412. March 1858. Letter from Dr H M Cannon, Superintendent Meerut Prisons. Asks to be allowed to decline the post of Resident Surgeon at Indore, on account of ill health, medical certificate annexed.

3413. March to April 1858. Letter from Captain J B Knocker, 40th Madras Native Infantry, Chunderpoor near Surnbhulpoor. Complains about the irregularity of Captain Bird's appointment, when his own appointment was cancelled owing to the paucity of officers with his regiment. Copy of reply about this. See also 2110, 2220, 2424, 2468, 3425, 2628.

3414. March 1858. Letter from Mr P G Scott, Barrackpore. Asks for an uncovenanted appointment. Copy of reply, apply to Government of Bengal.

3415. March 1858. Letter from Mr W Muir, Secretary to Government, North West Provinces, Allahabad. Submits a letter from Mr H B Harington recommending his cousin Mr H Harington for an Extra Assistantship in Oudh. (No longer enclosed).

3416. March 1858. Letter from Mr C Sharp, Superintendent of Barrackpore Park. Reports on the state of the Park. With two estimates. See also 4010.

3417. March 1858. Letter from Mr J D Bell, Barrister, Supreme Court, Calcutta. Returns thanks for information about Captain Skene. Copy of earlier letter about this. See also 2960, 3273, 3322, 3339, 3347, 3355, 3500.

3418. March 1858. Letter from Mr C Horne, Superintendent of Supplies for troops on the Grand Trunk Road, and vested with the powers of a Magistrate and Collector in Benares, Mirzapore, Allahabad, and Futtehpore, Benares. Names the parties who looted the Government money near Khandoo Nuddee and will submit a report.

3419. March 1858. Letter from the Reverend C N Cahusac, chaplain of Barrackpore. Asks for temporary use of one of the bungalows in the Barrackpore Park. Copy of reply, he may use the bungalow for a month. See also 3507.

3420. March 1858. Letter from W P Masson Esquire, Civil and Sessions Judge, Allahabad. Applies to draw his salary for the time he was absent without leave (letter no longer enclosed). Copy of reply, his letter has been transferred to the Secretary, North West Provinces.

3421. March 1858. Letter from the Honourable G C Talbot. About the Governor General's French servants and their travelling expenses. He is on the point of embarking.

3422. March 1858. Letter from Mr E A Reade, Civil Service, Agra. With reference to the sketch of the Armory Square sent previously, has received the intimation of Mrs Colvin's wish to have a tomb constructed for Mr Colvin, with inscription of which copy is enclosed. See also 3401, 3437.

3423. March 1858. Letter from Lord W Hay, Superintendent Hill States, Camp, Simla Hills. About Dr Peskett's appointment as Surgeon of Vaccine; wishes to change his own appointment. See also 3154, 3234a, 3327.

3424. March 1858. Letter from J G D'Costa, late reader, Secretariat Office, in prison, Motee Musjeet. Petitions that he was unjustly sentenced, and asks for a reinvestigation of his case.

3425. April 1858. Letter from Mr A R Young, Secretary to Government of Bengal, Calcutta. In reply, states that no claim was made by Captain Knocker to be Assistant Commissioner at Surnbhulpore, and states the circumstances of Captain Bird's appointment. Copy of earlier letter asking for information. See also 3413.

3426. March 1858. Letter from Dr J N Tresidder, Civil Surgeon, Cawnpore. Asks about the restriction on ladies going to Benares, Mirzapore, and Cawnpore. ½ anna stamp. Copy of reply, the restriction has been taken off Benares and Ghazeepoor, but not Mirzapoor, or stations higher up.

3427. March 1858. Copy of a letter to Messrs John Borradaile and Company, Calcutta. Sending them a letter.

3428. March 1858. Petition from Furkhoonda Khanun Beebee of Colonel Nanten, 69th Native Infantry. Who had her bungalow destroyed by the mutineers in Agra, valued at 2,000 Rupees, and she has been refused compensation, and asks for an order for compensation from the Governor General. Copy of note to Mr Muir and his reply; copy of reply, the Governor General cannot interfere.

3429. March 1858. Letter from Mr T D Forsyth, Special Commissioner for the detection and punishment of rebels, Cawnpore. In reply, states that he sent his report on the mutinies to the Commissioner, Cis Sutlej States, but does not know if he sent it on to the Chief Commissioner. See also 3410, 3441, 3501.

3430. February to March 1858. Letter from Captain J W Bristow, 1st class Assistant Commissioner, Punjab, on leave, England. Forwards a letter from Lord Lyttelton, and asks for extension of leave with retention of appointment. Copy of reply, refused. See also 4176.

3431. March 1858. Letter from Mr G W Newman, Overseer, Public Works Department, Mysore, Toomkoor. Sends a letter from his uncle, Mr West of Cannanore, and asks for different employment. Copy of reply, refused.

3432. March 1858. Letter from Dr W J Palmer, Civil Assistant Surgeon, Ghazeepore. Returns thanks for the letter informing him that the restriction on ladies going to Ghazeepore was removed. The rebels are reported to be approaching Azimgurh and may go to Ghazeepore, but this will be over before Mrs Palmer can arrive.

3433. March 1858. Letter from Mr J G Anderson, Sub-Deputy Opium Agent, Cawnpore. Asks to be an Assistant Commissioner in Oudh or elsewhere. Copy of reply, he has been appointed to Oudh.

3434. March 1858. Letter from Mr Robert Cust, Officiating Magistrate and Collector, Allahabad. Accepts the office of Commissioner of Lahore.

3435. March 1858. Letter from Sir R N C Hamilton, Governor General's Agent, Central India, Jhansi. Reports the arrival of the son of the late Mr Double. Expects the fall of Jhansi immediately after the opening of the Battery. Suggests that the Governor General order Major Macpherson to join Sir Robert's camp where he will be safe, and Scindia's work would be better done. Hopes that ladies will be allowed to come to Ghazeepore. Note from Mr Muir about the Double boy.

3436. March 1858. Letter from Captain A H Hope, 3rd Madras Light Cavalry, Madras. Expresses regret at having applied direct to the Governor General for the office of Military Secretary to the Commissioner of Mysore, and sends copy of a letter to the Commissioner. See also 3310.

3437. March 1858. Letter from Mr E A Reade, Member of the Sudder Board, Agra. Submits a sketch of the Armory Square, and states that Colonel Fraser is of the opinion that there is no military objection to the erection of a public monument. (The Square is also called Armoury). See also 3401, 3422.

3438. March 1858. Letter from Major H L Thuillier, Deputy Surveyor General, Calcutta. Has sent a new map of the Nizam's dominions. Copy of reply, acknowledgment.

3439. February to March 1858. Letter from Captain H Yule, Secretary to Government, Public Works Department, Calcutta. Asks for the return of the papers containing the report of the committee on the general question of a bridge across the Hooghly, which the Court wishes to reconsider. Also replies about Mr Craig. Copy of reply about this. See also 3440.

3440. March 1858. Copy of a letter to C Beadon Esquire, Calcutta. Sending him papers about the Hooghly Bridge, which are to be shown to Mr Rendell, Railway Consulting Engineer; another copy of letter to this effect. See also 3439.

3441. April 1858. Letter from Mr G C Barnes, Commissioner of Cis Sutlej States, Umballa. In reply states that Mr Forsyth drew up a narrative of events during the Mutiny by order of the Judicial Commissioner Mr Montgomery, as did other officers in the Punjab; a general report of the whole is now ready and will be submitted through the Chief Commissioner. Copy of earlier letter, asking whether Forsyth's report was sent to the Chief Commissioner or to the Government. See also 3410, 3429, 3501.

3442. March 1858. Copy of a letter to Lieutenant C H Mecham, Lucknow. His sketches were sent by the steamer 'Ava'.

3443. March to April 1858. Letter from Captain D C Vaurenen, Bengal Artillery and Revenue Surveyor, Kamptee. Asks for an appointment as 3rd class Deputy Commissioner in Oudh and states his services. Note from Mr Edmonstone. Copy of reply, there are no vacancies. See also 3405.

3444. March 1858. Letter from Mr P Carnegy, Assistant Commissioner, Juanpore. Asks to be considered for a Deputy Commissionership in Oudh. Copy of reply, he is appointed 3rd class Deputy Commissioner. See also 3454, 3455, 3470.

3445. March to April 1858. Letter from Mr G Campbell, Judicial Commissioner, Oudh, Lucknow. Reports the inaction of the Military authorities in Lucknow and hopes it may be possible to associate a European Brigade with the Gurkhas to guard the Fyzabad frontier and thus save Azimghur and the other districts. Sir James Outram is anxious to retain Mr Denison in the Commission; suggests that he (Campbell) be appointed Financial Commissioner as well as Judicial; but as there is nothing to be done in Oudh at present, wishes to be appointed as Secretary to act for Mr Muir, if Muir officiates for Mr Jackson who must take sick leave. Copy of reply, there will be much more work in Oudh than Campbell seems to think; of course it is impossible for him to be Judicial Commissioner and Secretary at the same time; he had better stay put. See also 3457; Telegraph Message received number 687; Telegraph Message sent number 392.

3446. February to April 1858. Letter from the Reverend M D C Walters, Secretary to Bishop Wilson's Memorial Committee, Calcutta. Sends a receipt for Lord Canning's subscription. Five other papers about this. See also 3131, 3510.

3447. April 1858. Letter from Mr St George Tucker, Magistrate and Collector, Mirzapore. Recommends Mr P Walker for a Deputy Collectorship or Assistant Commissionership in Oudh. Note about this; copy of reply, Mr Walker will be considered.

3448. March to April 1858. Letter from Mr Beadon, Secretary to Government of India, Home Department, Calcutta. Suggests the names of extra members who might be appointed to the Senate of Calcutta University. Copy of reply, Sir J Colvile, Vice-Chancellor, should write to the Governor General. Governor General's Book number 904.

3449. March 1858. Letter from Mr J C Wilson, Special Commissioner for the trial of mutineers, Camp, Meerut. Submits to the Governor General's decision about a portion of his troops ordered off by the Commander-in-Chief. He will go to Khasgunge to join some column which may be on its way to Bareilly. Reports the presence of the Nana at Shahjehanpoor with 200 Horse and Foot. Asks if the proclaimed reward will be given if the Nana is brought in dead, and if the grant of pardon should be extended to Khan Bahadoor Khan should he bring in the Nana. Gives a list of the chief rebels in Bareilly. Telegraph Message sent number 367; Telegraph Message received number 661.

3449a. March 1858. Letter from Lieutenant G F F Vincent, 30th Native Infantry, Fort, Agra. Asks for the permanent appointment of 2nd Assistant to the Commissioner of Ajmere after he has been acquitted of some frivolous charges brought against him. Encloses testimonials. Also letter from Vincent to Mr Edmonstone.

3450. February 1858. Letter from Mr E C Bayley, Deputy Secretary to Government, North West Provinces, Allahabad. Recommends Mr W W Hollingberry for temporary employment in the Private Secretary's office. Memorandum about Mr Hollingberry. Receipt for his salary.