Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/117

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 3551 to 3600, 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. 36 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 3501 to 3600’. 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 3552, 3553, 3555, 3556, 3559, 3561, 3562, 3562, 3566, 3568, 3572, 3575, 3577, 3579, 3580, 3582, 3583, 3585, 3586, 3587, 3589, 3590, 3591, 3592, 3594, 3597, 3598, 3599, 3600 have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’.

3551. April 1858. Letter from Mahomed Maja of Constantinople, Allahabad. Offers his services to the Governor General. See also 3625, 3631.

3552. April 1858. Letter from Mr G B Taylor, Benares. Asks for a reply to his letter requesting the introduction into India of road steam locomotives. Copy of reply, Captain Yule's opinion is still awaited. See also 3473, 3486, 3589, 3606.

3553. 1858. Letter from Mr J C Wilson, Subow via Etah. It is improbable that the Nana will move out of Rohilcund without a large body of men; if the British column was stationed at Puttialee they could easily discover the rebel force crossing Soorajpoor and cut them off via Allygunge.

3554. April 1858. Letter from Mr T D Forsyth, Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow. Returns thanks for the information furnished by Ajoodhia Pershad, whom Mr Montgomery will propose as an extra Assistant; he and Mr Forbes should be ordered back to Lucknow. See also 3555, 3556.

3555. April 1858. Letter from Mr W A Forbes, Deputy Commissioner 1st class in Oudh, Camp, Azimghur. Reports that Sir Edward Lugard wishes Forbes to stay with the force till it moves to Fyzabad, which it will do if the report of the Begum and Moulvie's pursuit by General Grant is correct. He will explain the delay to Mr Montgomery. Copy of earlier letter, that Montgomery would be glad to see Forbes back in Lucknow. See also 3554.

3556. April 1858. Letter from Pundit Ujoodhia Pershad, Camp, Azimgurh. In compliance with the Private Secretary's letter of 16 Apr purposes to leave Azimgurh for Lucknow via Benares and Allahabad, and will wait on the Private Secretary. Reports particulars of a fight with a large body of rebels headed by Gholam Hossein Chuckladar, and that Captain Havelock was killed then. With some particulars about the feeling of the Talookdars of Oudh and news of General Grant's column and the movements of the Gurkha force. See also 3554.

3557. April 1858. Letter from Mr C W West, Camp Shemagah. Asks to be made uncovenanted Assistant to the Mysore Commission. Copy of reply, he should apply to the Commissioner. See also 3887.

3558. April 1858. Letter from Mr C W West. Asks for money. Copy of reply, the Governor General will not concern himself in West's private affairs.

3559. April 1858. Letter from Mr F B Gubbins, Officiating Commissioner, Benares. Submits a letter from Mr Davies (no longer enclosed) about the movements of Kooer Sing. He hopes that with General Lugard's column at Azimghur, and Mhow held by a strong detachment, they will deal with the rebels. Jung Bahadoor has left Benares for Azimghur.

3560. April 1858. Letter from Mr G F Edmonstone, Secretary to Government Foreign Department, Allahabad. Will send the list of Oudh appointments. He has informed Sir J Lawrence of the withdrawal of some of his officers, Lieutenant Colonel S A Abbott, Lieutenant J A Ross, Lieutenant A Perkins and Lieutenant G H Hall.

3561. April 1858. Letter from Mr P Carnegy, Deputy Commissioner in Oudh, Jounpore. Reports the reasons for his failure to induce any of the neighbouring Talookdars to present themselves to the Chief Commissioner at Lucknow; Mr Forbes has been equally unsuccessful; suggests that Carnegy and Forbes be given instructions to treat, or, if Fyzabad is not now to be occupied, that the Commissioner be authorised to establish his Headquarters at Jounpore or Azimghur to carry out the desired object.

3562. April 1858. Letter from Mr R Montgomery, Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow. Reports that Mr Carnegy seems to be on good terms with the Talookdars, their professions of good will, however, are useless without their personal attendance at Lucknow. The whole country will settle down soon, but the want of troops and police made the Talookdars afraid to come in. The situation would be improved if General Grant could catch or kill the Moulvee.

3563. April 1858. Letter from Mr C B Denison, Civil Service, Mirzapore. About his pay. Returns thanks for his appointment to Mirzapore. Copy of reply; memorandum about Denison and his position. See also 3495, 3513.

3564. April 1858. Letter from Mr R C Tulloch, Officiating Secretary Uncovenanted Service Family Pension Fund, Calcutta. Sending a copy of the Annual Report of the fund (not enclosed). Copy of reply, the Report was not enclosed. See also 3616.

3565. April 1858. Letter from Brigadier General G St P Lawrence, Officiating Agent to the Governor General Rajputana, Camp, Kotah. Asks to be confirmed in his post. Copy of reply, his request will be considered.

3566. April 1858. Letter from Mr C Wingfield, Commissioner of Goruckpore, Camp, Amorha. Is disappointed at being superseded in the office of Judicial Commissioner of Oudh by Mr G Campbell, his junior; asks to be allowed to decline the Commissionership to which he has been appointed, and to be allowed to return to the regular service.

3567. April 1858. Letter from Captain E P Lloyd, 2nd in command, Kamroop regiment Gowhatty, Assam. Asks to be appointed to the vacancy in the Assam Commission. Copy of reply, Governor General has received no notification that it is necessary to withdraw a man from military employment for this post; failing this, he cannot interfere with the Lieutenant Governor's right of nomination. See also 3613, 3623, 4385.

3568. April 1858. Letter from Mr G R Even, indigo planter, Colingerah Factory, Jounpore. During his absence in England his indigo factories have been plundered, and he has suffered heavy losses; is trying to make a private compromise, that the villagers who have caused the damage should contract to allow him land rent-free. Wishes to make sure that the Zemindars be responsible for seeing that the contracts are fulfilled. Copy of reply, acknowledgment; letter transferred to Mr Muir, Secretary to Government North West Provinces.

3570. April 1858. Letter from Lord William Hay, Deputy Commissioner, Simla. Asks for his brother to be attached to Simla or the Punjab. Wishes to know what rewards the Governor General has sanctioned for the Hill Chiefs. Copy of reply, Hay's brother will be attached to the Punjab if he is willing; Private Secretary is making enquiries about the rewards. See also 3583, 3586.

3571. April 1858. Letter from Lieutenant G F F Vincent, 30th Native Infantry, Agra. Asks for an appointment in the Oudh Commission. He hopes to obtain an unqualified acquittal from the court martial.

3572. April 1858. Copy of a letter to Major G W Williams, Superintendent of Cantonment Police in the North West Provinces. About the temporary suspension of examinations for candidates for the police.

3574. April 1858. Letter from Mr James Lean, Civil and Sessions Judge, Mirzapore. Asks if the interdict against ladies going west of Bengal has been removed. Copy of reply, the restriction will apply to Mirzapore until it has been garrisoned by troops; but has been removed from Benares and Ghazeepoor. See also 3974.

3575. April 1858. Letter from Mr T D Forsyth, Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, Lucknow. Submits an extract from Captain J Reid's letter about the skirmish with the Moulvee at Baree. General Grant will go to help the Gurkhas at Nawabgunge, where they are threatened by the Begum's party.

3576. April 1858. Letter from Mr T Garrett, Officiating Deputy Post Master General, Calcutta. Advises despatch of two boxes from the mail steamer 'Grenada'. See also 3652.

3577. April 1858. Letter from Sir R N C Hamilton Bart, Agent to the Governor General for Central India, Camp, Jhansi. All future despatches should be sent via Agra and Gwalior to him. Lieutenant H C Dowker nearly dealt with the Jhansi Rani, but he was wounded and she fled to Jaloun. The column is to move. The two ex-Rajahs and Boondulahs are at Mhow Rannypore. Tantia is at Jaloun, and the mutinous sepoys at Calpee. He has heard that Kotah is taken, and that Scindia's troops have beaten the rebels at Sheopore. He wishes there was no such thing as prize money, which demoralizes the troops, and is their one thought. He hopes the General will soon make over Jhansi to the civil power. Reports casualties. General Whitlock is at Chirkari and will go to Banda. Mr Anson has forfeited his appointment as 1st Assistant and he hopes that Lieutenant Shakespear will be confirmed. See also 3544.

3578. April 1858. Letter from Colonel H M Durand, Engineers, Calcutta. Asks if his services are likely to be required by the Governor General. Telegraph Messages Sent number 447.

3579. April 1858. Letter from Lieutenant G Hutchinson, Military Secretary to Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow. Forwards a letter from Captain Thorburn, reporting the mismanagement of General Walpole at the Roodamow Fort.

3580. April 1858. Letter from Lieutenant G Hutchinson, Military Secretary to Chief Commissioner Oudh, Lucknow. Forwards a letter from Captain A Plowden on the safest route for the Gurkhas.

3581. April 1858. Letter from Mr J W Jones, Section Writer Secretariat Office, North West Provinces, Allahabad. Submits a memorial about his losses at Agra during the Mutiny; begs that if Allahabad is to be the seat of Government, the land which he owns at Agra may be enrolled among the Nuzool property of Government, and land of equal value be assigned to him from confiscated landed property at Allahabad. Copy of reply, his memorial has been transferred to the Secretary to Government North West Provinces.

3582. April 1858. Letter from Mr C Beadon, Secretary to Government Home Department, Calcutta. Sends information about Basdeo Singh, the brother of the late Rajah of Durbunga (?). Copy of earlier letter asking for this information. See also 3569, 3619.

3583. April 1858. Copy of letter to R Temple Esquire, Lahore. Asking him what rewards have been proposed for the Hill Chiefs in the Simla District; and about Lord Frederick Hay for the Punjab Commission. See also 3570, 3586.

3584. April 1858. Letter from Assistant Surgeon T Ringer, in medical charge, Lahore Light Horse, Lucknow. Applies for the appointment of joint medical charge of Simla. Copy of reply, Dr Ross has been appointed by the Governor General: the other nomination lies with the Commander in Chief.

3585. April 1858. Letter from Mr C H Lushington, Secretary to Government Financial Department, Calcutta. About the process of making appointments to the new Financial Department. Copy of earlier letter about this; copy of reply.

3586. April to May 1858. Letter from Mr R Temple, Secretary to Chief Commissioner Punjab, Lahore. Has mentioned to Sir John Lawrence the Private Secretary's letter about Lieutenant Hill and the Puttiala Troops, and measures for their organization and despatch are progressing rapidly. Will submit a report on rewards for the Simla Hill Chiefs; also the General Report on the events of 1857 in the Punjab. Sir John has gone to see the canal works at Madhopore, and Messrs Cust and Brandeth are both at work in their divisions. Copy of earlier letter about Lieutenant Hill. Telegraph Messages Sent numbers 428, 429, 430; Telegraph Messages received numbers 721,722, 726; See also 3591, 3646.

3587. April 1858. Letter from Baboo Mudhoosoodun Chowdry, Clerk, Bareilly Magistrate's Office, Mooradabad. Encloses a memorandum in the vernacular showing that Khan Bahadoor Khan intends to send agents to purchase gunpowder from Futtehghur and Mooradabad. He has reported this to the Commissioner of Rohilcund Division, the Magistrate of Futtehghur and the Nawab of Rampore.

3589. April 1858. Letter from Captain H Yule, Officiating Secretary, Public Works Department, Allahabad. Returns the papers about the traction engine (no longer enclosed). The idea is ingenious but more information is wanted; a report from Sir F Abbott and Sir P Cantley (who have been watching experiments) may be awaited. Copy of earlier letter asking for Yule's opinion. See also 3473, 3552, 3606.

3590. April 1858. Letter from Mr R Montgomery, Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow. Sends a copy of a letter from Lieutenant Thorburn reporting that General Walpole had been defeated owing to his mismanagement at Roodamow; casualties reported; Goolat Sing's hostage escaped. See also 3579.

3591. April 1858. Letter from Mr R Montgomery, Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow. Submits copy of a telegram from Mr Barnes reporting the assistance promised by Pattiala of 1,000 men to be taken down by Lieutenant Hill. Another regiment is to be raised by Lieutenant Boisragon to be placed in charge of Lieutenant Palmer. A military police force must be raised; 400 or 500 Sikhs should be mixed with recruits from Lucknow and other parts of the country. He has obtained the assistance of Captain Barnes; returns thanks for the sanction of the enlistment of the Alloowalla (?) Contingent, though it is opposed to Sir John Lawrence's views. See also 3586; Telegraph Messages Sent numbers 428, 429, 430; Telegraph Messages received numbers 721, 722, 726.

3592. April 1858. Letter from Brigadier General G H Macgregor, CB, Allahabad. Has been informed by Jung Bahadoor that Toolseepore is what he would like from the British Government; he would be satisfied with Colonel Cavenagh as Resident; and would like to keep the muskets lent to the Nepalese Government.

3593. April 1858. Copy of a letter to C Temple Esquire. Acknowledging receipt of a letter. Governor General's Book number 900.

3594. April 1858. Letter from Mr C W West, Inspecting Post Master, Camp, Shemagah. Reports the arrival of the Shanondur Nabob with his four sons and a very large retinue, en route to the Banboobooden Hills where there are some sacred caves in charge of fanatic Fakeers; these caves are the centre for many intrigues. Many women from the low country have been kidnapped and kept in the caves. Two 1/2 anna stamps. Copy of reply, the information should be sent to the Mysore authorities. See also 3942.

3595. April 1858. Letter from Mr C Beadon, Calcutta. Sends some papers about the dispute between Mr Gubbins and the friends of Sir Henry Lawrence. 11 letters, all copies, June to September 1857, relating to the events leading up to the battle of Chinhat. Copy of reply, acknowledgment.

3596. April 1858. Letter from Mr C Sharp, Superintendent of Barrackpore Park. Submits his report on the Park.

3597. April 1858. Letter from Mr R Montgomery, Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow. Submits a letter from Major J Brind, Commanding the Artillery with General Walpole's Brigade, and remarks that there could be no doubt that General Walpole mismanaged the affair at Roodamow. See also 3627.

3598. April 1858. Copy of a letter to Lieutenant Colonel G Ramsay, Resident at Nepal. Acknowledging receipt of his letter, the Governor General approves of his arrangements about his journey to Allahabad.

3599. April 1858. Copy of a letter to Lord Ulick Browne, Private Secretary to the President in Council. Sending him a copy of a letter from Mr Montgomery with copies of memoranda by Captain Barrow and Captain Thorburn about affairs in Oudh.

3600. April 1858. Letter from Mr A Shakespear, Magistrate and Collector of Bijmore, Camp, Kunkhul. Reports that Brigadier General Jones, whose force is now on the banks of the Ganges, has received instructions from the Commander in Chief not to leave a single man behind; points out the difficulty of keeping his district in order without any military aid, or police. Has not issued a proclamation yet, asks for instructions (Cover only). Copy of reply, acknowledgment. A subsequent telegraph has notified the occupation of Nujubabad.