Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/121

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 3751 to 3800, 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. 38 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 3701 to 3800’. 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, 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 3751, 3753, 3754, 3755, 3756, 3757, 3760, 3761, 3763, 3764, 3766, 3767, 3768, 3769, 3770, 3773, 3775, 3780, 3787, 3789, 3790, 3794, 3795, 3799, 3800 have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’.

3751. May 1858. Letter from Sir Robert Hamilton, Agent to the Governor General for Central India, Camp, near Calpee. Submits a letter from Sir Hugh Rose; he has applied to General Whitlock for reinforcements in cavalry and infantry, and hopes for aid also from Brigadier Maxwell. Jullalpore is occupied by rebels and the Humeerpore mutineers are closing on him. Endorsed: answered privately.

3752. May 1858. Letter from Mr T D Forsyth, Secretary to Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow. About the Officiating appointment of Civil Surgeon at Lucknow. Copy of reply, Dr Douglas has been appointed. See also 3657.

3753. April to May 1858. Letter from Sir Robert Hamilton, Sunree [?]. Submits Lieutenant Scott's account of an affair with the Bheel at Sathpoora, and a memorandum given by him to Sir Hugh Rose (this last no longer enclosed). He anticipates a fight with the Wullaytees. The Boondeelas and sepoys likely to disappear. Speaks well of the Dragoons. Water and beer are very scarce. Other comments on the political situation.

3754. May 1858. Letter from Mr R Montgomery, Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow. Having received indirect overtures, asks if life and honour and subsistence may be promised to the Begum and her son Birjus Kudar. He is now thrown on his own resources, the Commander in Chief having decided to postpone operations until the next cold season, but hopes to do something with General Grant's assistance, whose retrograde movement has been a bitter disappointment. Encloses a report from a Tehsildar at Baree. He expects the Kapoorthulla Contingent within 10 days which with the other levies will give him about 11,000 men by the cold weather. Telegraph messages sent number 461.

3755. April to May 1858. Letter from Mr Thomas Meliss and other residents of Purneah. Regret the withdrawal of European troops from Purneah and ask for protection of that station, by one company of European regular soldiers. Copy of reply, the Governor General regrets that he is unable to comply with their request at present. Memorandum by Canning.

3756. May 1858. Letter from Mr H Madocks, Camp, Jugdeespore. Reports the result of two actions with the rebels, on 10 and 15 May; the meeting with Colonel Corfield's force, and their return to Sasseram; General Lugard's unwillingness to fight again in the jungle. Kooer Sing is dead, and Ummar Sing commands the rebels. Madocks intends to return to Buxar on 20 May.

3757. May 1858. Letter from Mr H Madocks, Camp, Jugdeespore. Reports the result of an action with the rebels near Umeer Sing's house; he intends to have the jungle cleared by axmen with railway assistance.

3758. May 1858. Letter from Major R R W Ellis, Political Assistant for Bundelcund, Banda. Wishes to succeed Lieutenant Colonel Ramsay at Nepal, should there be a vacancy. Copy of reply, there is no vacancy at Nepal.

3759. May 1858. Copy of reply to the Reverend L De Conti, Catholic Chaplain, Cawnpore. His letter has been transferred to the Military Department.

3760. May 1858. Letter from Sir R N C Hamilton, Agent to the Governor General for Central India, near Calpee. States that Brigadier Maxwell will be in position on 19 May to begin shelling the enemy; he does not expect to be in possession of (Calpee) inside a week. Suggests Brigadier Maxwell be instructed to recross the river after the engagement. Reports the attempt by the enemy to cut off the baggage of the 2nd Brigade. Colonel Smith has been requested by Sir H Rose to move a detachment against a half-brother of the Banpore Rajah, who has attacked Lullutpore; it is surprising there was no attack before, as there were no troops between Saugor and Jhansi. Asks where the staff are to go when the Force breaks up; Sir Hugh needs a change. The sick must be sent to Cawnpore and down by water.

3761. May 1858. Letter from Mr J W Garstin, Superintendent of Roads. Reports the capture of Jugdeespore by General Lugard's force on 10 May, 5 wooden guns were taken and 5 of the enemy killed. The rebels have retreated into the jungle, and General Lugard awaits the Sasseram Force. Ummer Sing was reported to be sick and dying.

3762. May 1858. Letter from Mr W Moore, Howrah. Asks for enquiries to be made about his lost testimonials. Copy of reply, he should apply to the magistrate of the district in which the man who took his testimonials lives.

3763. May 1858. Letter from Major H L Thuillier, Deputy Surveyor General, Calcutta. Suggests Lieutenant R J Grant, 1st Sikh Infantry at Bareilly, to be Assistant Surveyor in the Derajat Survey; copies of two certificates. Copy of reply, the Governor General is unwilling to take Grant away from regimental duty at present. See also 3405, 3602, 4288, 4388.

3764. May 1858. Letter from Mr E de Lautour, Civil and Sessions Judge, 24 Pergunnahs, Alipore. Encloses two articles from the newspaper 'Poornochundrodoy', and a letter from Mr Pearce. Remarks on the discontinuance in recent legislative enactments of the usual preamble, which formerly stated clearly the purpose of the act, and the Government's motives in passing it. Believes there should be an official newspaper, in English and in the vernacular. Copy of reply from the Private Secretary. He believes the hostility of the native press is of many years standing; that few people knew or cared anything about Bengalee newspapers and their opinions. Private Secretary has always considered the law about the remarriage of widows a direct attack on the Hindu religion; there was not the plea of cruelty as in the case of Suttee, and as he believes the natives were universally opposed to it, he does not see who was to benefit from the new law. But a Government journal is not the answer. See also 3635, 3676, 3696.

3765. May 1858. Copy of a letter to Mr C West, Nugger Division, Mysore. Returning a letter from him, which is so carelessly written as to be quite unintelligible. See also 3942.

3766. May 1858. Letter from Sir R N C Hamilton, near Calpee. Reports the evacuation of Humeerpore by the rebels, and suggests Major Middleton be directed to occupy it, and a civil officer be sent to take charge of the district. The Brigade have all been brought to the river bank, owing to scarcity of water. Major Gale's flying column is very weak. Brigadier Maxwell has begun operations against Calpee.

3767. May 1858. Letter from Mr R Montgomery, Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow. Sends a copy of his letter to General Mansfield about the proposed location of troops at Nawabgunge and Gosaingunge.

3768. May 1858. Letter from Mr H Madocks, Civil Service, Buxar. Reports an action with the rebels at Jugdeespore, while endeavouring with his axmen to clear the jungle; the enemy lost 50 men and the British one officer. General Lugard proposes to attack in force shortly.

3769. May 1858. Petition of Judoonath Sircar, Bhangulpore. Asks for employment, sends copies of testimonials, and a journal of his proceedings during the disturbances at Sasseram. See also 3773.

3770. April to May 1858. Letter from Ettrick W Creak Esquire, Calcutta. Asks for money. Copy of reply, sending him 200 Rupees. See also 3787.

3772. May 1858. Letter from Lord William Hay, Deputy Commissioner, Simla. Asks why Simla Jail has been placed under Mr Apothecary Poole and not Dr Ross, Civil Surgeon at Simla. Copy of reply, a mistake has been made. Two notes about this.

3773. June 1858. Letter from Captain H Raban, Private Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, Alipore. In reply, submits a letter from the Deputy Magistrate of Sasseram, about the unsatisfactory character of Judoonauth Sircar. Copy of earlier letter, asking for information about Judoonauth Sircar, who claims to have saved the life of Mrs G Beverley. See also 3769.

3774. May 1858. Letter from Baboo Praunath Bose, Calcutta. Asks for an inquiry into Mr Edmonstone's refusal to grant his application for employment. Copy of reply, refused.

3775. May 1858. Letter from Mr H Madocks, Civil Service, Buxar. States that since the last attack on 20 May both sides have been inactive. Captain Corfield cannot move from Sasseeram for want of carriage and doolies; he does not appear to be under General Lugard's orders. Reports sickness and death in the camp from excessive heat. General Lugard is waiting for reinforcements from Dehree, as he is not strong enough to attack and protect his camp at the same time. The number of the rebels is estimated at 800.

3776. May 1858. Letter from Mr C Sharp, Superintendent of Barrackpore Park. Reports on the Park and menagerie.

3777. May 1858. Letter from Mr B H Ellis, Civil Service, Kurachee. Applies to be Officiating Judicial Commissioner in place of Mr Maltby at Hyderabad. Copy of reply, an officer has been appointed.

3778. May 1858. Letter from Mr W T Moore, Howrah. Asks for more information about his lost testimonials. Copy of reply about this.

3779. May to June 1858. Letter from Mr C R Dove, Officiating Post Master General of Bengal, Calcutta. Submits correspondence about a missing letter from the Governor General to Lady Neill. Copy of reply about this.

3780. May 1858. Letter from Mr R Montgomery, Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow. Encloses a memorandum about Golab Sing, whose services are considered desirable by Major Bruce; enquires if he could bring any men with him, and hopes he will take an appointment lower than that of Commandant. Deplores the retrograde movement of Sir Hope Grant, and the triumph thus afforded to Beni Madho, who is calling all to join and expel the British from Lucknow. Copy of earlier letter about Golab Sing. See also 3812, 4030.

3781. May to June 1858. Letter from Lieutenant O M Glubb, Cantonment Joint Magistrate of Allahabad. Asks if he may bring Mrs Glubb to Allahabad. Endorsed: answered privately.

3782. May 1858. Letter from Mr J M G Check, Assistant Commissioner Southal Pergunnahs, Heeranpore (care of Assistant Commissioner, Rajmehal). Asks to be made Superintendent of Stationery in Calcutta. 1/2 anna stamp. Copy of reply, the post is in the gift of the Bengal Government.

3783. May to June 1858. Letter from Mr W C Plowden, 2nd class Assistant Commissioner in the Punjab, on leave, Simla. Since he was appointed 1st class Assistant Commissioner in Oudh, has heard that he has been recommended for a 1st class Assistant Commissionership in the Punjab, is ready to go to Oudh, but the transfer will be a loss to him. Copy of reply, he is at liberty to refuse the Oudh post. See also 3846.

3784. May 1858. Letter from Captain C B Stuart, 3rd Native Infantry, Meerut. Would prefer a political appointment, in reply. See also 3744.

3785. May 1858. Letter from Captain F C Chapman, 2nd in command, Bengal Yeomanry Cavalry, Gorruckpore. About his wishes for an Assistant Commissionership in Oudh. See also 3723, 3724, 3725.

3786. May to June 1858. Letter from Mr D'Arcy McArthy, North West Frontier Customs, Allahabad. Asks for an appointment in Oudh. Copy of reply, application noted, no vacancy at present. See also 3907, 3786.

3787. May 1858. Letter from Mr Ettrick W Creak, Calcutta. Returns the Governor General's draft for 200 Rupees with thanks, and regrets having ever mentioned his financial embarrassments. See also 3770.

3789. May to June 1858. Letter from Mr W S Atkinson, Principal of La Martiniere, Calcutta. Submits an official letter suggesting an official Government journal at Calcutta, and proposes to negotiate for 'The Englishman' which is for sale. Note from Colonel Strachey. Copy of reply, the Governor General wishes to know if the journal would have editorials in support of Government measures and policy, or if it would only provide space for the Government to express its opinions. See also 3832.

3790. May to June 1858. Letter from Sir Robert Hamilton, Calpee. Has sent by express an account of Sir H Rose's distribution of the European troops. Major Middleton has placed 100 men to hold Humeerpore. The rebels are fleeing towards Kuchwagur(?) and he expects to meet them on the way to Gwalior. Regrets that Captain Mayne did not go direct to Lullutpore, and asks for permission to order the 19th Native Infantry to Lullutpore at once. Expects the Rajah of Shahghur to come in. States that now is the time for an amnesty. The capture of the magazines at Calpee is of the greatest importance. Reports the straits to which the Nawab of Banda has been reduced; Scindia is quite anxious for the force at Gwalior; Major Macpherson would rather have a Sikh Corps than the 25th Native Infantry.

3791. May 1858. Letter from Mr J Sherer, Magistrate and Collector, Cawnpore. Has received and will send on to Calpee the telegram to Sir Hugh Rose of 27 May. Telegraph messages sent number 463; Telegraph Messages received number 768, 772.

3792. June 1858. Copy of a letter to the Reverend W J Parker, Lawrence Asylum, Sanawur. His letter has been transferred to Mr Edmonstone.

3793. May to June 1858. Letter from the Reverend L Poynder, Chaplain of Delhi. Asks for leave to England on urgent private affairs. Note about this. Copy of reply, application refused. See also 3329.

3794. May to June 1858. Letter from Sir R N C Hamilton, Agent to the Governor General for Central India, Calpee. Fears some letters to him have been lost. He is anxious about the Jaloun lady. He hopes Calpee will be occupied by Brigadier Maxwell to enable them to move on to Gwalior and Jhansi. He hopes to see the Governor General next in England. The rebels are scattered, he hopes the Shahghur Rajah will come in. He trusts he has done his work to the satisfaction of the Governor General. He has lost some £10,000 by the Mutiny, but he is not one to complain. Endorsed: answered 1 Jun by Governor General.

3795. May 1858. Letter from Mr H Madocks, Civil Service, Buxar. Reports the removal of General Lugard's camp from Jugdeespore to the Arrah side of the jungle, and an action with the rebels on 26 May, when the rebels were driven out of the jungle and 35 of them killed. Has received a letter stating that the British force was at Dulour, 800 of the enemy still in the jungle, and that they were waiting for orders. The villagers are too much afraid of the rebels to co-operate with the British against them.

3796. May to June 1858. Letter from Mr W Kelly, Head Clerk, Commissioner's Office, Mooltan. Submits an application for an appointment as Extra Assistant in Oudh or the North West Provinces, and sends testimonials. Copy of reply, the Governor General is unable to give him an appointment in the North West Provinces. For Oudh, he should apply to the Chief Commissioner.

3798. May to July 1858. Letter from Brigadier General Sir R Shakespear, Resident at Baroda. Applies to succeed Brigadier General G St P Lawrence as Agent to the Governor General for Rajputana and encloses an extract from Lord Elphinstone stating that his present command of the Northern Division of the Bombay Army will not interfere with his preferment, as he will be relieved of his command by the end of the present year. Copy of reply of 4 Jun, there is no vacancy at Rajputana. Copy of reply of 12 Jul should the position become vacant, he will be considered.

3799. May to June 1858. Letter from Sir Robert Hamilton, Agent to the Governor General for Central India, Calpee. Reports the depredations by the rebels at Lullutpore, and suggests Brigadier Smith and troops could be quartered there to secure the station and district until the 19th Bombay Native Infantry from Mhow arrived. Humeerpore is left without any troops. The Calpee rebels are said to have crossed above Sheoghur Ghat en route to Sungramow. Shahghur is all right, and the Rajah's separation from Banpore is confirmed in the enclosed letter from Mr Thornton. He sends a letter from Major Macpherson, and considers that their march to Gwalior with the General and staff will be construed as a coercive measure against Scindia. Sir Hugh Rose wishes to go to Poonah on account of ill health. He urges that the Hyderabad Contingent be returned home.

3800. June 1858. Letter from Dr A C MacLeod, Assistant Surgeon, 17th Madras Native Infantry, and Civil Surgeon, Futtehpore. Forwards four copies of a pamphlet, and advocates a paper currency for India (Only one copy still enclosed). Copy of reply, acknowledgment.