Mss Eur F699/1/2/2/136

Contains docketed sets of papers, numbered 4501 to 4550, 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. 46 Private Secretary’s Correspondence, Nos. 4501 to 4600’. 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 4501, 4507, 4511, 4519, 4520, 4521, 4523, 4527, 4529, 4534, 4535, 4542, 4545, 4548, and 4549 have a red cross on them, to indicate that they ‘may be preserved’, whilst ‘the rest may be destroyed’.

4501. Letter from Mr R Montgomery, Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow, Nov 1858. About vacancies in the Commission; proposes Captain Hawes as supernumerary 3rd class Assistant. If Benee Madho remained 24 hours in his position at Dhonda Kherah after 25 Nov his force must be destroyed, as the columns were surrounding him, but fears he will have fled before Lord Clyde reaches that place. It is very curious that all the Talukdars leave their forts; Benee Madho is outside Dhondah Kherah. Copy of reply, Hawes will be appointed. Remarks on the state of the campaign. The Banda Nawab surrendered on 19 Nov with his elephants, jewels and money. The Shahabad sepoys seem to have been driven out of the Kymore Hills. Remarks on the difficulty of dealing with the sepoys who are now surrendering. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence no. 4486

4502. Letter from Lieutenant E Stevenson, 3rd Europeans, Agra, Nov 1858. Asks for staff employment. Copy of reply, application noted.

4503. Letter from Mrs Eliza Mayne, Saugor, Nov 1858. Points out that there are many ladies waiting in vain for an escort to enable them to leave Saugor. Cover only Endorsed: transferred to Secretary to Government Military Department.

4504. Letter from Mr W White, Officiating Naval Store Keeper, Kidderpore, Calcutta, Nov 1858. Sends a list of stores loaded on board Honourable Company's troop boat 'Dalah' for the use of the Honourable Company's State Yacht 'Sonamookee' and Bhowleah No 3, attached to the Governor General at Allahabad. Letter no longer enclosed. Copy of reply about this See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence no. 4505

4505. Copy of a letter to R J H Davies Esquire Magistrate, Benares, Nov 1858. About stores for the 'Sonamookee'. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence no. 4504

4506. Letter from Mr G F Edmonstone, Secretary, to Government, of India Foreign Department with the Governor General, Allahabad, Nov 1858. Forwards an extract from a letter from the Deputy Surveyor General about vacancies in the Survey, and suggesting Lieutenant A D Vaurenen See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence no. 4520

4507. Letter from Lieutenant J Angelo, Officiating Commandant Tewana Horse, Camp, Oudh, Nov 1858. Forwarding a petition from Sahib Khan Tewana, one of the chiefs of the regiment under his command, asking for 6 months batta for the men. Letter and petition no longer enclosed. Copy of reply, his petition has been transferred to General Birch, Secretary to Government Military Department.

4508. Letter from Sir R Hamilton, Agent to the Governor General for Central India, Indore, Nov 1858. Reports that Captain Keatinge's column is in pursuit of the enemy. Owing to the absence on service of all his Assistants Hamilton is overwhelmed with work. Holkar has sent all his sowars out in every direction. Hamilton expects every moment to hear of interruption to the wire on the Bombay Road.

4509. Letter from Mr T P Manuel, Head Master of the Mozufferpore School, Mozufferpore, Nov 1858. Forwards the prospectus of 2 of his forthcoming works, 'The Ruby's Smile', and 'Gool Bukawullee' and asks for the Governor General's patronage, Copy of reply, please send copy of 'Gool Bukawullee' when it is published. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence no. 5809.

4510. Letter from Captain A H Ternan, 1st class Deputy Commissioner Jubbulpore Division, Camp, Duboh, Nov 1858. Asks to be appointed Political Agent at Bhopal. Copy of reply, acknowledgment.

4511. Letter from Captain H D Abbott, Commanding Cavalry Detachment, Field Force Hyderabad Contingent, Camp, Julgoam, Nov 1858. Reports the movements of Tantia Topi towards the Deccan, and the dispositions of the British forces. Sends a copy of his letter to Brigadier Hill, explaining why he wishes to move on Edlabad, should it be necessary, notwithstanding the peremptory order of his superior Captain Scott to return immediately to Hewer Kai. Tantia has proclaimed his determination to continue to persecute those who are loyal to the British. Abbott asks if there are any despatches of Sir H Rose and General Napier from Calpee etc in existence, and whether they will be published; asks if there is any chance of his getting honours, as his name had been favorably mentioned in every despatch since the date of his joining Sir Hugh. Copy of reply, Private Secretary believes Tantia and the Rao Sahib are again across the Nerbudda. He cannot help admiring the way they evade the British troops and yet keep together. Sir K Rose's despatches have not yet reached the Governor General. It is very hard that so many officers who have distinguished themselves should be debarred from honours; Private Secretary hopes the Bombay Government will remind the General of his duty in this respect.

4514. Letter from Mr E A Reade, Member of the Sudder Board of Revenue, Agra, Nov 1858. Has despatched under separate cover 6 copies of his Memorandum on Police, and Note on Castes. Copy of reply, grateful acknowledgment. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence no. 4490, Book number 71.

4515. Letter from Mr C W West, Inspecting Post Master, Canara Division, Camp Cannanore, Nov 1858. Encloses Mr Fisher's unfavourable reply to his letter asking for Fisher's intercession. Asks for a pension of 100 Rupees or some suitable employment in consideration of the services of his late father Lieutenant General Richard West. Five 1/2 anna stamps.

4516. Letter from Brigadier General G St P Lawrence, Officiating Governor General's Agent, Rajputana States, Aboo, Nov 1858. Asks for Lieutenant J T Newall, 2nd Bombay Grenadiers, to be gazetted as his Officiating Assistant. Asks for 1 or 2 other officers as well as Newall to be appointed as Officiating Assistants. (Copy) Covering note from Mr Edmonstone.

4517. Letter from Brigadier General G St P Lawrence, Camp, Seoher, Nov - Dec 1858. Suggests Lieutenant E B Wimberley, 3rd Europeans, as Assistant to himself. Copy of reply, Newall's appointment has been gazetted; the Governor General will not nominate Lieutenant Wimberly [sic] at present, or any officer belonging to European Corps, the Artillery, or regiments on active service. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence no. 4516.

4519. Letter from Mr H Schlagintweit, Berlin, Oct - Dec 1858. Sends a letter offering to supply Government with a collection of the heads (in stone?) of the principal races and tribes of India and High Asia; the heads were seen by Lady Canning, in plaster, etc. Copy of reply, his letter has been transferred to the Home Department.

4520. Copy of a letter to Major H L Thuillier, Deputy Surveyor General, Calcutta, Nov 1858. About appointments in the Survey Department. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence no. 4506.

4521. Letter from Mr C B Denison, Magistrate and Collector of Mirzapore, Dec 1858. In reply, about carpets and small rugs. The Mirzapore district is now cleared of the Shahabad rebels. 1/2 anna stamp. Copy of earlier letter, asking for rugs for Lady Canning.

4522. Letter from Mr S H Robinson, Secretary Calcutta Sailors' Home Society, Calcutta, Nov - Dec 1858. Asks for the Governor General's subscription to the Home. Receipt. Copy of reply, sending a cheque.

4523. Letter from Sir James Outram, Member of Council, Calcutta, Nov - Dec 1858. Forwards a pamphlet on Education and Christianity in India, sent to him by the author, the Reverend Mr Badger (no longer enclosed.) Copy of reply, acknowledgment. See also Private Secretary’s Miscellaneous item No 401a.

4524. Letter from Mr H B Simson, Assistant to the Magistrate and Collector of Bhaugulpore, Nov - Dec 1858. Asks to be allowed to accept the offer of a 2nd class Assistant Commissionership in Oudh. Copy of reply, refused. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence nos. 4537, 4546, 4714, 4730 Telegraph Message Sent number 579.

4524a. Letter from Mr W Blowers, Deputy Post Master General, Bombay, Nov - Dec 1858. Reports that the express packet of the l8th arrived at the Bombay Post Office on the 24th; and as it was not expected to arrive so soon, the steamer was detained by order of the Governor. Copy of earlier letter, sending the express packet and listing its contents; also 2 other letters about this.

4525. Letter from Captain J P Nixon, Acting Political Agent, Bhurtpore, Nov - Dec 1858. Reapplies for the Political Agency at Jodhpur; failing this, would wish to be confirmed at Bhurtpore. Copy of reply, no appointment is to be made at present. Office memorandum.

4526. Letter from Major E K Elliot, Deputy Commissioner Nagpur, Seetabuldee, Nov - Dec 1858. Asks for a political appointment, with copies of testimonials. Copy of reply, the Governor General will keep him in mind. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence no. 4557.

4527. Anonymous letter, Cawnpore, Dec 1858. Asks why Nawab Bakir Ally is still in prison, and not released in conformity with the Queen's proclamation.

4528. Letter from Lord William Hay, Deputy Commissioner Simla, Nov - Dec 1858. Has sent 5 real Rampore Chudders to Lady Canning. Would like a transfer, especially to some political appointment. 1/2 anna stamp. Copy of reply, sending money for the Chudders. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence nos. 4412, 4463, 4466.

4529. Letter from Mr G F Honey, Magistrate and Collector, Shahjehanpore, Dec 1858. In reply, the name of the Band Master of the 23rd Native Infantry is mentioned in a list of those who were murdered at Nourungabad (?) Copy of earlier letter asking for information. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence nos. 4460, 4461.

4530. Copy of a letter to Mr W Blowers, Deputy Post Master General, Bombay, Dec 1858. The Governor General will send his express for Bombay on 3 Dec.

4531. Letter from Brigadier F Wheler, Commanding Saugor District, Saugor, Nov - Dec 1858. States that his son in law Dr Kemp, died from exposure in Saugor Fort in 1857 on military duty, and left 5 children and a nephew unprovided for; asks for an appointment for Mr W Kemp to the Police, or some Irregular Regiment. Copy of reply, Mr Kemp is too young to be appointed. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence no. 5333.

4532. Letter from Captain W D Dickson, 3rd Native Infantry, Officiating Cantonment Magistrate, Sholapore, Nov - Dec 1858. Applies to be Assistant to the Resident at Hyderabad. Encloses a note from Mr Frere, the Commissioner in Scinde. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence nos. 4116, 4618

4533. Letter from Mr G F Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government of India, with the Governor General Allahabad, Dec 1858. Forwards the Durbar Accounts for Aug Sept and Oct 1858. (No longer enclosed)

4534. Letter from Mrs E B Thring, Saugor, Nov - Dec 1858. In reply, about an escort for those who wish to leave Saugor. 1 enclosure. Copy of reply, orders have been sent to Saugor about an escort. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence no. 4423.

4535. Letter from Mr M Gubbons, Financial Commissioner Oudh, on leave, Marseilles, Oct - Dec 1858. Asks to be allowed a copy of his letter to the Governor General from Lucknow on 21 Jul 1857, as he wishes to print it in an Appendix to the 4th edition of his work on the Mutinies in Oudh. This work embodies his own views, but he will endeavour to carry out the line of policy adopted by Lord Canning for the Government of Oudh. Copy of reply, sending him a copy of his letter of 22 Jul which is the one alluded to. Governor General's Book number 634.

4536. Letter from Lieutenant J Perkins, Assistant Commissioner for the trial and punishment of offenders, Cawnpore, Dec 1858. As his present appointment will soon cease, asks for another post.

4537. Letter from Mr T D Forsyth, Secretary to Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow, Dec 1858. Suggests Mr H B Simson as 2nd class Assistant Commissioner. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence nos. 4539, 4524, 4546, 4714, 4730.

4538. Letter from Brevet Lieutenant Colonel J Travers, 2nd Bengal Grenadiers and Commandant late Bhopal Contingent, Fortrose, Scotland, Mar 1858. Asks for staff employment, preferably in Central India. Copies of testimonials. 6d stamp.

4539. Letter from Mr G F Edmonstone, Secretary to the Government of India with the Governor General, Allahabad, Dec 1858. Forwards a copy of a letter from the Secretary to the Chief Commissioner of Oudh about vacancies in the Oudh Commission, which recommends certain arrangements. List of officers in the Commission. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence nos. 4537, 4549.

4540. Letter from Mr William FitzGerald, Lucknow, Dec 1858. Forwards a Memorial stating his services in the garrison of Lucknow during the Mutiny, and asks for a suitable appointment in the new Police Corps, or in Public Works Department. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence nos. 4549, 4689, 6660.

4541. Letter from Dr F W A De Fabeck, Assistant Surgeon, Bengal Army, Dinapore, Nov - Dec 1858. Applies for the medical charge of a civil station. Copy of reply, request refused, as he has not completed 2 years of military service. Note about this.

4542. Letter from Mrs Willoughby, Mussourie, Dec 1858. Recommends 2 houses in Mussourie as suitable for the Governor General should he visit it next hot season. Intends to send the chess board to Lady Canning with the station doctor. The community is disappointed with Lord Clyde for sending a young unmarried officer to succeed as doctor. Copy of reply, grateful acknowledgment; it is not likely that the Governor General will visit Mussourie in 1859.

4543. Letter from Assistant Surgeon C Mathias, in attendance upon the Rajah of Kerowlee, Dec 1858. Applies for the medical charge of the Agency of Ulwar. Two anna stamps. Copy of reply, refused, it is unlikely that there will be a surgeon at Ulwar.

4544. Letter from Lieutenant T P Walsh, 1st Bombay Grenadiers Native Infantry, Bombay, Nov - Dec 1858. Asks for employment for his brother S G Walsh, who has enlisted in the 7th Hussars and is on his way to India in the 'General Simpson'; the writer would purchase his discharge from the regiment, his brother's continuance in the ranks will cause his family much pain. Copy of reply, request refused.

4545. Letter from Sir R Hamilton, Governor General's Agent for Central India, Indore, Nov - Dec 1858. States that Tantia Topi continues to evade all pursuit. Hopes that the Governor General will be pleased with Major Sutherland's affair, and also Lieutenant Dysart's opposing the passage of the Nerbudda. The Banda Nawab is expected at follow shortly. Gives the reasons for not alluding, in his official letter, to Lieutenant Kerr's idea of employing spies to shoot Tantia. Reports the result of an interview with Holkar, who is very much disheartened at the non-receipt of a Khureeta from the Governor General; and recommends His Highness' suggestion that all treaty engagements with native chiefs should be renewed in the Queen's name. Suggests that the Queen institute the Order of British India, making herself its head, and investing the Chiefs with classes. Reports the death of the Beema Baee, daughter of Jusund Rao Holkar the Great, she is succeeded by her grandson. Trusts that Captain Kelbert did his work to the Governor General's satisfaction.

4546. Letter from Mr H B Simson, Assistant to the Magistrate and Collector of Bhaugulpore, Dec 1858. Further to his application for transfer to Oudh, forwards a letter from Montgomery to Campbell. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence nos. 4524, 4537, 4714, 4730; Telegraph Message Sent number 579.

4548. Letter from Mr R Montgomery, Chief Commissioner, Lucknow, Dec 1858. In reply, sends a list of the vacancies in the Oudh Commission, and suggests arrangements for the vacancies. Does not think that any other band of rebels is likely to try and escape, but suggests precautions to be taken. Copy of earlier letter, sending a list of the men the Governor General proposes for the Oudh Commission. Note about this. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence nos. 4537, 4539.

4549. Letter from Mr R Montgomery, Chief Commissioner of Oudh, Lucknow, Dec 1858. Returns Mr Fitzgerald's Memorial, a copy of all the papers relating to him have been sent to the Post Master General, who is anxious to secure good officers for the Post Office. Everything is prospering across the Gograh, and by the end of the month the campaign will be over. Copy of earlier letter about FitzGerald. See also Private Secretary’s Correspondence nos. 4540, 4689, 6660.

4550. Letter from the Deputy Post Master, Ahmednuggur, Dec 1858. In reply, has no knowledge of the writer of the letter the Private Secretary enquired about. Envelope with 1/2 anna stamp. Copy of earlier letter, sending the Deputy Post Master an envelope and asking for information. Note by Private Secretary, the enclosure was so gross in expression that it was not filed.