Mss Eur Orme OV.27

pp. [i-iv]. Table of Contents. (Continued at the end of the volume.) Arranged under Provinces, &c. .

1, pp. 1-2 (37 x 24 cm.). Letter, dated Fort St. George, 9 January 1761, from the Council Fort St. George, to Captain Richard Smith at Trichinopoly. Original. Refer to the growing power of Haidar Ali and the King of Mysore's dislike to him; say that the Council are averse to giving up Karur and have reported Yasim Khan's misbehaviour to the Nawab.

2, pp. 5-12. (1) pp. 5-8 (32.8 x 20 cm.). An account of the reduction of Gingee by Captain Stephen Smith from January 21st 1761 to the 4th of April. Original. (See below, one. 31. 19 and 147. 13.) Orme notes that this paper was written by Stephen Smith and given to him in April or May 1763. (2) pp. 10-11 (32 x 21 cm.). A sketch of a plan [of Gingee] drawn by Colonel Richard Smith assisted by Joseph Smith. Original. (See below, 31. 18.)

3, p. 13 (24.3 x 19 cm.). A Scrap - memorandum of the works and approaches to Pondicherry from the surrender of Ariancopang, September 27th 1760 to the 15th January 1761. Copy.

4, p. 15 (25 x 15 cm.). References very correct to a plan of Pondicherry and the English attack until the place surrendered. Copy. The plan is missing.

5, pp. 17-19 (27 x 18.5 cm.). Another table of references, also copious, to another plan of Pondicherry. Copy. The plan is missing.

6, pp. 21-27 (21.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Trichinopoly, 25 January1761, from Richard Smith to his sister. Original. Gives “a general view of the siege of Pondicherry from September 1760 - a particular account of the storm of the 1st of January 1761, and loss sustained in it by the squadron - of his own encampment and negotiations with the Mysorean General - of Hydernaig's proceedings and views against the English - of Preston's attack of Thiagar." Smith ascribes the capture of Pondicherry to the favour of Providence, the English army being unequal to a regular attack, and to the French fleet not arriving to relieve the town. Haidar Ali he refers to as “ this rebellious enemy," and he asserts that the Hindu rulers of Mysore were at this time eager to obtain assistance from anyone who would help them to crush his rising influence .

7, pp. 29-33 (37.5 x 23.5 cm.). Extract of instructions given by the French East India Company to General Lally, not mentioned when signed, but about 1756, the operations in consequence extended to 1763 - there are six articles, being a translation, there are some capital faults in the meaning of the 3rd article, which I [Orme] have brought back again to common sense. True copy endorsed by O. Crom. Webb, Secretary to the Select Committee. (See Madras Military Consultations, 13 April 1761.) These instructions having been intercepted by the English were used to justify the harsh treatment meted out to Chandernagore in 1757 and Pondicherry in 1761, when these towns were taken by the English. The extract is printed in the Life prefixed to Orme's Historical fragments, p. xvi. (n). .

8, pp. 37-40 (37.8x 23.5 cm.). Remarks on a Memorial of the French East India Company delivered to the Count d'Ache, Chef d'Escadre, and commanding the squadron destined to the East Indies towards the latter end of 1756. True copy endorsed by O. Crom. Webb, Secretary Select Committee. A marginal note shows that the" remarks" were made in 1761, but Article 10 deals with the campaigns of 1757 and 1758. Printed in Life prefixed to the Historical Fragments.

9, pp. 41-44 (37.8 x 23.5 cm.). Remarks on the French East India Company's instructions given to Monsieur Magon, one of their Directors, who was sent out Governor of the Islands of Mauritius and Bourbon, 24th May 1755. True copy endorsed by O. Crom. Webb, Secretary Select Committee.

10, pp. 45-51 (21.5 x 17.5 cm.). Captain R. Smith to General Lawrence, without date but written some time I [Orme] think in December 1760. Unsigned, but in Smith's handwriting. Mentions the great distress suffered by the garrison of Pondicherry for want of food. Certain deserters reported as follows :- "The allowance of provisions when they left it was for each man in two days half a measure of rice, a loaf of bread made of Tower, scarce eatable, and eight ounces of pounded, maggotty biscuit. As to flesh they had it served once in eight days, camel, horseflesh, or whatever could be got. That the soldiers killed cats, dogs, or whatever animals came in their way, and the officers had been so constantly at a Chasse aux Corbeaux that now even a crow curry was a great rarity." This letter is further interesting as showing the affectionate respect felt for Lawrence by the men whom he had trained in Indian warfare, and also the jealousy that existed between the King's and the Company's troops. " Happy for me that my services have been separated from the Royalists ever since you left us. They look down with such disdain upon the Company's Corps that I could never have served [with them] with satisfaction, and at last we have convinced them that the Company's troops perform their service with vigor and regularity when their own Corps was in disorder and confusion."

11, p. 53 (37 x 23.5 cm.). Letter, dated Fort St. George, l0th February 1761, from the Council Madras to Captain Richard Smith. Original. Permit him to make over his command at Trichinopoly and to return to Madras; thank him for his services.

12, p. 57 (30.5 x 18.8 cm.). Letter, dated Madras, 16 March 1761, from Captain Richard Smith to the Council Fort St. George. In Smith's hand,writing and probably a duplicate. Asks permission to resign and to be allowed a passage to Europe.

13: pp. 59-66: pp. 59-62 (33 x 20.5 cm.), pp. 63-64 (21 x 16 cm.), pp. 65-66 (19 x 17.5 cm.). Letter, dated Fort St. George, 25 July 1761, from Sir Robert Fletcher to the Council Fort St. George. The latter part of the letter is in Sir Robert’s handwriting. Gives an account of his expedition to Diego Rays - 8 May to 25 July 1761. See 26. 16 (2) above.

14, pp. 69-72 (38.3 x 24 cm.). A letter, dated [? 1761], from Mr. John Hatfeild, of Bombay, to Commodore William James. Original. Refers to the condition of the whole of India, but contains little of interest except the doubtful statement that after the battle of Panipat many thousands of Hindus were forcibly converted to Muhammadanism. See 32. 21 below .

15, p. 75 (59 x 47 cm.). An account of the different Sieges and Battles on the Coast of Coromandel since the arrival of Colonel Coote. Copy. An important table giving the details of the loss in killed and wounded amongst the Europeans in all the sieges and engagements in the Carnatic between 27 November 1759 and 16 January 1761, details which, I believe, are not to be found elsewhere. '

16, pp. 77-96 (23.5 x 19 cm.). Journal and account of the siege and taking of Manilla by Captain Fletcher (now Sir Robert) from September 23rd to the 6th of October 1762. Copy. This so-called Journal is in the form of a letter to the Secret Committee for Affairs of the Honble. East India Company. Orme notes on this paper: "I have examined it with four plans and find it much to be depended on."

17, pp. 97-106 (29 x21.5 cm.). Letter, dated Manilla, 4th and 10th October 1763, from Captain Matthew Horne to [Richard Smith]. Either Original or a duplicate. Describes affairs at Manilla after the capture, more especially the quarrels excited by M. Faillet, an inhabitant of Manilla, between Mr. Dawsonne Drake, the Company's Governor, and Captain Brereton.

18, pp. 109-120 (23 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Madrass, 18th January 1764, from John Call to Captain Richard Smith. Original. Explains the failure of the first attack on Madura and complains of the insufficiency of European military at Madras; the French baffled by the Nizam, Haidar Ali becoming very powerful, the Marathas disunited and weak, the King of Tanjore dead; wishes to retire, having amassed £25,000 (lent to the Nawab at 25 per cent per annum).

19, pp. 121-124 (3.0 x 18.5 cm.). Letter, dated Manilla, February 2nd 1764, from Matthew Horne to [Richard Smith]. Original (?). Refers chiefly to disputes between the English naval officers and civil officials at Manilla.

20, pp. 125-126 (25 x 19 cm.). List of officers killed and wounded at the 2nd siege of Madura. Copy. This shows, between 3 March and 26 June 1764, 26 casualties amongst the officers, 11 of whom were killed on the spot or died of their Wounds. Four volunteers also were wounded, two of them mortally.

21, pp. 127-129 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Camp before Maderrah, 13th October 1764, from John Call to Richard Smith. Original. Contains the following passage regarding Orme's History: "I have had Mr. Orme's History from Maskelyne and have gone about half way thro' it with attention. Though I have not much leisure I have made some remarks which may hereafter serve as notes to another edition, and I have this day in consequence of what you mentioned wrote to Mr. Orme a letter (which I request you to deliver) and taken the liberty to mention some trifling improprietys of expression or omissions. I am really much pleased with the beginning, and doubt not but the second volume will be equally interesting. I have many papers, plans and charts which I shall hereafter communicate to Mr. Orme but at present I have them not with me."

22, pp. 131-143 (30 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Fort St. George, October the 20th 1764, from Mathew Horne to --, with postscript dated October 24th 1764. Original. Probably addressed to Richard Smith, as Captain Horne mentions (p. 141) that the brother of his correspondent is Aide-de-camp to Major Campbell at Madura, and on p. 142 sends his" compliments to Mrs. Smith and family, Major Joe, &c." The letter details further official quarrels at Manilla, its restoration to the Spaniards and departure of the English. As regards the expedition he says: "The inhabitants of Manilla will be a long while before they recover the loss sustained in the Marine Yard and two galleons (sic), one destroyed and the other taken, beside the Confusion their Government is thrown in. With respect to us, except the Admiral and General and a few Captains of Men-of-war I don't know a person but what are considerable sufferers (indeed chiefly owing to the misconduct of our chiefs, who if they have their deserts all deserve the gallows), and to the Company not only an inormouse (sic) expense but the loss of the troops from this Coast has all most undone what they have been doing these ten years past." Says that the assault on Madura was made against Preston's advice and "was not conducted with that judgment that might have been expected from Call's experience." The postscript says that the news of the fall of Madura arrived in Madras on the 21st and gives a brief description of that event and the execution of Muhammad Yusuf Khan. In the Table of Contents Orme notes that the manner of Yusuf Khan's capture is "not very authentic, being the first report."

23, pp. 145-152 (37.5 x 24 cm.). Letter, dated Fort St. George, October the 15th 1765, frorn Matthew Horne to [Richard Smith]. Original. Deals with military matters from March 1765, the proposals by Lawrence and Caillaud for re-organizing the European army, the unsociable character of Governor Palk: "Mr. Palk it is thought will remain in the chair as long as he can. Madras is sadly altered Since his government. It is one of the most unsotiable (sic) dull places I ever was in; since he has been in the chair I have not heard of his doing one generouse (sic) action. Madras misses Mr. Pigot very much." Apparently this unsociability was epidemic, for in mentioning the whereabouts of Smith's old friends Captain Horne says: "Donald Campbell is still at Madura; Wood at Trichinopoly, which by all accounts is grown an unsotiable place, Wood and Floyer can't agree and the ladys disagree worse than the men. Hinchly is still there, they say he does not hit it with either Wood or Floyer." Later (see 172. 1) we find that Horne was one of the party which arrested and deposed Lord Pigot when Governor of Madras.

pp. [i-i v]. Table of Contents continued. Note. At the end of this volume Orme writes : "Monday evening September 19th 1774. Finished the reading and extracts of this volume, as they are entered in the Table of Contents - began on, Saturday," a note which is important as it shows that the "Contents Tables" of the O.V. volumes are authentic and represent Orme's latest opinions on the documents included.