Mss Eur Orme OV.37

pp. [i-iii]. Table of Contents.

1, pp. 1-2 (23 x 19 cm.). Letter dated Camp at the Caramnassa, 20 Dec. 1766, to the Governor and Council, Fort William. Duplicate. Signed R.S. (? Richard Smith].

2, pp. 5-6 (23 x 19 cm.). Copy of a letter, undated, to some Member of the Court of Directors. Unsigned, but stated in the Index to be from Richard Smith, and there dated 1767. 'Thanking his correspondent for an appointment, the nature of which is not stated. From No.3 below it appears possible that it is intended for Lord Clive's recommendation that he should succeed Carnac in the Bengal command, but apparently Smith was also in communication with Rous, one of the Directors.

3, pp. 7-34 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Camp on the banks of the Carumnassah, 7th Jan. 1767, from Richard Smith to Orme. Original. Protests against the idea that his appointment as successor to Carnac in the Bengal command should proceed from the recommendation of Lord Clive (of whom he expresses both dislike and distrust), and not as a result of pure merit. " I think the Company are rather more Indebted to me for the Mode in which I serve them than I am indebted to the Company for their employment. Without enthusiasm, my dear Orme, it is altogether impossible that I could have conducted myself in this arduous Scene in the Manner I have done - The ground of the whole has been Disinterestedness- and that is a Virtue which has not been much in these Parts - nor perhaps will not be much known hereafter" (sic). He speaks highly of the Sepoys. "Some of our battalions would astonish the King of Prussia - and they astonish me." He cannot understand why governorships should be given only to Civilians :-" These gentry my honourable masters never grow wiser - or because what was their system when pure Commercial matters were their only concern must that system be still pursued when they have rose from a Counting House to an Empire ?" Considers Voltaire would have done better not to publish his ideas. Postscript, 23 Jan. 1767. Describes a meeting with Lord Clive in Calcutta in which he assured Clive that he (Smith) approved of Clive's public conduct, and would support his successor, whose fault it would be if Smith quarrelled with him, and asked Clive to assure the Directors that he, Smith, was perfectly disinterested.

4, pp. 35-56 (22.5 x 18). Letter, dated 1767, from Richard Smith to Orme. Speaks of Clive's imperious behaviour in Council; His successor, Verelst, disinclined to consider Smith as Commander-in-Chief; Ill-treatment by Clive and Carnac; Asks Orme to continue in the guardianship of his son.

5, pp. 59-60 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated 1767, from Richard Smith to Orme. Duplicate of No.9 below. Regarding the purchase of an estate to qualify him for a seat in Parliament.

6, pp. 63-64 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Note of instructions. Original. Duplicate of No. 10 below. No address, but initialled R.S. Probably to Orme.

7, p. 65 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Calcutta 14 March 1767, from Richard Smith to Messrs. Orme, Browne, Clive, and Sumner. Original. Duplicate of No. 11 below. Authorizes the advance of any sum up to £4,000 to Mr. Orme on demand.

8, pp. 67-94 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Calcutta or the Gardens called Elysium, 15 March 1767. Original. Differences with Mr. Verelst as regards the command of the Army adjusted satisfactorily; a letter for Mr. Pitt enclosed, but to delivered at Orme's discretion; his whole fortune at stake, as it has been lent to the Nawab of Arcot, and used for the reimbursing of his debt to the Company, and the payment of the expenses of the Madura expedition. The Company having ordered the Nawab's creditors, on penalty of dismissal from the Company's service, to be satisfied with 12 1/2 per cent. (see 27. 18), the creditors had all recalled their money, and the Nawab, unable to meet the sudden demand, had refused payment. " He is indebted more to Individuals than ever was the amount of his debt to the Company. This is a cruel and an infamous Order, for his non payment. plainly evinces the Risk we run in lending the money: and therefore the premium ought to be adequate. Assignments are made over to Trustees of certain Lands, but it is supposed it will be near three years before this debt is discharged - a comfortable prospect for me and to receive it in driblets. And after that no mode of remittance to Europe! Where will the Company drive to at last? "; Great discontent in the army caused by the cutting off' of perquisites and privileges in conformity with various reforms; "I have always preached and practised disinterestedness and subordination to the Army, but I always supposed that the provision made for our principal officers would have met with the approbation of the Directors, for it is their only hope"; The ignorance of his colleagues and his own fitness for the Governorship.

9, pp. 95-166 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Original of No. 5 above.

10, pp. 99-100 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Duplicate of No.6 above.

11, p. 101 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Duplicate of No.7 above.

12, pp. 103-105 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter dated Calcutta, 17 March 1767, from Richard Smith to Orme. Original.

13, pp. 107-110 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Calcutta, 28 March 1767, from Richard Smith to Orme. Original. The approach of Shah Abdallah [Ahmad Shah Abdali] to Delhi. Strange apathy on the part of Governor Verelst.

14, pp. 111-112 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Calcutta, 30 March 1767, from Richard Smith to Orme. Original. Encloses duplicate of his letter to Mr. Pitt (see No. 8 above).

15, pp. 115-120 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Allahabad, April1767, from Richard Smith to Orme. The Abdali has retreated. The qualifications required in a historian all to be found in Orme whose "labours may guide and instruct both the Ensign and the General." Smith's own achievements not so well appreciated as they should be: "I have already complained to you that many of my Predecessors have rose up to Eminence by Success in one fortunate Hour, where Chance perhaps more than Judgment decided in their Favor - They totally neglected that which is the Soul of Action in all Armies, Discipline and Subordination."

16, pp. 123-129 (32 x 20 cm.). Correspondence between Richard Smith and Governor Verelst. Copies. (1) Letter, dated Midaunpoor, 24 June 1767, from Governor Verelst to Col. Richard Smith. Forbids him to make any appointments of officers in the Army without his Consent. (2) Extract from a letter, dated Fort William, 29 August 1767, from Governor Verelst to Col. Richard Smith. On the same subject, and informs him of the steps he has taken to secure proper returns of Casualties. (3) Letter, dated Head Quarters Near Allahabad, 27 Sept. 1767, from Col. Smith to Governor Verelst. Acknowledges Nos. (1) and (2), and remonstrates with the Governor on his action. (4) Letter, dated Head Quarters at Allahabad, 4 July 1767, from Col. Smith to the Governor and Council Fort William. Duplicate of No. 30 (1) below. Encloses letters from the King to the Governor and to the Council, regarding a present of two lakhs of rupees which the King wishes to make him. (5) Letter, dated Head Quarters at Allahabad, 15 Aug. 1767, from Col. Smith to the Governor and Council, Fort William. Duplicate of No. 30 (3) below. Leaves Council to dispose as they may think right of the King's order on the Company's Treasury at Murshidabad.

17, pp. 131-138 (23 x 18 cm.). Letter dated Head Quarters near Allahabad, 31 Aug. 1767, from Rich. Smith to R. Browne, Eaq. Original. Asks him to use every effort to induce the Court of Directors to sanction the King's present to him. (See No. 16 (4) above.)

18, pp. 141-160 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter dated Head Quarters at Allahabad, 31 Aug. 1768, from R. Smith to Orme. Original. Retreat of the Abdali Shah; Differences between Smith and Governor Verelst, who" thinks Clive the greatest man that ever existed, consequently all his systems infallible," ,on military matters. It appears from this and other letters that Smith favoured a party at home opposing Clive, and that this party included Orme, Dudley, Scrafton, Roberts, Pigou, Saunders, Manship, Du Pre and Cruttenden.

19, pp. 161-164 (22.5 x 18 cm.); The General H eads of a letter from the Emperor Shah Allum to the Prime Minister of Britain. (Lord Chatham is named.) In R. Smith's hand- Writing. Eulogistic of " Colonel Smith Bahawder."

20, pp. 165-171 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter dated Allahabad, 1 Sept. 1767,from R. Smith to Orme. Original. Recommends a Capt. Shrimpton, who has been dismissed from the Companys service for insubordination; supposes that Verelst is intrlguing against him (i.e., Smith) at home.

21, p. 173 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Allahabad, 6 Sept. 1767, from R. Smith to Orme. Original. Asks Orme's influence in obtaining a writership for the brother of a Mr. Maddison, himself a Factor in the Company's service.

22, pp. 177-180 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Head Quarters at Allahabad, 13 Sept. 1767, from R Smith to Orme. Original. Regarding the King'(Shah Alam's) proposed present of two lakhs.

23, p. 181 (15 x 18.5 cm.). Governor Verelst to Moniere al Dowlah, M inister to the King (upon a slip of paper called a Ruckah.) Beale gives the name of Shah Alam's Agent at Calcutta as Munir-uddin, possibly the same person. Ruckah is apparently the Hindustani Roka or Rokha, a note, draft or bill.

24, pp. 183-194 (22.5 x18 cm.). Letter, dated Head Quarters near Allahabad, 13 Sept. 1767, from R. Smith to L. Scrafton. Original. His quar rels with Governor Verelst. Encloses copy (No. 25 below) of his letter to the Court of Directors.

25, pp. 195-206 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Head Quarters near Allahabad, 13 Sept. 1767, from R. Smith to the Court of Directors. (Enclosed in No. 24 above.) Copy. Concerning the Shahzada's present of two lakhs. In this letter he says: "Notwithstanding I have the honour to command an Army consisting of no less than thirty-four battalions of Infantry, yet all my emoluments in your service (besides having my field expenses defray'd) do not exceed seven hundred pounds per annum, and this is all I do receive, for as I had abolished all perquisites in office from others, it becomes more essentially necessary that I should be the first to set an example of integrity." Compare Smith's salary as Commander- in-Chief in Bengal with that of Sir Eyre Coote as Commander-in-Chief in India. See 277. 1.

26, pp. 207-209 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter from the King Shah Allum to the Governor of Fort William. Translated from the original by Mr. Maddison, the Company's translator of the Persian letters. In R. Smith's handwriting. Regarding the present of two lakhs to Col. Smith.

27, pp. 213-216 (20.3 x 16 cm.). Letter from the King to the Company, Sept. 1767. In R. Smith's handwriting. Regarding the present of two lakhs to Col. Smith.

28, pp. 217-223 (32.3 x 20 cm.). Papers concerning Shah Allum's Proposcd present to Col. Rich. Smith:- (1) Translation of a letter from Lord Clive to the Shah Allum, Emperor of Indostan in 1765. Copy. Concerning a present from the King to Col. John Carnac. (2) Translation of a letter from Mr. Verelst, President of the Council to Shah Allum, Emperor of Indostan in 1767. Copy. Concerning the present from Shah Alam to Col. Richard Smith. (3) Letter from Mr. Verelst to M onier-ul-Dowlah Naib-Vizier, 1767. Copy. Remonstrating on the extravagance of the present offered to Col. Smith. (4) Letterfrom the Council, Fort William, to Col. R. Smith, dated 20 July 1767. Copy. Duplicate of No. 30 (2) below. Promising to refer the King's offer to the Company at home, but objecting strongly to the principle of taking presents. (5) Letter, dated Fort William, 14 Sept. 1767, from the Council, Fort William, to Col. R. Smith. Copy. Saying that they will keep the King's note until the Company's pleasure is known.

29, pp. 225-231 (23 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Head Quarters near Allahabad, 16 Sept. 1767, f'rom R. Smith to the Council, Fort William. Copy. Refers to the charge of having made treaties on his own authority.

30, pp. 233-236 (30 x 22 cm.). Correspondence regarding the King' s present of two lakhs (1) Letter, dated Head Quarters near Allahabad, 4 July, 1767, from Col. R. Smith to Council Fort William. Copy. Duplicate of No. 16 (4) above. (2) Letter, dated Fort William, 20 July 1767, from Council to Col. Smith. Copy. Duplicate of No. 28 (4) above. (3) Letter, dated Head Quarters near Allahabad, 15 Aug. 1767, from Col. R. Smith to Council, Fort William. Copy. Duplicate of No. 16 (5) above.

31, pp. 237-248 (23.5 x 18.5 cm.). Letter, dated Allahabad, - 1767, from Col. R. Smith to Orme. Copy. His resentment at the behaviour of the Council in regard to the King's present.

32, pp. 249-250 (22.5 x 18 cm.). Letter, dated Fort William, 25 Sept. 1767, from Charles Floyer to Orme. Original. Concerning Shah Alam's present to Col. R. Smith.

33, pp. 253-280 (19 x 15 cm.). Letter, dated Allahabad, 2 Oct. 1767, from R. Smith to Orme. Original. Complaints against Clive and Governor Verelst.

34, pp. 281-291 (32 x 20 cm.). Letter from Col. R. Smith to the Select Committee. Copy. Proposed answer to Select Committee's letter of the 13 Oct. 1767.

35, pp. 293-296 (32 x 20 cm.). (1) Copy of part of a letter, dated Fyzabad, 16 Oct. 1767, from Captain Gabriel Harper ,to the Honble. Henry Verelst, Esq., President and Governor of Fort William. 1 (2) Copy of part of a letter, dated Fort William, 2 Nov. 1767, from Mr. Verelst to Capt. Harper(2) Copy of part of a letter, dated Camp at Mullahpoor, on the Banks of the Gograh, 30 Nov. 1767, from Capt. Harper to Mr. Verelst.

36, p. 297 (19.7 x 16 cm.). Extract of a letter, dated 20 Nov. 1767, from the Secret Department at Fort St. George to the Select Committee of Fort William, dated 25 Nov. 1767. Acknowledging Col. R. Smith's services in the Deccan, and requesting that he may be placed in command of the Hyderabad expedition. ,

37, pp. 301-332 (20 x 16 cm.). Letter, dated Head Quar-ters near Allahabad, 4 Dec. 1767, from Col. R. Smith to Orme. Original. The usual complaints; Rumbold's unsuccessful expedition against Nepal; sends Orme various information on geographical and historical subjects :-" It seems there is a prophecy of Mahomet, that his Empire shd. continue for 1200 years, at the expiration of which the Infidels from the West would invade Indostan to the great prejudice of true Believers. Perhaps this is one of those Tales that have been invented in days of yore by some wild enthusiast, or may be the offspring of folly and credulity. Be it as it may, possibly it is only the extensive influence which we have lately acquired in the Empire that has revived a rumour, before much heard of though perhaps totally discredited."

38, p. 333 (22.7 x 18 cm.). A copy of Captain [Gabriet] Harpers Declaration. Regarding Shuja-ud-daula's wish to conquer the Deccan.

39, pp. 335-346 (32 x 20 cm.). Letter, dated Head Quarters near Allahabad, 4 Dec. 1767, from Col. R. Smith to Luke Scrafton. Original. Complains against Clive and Verelst, as in his letters to Orme.