Mss Eur Orme OV.52

1, pp. 1-4 (32.3 x 19 cm. Articles and stipulations of a Truce concluded between Governor Saunders and M. Godeheu, signed at Pondicherry on the 26th December 1754, and at Fort St. George 31st Dec. 1754. Copy.

2, pp, 5-9 (21 x 16.5 cm.). Some queries by me [Orme] on sundry particulars in Lally's Mémoire. Original. The answers to these questions are not given.

3, pp. 10-11 (38.6 x 24 cm.). List of the General and Principal officers of the French Army. Copy. A list of Lally's staff; it may be compared with that given at the end of Eyre Coote's Journal (see VIII. 2 (32)).

4, pp. 12-14 (24.8 x 18 cm.) Letter, dated Gontour, 7 Sept. 1756, from M. Moraçin to M. Jean Law, Chef à Cassimbazard. Original. Says that he hopes to meet Law's brother [Jacques François] who is with Bussy, almost immediately, and that it is rumoured that war was declared between France and England on the 17th May, which, if true, is most unfortunate for both himself and the Company.

5, pp. 15-18 (24.5 x.18 cm.), Letter dated Oulagelinour, 27th Nov. 1756, from M. Ganet to --, with a drawing of the places which is bound in the plans. Original. The drawing is missing.

6, pp. 19-36. (23.2 x 18.5 cm. and 38.5 x 32 cm.). Questions in French to M. Bussy, concerning my [Orme's] narrative of his operations in the Decan from the arrival of M. Godeheu in Aug. 1754 to May 1756. Original. A draft in French of Orme's narrative of these operations with certain questions in the margin and a space left for the answers, which, however, are not given. A copy of the Narrative alone is to be found in XVI. 23 below, whilst the complete copy of Narrative, Questions and Answers is given in 55. (pp. 27-43) below.

7, pp. 37-124 (various sizes): Letters from John Caillaud to Robert Orme from the 25th Dec. 1756 to 9th Sept. 1757. Originals. Dealing with Madura and Tinnevelly affairs, and also the relief of Trichinopoly. Of the latter Caillaud says (letter dated 5th June 1757, p. 79): "Had I not succeeded in my attempt for the relief of Trichinopoly I might have called myself an unfortunate man. But as it is, tho' I am not a Clive, I need not complain. . . . I have been much out of order. Nothing but my spirit supported me to Trichinopoly. My legs indeed refused to carry me, for I was supported on men's shoulders for two miles before I got in. Never was a harder march made, from two in the afternoon untill six the next morning, and ten miles of that through Paddyfields up to the knees in mud. It is all over now, and the pleasant part remains of relating it to my admiring grandchildren." Though little mention of this exploit has been made (see Orme's History, Vol. II., p. 217) it was one of the most skilful and daring actions in the war. See 61. 10 (3).

8, pp. 125-126 (25.5 x 19.5 cm.). Polygars mentioned by Mahomed Issoof in his letters, 1756. In Orme’s handwriting.

9, pp. 127-146 (23 x 18.5 cm.). Extracts from M. Lally’s Mémoire from Sept. 1757 to January 1761, taken at Castelnau, Sept. 21st 1773. In Orme's handwriting.

10, pp. 147-148 (32.5 x 20 cm.). Letter, dated 11 April 1775, from Orme to James Alexander. Original. Enquiries with answers regarding the attack on Nellore in 1757. See 48. 1 (2) above.

11, pp: 149-158 (31.5 x 19.5 cm.). Country Correspondence. 1st Jan.-17th Feb. 1758. Copy. Letters from Balaventaraw, Balazeyrow, Goverdundoss, Gazedey Cawn, &c.

12, pp. 159-161 (39 x 23.5. cm.). (1) Fort St. David Consultations, 1 June 1758. Copy. Regarding the possibility of continuing the defence - resolution, on Major Polier's representation of the state of affairs, to surrender to General Lally.(2) Articles of Capitulation upon the Surrender of Fort St. David to M. Lally. Copy. Contains Lally's replies to the several articles.

13, pp. 163-164 (44 x 28 cm.). Capitulation of Fort St. David, 2 June 1758. Copy. The terms asked by the besieged, with Lally's answers, the latter in French. See 25. 10 (4) above.

14, pp. 165-167 (24.2 x 18 cm.). A Letter dated the French Camp at Rajamandry, 25 Oct. 1758, to Mademoiselle de Rochechouars à Versailles. Copy. In French, unsigned. Informs her of the danger in which M. Lally stands owing to the misrepresentations of his enemies, some of whom have returned to France, whilst others still in India are writing even more maliciously than the former speak, and says that now is the time for her to show her friendship.

15, pp. 169-172 (20.5 x 15.5 cm.). A letter, dated Sadras, the 24th Feb. 1758 [i.e., 1759], from Mrs. Emelia Vansittart to her husband. Original. Complains of the uncivil treatment of the English ladies at Sadras by the French. This letter was sent (see Malcolm's Life of Clive, II., 51-52, note), to Clive to show the French ladies of Chandernagore how much better was the treatment which they received from the English. Clive apparently gave the letter to Orme. It has been printed in Hill's Yusuf Khan.

16, pp. 173-176 (23 x 18.5 cm.): A letter received 25 April 1758/9 from Major Cholmondely Brereton to Robert Clive. Original. Says that the siege of Madras would have been prevented if the English had had any ships, and that a tenth part of the money given away during the siege if spent on cavalry would, with the flying column under Preston, have prevented in a great measure the French from bringing any stores by land.

17, pp. 177-193 (31.8 x 20 cm.). Admiralty Papers. Copy. Including an order from the Commissioners (for executing the office of Lord High Admiral), dated 30th March 1759, to Admiral George Pocock to return to England; a letter dated 13th Dec. 1759 from John Cleveland, and letters dated Madras Roads, 3rd March 1759, Anjengo, 11th April 1760, Pondicherry Road, 30th Jan. 1761, and Madras, 1st April 1762, from Captain Richard Kempenfelt to the Admiral. See No. 25 below. These letters refer chiefly to the Fleet. As regards the fall of Pondicherry Kempenfelt writes :- "Thus fell the French Capital in India, commanded by a Lieutenant-General of France. . . . The garrison suffered much during the siege from a scarcity of provisions, and when they surrendered no eatables were left. As Lally said, they had devoured. every living thing from an Elephant to a Mouse. Even the leather Dubbers that were made use of to hold Gee were sold and dressed for food."

18, p. 194 (23 x 18.5 cm.). Letter dated [7th Jan. 1761], from M r. A. Dalrymple to Orme. Sending him his Account of China.

19, pp. 195-239 (22.5 x 18.3 cm.). Letter, dated Soho Square, 11th Feb. 1768, from Mr. A. Dalrymple to M. Du Pré. Original. An account of the Pleadings at the Cockpit on the Pondicherry Prize-money and effects.

20, pp. 239-240 (23.2 x 18.5 cm.). Letter, dated Harley Street, 7 Jan. 1766, from Orme to Col. Eyre Coote. Original. Asks Coote to write a letter to Colonel Joseph Smith expressive of his esteem for his capacity as a soldier.

21, pp. 241-243 (21 x 16 cm.). Abstract of the war with Hyder Ally, by Col. Capper. Possibly Original. See 333. 6.

22, pp. 243-245 (21x 16 cm.). Names of places, in Mysore and on the West Coast.

23, pp. 246-251 (38.5 x 25 cm.). Letter, dated Madras, 20th Jan. 1774, from Joseph Smith to Council, Madras, regarding the state of affairs in the Carnatic, the danger from the Marathas, and the reliance to be placed upon the, Nawab Muhammad Ali. He points out more especially the impossibility of an army composed wholly of infantry defending the country against cavalry.

24, pp. 252-258 (43.5 x29 cm.). A General Account of the Kingdom of Tanjour, showing the names of provinces and Districts as well as the number of Villages, extent of Lands bearing produce, Quantity of Produce, Land-Tax, Customs, &c., of the whole Revenues per Annum. Copy. Duplicate of 33. 22. Copied in XIII. 65., Sent home by General Joseph Smith in 1774 after the capture of Tanjore.

25, p. 259 (24 x 18 cm.). Note, dated 26th, Nov. --, from Sir George Pocock to Orme. Original See No. 17 above. Sends him four letters from Captain Kempenfelt and two from the Admiralty “which he may make what use he thinks proper of before he returns them."

26, p. 260 (23 x 18 cm.). Note, dated Park Place, 18 Nov. --, from Robert Palk to Orme, Original.