INDIA - SAWMEY, S. Letter to Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Fiott DE HAVILLAND (1775-1866) in GUERNSEY (England). MADRAS (Chennai, TN), July 30th 1828. 5 pp. in-fol. -
Postmarks: MADRAS SHIP LETTER – INDIA LETTER PORTSMOUTH. Excellent! - Shipped via Weymouth. - Extraordinary text about Madras, mentioning the First Anglo-Burmese War and the participation of Madras Troops.
MADRAS, 30th July 1824.
Honored Sir,
I have had the deserving honor of receiving your kind letter dated 8th February on the 2nd instant, and I am happy to learn thank God of your good health as well as that your sisters and children.
With respect to THE TUNNEL I believe it is completed in every respect, since it answer’d the purpose it was intended, as from what I have seen in last year from a shower of rain we had then – Much more would I have been witnessed of it’s importance had we had the ordinary rains for last and this year – COLONEL CALDWELL left this to ENGLAND on the 15th January last also Mrs. SULLIVAN – The screw bill is not yet received the function of GOV(ERNMEN)T but I expect soon to hear of it – I am glad to hear that an IRON RAILING is to be sent down here for the BULWARK, as it will give a good appearance on that part of the BEACH.
CAPTAIN RAVENSHAW told me he had received a long letter from you as also Mr. CLARKE – I have tendered you kind regards to the latter Gentleman agreeably to your desire – He is as your goodness said one of those superior persons who is guided by truth, he is one that possess dispositions of benevolence and of philanthropy – I have paid ANAPAH MAISTEY the ten Rupees which you have ordered me; he is employed in the works of this department.
Since I have received the intimation of Mrs. BEAUCHAMP respecting the silver plates to have dispatched to me by your orders I have yesterday received information that the .. came on board the CATHARINE which anchored on the roads these 2 days, but which is not yet landed – I feel Sir quite proud of the gift you were pleased to bestow on me, which few have been doted with this kind of token of regard and have to render my sincere acknowledgement for the great kindness of your gratitude and which Sir, will not only be remembered by me but will even be impressed in the minds of my posterity – The EPIDEMIC DISORDER is still ranging here the under mentioned gentlemen have fell victim to this decease viz. Dr. WHITE member of the M.., Mr. Chief Secretary WOOD, Sir W. (?) FRANCKLIN 3rd JUDGE SUPREME COURT, Dr. RICHARDSON occulist, Mr. GILLEBRAND SHERIFF & Mr. John BIMRY agent. Several others were also dead whose names I do not know, as well as native to abundance.
In addition to the information I have given in my former letter respecting the SCARCETY I have now to inform your goodness, that for want of rains people from the inner countries who have no means to leave in their own places are now come to MADRAS in great numbers & begging about the streets, they are not only reduced thro STARVATION, but also infected with small pox most distressing these poor creatures are dying very fast, several rich NATIVES had established places to feed them, and this is now in continuance besides which the Committee of the MONEGAR CHOULTRY have resolved to divide them in 4 depots that is CHINTADREEPETTAH, PERUMTOOR, ROYAPOORAM or BOATMEN’S TOWN, & MONEGAR CHOULTRY to feed such as are unable to work & to those that are able to work to be employed in charing out the CANAL from COCHRANES BASIN to the HOSPITAL GATE (by paying one fanam in the evening indiscriminately for every man, and women but no feeding to them) a work which GOVERN(MEN)T since ordered to be done by this department, but as some employment must be given to occupy them, I believe the MONEGAR CHOULTRY thought proper of employing them after this manner under the instructions of Govern(men)t & MIL(ITAR)Y BOARD, for little or no work is de.. by them as they are hardly able to do any.
An EXPEDITION AGAINST THE BERMAN COUNTRY [FIRST ANGLO-BURMESE WAR 1824-1826 -the first of three wars fought between the British and Burmese Empire in the 19th century. The war, which began primarily over the control of northeastern India, ended in a decisive British victory, giving the British total control of Assam, Manipur, Cachar and Jaintia as well as Arakan and Tenasserim. The Burmese were also forced to pay an indemnity of one million pounds sterling, and sign a commercial treaty] is sent from this place to join the BENGAL ARMY and from the recent account received it appears that they have taken RANGOON and are making considerable advancement – CAPTAIN MCINTOSH was appointed to the EXPEDITION senior engineer L(IEUTENAN)T LAKE 2d ensign UNDERWOOD 3rd ensign COTTON the 4th.
Mr. GRAME and OGILVIE are appointed councillors. The B(oar)d of Trade it is said to have been abolished and Marine Board only to remain, Mr. GWATKIN is appointed commercial superintendent.
Major CLEGHORN had the charge of the Chief Engineers Department only for few months, Major COTGRAVE is now in charge of the department as well as that of the inspector gen(era)l’s office –
Some paper was ordered by CAPTAIN RAVENSHAW to get ready, to be sent to you what was accordingly procured & given, they are in charge of CAPTAIN ANDERSON of engineers who is now come out in the same ship that carry this.
Since of late a BRIDGE was erected near Mr. GWATKINS garden & completed and another one is about to commence denominated AGNEWS BRIDGE in next year – The BULWARK, TUNNEL, PLACE OF ARMS etc. etc. at the new cantonment are all in good condition – the expense of the latter work have exceeded the original estimate – Your HOUSES ON THE MOUNT ROAD are in a tolerable good condition occupied by the same tenants –
The bill for putting up leaden spouts to ST. ANDREWS CHURCH was sent to Mr STRACHAN for the purpose of it’s being forwarded to Gov(ernmen)t for payment.
I conclude for the present by wishing your goodness & family’s long life & happiness. Mrs. ANDERSON begs to tender his best respect to you –
I remain honored Sir, your most obedient & most obliged servant
S. Sawmey