DACS

indiapapers Inventory of the India Papers, 1737-1947 Processed by: Rubenstein Library Staff, Mitch Fraas; machine-readable finding aid created by: Noah Huffman David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, N.C., USA

Aleph Number: 002572330

Machine-readable finding aid derived from XML authoring program. Date of source: December 2010Processed by Rubenstein Library Staff and Mitch Fraas; finding aid encoded by Noah Huffman, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, December 2010 Description is in English Finding aid was prepared using DACS and local Style Guide Inventory of the India Papers, 1737-1947 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Duke University Durham, North Carolina 27708-0185 USA

Descriptive Summary David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University India Papers, 1737-1947 Material inEnglish 0.5 Linear Feet 47 Items For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog. This assembled collection of 47 documents, largely manuscript letters, covers nearly the entire span of British rule in India and is arranged in rough chronological order. The collection includes governmental reports, personal correspondence, and a printed map. Most of the documents are quite short though there are a few longer pieces and collections including a plan for opium sales, a series of reports on Indo-American trade, and a long letter on army discipline prior to the Vellore mutiny. Administrative Information Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

However, collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.

Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], India Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University

Provenance

The India Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a purchase from 1961 to 1983.

Processing Information

Processed by Rubenstein Library Staff and Mitch Fraas

Encoded by Noah Huffman, December 2010

Accessions 61-297, 61-301, 61-418, 61-452, 63-38, 63-39, 65-146, 71-317, and 1983 Mar. 31 were merged into one collection, described in this finding aid.

Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and local Style Guide.

This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.

Collection Overview

Miscellaneous items relating to the history of India, especially during the period of British rule, including a manuscript (12 pp.), 1798, by John Baird discussing a plan for increasing the opium trade in India; letters, 1799-1800, from Sir James Henry Craig, commander of a British division in Bengal, concerning the military situation in India; letters, 1801-1802, from John Chamier, chief secretary to the Madras government, pertaining to his desire for a seat on the Madras Council and future reforms; manuscripts, 1796-1805, discussing various aspects of the import and export trade between India and America, recording statistics and noting products involved; a map, 1820, of portions of Nagpur and Rewa provinces; and a letter, 1849, from Tomas Boaz requesting funds for a college to train Indian clergymen.

Other materials include a list, 1849, of goods purchased from Boston, Mass., merchants; letter, 1866, from Henry R. E. Wellesley, Madras 1st Light Cavalry, describing his duties and the climate in India, hunting trips, British politics, and the Sepoy army; letter, 1867, from Francis Napier, Tenth Baron Napier, governor of Madras, concerning the structure of the Indian government and his desire for a strong central government; letter, 1879, from General Frederick Sleigh Roberts, First Earl Roberts, discussing parts of his campaign in Afghanistan; letter, 1880, from Sir William Milbourne James criticizing British military ventures into Afghanistan; and a letter, 1882, from General Frederick Sleigh Roberts objecting to British policy of abandoning Kandahar and expressing fear of a Russian advance.

Additional items include a letter, 1883, from John Wodehouse, First Earl of Kimberley, secretary of state for India, concerning the Rajputana railway and the Egyptian telegraph; letters, 1886, from Sir Herbert Hope Risley discussing his work on a census glossary and on marriage customs in Bengal; letter, 1893, from Sir Henry Mortimer Durand, foreign secretary in India, discussing his book, Helen Trevelyan; letter, 1902, from Sir Evelyn Baring, First Earl of Cromer, pertaining to plans for the Indian railway; letter, 1915, from Sir Stephen George Sale reviewing the legal basis for viceroyalty in India; letter, 1930, from Sir William Malcolm Hailey criticizing English newspapers for using India as an issue against the Labour Party and discussing the Indian Congress Party; and a letter, 1947, of West Bengal, discussing some of the changes in India since Independence.

Subject Headings

These are searchable subject entries for this collection. Performing a search on these subjects in the Duke University Libraries online catalog will bring up other related research materials.

Chamier, John. Craig, James Henry, Sir, 1748-1812. Cromer, Evelyn Baring, Earl of, 1841-1917. Durand, Henry Mortimer, Sir, 1850-1924. Great Britain--Colonies--Administration. Great Britain--Colonies--India. Great Britain. Army. Hailey, William Malcolm Hailey, Baron, 1872-1969. India--Commerce--United States. India--History--British occupation, 1765-1947. India--Maps. India. India. Army. James, W. M. (William Milbourne), 1807-1881. Kimberley, John Wodehouse, Earl of, 1826-1902. Napier, Francis, Baron Napier and Ettrick, 1819-1898. Opium trade--India. Railroads--India. Risley, Herbert Hope, Sir, 1851-1911. Roberts, Frederick Sleigh Roberts, Earl, 1832-1914. Sale, Stephen George, Sir. United States--Commerce--India. Related Material India and East India Company Papers, 1691-1830 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Madras Presidency Papers, 1755-1775 David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University Contents of Collection Reports on Indian-American Trade, 1799-1805 (1 folder) 1"Extract report on the External Commerce of Bengal," 1799-1800(4 pages)

Shows exports to America with comments on the trade and goods shipped to America.

1"Extract report on the External Commerce of British India," 1802-1803(4 pages)

"America, with the exception of a few Marine and Naval stores does not produce a single article required either by the Honorable Company's European or Native subjects..."

1"Statement of Arrivals and Departures of Ships under American Colours at + from Bombay," 1802-1805(1 page) 1"Report explanatory of the trade between America and Bengal," 1803-1804(6 pages) 1"Extract Report on the External Commerce of Bombay for the year," 1804-1805(1 page)

Very brief extract noting the arrival of one American ship that year.

1Another copy in a different hand of John Baird's report (see above) Miscellaneous India Papers, 1737-1947 (1 folder) 2Letter from Honoria and Ann Somerville at Fort St. George [Madras] to their uncle William Somerville, 1737 October 5(4 pages)

Regarding part of their grandfather's legacy - later note on reverse about the estate.

2Letter from [Philip Francis?] to unknown, 1779 July 13(4 pages)

Bengal- mentions Lady Chambers.

2Letter from R. Floyd to Col. Floyd, 1791 April 22(2 pages) 2Letter from Lord Hobart to an unknown general, 1798 January 30(2 pages)

Mentions Columbo

2John Baird: "A plan for increasing the sale of opium in Bengal and rendering it a more permanent and productive revenue to the Company..," 1798 August 2(12 pages) 2"Comparative statement of the produce of the Opium Sales," 1798-1800(1 page)

Also notes the comparative profit received from Opium in 1798/9, with that computed to be derived in 1799/1800.

2Letter from Sir James H. Craig at Cawnpore to [Francis?], 1799 October 19(4 pages) 2Letter from John Craig to [Francis?], 1800 January 19(4 pages)

Written while on a shooting party at the Nabob's park at Romna (sic)

2Letter from John Craig at Cawnpore to [Francis?], 1800 January 22(3 pages) 2Letter from John Chamier at Madras to David Scott [in London], 1801 October 31(3 pages)

Concerning a seat on the Madras council.

2Letter from John Chamier at Madras to David Scott, 1802 February 1(3 pages)

Chamier complains about the Council at Madras and Lord Wellesley: "unless Lord Wellesley be speedily removed, the Company will be precipitated into Bankruptcy."

2Letter from Sir James Craig at Colchester to Simon Fraser, 1803 November 1(2 pages)

Mentions Napoleon's intentions towards "your Eastern Dominions."

2Letter from Col. Barry Close of the Madras army to Lord Wellesley, circa 1806(42 pages)

Concerning Sepoy regiments and army discipline - marked "Private." (Transcript available - 3 typed pages)

2Printed map entitled "Sketch of a route between Nagpore and Panna, 1820"

Also labeled "Engraved for the Calcutta Journal" and "Plate LVIII."

2Letter by Dr. J. Marshman at Serampore to Rev. Dr. Raffley at Liverpool, 1829 September 15(2 pages)

Concerning a friend who was medically unfit for India. Included is one printed page of Chinese text with the manuscript label "Part of the 1st Chapter of St. John's gospel translated by Dr. Marshman presented at Serampore."

2Short note by Edward Law 1st Earl Ellenborough (Governor General of India), 1830 September 7(1 page) 2Letter from Sir Charles Trevelyan at Calcutta to unknown Haileybury teacher, 1832 March 22(3 pages)

The writer offers a copy of a report on Bengal customs (not included) and credits the recipient's lectures at Haileybury for his success.

2Letter from a Mr. Cauton [?] at Calcutta to Prof. Schouw, 1837 August 2(3 pages)

In a mixture of English and Dutch. Mentions Assam.

2Letter from unknown writer at an Indian military camp to a Mr. Maddick, 1843 December 9(6 pages) 2Letter on London Missionary Society letterhead to unknown, 1849 February 6

Letter mentions the planned building of a London Missionary Society college at Calcutta. Signed by C. Walton and Thomas Boaz.

2Letter from J.C. Ballard at Calcutta to R.C. Mackay and J.T. Coolidge in Boston, Mass., 1849 July 13(4 pages)

Concerning cloth sales.

2Letter from John Lawrence (later governor general) at the India Office to a Mr. Cates, 1862(3 pages)

Letter discusses retirement benefits and annuities.

2Letter from H. Wellesley at Madras to "Eliot," 1866 December 12(19 pages)

Letter describes life in Madras and an elephant hunting expedition.

2Letter from [Francis] Napier at Madras to Col. Strachey, 1867 November 7(5 pages)

Letter marked "private." Napier relates his opinion that he is "not in favor of turning India into a federation" but rather that "India ought to have a splendid and powerful Central govt." He further opines that if India is broken up "I am in favor of a Congress of Delegates from the several Presidencies which may deliberate on the best way of breaking up India into separate states."

2Letter from Frederick Sleigh Roberts at "Camp Karca" to a "Macgregor," 1879 June 13(5 pages)

Letter relates mountaineering expeditions and speculation on the "easiest route from India to Afghanistan."

2Letter from Lord Justice William Milbourne James to his son "Willie," 1880 August 13(5 pages)

The letter mentions the late Anglo-Afghan war throughout: "I quite agree with you that we are thoroughly beaten in Afghanistan and it is no use attempting to disguise the fact."

2Letter from Frederick Sleigh Roberts at Secunderabad to "Sir John," 1882 March 13(6 pages)

Letter mentions Russian interest in central Asia.

2Letter from Lord Kimberley [John Wodehouse] to General Strachey, 1883 December 30(3 pages)

Mentions the Rajputana state railway.

2Letter from Ratha Krishna Tondiman at Pudukota to an unknown official, 1886 February 29(2 pages)

The letter states that the writer is first cousin of the Rajah of Pudukota and has a complaint with the Madras government over his Jaghire. The recipient could be a member of the Privy Council as the letter asks the recipient to "peruse the petition submitted through the Local Government to the Secretary of State for India...and order me justice in council."

2Letter from Herbert Riley of the General and Revenue Departments Bengal to "Giles," 1886 May 11(4 pages)

Letter discusses formulation of the census glossary and gives a rough draft with explanation of the entry for the "Mahili" caste.

2Brief note from Herbert Riley to "Giles," 1888 May 26(2 pages)

Letter concerns finishing work on the "marriage customs of Bengal."

2Letter from Dadabhai Naoroji (on National Liberal Club Whitehall stationary) to E. Hays Jones, 1892 April 3(2 pages)

Letter concerns pamphlet distribution and an upcoming election [Naoroji was elected to Parliament in 1892].

2Letter from Sir Henry Mortimer Durand at Calcutta to an unknown Colonel, 1893 January 25(4 pages)

Durand discusses his literary work.

2Letter on Department of Finance and Commerce letterhead to General Strachey, 1902 June 23(6 pages)

Letter mentions railways and the Bhopal area.

2Letter from Sultan Jahan of Bhopal at Ahmedabad Palace (Bhopal) to a Mrs. Grant in London, 1909 December 30(2 pages)

The letter extends social greetings and thanks for a card and photo album and encloses the Sultan's published travels to the Hejaz (not present).

2Letter from Sir Stephen George Sale at the India Office to Col. Strachey, 1915 July 13(4 pages)

The letter appears to be in response to one by Lady Strachey about the positions of Governor General and Viceroy of India. Sale writes that he can find no documents or warrants appointing anyone a viceroy after Queen Victoria appointed Lord Canning in 1858. Subsequent governors general have merely been descriptively called viceroys for the function they perform.

2Typed letter from Sultan Jahan of Bhopal at Ahmedabad Palace (Bhopal) to a Mrs. W. Grant in London, 1929 July 3(2 pages)

Letter comments briefly on the Sultan's son and his administration.

2Letter from William Malcolm Hailey (Gov. of the United Provinces) to Sir Guy, 1930 February 26(4 pages)

Comments on the possibility of an [Indian National] Congress “no rent campaign.”

2Typed letter from Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari (Governor of West Bengal) in Calcutta to Sir Lionel Leach in London, 1947 August 25(1 page)

Letter on altered British government stationary. The brief note comments on the chaotic state of the Calcutta High Court, mutual appreciation of the importance of South India, and social nicety. It concludes "Independence has come. It will take some time for happiness to arrive in India."

2Undated manuscript fragment mentioning allegations by a nabob(1 page)