Ensign Augustus Moore in Calcutta writes home to his mother in London 1807

 

This letter to the writer’s mother draws attention to the very long periods during which, before the arrival of steamships, major centres of empire might be without contact with the headquarters of the imperial power. It also highlights the recurrent problems of ill health which expatriates had to deal with, often unsuccessfully.

The writer was a Cadet and then an Ensign with the East India Company and has a brother George who arrived in India a year before him. George seems to have achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 1831; some caution must be exercised because the first name and surname are common.  Mrs Moore to whom this letter is addressed lives at 20 Baker Street with her unmarried daughter Sarah. The father is dead and  not referred to.

When the Marquess of Cornwallis died in 1805 Sir George Barlow, already in India, was named locally as Acting Governor General and it is Barlow who Augustus writing in 1807 characterises as “the most unpopular man in India”. Barlow’s economising meanness apparently secured him the honour of being the only governor-general who diminished the area of British India; in London, Barlow’s appointment was not confirmed and he was replaced by Lord Minto who had to travel out; the author of this letter is anxious for him to arrive. Barlow was given the consolation prize of Governor of Madras where he was reckoned the cause of an Army mutiny in 1809.

But in the letter Augustus curiously re-names Barlow as “Sir Hume Bayley”. There is no trace of such a person in India at this time, or indeed anywhere else, and I think it is a fake name used in case the letter was opened and read en route to his mother.

*

In 1803/4 the East India Company had taken control of and established a cantonment at Muttra (Mathura) in the North West Provinces of India, and on 6 July 1809, just a couple of years after this letter was written, Augustus Moore of the 17^th Regiment of the Native Infantry died and was buried there, presumably of illness since there was no fighting at the time. He was still an Ensign, and aged twenty-one.

 

Transcription

Addressed to Mrs Moore, 20 Baker Street, Portman Square, London

Docketed as received 1 December 1807

 

Calcutta June 8^th 1807

My dearest Mother

At last a ship is despatched home & will leave here on the 14^th inst. It is a long time since we heard from England & when we shall, God knows. It is now eight months since the last arrived, with news. 

General Dodswell [William Dowdeswell, 1760 - 1828] has taken his passage home on board this ship. It’s rather a chance if you ever receive this as it’s a single ship [as opposed to a convoy]. We cant make out whats become of Lord Minto [appointed Governor General]. It has been reported several times that he was coming up the river but all unfounded. We are in a sad pickle if a war should break out having no good Kings officer to take the command. Sir Hume Bayley is coming down the country, the most unpopular man in India.  Think of such a man at the head of his Men in War. Not an officer but who despises him.

In this ship there are two Cadets sent home dismissed from the Compy’s service. One I think by applying to the company may get back his commission as it was nothing else that kept him from studying the language but want of ability. The other was a complete blackguard.  I hope this may put a stop to cadets coming out as its only enticing them to run into debt & remain in the clutches of these Black fellows for years before they can pay off the sum. Not to say I am in debt for I can assure you that neither of us are one Farthing in debt. Its one of the most difficult things to keep within bounds on account of the heat of the Climate. But as, thank God, I was never any great one for parties I am able to keep from the necessaries required on these occasions. I return my best thanks for the books you sent which I rec’d all safe. Books are invaluable here & the best investment a Capt. can bring out. But still they bring out nothing but trash. In fact, there is not a single Article they bring out that’s worth one third of the price they ask.

Geo has had a very narrow escape from losing his right eye but is now quite recov’d. He was overturned in a buggy with McHon [?] who was very much hurt; he fell straight upon his head & bruised himself very much but all is quite well at present. I have no news to tell you except the rainy season is coming on which is my last trial of the seasons here which I hope I may get over rather better than the others which I found rather troublesome to my former complaint. I was advised to take my passage home in this ship but since I have recovered more than I ever have before, under the same complaint, & therefore I have postponed it. If it should continue I will take a trip to sea by the October Fleet but I think I may rest easy as there are not the least symptoms at present. I wont settle upon it until I see the last symptoms nor too late either. Theres one thing it cant stop, my rank here.

Geo. is very busy packing to go up the Country. He will soon be as far from me as you, so you must not expect letters quite so often. He is going to one of the farthest stations, up the country Bundle Cund [Bundlekhand, northern India, recently added to the Company's portfolio] 1 Reg.N[ative].In[fantry]. He was changed from the 4^th.

I hope you rec’d a great deal of benefit from your different excursions last summer & have not failed to make a few this summer. I am glad to hear Sarah found a great deal from her excursion into Shropshire.

I have written this letter in great haste as at present I am in Calcutta but must return to Baraset [Barasat, east of Calcutta] tomorrow & have taken the 1^st opportunity for fear I should be too late to write from Baraset. I shall write to Sarah by the same conveyance. I hope Mrs Ward is quite recov’d. It makes me quite uneasy being so long hearing from England. I hope some Ship will arrive soon. Remember us to all friends & join in kindest love to you & all family & am my dearest Mother your Dutiful aff. Son

Augustus Moore

Reference

Wikipedia: Sir George Hilaro Barlow, 1st Baronet, GCB (20 January 1763 – 18 December 1846) served as Acting Governor-General of India from the death of Lord Cornwallis in 1805 until the arrival of Lord Minto in 1807.