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MARCH, 1902.]
THE ANDAMANS IN THE XVIIITH CENTURY.
143
1793. No. XVIII.
Fort William 22d April 1793.
The following Letter was received yesterday, by the Snow Union, from Major Kyd, Superintendant at the Andamans.
To the Most Noble Marquis Cornwallis K. G. Governor General in Council &c &c.
My Lord, I have the pleasure to acquaint your Lordship that the Snow, Cornwallis, with Lientenant Wells, and the Detachment of Sepoys, arrived at this Place on the 20th of last Month.
Captain Blair, in the Union Snow having Compleated the Survey of the shoal that was discovered off the North end of the Island as well as of the Shoal without the Archipelage, that was discovered bye the Honble Commodore Cornwallis, now proceeds to Calcutta in Charge of that Vessell, and if it is your Lordships pleasure that she should be continued on Freight, I have to request she may be dispatched as Soon as possible, with the Artificers and Labourers that could not be taken on board of the Ranger and Cornwallis, and the Stores and Provisions that we find most necessary at this Time for which the Commissary has transmitted Indents on the proper officers by this Opportunity.
The Sea Horse Snow which I dispatched on the 16th of last month to Diamond Island, and the little Cocos, arrived on the 30th, with Sixty one Turtle and Two Thousand Coconuts. The first an excellent Article of Provision for the Europeans, and the last for the Natives. The Cornwallis Snow will be immediately dispatched for Acheen and the Coast of Pedeir, for a Supply of Rice and Live Stock, and for Such usefull Fruit Trees as can be procured; and on her return will touch at the Carnicobars for Coconuts, which are of a far Superior kind to those at the Cocos, and therefore more proper to introduce in Culture here. By the time of her arrival, I hope to have a proper Spot of Ground prepared, for Planting any number she may bring.
The Viper Snow has been Completely repaired, and is now fit for Sea. She is to be Sent immediately to the Cocos for a Cargo of Coconuts; and on her return, I will immediately dispatch her to Calcutta, in Order that Captain Blair may take her round to Bombay, or that She may be disposed of, in any Other way that your Lordship may think Proper, Observing, that from her small burthen, She is entirely unfit for the Service of this Establishment. As Lieutenant Roper who now Commands her, has been on this Service Since its Commencement, and is in every way qualafied for Conducting a Vessell, I hope your Lordship will think it just that he should be permitted to take Charge of the Union, for Captain Blair, untill Such time as another Vessell, the property of the Company, can be Spared for this Service for him to Command.
I have the pleasure to acquaint your Lordship that the Europeans and Natives are in General, very healthy; appear to be Pleased and contented with their Situation, and go on Cheerfully with their Labour. We are now entirely Employed in Constructing a Granary and Store room, and Other necessary temporary Buildings for Covering Settlers of all Descriptions, which I hope will be effected before the Monsoon Setts in.
Port Cornwallis
April 4th 1793.
From the very confined State of the Provisions and Stores, lodged in Different Places without any arrangement, it is impossible to make a regular Survey of them, so as to deliver them over to the Commissary; but before the end of the present Month there will be Buildings for the reception of the Provisions and Stores, when he will be enabled to make due Arrangements thereof, and to prepare the necessary Reports and returns to he transmitted to the proper Officers. conformably to the established Regulations.
I have the honor to be &ca. (Signed) A. Kyd Supt. at the Andamans..
