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210
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[APRIL. 1902.
the Monsoon set in again; indeed at all events, I should have thought it necessary to have prevented them from going on with their Plan, as the Coconuts of that Island becomes a very Valuable and necessary Article of Provision for the Natives of this Establishment When the Viper Snow went last there I sent John Bell back and gave him every Assistance to bring off such parts of the Machinery of his Mill as he thought of any value which is now landed here and will be delivered to the Proprietors if they choose to send for it, I will take the liberty of observing that I think the conduct of those People who ever they are is very nefarious, for independent of their taking upon them to transport, from Madras, a Number of the Natives to a foreign country without the permission of Government they have scted in the most cruel and most unfeeling manner in leaving them on a barren Island without giving them any support or Assistance, which has been the occasion of the loss of the greatest part of the party and mast inevitably have caused the rest to perish in the most miserable manner, had it not been for the event of Governments forming a Settlement bere.
I request that you will represent to the Board that a supply of Cash for the payment of the People of this Establishment will be necessary to be sent by the Union, I therefore request that Ten Thousand S Rs. may be rent of which I should wish 500 Rs. to be in Copper Coin. In compliance with the directions of the Board I have receiv'd into the Treasury here 5000 Rs. from individuals mostly in small Sums, for which I have given them drafts on my own Agent and now draw on Government for the Amount, in favor of Mess. Wilsone Farrington and Downie which I request may be done honor to There will be in future I imagine a great part of the Cash necessary for the Settlement supplied in this way, but I beg leave that it may be observed to the Board, that it will be necessary that there should be an Exchange of one pr Cent in my favor, or I must be a loser of that Amount to pay the Agency without Government chooses to direct that a Separate Bill of Exchange should be made out, for every trifling Sum paid in which would be an endless trouble.
I have the honor to be &c. Port Cornwallis
(Signed) A. Kyd, 15th April 1798
Supt. Andamans. Ordered that the Bill drawn by Major Kyd, in favor of Messn, Wilsone, Harrington & Downie, be duly honored, and that the Question relative to the Exchange to be authorized in his future Drafts, be referred to the Accountant General.
Agreed that a supply of Cash to the Amount of 10,000 Ss. Rs. including the Proportion of Copper Coin, mentioned by the Superintendant at the Andamans be sent to him by the Union, and that an Order on the Trensary be issued for the Money with directions to the Sub Treasurer to pack it and dispatch it consigned to the Superintendant by that Vessel.
1799.- No. XXVI.
Fort William 105h May 1798. Read a Letter and its enclosure from Captain Blair.
Captain Blair Dated gth May. To Edward Hay Enqr, Secretary to the Government.
Sir, I beg leste to inclose a Note from the Engraver, with his Terms and the time it will take to finish a Plate of the scoompanying Chart.
As the Expence is more than I imagined I should be glad to have the sanction of Government before I proceed further.
I am, &c . May 8th 1793.
(Signed) Archibald Blair,
