________________
418
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[OCTOBER, 1902.
1704. – No. XV. Fort William 29 May 1794. Read & Letter & Enclosure from Captain Smith Commander of the Snow Daphne.
Capt. Smith 21st April 1794. E. Hay Esq! Secs to the Gov!
Sir, I beg leave to inform you that the Pilot is at this Moment leaving the Daphne, the whole Number of People on board for Port Cornwallis is in the enclosed List they are all well at present we have had a long Passage down owing to the blowing Weather and the Vessel being Struok by Lightning on the 18th Instant at Kedgeree in a serve [? severe) Squall which Shattered the Foreinast & hurt soveral of the People only one badly who is now recovering in consequence of this Accident I was detained 24 Hours to secure the mast which is now completely done it still blows fresh from the Southward but I am in hopes of a speedy Passage.
I have the honor to be with respect &c. Snow Daphne
(Signed) Mathew Smith. 21 April 1794. List of Passengers on board the Snow Daphne for Port Cornwallis April 21 1794.
1 Havildar 15 Seapoys 4 Women 4 Children 60 Convicts 12 Mechanics 1 Child
97 Total
(Signed) Mathew Smith,
1794. - No. XVI. Fort William 29 June 1794. Read the following Letters from Major Kyd Superintendant at the Andamans.
Supt at Andamans dated 15th and 19th May 1794 No. I. To Edward Hay Esq! Secretary to the Government.
Sir, - A few days ago a small Sloop put into this Port, which had been fitted out by the Bencoolen Government, to convey Public Dispatches to Bengal, but meeting with extreme bad Weather and the Vessel being in all respects both from her Constraction and equipment unfit for keeping the Sea, in the Bay of Bengal during the South W! Monsoon, the Commander has represented to me the impossibility of his proceeding, I have therefore thought it a duty incumbent on me to forward this Packet, and have ordered the Sea horse Brig to be held in readiness for that purpose and shall dispatch her, as soon as the weather, which is at present very tempestaous is sufficiently Settled.
I am happy to inform you of the Arrival of the Cornwallis Snow, on board of which was My Bedduck a Surgeon for the Settlement; As this Vessel left Bengal a considerable time after the Daphne which has not yet made her appearance, I am much afraid that during the late Violent Weather she has suffered in her Masts, and has been obliged to bear up for Chittagong or Aracan.
