Indian Antiquary Vol 31

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 47

JANUARY, 1902.]
THE ANDAMANS IN THE XVIIITH CENTURY.
The Stores for the Settlement being discharged from the Seahorse her masts ballast and Stores heing also taken out, she shall be sunk in a day or two hence, in such a depth as to be intir ly rnder water at full tide; five or six days in that situation will effectually destroy the white Ants and all other Vermin. Being not yet prepared to receive the Provision and Ammunition on shore, I am under the necessity of detaining the Cornwallis; but I expect to have the Storehouse finished a fortnight hence when no time shall be lost in dispatching both Vessels to Calcutta.
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It gives me concern that there is so much reason to have doubts about the safety of the Juno; having besides her compliment about 90 Settlers and a large proportion of the Provision for the Settlement. Impressed with the idea that the Vessel that appeared off this Port the evening of the 1st might have been wrecked in the neighbourhood, I sent the Leeboard to examine to northward and Southward, immediately after the gale; and cince, the Commodar has been so good as to examine the coast between this and Old Harbour, and Lientenaut Wales all the northward as far as Cape Negrais.
I have the satisfaction to inform your Lordship that the Settlers continne healthy, and that there is a tolorable progress made in the tedious and laborious work of cutting down the trees, and the thick entangled underwood. The clear space extends from the Northwest to the Northeast point of Chatham Island and the general breadth about 100 yards, by 600 long. The soil is excellent and the general surface being planer, it is better addapted for cultivation, than the land about Old Harbour. There is reason to conclude, from the tenacity of the soil, and the vicinity of the highest land of the Andamans which attracts the clouds; that this part of the Island will be well watered even in the dry season,
At present there are several Bills of excellent fresh water in [? and] the Wells are abundantly productive. On the north end of Pit Island, I have also made some progress in clearing with my own People, having a space of about two acres containing a small kitchen and nersery Garden already pretty well stocked with fruit trees from Calcutta and Old Harbour, and several kinds of vegitables are now appearing from the seed.
The settlers are now well accommodated in a double line of dry comfortble Huts, the european Overseers and Artificers are in private Tents. There are besides those three Bungalows just compleated, a Smithy a Pottery Kiln; and a temporary store house for Provision half finished. I am happy to add that we have met with no molestation from the Natives who now and then appear on the Reefs, but show no inclination towards an intercourse: they do not even interrupt our fishermen who are so successful as to afford a tolorable daily supply to the Buzar of excellent fish; in general sufficient for all the Settlers.
Repeated instances of misbehaviour and a growing spirit of insolence in the Europeans belonging to the Pilot vessels has induced me to send Robert Denham seaman as a prisoner to Calcutta in the Ranger and I beg leave to inclose Captain Crawley's letter to me on the Subject. This example I hope will bring them to Order, without obliging me to use further severity. I am with great respect My Lord Your Lordships most obedient humble Servant
(Signed) Archibald Blair.
Port Cornwallis, December 31st 1792.
Enclosed in ditto.
To Archibald Blair, &ca &ca &ca.
Sir,The constant Mutinious disposition of some of the Europeans belonging to the Honble Company's Snow Cornwallis, has given me a great Deal of Vexation for this some time past But they are now come to such a length that I feel myself under the necessity of applying to you for assistance, to keep them to their Duty.