Indian Antiquary Vol 31

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

Page 88

84
THE INDIAN ANTIQUARY.
[FEBRUARY, 1902.
The 24th ultimo the Viper on her return from the Cocos with Plans [? Palms) and Nuts for the Settlement, unfortunately run upon a coral Reef three Leagues to northward of this Port, and received considerable damago She is now under repair and I expect will be ready for Sea again by the 20th of next Month.
With the concurrence of the Commodore I propose to dispatch the Bes horse to romove the remaining People and Stores from Old Harbour unless Captain Kyd should arrive in two or three days who I have been anxiously expecting for some time past. Port Cornwallis
I am &ca 24th February 1798.
(Signed) Arohibald Blair. 1798. - No. XIII.
Fort William 15th March 1798. The Secretary lays before the Board an Extract of a Letter received by LieutenantColonel Boss from Lieutenant Wolle.
Extract of a Note from Lieutenant Wells to Colonel Ross Dated 9th March 1798.
The Subject on which I now have occasion to trouble, you, does I believe properly require an official Communication, but as I am not quite certain of the Channel which I ought to embrace for that Purpose, I hope you will pardon the intrusion upon yourself.
I embarked on the Honble. Company's Snow the Cornwallis with the Detachment of Sepoys distined for the Andamans, and a few of the Most necessary of the Artificers on the Morning of the 7th Instant and we immediately proceeded with the Ebb Tide down the River. The embarkation of the People and their Baggage orested an appearance of inconvenience from their Nambers which it was hoped would be removed after the usual arrangements and distribution of their proper Places, but after every Endeavours, it is found totally impobible, with the great Quantity of Stores on Board for the Settlement, to transport such a Number of Persons without great Inconvenience both to them, and the Management of the Ship I had intended nevertheless to prosecute the Voyage with the whole of the People and not without hopes, founded on their own Chearfulness and Content with the Indulgence shown to them by Lieutenant Wales and his Officers to have effected it without any Material difficulty An occurrence this Morning has deserted f? defeated my Intention, In the first Opportunity which has offered of carrying Sail the effect of it has been discovered of such a Nature, on the vessel that Lieutenant Wales, the Commander declares his Apprehensions for our Safety, in the Event of our Meeting with Weather in any Degree unfavorable after we shall get into the Bay.
Under these Circumstances I considered it my Duty to forego every other Wish and Without hesitation to decide upon the only Measure to afford Relief, and ensure as far as may be our futuin Safty and accommodation I have therefore Selected all the Wives and smallest Children helonging to the Detachment who from their inactivity in Times of exigenoy are the greatest incumbarance, as well as most linble to harm, some of the Artificer-Class, and Eight Sepoys. The care (sic) of the whole Amounting to 47 I have committed to one of the Commissioned Officers with Orders to land them at Fort William wait the opportunity of the first [ship] distined for the New Settlement, and to embark with the other Artificers whom for want of room in this I was obliged to leave on my Departure.
After this diminution the number of Persone remaining in the Vessel will be full one hundred and fifty; which in Addition to the Cargo is the utmost that can be accomodated.
I request you will do me the favour to represent this to the Marquis Cornwallis whose disapprobation I hope I shall not encur on the occasion When the Circumstances are considered which have influenced my Conduct.
As the favorable season is so lioer its termination, I beg permission to suggest to you whether it be not worthy of offering to his Lordship's Consideration that instead of waiting the uncertain return of the Vessels now belonging to the Settlement it be not more desirable immediately to dispatch one