Indian Antiquary Vol 32

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

Page 89

FEBRUARY, 1903.)
THE ANDAMANS IN THE XVIIITH CENTURY..
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88
Eighty Conviots for the use of the Settlement at the Andamang, that she arrived there on the 22nd January last and that a few days afterwards a small Schooner Arrived there from Bassuen with a French Man on board who had many Papers in his possession belonging to Bnglish Vessels, as well as several Draughts of the Andamans, on which Account it was the Wish of the Acting Superintendant to send him to Calcutta but at that time there was no person upon the Island Capable of Navigating the Vessel he was to be sent in, Application was therefore made to your Memorialist for his Chief Officer and an other European to send in Charge of the Vessel which your Memorialist on Account of the extreme Exegence of the Case and from an entire Wish to further the Publick Service complied with altho' his Vessel was but Weakly Mann'd. The Detention of the Druid it was agreed Should be about 25 Days or one Month as by that time it was fully expected the People would return bat the Month having elapsed without my tidings of them, your Memorialist thought it adviseable to proceed to Pinang altho' wanting an Officer, fearing the Markets at that place might alter for the worse by a longer detention, which was Actually the case by at least 25 pr Cent by which your Memorialist Suffered considerably and which would have been avoided could he have Sailed from the Andamang at a reasonable time.
He therefore hopes his case will be taken into consideration and that Government out of their great Humanity will not allow him to be a Sufferer from his having so readily Complied with the Wishes of the Superintendant, and that they will make him such allowance for the Detention of his Vessel as they may deem adequate. And your Memorialist as in duty bound Shall ever Pray
(Signed) 8. Copestakes Master and Owner of the Snow Druid. Caloutta 6th July 1796.
Ordered that a copy of the Memorial from Captain Copestakes be sent to Major Kyd, and that the Subject of it be referred to him for his Report and opinion apon it.
1796.- No. XVI.
Fort William 13th July 1795. The following Letter was received, on the 10th Instant, from Major Kyd Superintendant at the Andamans, and permission was given that Lieutenant Lawrence, the Senior Officer of the Snow Cornwallis, should be put in charge of her, and that he should be allowed to entertain a second Officer, until Lieutenant Wales Should be sufficiently recovered from his present Indisposition to resume the command. Major Kyd was also acquainted that the Cornwallis is to return to the Andamans without delay; - and the Marine Board were instructed to pass the usual Indents for Provisions and Pay for the Vessel. An Order on the Treasury was likewise directed to be issued, in his Favour, for 10,000 Rupees to be remitted to the Andamans.
Major Kyd 10th July. To Edward Hay Esqr. Secretary to Government.
Sir,--I request you will be pleased to acquaint the Honble. the Governor General in Council that the Cornwallis Snow has arrived from the Andamans, having left Port Cornwallis on the 20th of last Month - I am sorry to learn from the Officer Commanding there, that the Setting in of the Rains has again Brought with it Severe Sickness to the Settlers and that the fiver (sic) of the Climate had proved fatal to Mr. Medowe first officer of the Nautilus Brig.
Mr. Wood one of the Surgeons has come passenger on the Cornwallis having been Obliged to leave the Settlement on Account of Severe illness. As he has for two years past been Subject to frequent attacks of Fever, he requests to be removed from that Station and hopes the Board will be pleased to appoint him to do duty as an Assistant Surgeon in Bengal.