Indian Antiquary Vol 32

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

Page 93

FEBRUARY, 1903.)
THE ANDAMANS IN THE XVIIITH CENTURY.
87
1795. - No. XXII.
Fort William 230. November 1795. Read the following Letter from the Superintendant at the Andamans. To the Honble
Sir John Shore Bart. Governor General in Council.
Honble. Sir, - I beg leave to ucquaint you that the Brig Nautilus is arrived from the Andamans, which place she left on the 2nd Instant, two days after the Cornwallis which Vessel is not yet arrived.
By Letters from the Commanding Officer there I am sorry to inform you that the Settlement has experienced even more sickness this Season than usual Owing probably to the very great fall of Rain and uncommon tempestuousness of the Monsoon, By the unfortunate loss of the Druid in August last which deprived the Settlement of a large Supply of Grain, the Public Stores are reduced to the lowest State, there only being Grain for the Settlers to the middle of next Month..
Altho' therefore that a Vessel has just Sailed with a Considerable Supply which there is little doubt, will arrive in safety yet it strikes me that prudence and humanity requires that the Subsistance of so many people should not be left to a single Chance, however favourable. I therefore take the liberty of proposing that the Nautilus by immediately dispatched with a further Supply of Provisions; and as this Vessel is perfectly equipp'd, if directions be given to the Commissary of Stores to quickly supply the Grain And to the Marine Board to expedite the Indents for Provisions and Pay to the Crew, the Vessel will be dispatched without delay and may arrive at Port Cornwallis before there is a possibility of their experiencing any want. I have no reason to be Alarmed at the detention of the Cornwallis, for that Vessel has been so long without any Repair & the Copper of her bottom is in so bad a State that she has become a very Slow Sailer.
I have the honor to be &c.
(Signed) A. Kyd Supt. Andamans. Calcutta 21st November 1795.
Resolved for the reasons stated by Major Kyd that he be desired to dispatch the Nautilus immediately to the Andamans and that intimation be sent to the Marine Board and Commissary of Stores.
1798. - No. I. Fort William 5th February, 1796. Read a Letter and its Enclosures from the Superintendant at the Andamans. Superintendant at the Andamans 4th February. To Edward Hay Esqr. Secretary to
Government.
Sir, - I beg you will acquaint the Honble. the Governor General in Council that the Nautilus Brig is arrived from the Andamans, which place She left on the 14th of last Month. It is with much concern I forward the Accompanying Letters from Lieutenant Stokoe the officer in Command there, giving an Account of the death of Mr. Reddick the Surgeon and of his own Indisposition, I have also to acquaint the Board that Lieutenant Ramsay who was obliged to leave the Settlement for extreme indisposition in the Nancy Snow, is arrived from Prince of Wales Island, But, although he is much recovered he will not I fear be able to return Soon to his duty.
I amm very sorry to add that from his Accounts and by private letters from Mr. Stokoe the Settlement Still Continues exceedingly unhealthy there having been no less than fifty deaths during the last rains, and that this long Continuance of the fatal effects of this baneful Climate, bas 80 dispirited every class of men, that they are all Solicitous to leave it. It is unnecessary for me to point out the necessity of sending a Surgeon as soon as possible, and in the hope of being able to alleviate some of the distresses of the Settlement and to allow Mr. Stokoe to leave it, Should the