Adieu.
Ever, my dear Lord,
your very affectionate
H. A. C.
The tanks were dry from want of rain, and the Brahmins have had a long fast, to propitiate the gods. There is a mud-fort out of repair. The country is pretty, but the day very cold.
July 19th, Henrietta to Lord Clive
We went to Deonelly, the latter part of the way through jungle, the direct road being too bad. The fort was half-built by Tipu, of stone, brick, and chunam. It is said, that the public garden situated near the fort, is in a high state of fertility, and abounds in fruit trees.
I thank you much for the heap of letters which I received this morning which though they do not contain much news it is always pleasant to have them. Many of them are recommendations to you of which I offer an abridgement as Dutens letter has a little news and some scandal. I send it. It is Governor Johnston’s widow that is Mrs Nugent, and it is an old story except her having run away. Mrs Ashton is better. We came here this morning from Ooscotah, which is in a charming country and a very good situation. The whole is perfectly unlike the Carnatic, rich and well cultivated, but fewer topes than we have had for some days. Tomorrow we shall be at Nundydroog, the capital of a large and valuable district built on the summit of a mountain about 1,560 feet in height, three-fourths of its circumference being absolutely inaccessible. The only face on which it can be ascended is protected by strong walls, and an outwork projecting to the right of them which affords a most formidable flanking fire against an enemy.
I suppose you have heard that the havildar is hanged and two of his principal agents flogged which will probably make all quiet again. From all the ill behaviour of the Zahir troops and, what is worse, of the English officers in beating and pillaging the country people, the sight of a red coat causes alarm. Even the bodyguard, if they go into a village, spread a degree of fear though they are in perfect good behaviour. What a pity it is. We have not heard yet if Colonel Dallas has tried his havildar who was sent down a prisoner by Colonel Close’s order for horrible behaviour near Bangalore.
I was quite surprised at the general orders about Colonel Doorten. We had heard of his removal and were anxious to know the cause, which reports made to be bad, but the order explains a great deal. I am quite surprised.
The regulation and increase of pay I understand is in great favour. Your health was drunk at Ryacottah with three times three, and I am indeed happy it is during your time that so many good things have happened. I have not been well these two or three days but the journeys are not long and are of service to me rather than otherwise. The scramble up the hill at Colar was rather too much. I believe there are gusts of wind that are chilling. Sometimes my complaint is in my bowels. Charly has a little cold and Harry is almost as stout as her Mama was some years ago. Many loves to you from the dear girls.
Adieu.
Ever, my dear Lord,
yours very affectionately
H. A. C.
I found two coffee trees much neglected at Ooscotah. One is to be sent to Bangalore. I am afraid the seeds are too old, but I will endeavour to send them to you, at least a few. The havildar did not know what they were and it was difficult to explain that they were valuable, as they did not appear very luxuriant. I expect a large Rose or two from Mrs Franks and Lord Hartford … Let them be kept in a dry place and not opened. I do not know if they came in these ships or are not yet arrived. Probert will not pay the bill till I have seen the things.
On July 20th the travellers arrived at Nundydroog, a strong and important hill-fort, that commanded the road from Colar to Bangalore, to breakfast with Colonel Cuppage, the commanding officer. Colonel Cuppage had lately discovered a plot by Dhoondiah to surprise the fort, and then place a strong garrison of his followers in it. Letters were intercepted from Dhoondiah to the havildar, which proved that he was also raising troops for him. There were also two accomplices who were rich Moormen. One man was hanged, and the two accomplices had 500 lashes each, and were to have the same again, and to be imprisoned as long as Colonel Wellesley pleased. The havildar was a man of high caste; he had thirty villages under him.
July 20th, Nundydroog, Henrietta to Lord Clive
I have just had a note from Grant to say that a sister of Mrs Rothman’s was arrived and that he would take her into his house. I am sorry she is come while I am absent, but have written to Mrs Baker to help her, which I am sure she will do, and it will be a great comfort to her. Mrs Rothman did not know if she was coming or not.
We are just arrived here it is a most glorious country and beautiful. I am not well and writing in a hurry. It is very odd, but since I was ill at Bangalore I have never felt perfect. The rest are well and merry. We halt tomorrow.
God bless you.
Every blessing, my dear Lord,
yours very affectionately
H. A. C.
On July 21st it rained all day and all night, preventing the travellers from ascending the ‘rock’. A fog always rested upon Nundydroog in the morning, sometimes lasting until noon and never lifting before seven or eight. An officer slept in the garrison every night, with a guard of one hundred and seventy men. On July 22nd as they proceeded the twelve miles to Burrah Balapoor, the rain still continued; but after dinner, they were able to visit the village and fort.
July 22nd, Burrah Balapoor, Henrietta to Lord Clive
I intended to have written to you by this day’s tappal but it was late when we came here and I could not well do it. We were obliged to give up our expedition to the top of Nundydroog as it had a very large cap upon its head the whole time we were in the neighbourhood and it was in vain to expect any fair weather. It rained more or less the whole day and night and we were not sorry to get away with a glass of sweet lime this morning. It must be pleasant in very hot weather, but we were not too warm. The thermometer was at 69 in the middle of the day. We are now at Burrah Balapoor. It is now raining. Tomorrow we proceed to Yella Wanka and from thence to Bangalore.
Captain Brown desired me to tell you that your gardener was arrived when he was there two or three days ago. We are all pretty well. I am much better than I have been for several days in spite of the rain. By a letter from Colonel Close to Captain Brown: Dhoondiah had looked at Colonel Wellesley’s army and retreated, but he was preparing to follow him and had taken Hurdgul on the 14th and that he had heard of Colonel Brown’s approach and was preparing to make a speedy attack on him. This may all be old news to you, but as it is new to us I send it to you.
On July 23rd the road on the way to Yella Wanka passed through ‘thinnish jungle’, but some parts were well cultivated, and green; there were no rice-fields, but other grain had been sown in the fields. After breakfast the travellers walked through the village that had several Choultries in it. They went to see a Brahmin temple, and were only allowed to look in at the door, as it was thought that foreigners would pollute it. They were allowed to enter the mosques. Later they found themselves in a violent rain and wind storm. A small rivulet that was quite dry, became a torrent, and knee deep. When they reached their tents they found that water had come under the mat, which they did not discover until the servants on entering sank into the water; they then cut trenches to drain it off the tents. At no time did rain penetrate the tents.
July 23rd, Yella Wanka, Henrietta to Lord Clive
Here we are in another rainy day. I have this moment received the newspapers for which I thank you much. I have a letter from a man in the India House who was poor Ashton’s agent who says in January he cleared from the India House seeds for Hartford and several things for the boys which were given by me to Captain Sampson at his request and he promised to have then delivered directly. The seeds are probably spoilt. I hope you will never give a commission again. There seems little news that we have not heard before.
Captain Brown has a letter from Colonel Wellesley’s army. A party on observation narrowly escaped from one of the same sort of Dhoondiah. Colonel Stevenson was nearly
taken. His horse fell and was taken. We hear 30,000 rupees are offered for Dhoondiah’s head and that all his infantry have deserted from him. Adieu. I shall write from Bangalore.
Many loves to you, ever, my dear Lord,
yours very affectionately
H. A. C.
July 25th, Bangalore, Henrietta to Lord Clive
After having a good deal of rain we came back here again yesterday morning, Charly with a bad cold, the rest in good health and not a little pleased with the journey. In five days that is to say on the 30tieth we set out again to Seringapatam where I believe we shall remain about four days and the same at Mysore while your pictures are done and then to Trichinopoly. The route I wish to know exactly from you. Are we to go to Coimbatoor or straight from Seringapatam to Trichinopoly and from thence to Tanjore. I should like much to go to Tranquebar, if we may. I find there are some cabinets of natural history and that it is a place where there are many things to be had in that way, besides plants from thence by the coast to Pondicherry and Caragolly. I should hope you might meet us there at least. Pray send me an answer upon this subject and return me my English letters because I wish to answer some of them by the Queen.
We shall have as much baggage as we can space, as our conveyances are much diminished. I shall send some seeds, which I beg you will have soon for me in a day or two in pots. They will some of them do for your terrace, Bya bye. Charly’s cold does not hurt her spirits or good looks much.
Adieu. Love from the girls.
Ever, my dear Lord, yours very affectionately
H. A. C.
July 25th, Bangalore, Henrietta to George Herbert
My dearest brother – I had the great pleasure of receiving a letter from you on the 18 July by the long expected fleet and it gave me the greatest satisfaction though you did not mention your own health, but Robert, Wilding and everybody else tells me you are in the most perfect health and spirits which revives me. Lord Clive sent me your letter to him, but has not yet returned mine which I sent him. The account you gave of the dear boy delighted me. I am sincerely glad Edward promises us to be so amiable and have no doubt Robert will be much the better for being removed from William Sackfield. I mentioned so to you last January when he increased his school from thirty to fifty without increasing his masters. It appeared to me that money, not learning was his object and I know Robert requires a great deal of attention. He writes natural pleasant letters and a very excellent hand. Edward, too, is much improved in his writing. In short my letters have made me very happy.
The fleet came unexpected to me. I did not know till the letters came, which Lord Clive had sent by tappal. We were on a ramble to Colar and Nundydroog where we have been a little pelted with rain though it is so great a blessing one cannot be sorry for it and the thermometer is seldom above 78, generally below it. The health and spirits of your nieces are much improved. We shall be at Bangalore again tomorrow and soon proceed to Seringapatam and from thence by Trichinopoly, which I am very anxious to see on the late Lord Clive’s account. And from there we go through the Coimbatoor country to Madras, if we are allowed to do so by some polygars who are sometimes rebellious and have lately been disposed to assist Dhoondiah, who is again troubling us. Colonel Wellesley is gone with a considerable force against him and has taken all his forts but one against which he is going in a few days according to the last accounts. Dhoondiah’s infantry here have all left him. He has about 4,000 horses such as they are, but as all [of his men] are volunteers (looties) and only follow him (at least the greatest part of them) for the hope of plunder; they will of course quit him also. The war may survive prolonged, but must end in his destruction. I hear 30,000 rupees are offered for him. He has been able to persuade many of the polygars as far as Dindigal to assist him but their prudence has been discovered. Only one hundred men attempted to come up the Pass to join him which could not have been done, but in a balloon, without being destroyed. They are all taken or killed. Another person, who had begun to raise men for Dhoondiah, has been taken, tried, and hanged. Therefore I hope we shall be able to pursue our journey in safety, which I will not do otherwise. At Seringapatam I shall see the new Rajah and his grandmother.
I am very glad you have seen Major Allan. He can tell you so much about this country and us. There is not the smallest doubt that Lord Clive’s government will be the most honourable and prosperous that has ever yet been. A circumstance has just passed which will raise his name much amongst the army. The black infantry were paid much too little to live with tolerable comfort which he has remedied and their pay is increased to the betterment of these poor people and now the army will insist on better men and go on in a most flourishing manner and they cannot have any temptation to go into any foreign service which used to be the case. All this which is pleasant to hear has happened and Lord Clive is much cheered with its being settled. His affairs are going on tolerably well. At least they were so when we left Madras and though we have a part their increase of expense is scarcely anything. I am very rich, too, with £800 here and £200 in England. We are very comfortable in ourselves. In his letter to you I can say that that is the case.
Every now and then I have alarms about my own health but there is no serious reason for it now, but when we return to Madras I am afraid we shall all droop again. The climate is not favourable and it is utterly impossible for us to stand the months of May, June, and July in the Carnatic.
I shall certainly get you a good Japan cabinet for Princess Elizabeth. I will not swear that it will be old but I have had some given to me that are very beautiful. But as I have some strange dark complicated Armenian acquaintances that trade to all the Japan and such strange places, I will find our Princess something very good.
I hear that you are in great form with the Majesties. I should have liked to have seen your fête. Why did not you describe it to me in all its forms? Probert and Wilding both give good accounts of you.
There are, I hear, a great importation of ladies which I escape being at Bangalore. Your nieces desire a great many loves to you and I believe will be very happy to see you again as much as their mother.
God bless you my dearest brother.
Ever your most sincerely affectionate
H. A. C.
July 27th, Bangalore, Henrietta to Lord Clive
My dear Lord Clive – Yesterday Captain Brown had a letter from Major Macleod to say that the road to Trichinopoly was perfectly safe for us which delights us not a little. There were many tygers near the pass but the jungle has been destroyed and they have disappeared.
I wrote you word that Charly had a cold. Dr Hausman ordered her feet to be put in hot water for several nights, which I thought too much. Yesterday he gave her some physic and last night there was an unexpected change in her constitution which I had rather had not happened this twelfth month. I shall keep her quiet and take all possible care of her. She is in good spirits and her cold is gone nearly. Harry is quite well and growing strong. Charly is much more so than you have seen her in India. I hope this will not naturally affect her growth, which is now very rapid, indeed. But while she increases in strength, that is only good for her.
We have heavy rain sometimes and a great deal of wind, but it is very pleasant and cool.
We are most anxious to hear something more of Dhoondiah who appears almost hunted down. Pray tell me if the Queen will be a good ship for letters and pray return mine that I may begin to answer them and tell me too when the Queen is expected from Bengal. Pray direct the enclosed to Mrs Rothman. William Wetheral at Kistnagherry sent me a letter a few days ago from the Duchess of Devonshire desiring I will request you to do something for him in her name. A great deal about him and her wish that you may attend to her recommendation on account of his being grandson to William Andrew Ross once at Madras. Pray give the enclosed. I am grown well again.
Many loves to you ever my dear Lord.
Yours very affectionately
H. A. C.
July 29th, Bangalore, H
enrietta to Lord Clive
My dear Lord Clive – Since I wrote last I have seen Warren of the 32nd Engineers who is measuring at Ooscotah. He says that the road by which he rode is, he believes, not passable for bandies, consequently not for us. Therefore unless we hear to the contrary we must go by Coimbatoor. Captain Brown has written to Mr Macleod to inquire about these roads which answer I suppose will come to us at Seringapatam.
We hope to set out on Thursday but the bandy that came from Madras was so broken that it must be mended before it can move and we cannot spare it. We are obliged to leave a good deal of baggage. Everybody spares something.
Captain Brown has a letter from Wilding and wishes you to tell him what answer he is to give to Butler. He says he came to him and complained of a thousand hardships and ended with saying that with 16 guineas he would be satisfied which from the postscript of Captain Brown’s letter to him Wilding refused to do without an order from you. The old coachman has got a very good place but says he will return to you whenever you please. Pray send word because when the Queen goes Captain Brown will write to Wilding.
We are all pretty well. Charly, is much as she should be, but weak at present. We hear of Lord Wellesley’s pursuing Dhoondiah and being within five days march with a possibility of his being shut up by the River Malperba, which from the want of boats would take up to fifteen days for him to cross and Colonel Wellesley would in that case overtake him or he might meet with Colonel Bowers’s detachment on the Nigar side of the River.
Birds of Passage Page 18