Commencement of a letter, crossed out with a note over the top stating that the full letter was entered into a new letter book.The opening paragraphs of the letter discuss Pelly extending his stay in Calcutta to await Lord Northbrook [Thomas George Baring]; his intention to then visit Ulwur [Alwar] in connection with succession matters there before returning to Agra to hand over responsibility for his office in advance of returning to England for ten to twelve months as precaution is better than cure for his eyesight.1 folio
Brief letter requesting that the Political Agents assist Mr Grant-Duff [Sir Mountstuart Elphinstone Grant Duff] in any way practicable during his travels in Rajpootana [Rājasthān].1 folio
Memorandum regarding the Dhai dinka Jhompree, more commonly known as the Jain Temple at Ajmere [Ajmer], including General Alexander Cunningham's assertions in relation to the history of its construction as given in his archaeological report of 1864-1865, and the likelihood that the Jain's would not contribute to the restoration of a Musjid temple constructed by Mahomedans using materials obtained from the spoliation of Jain temples.The memorandum goes on to describe the state of decay of the temple, which is being caused by the weather, and states that restoration of it would be impossible, but that the portion which was still standing could be preserved and an estimate for that work had previously been compiled by Executive Engineer Captain Henry John Nuthall.The memorandum concludes with observations on an article about the temple that had appeared in a newspaper; further comments on similarities between stones at various sites which supported General Cunninghams belief that stone had been taken from another temple to be used in the construction of several buildings in the area, including the Jain temple; the likelihood that stone from the temple had been taken more recently by locals for new building projects; and regarding the stones from the temple which had been used in a triumphal arch for Lord Mayo's (Richard Southwell Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo, Viceroy of India 1869-1872) visit, which had all been taken from those lying about the ground, following the collapse of a portion of the roof.2 folios
The correspondence relates primarily to arrangements for the arrival of Sir Alfred Comyn Lyall and his wife Clara in Rajputana [Rajasthan] as well as arrangements for securing Pelly's belongings so that they could be sent on to him at a later date.The papers in the file relate to the crockery, furniture, alcohol and stores which Pelly had use of as Agent to the Governor-General and which were available for the Lyalls to purchase from him.1 file, 10 items (44 folios)The file has been arranged chronologically, with undated items fitted in to the sequence based on information given in their contents.Foliation: The file has been foliated in the top right hand corner of each folio with a pencil number enclosed in a circle. Some folios have been refoliated and the numbers no longer in use have been crossed through.Condition: The lists (folios 15-32) have been tied as bundles using blue ribbon in the top left corner of the folios.
Enclosures 3-31 that accompanied letter No.213 to Her Majesty's Secretary of State for India, with a list of abstracts to the enclosures, comprising mainly correspondence between the Secretary to the Government of Bombay, the Resident at Baroda, the Gaekwar of Baroda and the Secretary to the Government of India, Financial Department.Enclosures 3-15 are letters and telegrams regarding the Gaekwar of Baroda's work to reform his administration following the publication of the Baroda Commission Report and instructions from the Government of India in relation to it.Enclosures 16-27 relate to an attempt to poison the British Resident at Baroda, Colonel Phayre; the Colonel's belief that the Gaekwar of Baroda had orchestrated the attempted poisoning; and the Gaekwar's subsequent request that the Colonel be removed from his position as Resident.Enclosures 28-31 relate to the appointment of Sir Lewis Pelly, Agent to the Governor General for Rajputana [Rājasthān] as Special Commissioner at Baroda.51 folios