From Major-General J. B. Hearsey to Colonel R. J. H. Birch concerning precautions being taken to prevent a sepoy mutiny, 12 February 1857

From Major-General J.B. Hearsey, C.B., Commanding the Presidency Division, to Colonel R.J.H. Birch, C.B., Secretary to the Government of India, in the Military Department,--dated Barrackpore, 12th February 1857.

        I had this morning the honor to receive from-the Deputy Adjutant General of the Army a Copy of your letter to that officer's address, No. 388 of yesterday's date, and in reply to the first and second paragraphs beg to acquaint you, for the information of Government, that the directions contained therein have, been this forenoon, at my own quarters, by myself, carefully communicated to the Brigadier and the several officers commanding regiments at this station, for their particular guidance. I may, however, observe that the measures adverted to had already been carefully adopted by them.

        2. As regards the third paragraph of your letter, allow me to remark that if any undue delay has occurred in your receipt of my letter dated the 8th instant, such cannot be attributed to any want of attention of myself or the divisional staff officer, since the letter alluded to was written and despatched to the post office at this station on the day I obtained Lieutenant Allen's written statement. Unfortunately that officer got one day's leave of absence from his commanding officer to visit Calcutta on duty connected with a deceased officer's estate, without my knowledge, so that one day was lost.

        3. Not having any mounted orderlies or empress camels, I have no other public means of communicating with Calcutta but by the post office, which leaves this station at 3 P.M., a most inconvenient hour. Government may rest assured of my being constantly on the alert to prevent any unauthorised or mutinous assemblages of the sepoys; and further, that I shall not hesitate to seize and confine every man against whom I can procure sufficient proof of being an adviser or leader in these most discreditable proceedings.

        4. I have this moment heard from Major H. W, Matthews, Commanding the 43rd Regiment, Native Infantry, that one of his Native doctors has informed him of a conversation he accidentally overheard. I enclose this statement in original. If the kossid mentioned could be intercepted en route to Dinapore, it might lead to a discovery of the originators of this foolish conspiracy. .

        5. I have taken no copy of this letter to save delay.

From: Selections from the Letters Despatches and other State Papers preserved in the Military Department of the Government of India, 1857-58.  Edited by George W. Forrest.  Calcutta: Military Department Press 1893, 29.