From Major-General J. B. Hearsey to Colonel R. J. H. Birch concerning a new method of loading the Enfield, 5 March 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,--No, 96, dated Head-Quarters, Presidency Division, Barrackpore, 5th March 1857.

        In forwarding for the orders of Government the enclosed letter, dated the 2nd instant, received yesterday evening from the Officer Commanding the Depot of Musketry at Dum-Dum, I beg distinctly to state my opinion that the new mode of loading the Enfield rifle (as proposed by Major Bontein) should be adopted, and taught not only at this but at the two other depots.

        2. This new mode of loading may be considered as a part of the intended drill for a new weapon about to be introduced into the service, and not as a concession extorted by discontented men. I am the more convinced that this would be proper, since I have myself already carefully explained to the whole of the Native troops at Barrackpore, at general parade, that neither the Government nor its officers ever have or ever will interfere with their caste prejudices, or permit others to meddle with such.

        3. By introducing this new mode of drill,--namely, breaking the cartridge with the hand instead of by biting it,--all discontent or uneasy feeling in regard to their caste prejudices on that account will be or ought to be effectually removed. We shall thus be keeping our word with the sepoys, and at the same time introducing a better plan of loading with reference to their religious scruples.

        4. I propose, therefore, with the sanction of the Right Hon’ble the Governor-General of India in Council to empower Major Bontein to adopt this alteration in the rifle exercise.

        5. I beg to add that a copy of this and of Major Bontein's letter will be sent to Army Head-Quarters, for the information of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief.

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, 35.