Letter from John Jacob, Jacobabad to Lewis Pelly

Content

Letter regarding the Persian expedition and what Jacob views as the unjust treatment of Pelly and Henry Green. Also discussed are Jacob's fears of a forthcoming rebellion in Punjab and possible action by Russia.

Pelly has written his observations and responses to Jacob's points over the top of the relevant sections. Pelly's responses include that when a soldier undertakes service he is not thinking of rewards but that he understands Jacob's concerns that the recommendations he made are not being taken up. Pelly also discusses attitudes in England and his belief that only a great crisis there would bring about change.

Enclosed with this letter is correspondence from Henry Green and a letter to (Charles Frances Falcon) Chamberlain:

• Letter from Henry Green, Camp Peshta Khana to John Jacob, 4 May 1858, regarding the need and importance of recognising and valuing good work and his thoughts on the local tribes in the area (Baluchistan) and the trade routes and products of the local merchants.
• Letter from Henry Green, Camp Bopah, to Lewis Pelly, 6 May 1858, regarding Green's location in the Belooch hills and the situation in Beloochistan [Baluchistan] and India more widely. Also discussed are the failure of the Herat and Candahar missions and the risks of losing influence in Herat; Jacob's formerly proposed scheme for Quetta and the impact that would have if undertaken; the expectation of the news of the death of Dost Mohamad and the outbreaks of violence it would likely bring across Aghanistan; the likelihood of Kohunde Khan gaining power in Candahar and siding with Persia and Russia; and rumours of Russians travelling through Afghanistan; the letter concludes with news from other parts of India including General Rose at Jhanse [Jhansi] and General Walpole at Lucknow; and Lord Elphinstone's work in the Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. .
• Letter from John Jacob, to (Charles Frances Falcon?) Chamberlain, 14 May 1858, regarding the conditions in Sind for men serving with the army there and the difficulities Chamberlain is encountering in Sind and recommending that he should resign and pursue an appointment in Central India.

Extent and format

13 folios

It is part of

'private letters from [John] Jacob, [Sir Henry] Green and [Sir William] Merewether while I was in England'

617 images

Ref: Mss Eur F126/1

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Letter

Access & Reference

Original held at

British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.

Access conditions

Unrestricted

Archive reference

Mss Eur F126/1, ff 93-105

History of this record

Date(s)

23 May 1858 (CE, Gregorian)

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Letter from John Jacob, Jacobabad to Lewis Pelly, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, Mss Eur F126/1, ff 93-105, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100024079755.0x000010> [accessed 19 April 2024]

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