[CAWNPORE: Autograph Letter Signed "C. Napier" to "My Dear Jackson" Regarding the Prosecution of Captain William Charles Hollings of the Native Infantry]. by NAPIER, Sir Charles James, General (1782-1853) - 1850

1850. Letter. Very Good. No Binding. 8vo - over 7¾ - 9¾" tall. Simla, 25 April 1850. Octavo bifolium (ca. 20,5x13,5 cm). 2 pp. Brown ink on pale blue writing paper, blind stamped monogram in the left upper corner. Mild fold marks, ink very slightly faded, but overall a very good legible letter. An interesting private letter written by Sir Charles James Napier in Simla while the Commander-in-Chief of India (1849-1851). Napier was notable for the conquest of the province of Sindh for British India in 1842-43, and served as the Governor of the Bombay Presidency in 1843-47. His posthumously published work 'Defects, Civil and Military of the Indian Government' (Westerton, 1853) which unveiled tensions between British and native residents in India was considered prophetic in the light of the Indian Rebellion of 1857. This letter relates to the court-martial of Captain William Charles Hollings, 47th Native Infantry, who was tried at Cawnpore on the 11th of January 1850. Hollings was accused on three charges and was eventually found guilty on all three of them (for being in a state of intoxication while on duty as a Superintending Officer of a Native Court of Requests; for using abusive language and striking an opponent in court; and for being drunk at an inspection parade of his regiment). Hollings was sentenced to be cashiered, but was recommended by the court to Sir Napier as the Commander-in-Chief who could grant him a pardon on the grounds of "his long service and high character". Napier decisively rejected the pardon, which apparently caused Hollings' indignation and some public actions (More details about Hollings' case see: Records of the Indian Command of General Sir Charles James Napier, G.C.B. Calcutta, 1851, p. 108). The letter obviously gives Napier's reaction to the Hollings' case: "My dear Jackson, I am very much obliged to you for your opinion about Mr. Hollings, I had half worked myself up to prosecute the fellow, but it was uphill work as I never felt the least angry at anything he said and I only thought of the prosecution as a matter of dignity and propriety; now as I am never either dignified nor very proper, except when I go to church, I will take your advice by telling Mr. Hollings and his letter go to ---- together.".