Preparing biographies

'I have the honor to report, for your information, that I have this day despatched by Banghy Dak a set of photographic pictures of the tribes noted in the margin [titles correspond to prints 343-354], which have been executed by Messrs. Shepherd and Robertson, Photographic Artists of Agra. There are 20 copies of each print, or 200 in all, and Messrs. Shepherd and Robertson's bill for the same is Rupees 1,200, being Rupees 20 for each negative and 5 for each copy.
2. The pictures were taken at Bhurtpore, and I took the opportunity of having a picture taken of the young Maharajah sitting in Durbar with his chiefs around him [plate 353]. I have taken the liberty of enclosing with the other groups a couple of copies of this picture; should the Exhibition Committee approve of the same, and desire to have more copies, I can procure them from the Photographic Artists at the cost of Rupees 5 per each copy.
3. I have sent the pictures to you direct in order to save time, and because I am not aware whether the Exhibition Committee in Calcutta is still sitting or not. The delay in procuring these pictures for Government is owing to the great difficulty I have had in obtaining the services of a photographer. I had at first wished to have the likenesses taken by an amateur, but, finding that impossible, I was obliged to employ a professional. The pictures are, I consider, very good indeed, and I trust will meet with the approval of His Excellency the Governor General in Council.
[There then follow descriptive notes for each image.]^[1]

1. Λ Lieutenant C.K.M. Walter, Officiating Political Agent of Bhurtpore, to Colonel H.M. Durand, Secretary to the Government of India, Foreign Department, No. 11-43, dated Camp Agra, 16 May 1862. India Foreign Proceedings (General), June 1862, No. 5, IOR/P/205/10.