Preparing biographies

‘Read. - The following extract of a letter from Dr. Murray on a new printing process.
“I have been printing from a process taken from the Journal of the London Society, which answers wonderfully well, and is very simple. I prepare my own albumenised paper with 5 grains of common salt and 5 of nitrate of ammonia to the ounce. Giving the paper a second coating is an advantage, but not a necessity. Sensitize on a 60 grain solution of common salt, wash and put in the following toning bath:-

Chloride of Gold 2 oz.
Borax 1 dr.
Water 1 pint.

This bath will soon give the purple gold tint; wash and immerse in the ordinary type fixing bath.” Dr. Murray enclosed a specimen which was most satisfactory, the tone being rich and pleasing.’

No. 66 Read the following letter from J. MURRAY, Esquire, M.D., to C. BEADON, Esquire, Secretary to the Government of India, dated Calcutta, the 4th [?14] January 1858.
 
Sir,
 
I have the honor to report that I returned to India on the 12th November, after six months leave of absence. In consequence of the disturbed state of the North-West Provinces, I have hitherto been unable to rejoin my appointment of Civil Surgeon of Agra; but after our recent victories, I anticipate the road will be open, and I am anxious to proceed to Agra.
 
2. The most noble the Governor General requested me to take some Photographic views, at Benares, Allahabad, Cawnpore, Agra, and Delhi, and I have fitted up the requisite apparatus.
 
3. I beg I may be furnished with definite instructions as to the duty required, and the allowances I will receive when employed on this duty.
 
4. The apparatus and baggage will weight four hundred pounds; for which, with myself and servant, Carriage will be required.
 
5. It would be convenient, if I were permitted to draw on the Treasury, on this account, to the extent of two thousand Rupees.

Sir,
 
I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 75 of the 8th instant, and have sent a copy to the Officiating Post Master General of Bengal, and will give instructions regarding a Dawk from Benares to Allahabad, and from the Railway Terminus at Khaga to Cawnpore. No Dawks can be laid yet from Cawnpore to Agra. All Dr. Murray’s baggage in excess of one maund-and-a-half must, above Benares, be sent by bullock train.
 
2. Orders for conveyance from Raneegunge to Benares can conveniently be given to the officers whom they concern, who should be instructed to take them to the Post Master of Calcutta.

Sir,
 
In reply to your letter, dated the 14th instant, I am directed by the Governor General in Council to state that you may proceed to rejoin your appointment of Civil Surgeon of Agra. Orders have already been issued to provide you with a Dak carriage from Raneegunge, and with conveyance for your baggage and Photographic Apparatus; but you will perceive from the accompanying extract of a letter from the Director-General of the Post Office, that no Daks can yet be laid from Cawnpore to Agra, and for that portion of your journey you will have to arrange on your arrival at Cawnpore.
 
2. His Lordship in Council requests that on your way to Cawnpore you will halt at Benares, and apply yourself to taking a set of views of the Raj Ghat entrenchment, conveying as clear and complete an impression of the works as possible.
 
3. You are also requested to halt at Allahabad, to take a set of views of the principal buildings in the Fort, and the buildings in course of adaptation or construction as Barracks and Hospitals, and, if possible, to take a general view exhibiting the intended sites of any such buildings.
 
4. You will have the goodness to forward in duplicate from Benares and Allahabad respectively, the views you are required to take at those stations. These should be carefully packed and despatched on alternate days by Dak, on the Public Service, to my address.
 
5. After your arrival at Agra, you will, with the permission of the local Government, proceed to Delhi, and take views of the Palace Buildings and Palace Walls, of the City Walls and principal gates, and of the Jumma Musjid and other Public Buildings of note. The Governor General in Council particularly desires that all the chief features within the enceinte of the Palace Walls, should be represented.
 
6. For these purposes, the Hon’ble the Lieutenant Governor of the Central Provinces has been requested to authorize an advance of Rupees 2,000, to be made to you from the Benares Treasury to be subesequently accounted for. On the subjects of your allowances you will receive a further communication hereafter.

India Public Department
Home Department, No. 66 of 1859
To: Sir George Clark, Under Secretary of State for India
From: Secretary to the Government of India, Fort William, 8th October 1859
 
Sir,
 
I am directed to transmit by the present mail steamer four copies of each of the photographs taken from negatives by Dr. Murray, Civil Surgeon, Agra, as per annexed list.
 
I have the honor, etc.
 
List of photographs taken from negatives by Dr. Murray. [4 copies of each sent]
 
BENARES
Parade Benares; Mosque, Benares; Simalah Temple, Benares; Bisshesspur North Temple, Benares
 
ALLAHABAD
Lath, Allahabad; Jumna face of fort, Allahabad
 
CAWNPORE
The Well and Monument, slaughter-house, Cawnpore; Sutter Ghat, Cawnpore; Sutter Ghat, Cawnpore; The Hospital in General Wheeler’s Entranchment, Cawnpore
 
DELHI
Khoodsin Bagh Musjeed, Delhie; Iron Lath at Kutab, Delhie; Humayon’s Tomb, Delhie; Humayon’s Tomb, Delhie; Flag Staff Tower, Delhie; Water Gate at Palace, Delhie; Mooree Gate, Delhie; Sufter Jung’s Tomb, Delhie; Tree in Palace, Delhie; Sir Theophilus Metcalfe’s House, Delhie; Subzee Mundee, Delhie; Musjeed Old Fort, Delhie; Kutub Minar, Delhie; Church, Delhie; Delhie Gate at Palace; Jumma Musjeed, Delhie; Hindoo Rao’s House, Delhie; Humayon’s Tomb, Delhie; Sammy House Picket, Delhie; Subzee Mundee Picket, Delhie; Lahore Gate at Palace, Delhie; Mussur Boorj and Dewan Khass of the Palace, Delhie; Lahore Gate of Palace, Delhie;
Hindoo Rao’s House, Delhie, from west; Zenutool Musjeed, Delhi; College, Delhi; Observatory, Delhie; Inner Gateway of the Palace, Delhie, now Powder Magazine; Bashing Ghat on Jumna, Delhie; Kutub Minar; Rao Petarah’s Temple, Delhie; Eastern Face of the Palace, Delhie
 
ON CARDS
Bashing Gate; Humayon’s Tomb; Mosummun Boorj; Lahore Gate of Palace, Delhie