1871.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 293 
From J, Gzoauxcan, Ese., Under-Secretary to the Government of 
India, Department of Agriculture, Revenue and Commerce, 
To the Hony. Secretary to the Asiatic Society of Bengal. 
Simla, the 28th August, 1871. 
Srr,—I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 
No. 280, dated 14th June last, forwarding a Memo. on a proposed 
series of deep sea dredging operations in Indian waters, and 
requesting the Government of India to extend its support to the 
undertaking and to place a steamer at the disposal of the Com- 
mittee appointed for the purpose. 
In reply I am directed to state that the Governor-General in 
Council cordially approves of the proposal of the Society, and would 
be glad to make a steamer available for the undertaking. At 
present, however, no vessel can be spared either from the Royal 
Navy or the Indian Marine. 
A Nautical Survey of the Indian seas is, however, contemplated, 
and when the result of inquiries that have been instituted in con- 
nection with that subject is arrived at, it will be considered whether 
a vessel can be made available for the joint purpose of carrying 
out the deep sea dredgings as well as the Marine Survey. 
H. M.S. Forte, Seyshelles, August 26th. 
From His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief Her Majesty's Naval 
Forces, East Indies. 
To Frerv. SroriozKa, Hony. Secretary, Asiatic Society, Bengal. 
Srr,—I have the pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your 
letter, 23rd June, enclosing papers from the Asiatic Society regard: 
ing ‘“‘ Deep Sea Dredging.” 
I beg to assure your Society that I will assist in every way in 
my power so desirable an object. I would take the liberty to suge 
gest to you to obtain as soon as possible all the apparatus neces- 
sary,—ready to embark in any vessel which may be made avail- 
able. 
I will represent to His Excellency the Viceroy that one of the 
two vessels of war stationed in the sea of Bengal might with ad- 
