Oct. 1844] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society, cxix 



(Copy,) 



From Capt. W. M. Stewart, Fort Adjutant, Chunar, to J. Thornton, Esq. 



Secy, to the Govt. N. W. P. Agra, dated 27th July, 1844. 



Sir,— In continuation of my letter of 20th May last, regarding the search for Litho- 

 graphic Stones, 1 have the honor to acquaint you for the information of the Honorable 

 the Lieutenant Governor North West Provinces, that I sent out a party to the site from 

 whence they had been obtained before, with the view of ascertaining whether or not 

 they may be obtained of better quality, by quarrying deeper into the stratum of white 

 lias, instead of from the surface. 



A perpendicular cut 12 feet deep has been made in two places, and four specimens 

 of stone of different qualities have been selected and forwarded to the Secretary of the 

 Asiatic Society, for the purpose of being tested at the Government Lithographic Press. 



They are decidedly of a firmer texture and finer quality than the surface specimen 

 sent to the Press of the Sudder Board at Allahabad ; but they are still much inferior to 

 German stone, some specimens of which were forwarded for my inspection. 



It is therefore expedient to continue the search at the locality indicated by Captain 

 Shortreede, and as the stones forwarded by him have been found to answer for Litho- 

 graphic purposes, I have no doubt of ultimate success. 



With the permission of the Honorable the Lieut. Governor, I should wish to avail 

 myself of the services of Mr. C. H. Burke, late of the Revenue Survey Department, 

 and now residing here as a pensioner; a small travelling allowance of (say) 100 Ks. per 

 month for two months, would be sufficient for all his wants, and fully attain the object 

 desired. I propose detaching him, provided the permission of the Lieut, the Governor 

 is accorded, early in October. 



1 have the honor to forward for counter-signature, a contingent bill in duplicate 

 for expences incurred in the late operations. 



I have, &c. 

 Chunar, the 27th July 1844. (Signed) W. M. Stewart, Captain, 



Fort Adjutant, Chunar. 

 (Copy.) 

 No. 731. 

 From J. Thornton, Esq., Secretary to the Government North Western Provinces, 



Agra, to Captain W. M. Stewart, Fort Adjutant, Chunar, dated Agra, the 



\2th August, 1844. 



General Department N. W. P. 



Sir,— 1 am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ultimo, 

 regarding the specimens of Lithographic Stones dispatched to the Asiatic Society in 

 Calcutta, for the purpose of being tested at the Government Lithographic Press. 



2. In reply I am desired to convey to you His Honor's thanks, for the exertions you 

 are making as regards the desired investigation. 



3. His Honor is pleased to authorize you to pay Mr. Burke, the individual you 

 propose to employ in the search for Lithographic Stones, a sum not exceeding 200 ru- 

 pees for the trip which he will make on this duty, at such times and in such amounts 

 as you may think best; but this sum is not to be considered a monthly allowance, 

 which is always likely to cause unnecessary protraction of an enquiry. 



