1G0 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [Nov 



From Lieut. -Colonel B. Ford, Superintendent. 

 To J. N. HoMFRAY, Esq., 



Dated Port Blair, Slst May, 1867. 



Sir, — On the occasion of the visit to this settlement, some months 

 ago, of Captain T. C. Anderson, Barrack Master, Fort "William, Cal- 

 cutta, that officer made, I believe, an offer to you of undertaking the 

 education of any Andamanese lad, who could be induced to go to 

 Calcutta for that purpose ; the object in view being eventually to 

 send amongst the aborigines of those islands, a man of their own 

 tribe, who might not only be an interpreter between them and us, 

 but with whose aid perhaps greater ends might be accomplished. 



2. I have the honor now to inform you, that I have by the last 

 mail received a renewal from Captain Anderson of his former offer. 

 This offer is a most liberal one, and I am of opinion that no pains 

 should be spared to take advantage of it ; and I should be much 

 obliged to you therefore, if you will endeavour to induce any of the 

 elders of the tribe, with whom we are most friendly, to nominate a 

 lad, say from 7 to 10 years of age, whose friends they might be able 

 to persuade for a time to part with him, in order to go to Calcutta for 

 the purpose of education. Our Andamanese friends must have such a 

 pleasurable recollection of Calcutta hospitality and kindness, (in which 

 respect they owe much to yourself), that I entertain a hope that 

 there would not be much difficulty in inducing the Andamanese to 

 send a lad away for a time for the above purpose. 



3. I would suggest, should there be any reluctance to send a single 

 individual, that I would undertake to induce Captain Anderson to 

 receive two lads, who would thus not only be happy in their com- 

 panionship, but who, from living together, would be less likely to for- 

 get their mother tongue. 



4. 1 should feel obliged by your giving me an early reply in this 

 matter, as I am desirous of replying to Captain Anderson's offer, as 

 requested, by the next mail. 



I have, &c. 

 (Signed) B. Ford, Lieut.-Col. 



