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12 Jun 61 Julius Fyzabad Father ______________________________________________________________________________________________
Fyzabad
12 – 6 – 61
My dear Father
As you good folks at home do not appear to be getting on very fast with my Company, I have taken a turn at helping myself, which step I will explain circumstantially.
First however premising that, from the 15th Inst. I am Officiating Adjutant of H.M. 34th Regt. which position, as far as I can see, I am likely to hold for 18 months at least. In which time I think diplomacy at home ought to work out my Company, now that I am first for purchase.
Our Adjutant, Leeson, has been suffering for some time past from a diseased liver. While he was sick, I took his work for him. At length the Doctors advised him to go home, telling him he could not live out here. After much persuasion, he at last consented to go & the time he fixed on for going was next October. When it was settled that he was going, I obtained the promise of the Colonel to appoint me his Adjutant.
This was a basis for operations & I naturally did not let grass grow under my feet. In conversation with him the other evening, I found that one reason for his staying on till October (independent of his idea that the Regt. is to go to the d…l when he leaves) was that he was anxious to be able to pay his way down Country without drawing on his English resources – he having been a very free liver & having pretty well got through all his pay & allowances since he came to India.
Now my theory is that a bird in the hand is worth at least two in the bush & having observed so many examples of the french proverb ‘l’homme dispose mais Dieu dispose’ * I determined on seeing if I could not start him by making him a handsome offer. I think I can anticipate your approval of my proceedings. I agreed to give him the difference in pay between my pay as M.I. & my pay as the Adjutant from 15th June up to the 1st Octbr if he would go. The sum I give is £50 but I have come to an agreement with Wyse, who relieves me as M.I. to let me draw the M.I.’s allowances until 1st Oct, so that will be something in my pocket.
In order to pay Leeson, I have drawn on Cox, as the matter has to be settled between us at once, of course, for £50 which I hope you will not consider to have been an imprudent step. I could of course have got it from a Bank or borrowed it, but I think it is more straightforward to go to you for it at once & I don’t think such a purpose that you are likely to grudge even such a sum. An Adjutant’s pay out here is just £50 a Month clear, which I think should keep me clear of drawing money from you, wipe off any little debts I may have out here and, if I hold the office as long as I expect, enable me to find my way home & pay you a visit some of these days when you may least expect me.
Of course position is a great thing but now as I am situated I hardly think there is any necessity of bribing Steuart or any one else with large sums of money over regulation to make me a Captain. I know I can trust to you to allow no junior to go over my head, the rest I will leave for John to advise you about.
I have often wished to be an Adjutant before getting my promotion. There is no doubt an Adjutant is the main spring of a Regt., but I hardly ever expected I should attain my wish. It is only within the last two years that I have felt myself competent for the position & I thought Leeson would never give it up as he is most egotistically inclined & until lately has always imagined that his remaining was necessary to the well being of the Regt., forgetting that there are just as good fish in the sea as ever have come out of it.
I do not wish to follow his old example & begin by being egotistical but the expressions of pleasure that one cannot help seeing & hearing at this change ought to make me proud. I hope indeed that in a few years’ time they may be continuing. Leeson leaves by the Steamer from Calcutta on the 3rd July. He will call on you when he gets home. He is a gentlemanly man. We have, so to speak, often been ‘political enemies’ and although on good terms, still never particularly affectionate. In fact I shall like him much better now that he will be away.
I have been inclined lately to cry down my luck. This is a good time at last which I hope may continue. Write & tell me what you think of the step I have taken. I shall be very anxious to hear but I do not think there can be two opinions about the matter.
I have not seen or heard anything of my box yet. I have instituted enquiries in Calcutta & hope soon to get news of it. I am looking out eagerly for its arrival as a sort of link between me & home. When it comes I will write immediately.
I trust you are doing as well, as you can expect. The warmer weather, I should think, ought to suit you.
Give my love to my Mother & all
From yr affect Son
JDLaurie
* l’homme dispose mais Dieu dispose – he meant ‘lhomme propose; Dieu dispose’, a paraphrase of Proverbs 16:6