Item 4 - Letter from Brian Houghton Hodgson to H Torrens of the Royal Asiatic Society

1 letter

Nepal
January 12 1843

H. Torrens Esqre
Sec. Asi. Society

Dear Sir

On the 13 May last I had the honour to transmit to you thirty one large sheets of Drawings as per accompanying 'List' - for the purposes of their being submitting to the Society's inspection and of their subsequent transmission [thru?] it if deemed proper, to England - As these drawings have an extreme value for those whom their peculiar subject concerneth and no value whatever for any one else, I trust the Society will be sensible that it's honour is much concerned in their alleged disappearance, without a word of explanation from the very hour of their known arrival with you up to the present moment
I have the honour to be
Dear Sir
Your faithful servant
B. H. Hodgson

LIST OF DRAWINGS TO H. TORRENS MAY 13 1842

1. Newars or aborigines of Nepaul Proper (Two Sheets)
2. Trans Nivean Bhoteahs
3. Cis Niveanor Cachari Bhoteahs
4. Heads of Newars
5. -ditto- of Cachari Bhoteahs
6. 1. Elephant of Saul Forest
7. 2. Martes Toufous
8. 3. Lynchus Vulgaris of Tibet
9. 4. The Habshi [Tangam] of Des Dharma
10. 5. Hemitragus Quadrimammis
11. 6. Ounce of Tibet
12. 7. -do- -do- Junior
13. 8. Felis Nigripectus Manul
14. 9. Mustela Canigula
15. 10. Sorex Nemorivaguset Pygmaeus
16. 11. Lepus Pallipes
17. 12. Vulpes Ferrilatus
18. 13. Aquila Crassipes
19. 14. Totanus Glareoloides
20. 15. Dicrurus Albirectus
21. 16. Vultur Fulvus
22. 17. Vinago Maronatus
23. 18. Egretta Grayii
24. 19. Crypsirina Simoniiset Vagabunda
25. 20. Carduelis Spinoides
26. 21. Phasianus Pictus et [Amherstii?]
27. 22. Mesidus Nivicola
        28.23. Caracias Bengalensis
28. 24. Thonicarnis Princeps

Total 31 Sheets
Notes at the end of the list
6 Haman to Lord Auckland
Lent 24 animals to British Museum whereof 12 Mammals and 12 Birds

1844
6 Haman
12 Quadruped
12 Birds
To British Museum by my father brought home by H.J. Princeps
'List of drawings sent home by H. J. Princeps and delivered to Brit. Museum by M.H. Senior 1844'

EXTRATCS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE COMM. OF CORRESPONDENCE OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY

7 Nov 1837
A minute of this date refers to Mr Hodgson's proposed publication on the Zoology of Nepal, and gives a statement from one of Mr Hodgson's letters to the effect that he had despatched to the care of the Royal Asiatic Society, 26 sheets of Mammals and Birds and will continue to send others till the series be completed which he commends to the keeping of the Society; stating also, that he had despatched 5 in Jany last by Capt. Robinson, with directions to deposit them with the Royal Asiatic Society, in case his prior stores should have been removed from the keeping of the Zoological Society - The minute concludes thus:- None of the above articles having been received, the committee directed that the matter should [lie?] over the present

15th March 1838
The Chairman read before the Committee a letter written to him by J. Princep Esq. of Calcutta, relative to Mr Hodgson's work of the Mammalia of Nepal, the the publication and circulation of which the Bengal Society are desirous of furthering etc. etc. "Sir Alexander Johnston stated that he had communicated the content of Mr Princep's letter to Sir Wm. Jardine who had expressed his willingness to cooperate in any measures whereby Mr Hodgson's labours might be given to the world."
19th Apl. 1839
The Chairman now read a letter from Mr J Princep, dated Calcutta 7 Sept 1838 respecting Mr Hodgson's proposed work on Nepal Zoology and recommending application in support to the Court of Directors.
5th March 1842
A minute of the Council of this date accepts Mr. Hodgson's offer to dedicate Mr Hodgson's Mammals of Nepal to the R. Asiatic Society; and promises to subscribe for a copy of the work.