William Johnson, to Ozias Humphrey

RA Collection: Archive

Reference code

HU/4/26-30

Title

William Johnson, to Ozias Humphrey

Date

12 Mar 1789

Level

Item

Extent & medium

5 pieces

Content Description

Humphrey left without supplying him information or instruction on how he was to go about prosecuting the case against Macpherson. Humphry then wrote to say the instruction was ready, without sending it, which is as useful as it being at the bottom of the sea.

He has examined Young, the goldsmith, Mr. Daniel, Mr Hamilton, Humphry's servant, Col. Martine and Colebrook. Martine denied all knowledge. Johnson then describes the proceedings at the Court of Equity. By the time Humphry's instruction arrived it was too late to be of use. The case was dismissed with costs. He describes in detail the judgement of Sir Robert Chambers, which in essence states that Humphry was indeed paid double by the vizier for what he completed and that he should not have calculated double his supposed lost earnings and then demanded that from Macpherson. He says the costs will be seven or eight thousand rupees. His best chance would be to pursue the Nabob through his contacts in England, Cornwallis will not intervene in matters of private debt.

The Coffee House has been broken up. Yonge was the first "dissevered" from the society, for all his perculiarities he was a useful member. The writer has married, he knows Humphry did not approve of marrying in India. He must remain a few years longer to send allowances to his family and he has yet to make his own fortune.