{<17/
A
MEMORIAL
OF THE
DESCENDANTS AND REPRESENTATIVES
OF
MONACKJEE LOWJEE
AND
BOMANJEE LOWJEE,
Deceased,
FORMERLY MASTER BUILDERS IN THE BOMBAY
DOCK-YARD,
Dated 25th January, 1840 ;
TO
THE HONORABLE COURT of DIRECTORS of
THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.
WITH
AN APPENDIX.TO
The Honorable Court of Directors,
FOR THE AFFAIRS OF THE HONORABLE EAST
INDIA COMPANY,
LONDON.
The Memorial of the undersigned
D escendants and Representa-
tives of Monackjee Lowjee and
Bomanjee Lowjee, deceased, for-
merly Master Builders in the Bom-
bay Dock- Yard.
Humbly Sheweth,
That the father of Monackjee Lowjee and Bomanjee
Lowjee, served the Honorable Company in the dock-yard
at Bombay for 35 years, and after his death his said sons
served the Government as master builders with zeal and
fidelity for nearly 50 years.
2.	That in March 1783, Rear Admiral Sir Edward
Hughes, Knight, Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty’s
Squadron in the East Indies, brought to the notice of the
Honorable the Governor in Council of Bombay, the con-
duct and exertions of Monackjee and Bomanjee and their
sons, during the eventful period of a prolonged war, in these
terms“ The very essential and important service rendered
“ His Majesty’s squadron under my command at this time,
“ by the two Parsee builders, Monackjee and Bomanjee2
“ Lowjee’s, and their two sons, Framjee and Jamsetjee
“ Lowjee’s—who have not only exerted themselves to the
“ utmost by day and night, but have induced the whole of
“ the native artificers to equal attention in the refit of His
u Majesty’s ships, deserves the greatest praise, and every
“ reward in my power to give.” “ Not only to reward them
“ for their present great services rendered the nation at
“ large, but the Company in particular, but also for former
“ obligations that both acknowledge they justly owe them/’
Sir Edward Hughes recommended the Bombay Government
to make them a free grant of some batty ground on the
Island of Bombay, equal to the produce of 80 morahs of
batty per annum.
3.	That in April 1783, Sir Edward Hughes addressed
your Honorable Court to the same effect; and on the 29th
December of the same year, a portion of ground, yielding
40 morahs of batty, with their foras and perteneas, (waste,
&c. pertaining thereto) were made over to the said Monackjee
Lowjee and Bomanjee Lowjee, as a freehold estate, under a
deed duly signed by the Governor and all his Council; which
grant was confirmed by your Honorable Court to them
and their descendants on the 28th April 1795.
4.	That on the 27th November 1830, your Memorialists
represented to the Government of Bombay that they had
expended a large sum of money in the improvement of the
said estate, and had planted a number of date and brab
trees, but that they could not obtain a fair return for their
outlay, in consequence of their being required to pay
Abkaree tax, or fee of half a rupee on those trees, further
that this tax did not exist at the period of the grant in
1783, and that it was a new levy, " which the family never
** expected to defray at the time the lands were so con-
“ ferred on them, nor the Government ever meant to
“ exact from them/’ and that on the estate being further
improved, “ they may experience more heavy exactions in3
“ future, arising from both fees and assessment;” for which
reasons, and in consideration of the nature of the object of
the grant, your Memorialists prayed Government to order
“ total exemption” of the estate from the tax in question.
5.	That the above-mentioned application was referred by
Government to the Collector of Bombay, and that officer
reported in favour of a compliance with it. The Govern-
ment then called upon your Memorialists to submit to them
the original deed of 1783, which was accordingly done;
and on the 28th March 1831, your Memorialists received
from the Secretary to Government a letter, in these terms :
■—“ In reply to your letter dated the 18th instant, I am
“ directed by the Right Honorable the Governor in Council
“ to acquaint you, that the Collector of Bombay has been
“ authorized to exempt from tax the land and its produce
" granted to the Lowjee family.”
6.	That since then, under this order, the date and brab
trees on the estate have been free from tax of any kind for
a period of nine years.
7.	That a day or two before the dispatch of the overland	See
mail last month, your Memorialists were informed by the ^PP*
Collector of Bombay, that in consequence of a represen-
tation made by him to Government, the Honorable the
Governor in Council had resolved to apply immediately to
your Honorable Court for instructions, whether the tax on
the date and brab trees, from which your Memorialists were
exempted by the Government order of 28th March 1831,
should not be re-imposed; and that pending your Honorable
Court’s decision, he was directed to levy the tax on all the
trees on the estate, in excess of the number existing at the
date of that order.
8.	That from wrhat your Memorialists could learn from
him, it appeared that the statements he had laid before
(government were far from accurate, especially as regards
the number of the trees on the estate, and the additional4
revenue which Government would derive by revoking the
order of 28th March 1831, your Memorialists were anxious
that your Honorable Court should not be left to decide a
question so nearly affecting the interests of the Lowjee
family, on an erroneous and exparle statement, (for no
opportunity had been afforded your Memorialists of sub_
mitting any explanations or information, they having been
without any notice or previous communication on the subject,
abruptly deprived of the advantage so long enjoyed by them,)
and they therefore respectfully begged Government to post-
pone the intended reference to your Honorable Court, so as
to enable your Memorialists to submit a correct statement
of the facts of the case, to be laid at the same time before
your Honorable Court. In reply, your Memorialists were
informed that the Honorable the Governor in Council could
not comply with their request. But your Memorialists
entertain a confident hope that, with the knowledge of this
fact, your Honorable Court will have done them the justice
to suspend, until the receipt of their explanation and repre-
sentation, your Honorable Court’s decision on the question.
9.	That in the Collector’s statement, the number of the
date and brab trees, and the gain, both present and pro-
spective, to the revenue, by taxing them again, being greatly
gee overrated, your Memorialists addressed that officer, to beg he
App. B. would arrange for the trees being counted again jointly by
a person from his department and one of your Memorialists,
so as to admit of their correct number being ascertained
some time before the dispatch of this month’s overland mail;
but, from his reply, it will be seen that this could not be
effected.
10.	That your Memorialists can therefore, on the present
occasion, only show from the Collector’s own statement,
incorrect as it is, that the tax from which the estate was
exempted on the 28th March 1831, will not amount here-5
after to the large sum estimated by him. He states that
there are on the estate—
Of the date trees, only those included in the first class are
full-grown, namely 35ol, and as date trees can only be
tapped every alternate year, toddy is obtained from but
half that number in each year, or after excluding old and
unproductive trees—say 1700 trees. The tax on these at
half a rupee each would be.....................rupees 850
The tax on 270 cocoa-nut and brab trees, at
three rupees each ..............................	810
The total amount of tax if at present levied —-------------
would be . ....................................rupees 1,660.
The second class comprises young trees, which are not
likely to be productive until 5 or 8 years from this time—
while the third class, includes all plants younger than those,
and even those just sprouting up, of which growing as they
are on waste or grass lands, a great number are destroyed
yearly by the people who cut down the grass. The total
number of all kinds and classes, by the Collector’s statement,
is 17,250 trees—allowing for date trees of the first class
becoming unproductive from age, and for those of the third
class, which will not attain maturity, there are not likely to
remain and be productive 20 years hence more than half
that number, or 8,600—say 9,000 trees. Of these only half
could be drawn in each year, or 4,500 trees, and the tax on
these at half a rupee each, would amount to rupees 2,250—
but even if every old decayed tree, and even young ones
destroyed were replaced, so that there should still be at the
Cocoa-nut trees.....
Brab trees............
Date trees, Class 1st.
2d.
3d.
3561
1986
11,434
28
241
16,981
17,2506
end of 20 years the full number, stated by the Collector,
growing on the estate, 17,250—(and the land not already
occupied by buildings, and other cultivations—would not
your Memorialists believe admit of any more trees being
planted), then even, as half that number, or 8625 only
could be drawn each year, the tax would amount to only
rupees 4312|—instead of the very large sum (about rupees
20,000) which the Collector has represented Government
will gain by cancelling the order of 28th March, 1831.
11.	That your Memorialists have always understood the
object of the Abkaree Rules to be not to raise a Revenue
but to control the distillation and sale of intoxicating liquors.
This object is secured to Government, by the power which
it alone possesses and exercises of issuing licenses to the
Bhundarees, or drawers of toddy, from the Date, Cocoa-nut,
and Brab trees, on the Island of Bombay, and will not be
affected in any way by the order of the 28th March, 183i,
remaining in force. Such being the case, your Memorialists
hope and trust your Honorable Court will not be induced,
by any such consideration as that of increasing the Abkaree
revenue, to undo the deliberate act of a former Govern-
ment.
12.	That though under a liberal construction of the deed
of 1783, it may not be clear that the date and brab trees
on the estate should be exempted from the tax; yet, as no
such tax existed at that period, and on this ground your
Memorialists begged Government to exempt the estate from
liability to pay it, and as the Government of 1831 exempted
from tax the land and the trees in question. This, without
any limit or reservation, decision your Memorialists could
not but consider as an interpretation of the old, which was
equivalent to a new grant.
13.	That what the Bombay Government did in respect
to the estate of the Lowjee Family, by the order of the 28th
of March, 1831, your Memorialists earnestly hope yourHonorable Court will not allow to be declared wrong and
unauthorized after a lapse of nine years. Were such acts
or grants of the local Government to be annulled, the confi-
dence of the people in the Government would be much
shaken. Your native subjects can scarcely be expected to
know whether any laws have been made in England, or
whether any orders have been issued to the local Govern-
ments restricting their powers in such cases. If then their
acts similar to that of the Bombay Government in the
instance in question be disallowed, no reliance could be
placed in what the local Government might do—no one
could be certain whether its pledges would be redeemed, or
whether what it had deliberately granted would not be after-
wards taken away in the same manner as is done under any
Native Despotic Government; not only would its dignity
be thus lowered, but its efficiency also injured by that con-
fidence being weakened which has hitherto been placed in
the good faith of the British Government.
14.	That there have been a great many cases in which
your Honorable Court, acting in a spirit of a liberal and
wise policy, have confirmed grants of land in Enam (to a
value much exceeding that of the estate granted to the
Lowjee Family, even including the exemption from the tax
on the date and brab trees,) made to individuals who had
discharged their ordinary duties in their public situations in
a meritorious manner. The services rendered by the Low-
jee family to His Majesty’s Government, and the Honorable
the East India Company, during the war in 1783, were
brought to your Honorable Court's notice by the Naval
Commander in Chief in India at that time, and your
Honorable Court have also on numerous occasions borne
testimony to the merits and exertions of several of its mem-
bers, including those of your Memorialists now serving in
the dock-yard. It is not necessary therefore for your Me-
morialists to dw'ell upon those services; but they may be8
permitted to refer to the annexed testimonials, and to re-
mark that, in value and importance, the services of the
Lowjee families were not inferior to those of any of the
meritorious servants who have been rewarded with much
larger enams; and that those services have been rendered
through five generations during a period of nearly 106
years.
15.	That in consideration of the circumstances above
stated, your Memorialists humbly entreat and trust that
your Honorable Court will not sanction the revocation of the
exemption which the Lowjee family has enjoyed from pay-
ment of the tax on the date and brab trees growing on the
estate in question, under the grant of the Honorable the
Governor in Council of Bombay, dated the 28th March,
1831.
And your Memorialists as in duty bound
will ever pray.
(Signed)	NOWROJEE JAMSETJEE.
JEHANGEER NASSERWrANJEE.
BOMANJEE HORMARJEE.
DADABHOY PESTONJEE.
CURSETJEE RUSTOMJEE.
DOSSABHOY JAMSETJEE.
ARDASEER RUTTONJEE.
SORABJEE FRAMJEE,
MUNCHERJEE PESTONJEE.
DOSSABHOY CURSETJEE.
DOSSABHOY MERWANJEE.
MUNCHERJEE JAMSETJEE.
Bombay,
25th January, 1840.APPENDIX.
A.
To Nowrojee Jamsetjee, Esq.
Sir,
I beg to enclose for your information, as representa-
tive of the Lowjee Family, the following extract of a letter from
Government, having reference to the estates- granted to your
predecessors.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
(Signed) W. S. BOYD,
Collector of Land Revenue,
Bombay Collector's Office,
14th Jan. 1840.
Extract of a Letter from Government, dated 28th
December, 1839.
3rd. “ As this is a case which can be disposed of only by the
Honorable Court of Directors, an immediate reference will be
made on the subject to them,—meanwhile you are authorized to
place the order of 28th March, 1831, in abeyance, in respect to
the trees on which the tax was not at that time paid, (that is, on
all beyond the 150 palm trees, and the date trees, yielding a tax
of rupees one thousand and twenty -four, three quarters and fifteen
reas, as stated in Mr. Doveton’s Report of 6th February, 1831,)
until the pleasure of the Honorable Court shall be known.”
4th. “ In respect to the second grant, made in 1821, alluded to
in the 6th paragraph of your letter, I am directed to state, that
the abkaree should be immediately levied according to the usual
custom, on all the toddy brab or date trees growing upon the land/5
C10
5th. “ I am desired also to instruct you, to take the necessary
steps for resuming the ground which has been encroached upon by
the Lowjee Family. If the encroachments are contiguous to the
family estate, and required by it, in order to render the property
compact, the Honorable the Governor in Council may perhaps
have no objection to grant them such ground on the usual rent
and terms.”
True Extract.
(Signed) W. S. BOYD,
Collector of Land Revenue.
B.
To W. S. Boyd, Esq., Collector of Land Revenue,
Bombay.
Bombay, 15th January, 1840.
Sir,
We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of
your letter of 14th inst., to the address of Nowrojee Jamsetjee,
annexing for our information the copy of a letter from the Honor-
able the Governor in Council, conveying to us the resolution
which Government has passed regarding the exemption from tax
of the date and brab trees on the Enam Estate, granted to the
Lowjee Family. We observe from the communication made to
us by your predecessor of the purport of his report to Govern-
ment, that the number of the trees, and amount of the tax, from
which we are exempted under the Government Order of the 28th
March, 1831, have been stated by him to be much greater than
they really are. This could not have failed to produce on the
mind of the Honorable the Governor in Council an impression
unfavorable to our claims, and it may have a similar effect with
the Honorable the Court of Directors. With a view to guard
against such a result, we respectfully beg you will be so good as
to cause those trees to be counted again, the number actually
drawn, which alone would have been liable to the tax being care-11
fully noted. We propose that this be done by some person of your
establishment jointly with one of us, or a competent individual on
our behalf, so to prevent mistakes, and place beyond a doubt the
correct facts respecting those particulars.
2.	As Government has made a reference to the Honorable
Court by the last overland mail, and we are very desirous of for-
warding our Memorial on the subject to that authority by the
next steamer, we earnestly hope that you will be so good as to
comply with our request as early as possible.
3.	Adverting to the 5th paragraph of the Government letter
to your predecessor, we beg to explain that the land which has
been described by him as encroachment, was in great part pur-
chased by us from the holders, and that we have never refused to
pay any rent which Government may be entitled to demand for
the same, and that much of the remainder has been erroneously
considered as encroached, being in fact part of the actual grants :
on which points, we are prepared to lay before you the clearest
proofs, whenever it may be convenient for you to grant one of us
an interview for the purpose, and to enter into a minute investi-
gation on the subject.
We have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient Servants,
(Signed) NOWROJEE JAMSETJEE,
BOMANJEE HORMARJEE,
JEHANGEER NASSERWANJEE,
DADABHOY PESTONJEE,
CURSETJEE RUSTOMJEE.
c.
To the Honorable Sir James Rivett Carnac, Bart,
President and Governor in Council, Bombay.
Honorable Sir,
With reference to Mr. Chief Secretary Reid’s letter
of the 31st ultimo, we beg leave to submit a Memorial to the
Honorable the Court of Directors, regarding the tax or fee on12
the date and brab trees, granted to the Lowjee Family, which we
respectfully solicit may be forwarded to the Honorable Court in
the next overland mail. The Duplicate and Triplicate Memorial
shall be forwarded in due course.
Your Honorable Board being fully aware of the services ren-
dered by the members of the Lowjee Family, who have been
employed in the Dock Yard, we take the liberty to request that
the Honorable Board will be so good as to testify to the value and
importance of those services, and the correctness of what is stated
in the Memorial on the subject, in order that the Honorable
Court may be satisfied, that the Lowjee Family are not undeserv-
ing of the justice and consideration, of a compliance with the
prayer of our Memorial.
We have the honor to be,
Honorable Sir,
Your most obedient and humble Servants,
(Signed) NOWROJEE JAMSETJEE,
JEHANGEER NASSERWANJEE,
BOMANJEE HORMARJEE,
DADABHOY PESTONJEE,
Bombay,	CURSETJEE	RUSTOMJEE.
25th January, 1840.
D.
To Nowrojee Jamsetjee, Esquire, and the Members
of the Lowjee Family.
No. 326 of 1840.
Territorial Department, Revenue.
Gentlemen,
I am directed by the Honorable the Governor in
Council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 25th
instant, and to acquaint you that the Memorial to the Honorable
the Court of Directors, regarding the Abkaree of your Estate,
will be forwarded by the overland mail on the 31st instant.13
2d. In reference to paragraph 2d of your letter, I am desired
to observe that the highly valuable services of the Lowjee Family
have been so well attested by former administrations, that there
seems no necessity for this Government to bear testimony to
them. The past and the present services of the Family entitle
them to every reasonable consideration, and the Governor in
Council is satisfied that such will be accorded to them by the
Honorable Court.
3d. You are requested to forward immediately duplicate and
triplicate of your Memorial, as is the usual practice in such cases.
I have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
Bombay Castle,	(Signed)	L.	R.	REID,
27th January, 1840.	Chief Secretary.
TESTIMONIALS
IN FAVOR OF
THE FAMILY OF LOWJEE.
An Extract of a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir Edward No. I.
Hughes, K. B., to Monackjee and Bomanjee
Lowjee, dated 20th June, 1788.
“ You may be ever assured of all the patronage and friendship
“ in my power, which you have so justly merited' by your great
“ exertions for the benefit of those squadrons of his Britannic
“ Majesty I had the honor to command in India, and which I shall
“ not fail making known to any Commander that may be sent there
“ while I live, as I have done to Government since my return,
“ upon every occasion and opportunity that has come in my way
“ to speak of it.”14
No, 2. Inscription on a Medal presented to Monackjee Lowjee.
“ The gift of Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, K.R., to
“ Monackjee Lowjee, for services rendered the nation.”
On the reverse,
Model of the “ Superb” “ 1783.”
No. 3, Inscription on a Medal presented to Bomanjee Lowjee.
“ The gift of Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, K.B«? to
“ Bomanjee Lowjee, for services rendered the nation.”
On the reverse,
Model of the “ Superb ” “ 1783.”
No. 4, Extract from the Honorable Company’s Commands, dated
the 8th April, 1789.
Para. 74. “ We have repeatedly expressed our satisfaction of
“ the services of Lowjee, our shipbuilder, and have sent him trifling
“ presents as marks of our approbation. We have every reason to
“ suppose he continues to exert himself in his particular line of
“ business; and as it is our intention that his merit should not pass
“ unrewarded, we think it but reasonable that he should reap some
“ benefit by the building and repairing private merchant ships in
“ the Company’s yard, on account of his labor and attendance on
“ such occasions. We do not settle what proportion he shonld
“ receive, that point we submit to your determination, being fully
“ persuaded that it will be such as a meritorious and faithful ser-
“ vant to the Company has claim to accept.”
A true Extract.
(Signed) JOHN PARRY,
Sub-Secretary.To Framjee Monackjee and Jamsetjee Bomanjee, No.
Master Builders.
I have received your letter of the 9th November, and am much
gratified by the expressions of esteem and good wishes towards
me which are therein held forth.
Being now so near taking my departure from this country, I
think it a duty incumbent on me, to declare to you how highly
satisfactory your conduct has proved to me during the seven years
I have been at the head of the Marine Department, in which
period the following vessels have been built by you for the Com-
pany’s service:—
The first of which will be anywhere allowed a most capital ship
of her rate, and all of them will do you credit; while, at the same
time, you have constantly had many of H. M. ships under repair,
and likewise launched several very fine ships for the merchants;
evincing throughout that assiduity and attention to your duty
which now in the third generation has characterized your family.
* May your sons follow the good example set before them, and
you may rely that whatever may be my future lot, I shall ever
retain a lively remembrance of your good qualities, shall be most
happy at all times to hear from you, and to aid your views, not
only in the particulars you have pointed out, but in every other
respect which may fall within the compass of my power.
Marquis Cornwallis,
Mornington,
Teignmouth,
Ternate,
Comet,
and Alert.
Bombay,
8th December, 1801,
I remain,
Your sincere friend and well-wisher,
(Signed) P. DUNDAS;K»
No. 6. Extract of a Letter from Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Trow*
bridge, Bart, to Jamsetjee Bomanjee, Master
Builder at Bombay, dated Admiralty, 30th May, 1802.
“ Although you have forgot me, I well remember you, and have
«ver been forcibly struck with your abilities, and I have pledged
myself that you will build us a 74 gun ship, and a frigate, which
shall be a pattern to an English builder. I have no fear but you
will fully justify my assertion. Long before this reaches you, the
draft for building will have been presented* and I hope begun upon.
I am aware it will require your influence to prevail on the artificers
to reside on Butcher’s Island, but you can easily accomplish it,—
the firm attachment all castes have to you and your family insure
success.”
No. 7. Extract of a Letter from Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas
Trowbridge, Bart., to Jamsetjee Bomanjee, Mas-
ter Builder, at Bombay, dated Admiralty, 14th June,
1802.
I am favored with your letter of the 12th December, but the
one of the 15th November has never reached me. You wTill find
I had anticipated your wishes respecting the building men of war*
at Bombay, and the plans must have long since been in your pos-
session, having been forwarded by the Company’s overland
dispatch. I had also written you on the subject, pledging myself
for your ability and exertion, and that I was sure the ships you
built would be models for our people to copy from. In short, 1^
said every thing in my power which your merits richly deserve,
and any thing I can do for you, or your family, will give me great
pleasure. Pray let me know how many ships of the classes you
now have plans for can to a certainty be built for us annually ?
Timber I presume can now be had in abundance from Tippoo’s
country, as well as Poon, for temporary masts to navigate them
home.
Mr, Dundas is not yet arrived in England; any assistance I17
ean render your family with the Company will give me great plea-
sure. I sincerely hope the Cornwallis will soon be home, that
our builders and surveyors may have ocular demonstration, though
they appear perfectly satisfied with, from what I have told them;
as a proof, they have not sent any one out to superintend the
work, having a thorough confidence from my statement of your
ability and integrity to perform the work well, and of the best
materials; be assured you will have every support from the
Admiralty,
Extract of a Letter from Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas No. 8.
Trowbridge, Bart., to Jamsetjee Bomanjee, Mas-
ter Builder, at Bombay, dated Admiralty, the 16th
November, 1803.
I am very anxious to hear you have begun our two ships. I
am deeply pledged for your ability and exertion, and I know you
will do all that is possible to meet the wishes of the Company and
British Government, and be assured you will be rewarded. We
have numberless offers of building at Bengal line-of-battle ships,
but I have no opinion of the people who are to perform the work,
or the Pegue teak ; I therefore rest entirely on you; I have seen
and know you are fully equal to it, and I have pledged myself you
will produce ships that will eclipse those built in England.
The Honorable Jonathan Duncan, Governor in Council, No. 9.
Bombay Castle.
Honorable Sir,
During the period in which I have had the honor to
command His Majesty’s squadron in India, which now embraces
a space of nearly ten years, I have necessarily had frequent occa-
sion to visit your Presidency, as the only station to which the
naval force in this country can resort, with a certainty of deriving
a prompt and ample supply of those manifold and extensive wants
which the nature of the maritime service at all times requires.
DIn bearing a due testimony to the zeal and alacrity which have
distinguished those departments under your Government, with
which my situation has led to frequent and important intercourse,
it may I trust be permitted to me to bring more pointedly to the
notice of your Honorable Board, the very able and meritorious
assistance at all times derived by my squadron from the exertions
of the Builders’ Department, under the immediate management of
Jamsetjee Bomanjee, and Framjee Monackjee, and their sons
Nowrojee Jamsetjee and Nowrojee Framjee.
It is wrholly unnecessary for me, Honorable Sir, * to enlarge on
the great ability displayed by those men (but particularly Jamset-
jee Bomanjee) in the various branches of their professional duties*
or to state to you their value to this most important naval station,
as the numerous specimens they have already exhibited of their
talents in the science of naval architecture will always form their
best panegyric. I cannot, however, pass over unnoticed a further
essential merit they possess, and which with those wrho have had
less occasion than myself to view them in the discharge of their
duties, might frequently not attract particular notice. I allude to
their indefatigable zeal, activity, and perseverance, on those occa-
sions where the nature of the service has called for more than
ordinary energy and exertion on their part; and I can with truth
assert, that their conduct has not only claimed my highest appro-
bation, but likewise been productive of a great national benefit.
Thus impressed with a sense of the important assistance ren-
dered by these men to the naval department in India, I have al-
ready borne testimony thereof in my correspondence with the
Honorable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. I also
feel it a duty incumbent on me to recommend them to the parti-
cular favor and protection of your Government, and to suggest
the policy of conferring on them some public mark thereof, as a
distinction that may at once prove gratifying to themselves, as
well as the means of securing a continuance of their fidelity and
attention to the duties of their departments. If I may be allowed
to point out in what manner this distinction could be most effec-
tually bestowed, I would recommend that Government should as-
sign to them a small portion of batty ground, either on this island,19
or that of Salsette, to be considered as an hereditary possession,
which, I have reason to believe, would be received by them as a
very flattering and honorable assurance of the countenance and
approbation of Government.
I have the honor to be,
Honorable Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
(Signed) PETER RAINIER.
Trident, Bombay Harbour,
the 12th February, 1804.
Inscription on a Silver Rule presented to Jamsetjee
Bomanjee.
“ Presented by the Court of Directors of the United East
u India Company to Jamsetjee Bomanjee, one of their Master
“ Builders in their Dock Yard at Bombay, in testimony of their
“ approbation of his continued fidelity and long tried services, and
“ in encouragement to him and his family to persevere in that line
“ of conduct, which has so often called forth the approbation of
“ his superiors.
“ At London, 1804.
“ The Honble. Wm. Elphinstone, Chairman.
“ Charles Grant, Esq. Deputy Chairman.
“ Jonathan Duncan, Esq., Governor of Bombay.”
The same inscription was engraved on a similar Silver Rule,
presented at the same time to Framjee Monackjee, the other
Master Builder.
Testimonial of Robert Anderson, Esq., Superintendent
of Marine at Bombay.
I leave this testimonial of the high sense I entertain of the
skill, ability and integrity of Jamsetjee Bomanjee, Master Builder
of this Dock Yard, which I have full reason to be certain call for
my warmest eulogiums ; and I may be permitted to write so, after
having for seven years as Master Attendant, and three years as Su-
No. 10.
Engraved on
the hinges
Britannia ”
‘SirEd. Hughes
“ Bombay ”
“ Cornwallis M
“ Mornington'
No. 11.20
perintendent, been a very frequent witness of bis abilities. Indeed,
I should for my own part have deemed any written recommenda-
tion of Jamsetjee superfluous, had he not requested such a paper,
and since I deem this as a proof of his modesty, I am happy that
it is in my power to offer so public a testimony (if he chooses to
make it so) of his good qualities.
(Signed) ROBERT ANDERSON,
Bombay,	Superintendent	of	Marine.
February 9th, 1805.
No. 12. Extract of a Letter from W. T. Money, Esq., Superin-
tendent of Marine to the Honorable the Governor in
Council, at Bombay, dated September 28th, 1810.
Para. 20th. Prior to the year 1735, there was no dock yard at
Bombay. Surat was the principal building place on this side of
the Peninsula, and it may be said in all India. In that year
Mr. Dudley, the master attendant, was sent by the Government
of this Presidency to Surat, to agree with the builder there,
Dhunjeebhoy, to build a ship for the Honorable Company’s Ser-
vice, to be called the Queen.
21st. In the construction of this vessel Mr. Dudley was so
much pleased with the skill and exertions of the foreman, Lowjee
Nassurwanjee, that after the launch he endeavoured to persuade
him to proceed with some artificers to Bombay, where the Govern-
ment were desirous of establishing a building yard; but his fidelity
to his engagements would not allow him to yield to Mr. Dudley's
solicitation, till his master’s consent could be procured. This was
at length obtained with great difficulty, and in the year 1735, with
a few shipwrights, Lowjee arrived at Bombay, and selected for the
place of his future operations a small part of the present dock
yard, which was then occupied by the dwellings of all the principal
Officers of the Marine, the habitation of the Lascars, and by the
common jail of Bombay. The avenues to these buildings rendered
the yard open to the public; but on the other hand, it may be
observed, that the residence of the officers of the establishment on
the spot, afforded a security to the property deposited there.21
22nd. At that time there were so very few materials for build-
ing, there being no mart for timber at Bombay, that Lowjee was
sent by the Government a year afterwards to the northward, to
establish a trade with the natives concerned in the forests, and was
desired to bring with him, on his return, the whole of his family,
and permanently settle them at the Presidency.
23rd. Having succeeded in his engagements with the timber
merchants, and procured a sufficient supply of materials for the
commencement of ship-building, he was employed in the construc-
tion of cruizers for the H. C. Marine,—soon afterwards in building
vessels for the trade of the port; and so much was his work
approved of, that H. M. ships were sent here for repairs.
24th. As ship-building increased with the prosperity of the place,
in the year 1754 the Superintendent of the Marine proposed the
construction of a dry dock, which was acceded to by Government,
and with the assistance of Lowjee it was completed for the mode-
rate sum of twelve thousand rupees.
25th. This proved a great acquisition to the yard, as it neces-
sarily attracted the shipping from the other side of the Peninsula
to seek those repairs at Bombay which they could not procure
elsewhere.
26th. Lowjee, encouraged by the success of his undertaking
and the countenance of Government, brought up two of his sons
(Monackjee and Bomanjee) to his own craft, and, by his iustruc-
tions, rendered them so proficient in naval architecture that, by
their united exertions, the reputation of the Bombay Dock Yard
became universally known in India, and their business was so
much increased, that in the year 1760 it was found necessary to
construct another dock.
27th. Upon this occasion the Honorable Court expressed its
conviction of the great utility of the first dock, not only for their
own ships, but as it had brought a considerable trade to Bombay,
by the means it afforded of repairing the shipping of Bengal, and
of the other parts of India, and therefore cordially acquiesced in
the proposition of building another.
28th. The abilities of Lowjee in his profession, and his great
integrity in the purchase of materials for ship-building, had now22
in more than one instance attracted the particular notice, appro-
bation, and reward of the Honorable Court; but his skill and
exertions in repairing H. M. squadron about this period, called
forth their distinguished commendation, and they emphatically
say—“ That such essential services should not be passed over
u without some particular mark of their favor.” which the Govern-
ment were directed accordingly to confer.
29th. So rapidly did the dock yard advance in importance, that
soon after the construction of the second dock it was deemed ex-
pedient to have a third; and the Court of Directors, gratified by
this proof of the prosperity of the port, gave it their ready
sanction, and in consideration of the services of Lowjee and his
two sons, approved of an augmentation to their pay*
30th. The increase in demand upon the dock yard to build and
repair ships, particularly to refit those of H. M. squadron, which
before the docks were constructed were obliged to heave down at
Hog Island, rendered necessary an enlargement of the limits of
the yard, and the Court of Directors, in the year 1767, expressed
their conviction of its necessity; but the jail of the town, and the
officer’s houses, still rendered the space for the reception of
timber extremely confined, while from these causes the dock yard
continued very much a thoroughfare.
31st. Grateful for the favours and support which he had re-
ceived from the Honorable Company, Lowjee resolved to bring
up another generation of his family in the same creditable line;
and in 1771, a few years before his death, he introduced into the
dock yard his grandsons, Framjee Monackjee and Jamsetjee
Bomanjee ; but determined that they should not eat the bread of
idleness, he made them work as daily carpenters, at 12 rupees per
mensem.
32nd. In 1774 this most respectable man, and upright servant
of the Honorable Company, died, leaving no other property after
a service of forty years than his dwelling house in the bazar, and
about 20,000 rupees in cash ; but he left what was of far greater
estimation with his family, a rich inheritance of ability, industry and
integrity, which they have preserved unimpaired to the present day.
83rd. The venerable founder of this dock yard was succeeded23
by his two sons, Monackjee as master builder, and Bomanjee as
his assistant, who conducted the business of building and repairing
with undiminished credit.
34th. In reward of the merits of these worthy sons of Lowjee,
the Government awarded, and the Court of Directors in 1776
approved of, an increase to their pay; and to the elder, Monack-
jee, the Court directed a silver rule and a shawl to be presented
in their name, as a testimony of their approbation of his past
services, and to “ encourage him to behave with the same dili-
gence and fidelity as his father/’
35th. Bombay had now acquired the consideration of a great
naval arsenal; and during a very arduous period of w7ar, the fleet
under the command of Sir Edward Hughes was frequently docked
and repaired by Monackjee and Bomanjee, who also constructed
two ships of 900 tons each for the service of the Company.
Bomanjee died in 1790 in debt, and Monackjee in 1792, leaving
a slender provision for his family.
36th. They were succeeded by their sons, Framjee Monackjee
and Jamsetjee Bomanjee, who have, particularly the latter, con-
structed ships of a much larger class than any of their predeces-
sors, and have been constantly employed in repairing H. M.
squadron.
37th. The reputation of Bombay-built ships at length very
forcibly attracted the attention of the Lords of the Admiralty,
who having seen and admired the Cornwallis, a frigate of 50
guns, built at this port, and now in H. M. Navy, in 1802 deter-
mined upon the construction of men-of-war in India.
38th. It was first suggested to their Lordships to send out an
European builder and shipwrights; but one of the Board of Ad-
miralty, (Sir Thomas Trowbridge) who was intimately acquainted
with the character and merits of Jamsetjee, pledged himself to
the King’s Government that he would build hot only frigates but
ships of the line to their perfect satisfaction, without the interven-
tion of European direction or aid.
39th. Orders were accordingly issued for the construction of
two frigates and a seventy-four.
40th. The masterly execution of these orders have nobly re-deemed the pledge which that distinguished Admiral gave in
England. The frigates of 36 guns each have been highly ap-
proved of, and the seventy-four rides in this harbour, a proud
monument of Jamsetjee’s skill in naval architecture, and the
admiration of all professional men.
41st. The great increase of work of the establishment of ship-
wrights, and of the collection of timber, rendered the extension
of the dock yard premises indispensably necessary; and the erec-
tion of another jail beyond the limits of the town, and other
arrangements, in the year 1805, presented a favorable opportu-
nity of accomplishing this desirable object. In consequence, the
prison, and various other old buildings which could be dispensed
with, were removed, the whole yard completely enclosed, and
regulations put in force to prevent the resort thither of any other
boats than those of the Navy and the Company, and of the
ingress of people through the gates whose business did not justify
their appearance in the yard.
42nd. To provide the public with adequate accommodation, in
lieu of the convenience of which they were deprived by an exclu-
sion from the general use of the yard, a pier was ordered to be
constructed to the southward of the saluting battery, which is
now complete, with two very commodious stairs, and universally
frequented.
43rd. Great as had been the improvements of the Dock Yards
from time to time, yet the still rising importance of this place as
a naval arsenal called for further means of meeting the demands
of the public service, and in 1805, it was resolved to construct
two additional docks, one for the purpose of building, and the
other for that of repairing the largest men-of-war which are ever
sent to the Indian seas.
44th. These docks, (executed by Capt. Cowper) in one of
which the Minden, 74, has been built, are now finished, and for
the beauty of their form and proportions, the durability of the
materials writh which they are constructed, and the perfection of
the work, are allowed by all competent judges to constitute a chef
d’oeuvre in architecture, unrivalled by any similar works in the
British dominions.25
' 45th. From this rapid sketch of the history of the Dock Yard
of Bombay, traced through a period of seventy-five years, it will
fee seen, that from an insignificant spot where the most trifling
vessels were repaired, it has by slow degrees and the vicissitudes
of an age* attained to a degree of eminence which may be the just
boast of this Government.
■ 46th. At the head of the building establishment is Jamsetjee
Bomanjee, his predecessor having died without a rupee in 1804.
' 47th. There are now in a course of construction two ships,
building with the intention of being offered for the service of the
Honorable Company, one of 1400, and the*other of 1200 tons;
and an expectation is entertained that orders will be received to
build another ship of the line.
48th. For the valuable services which Jamsetjee has rendered
to the Honorable Company, and to the Navy, he has received
numerous testimonies of approbation and applause from the
Honorable Court and this Government, from the Admiral, and
every Commander in Chief in India, tributes to his integrity as
much as to his talents.
49th. To perpetuate so fair an inheritance in a family, which
through three generations have exercised it so much to the public
advantage, the fourth from their ancestor Lowjee are now pursu-
ing the profession of their fathers; and so long as they continue
to follow the great example before them, no well-wisher to the
interests of this flourishing settlement would desire to supersede
them by European shipwrights.
To Jamsetjee Bomanjee, Master Builder.	^o.
Sir,
I cannot retire from the station in which I have so
long been the witness of your eminent merits, without discharging
an act of duty most grateful to my feelings, by requesting you to
accept the cordial expression of my public thanks for the great
benefit this important department has derived, during my superin-
tendency, from your unremitted zeal, professional talents, and
tried integrity.
E26
2d. I entered on the duties of my office, prepossessed with the
most favorable sentiments of your respectable character, but expe-
rience has long convinced me, that those sentiments fell far short
of what was due to your distinguished worth.
3d. During the last five years, the Dock Yard at this Presi-
dency has attained a high degree of national consequence by the
beautiful and capacious docks it has acquired, and by the noble
specimens of naval architecture which it has produced.
4th. For this valuable acquisition I am proud to bear testimony
that great is the reward due to the exertion of your superior abili-
ties, which, for the credit of Bombay, and the benefit of the
British Navy, I sincerely hope may be frequently called forth to
supply the best ships which any country can boast.
5th. With these my sentiments of your public worth, I cannot
deny myself the pleasure of assuring you of the esteem with
which your private virtues have inspired me, and w'hich will ever
preserve in my breast the liveliest interest in your prosperity.
6th. For a detailed proof of the opinion I entertain of the
public advantages derived to the East India Company, the Navy,
and this Settlement, from the services of your most respectable
family during the greatest part of a century, I refer you to a
report which it has been my duty this day to make to the Honor-
able the Governor in Council.
With an earnest wish that you may live to a good old age,
advancing in credit and happiness,
No. 14. Extract of a Letter from Vice-Admiral Sir Edward
Pellew, Bait., dated Plymouth, 25th December, 1810.
“ I beg you, my dear Money, to make Jamsetjee proud of his
“ frigates. The Salsette sails as well as any of our frigates,
“ stands up better, and had any other ship but her been frozen up in
I am, Sir,
Bombay,
30th Sept. 1810.
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) W. T. MONEY,
Superintendent.27
“ the Baltic as she was for nine weeks, Bathurst says she would
“ not have stood the buffeting of the ice one day; whereas she
“ came off unhurt. He says it was wonderful the shocks she
a stood during heavy gales. The old gentleman may be proud,
“ and pray remember me kindly to him.”
(True copy.)
(Signed) W. T. MONEY.
By George Dundas, Esq., Commissioner of the Navy, No. 15.
resident at Bombay, &c. &c.
These are to certify to whom it may concern, that during the
whole time I remained in India, the conduct of Jamsetjee Boman-
jee Lowjee, Master Builder in the Dock Yards in Bombay, was
such as to merit not barely my approbation, but my esteem. That
he has gained my full confidence, inasmuch as I firmly believe
that in all works performed by him for His Majesty’s Naval Ser-
vice, he has acted conscientiously impartial between the King’s
Government, and that of the Honorable East India Company;
and I do fully consider that he is well entitled to every mark of
credit and respect that can be shown to his situation.
Given at Bombay, this 18th day of January, 1812,
(Signed) GEORGE DUNDAS.
An Extract of a Letter from Capt. Thomas McArthur No. 16.
Low, of H. M. ship Minden, to Jamsetjee Boman-
jee, the Head Builder, dated 26th February, 1818.
“ I must acknowledge I have been remiss from my having first
“ hoisted the pendant on board the Minden, and continued to
“ serve in her ever since. You might have expected that I would
i( by an earlier opportunity have made known to you the opinion
/‘ formed of her in England. That opinion, as we all expected,
was highly favorable. She was taken into dock, carefully
H measured, the plank taken off in many places, and timbers
“ strictly examined, the workmanship and materials throughout28
“ the whole structure were admired. The report made by the
“ Surveyors of the Navy will not, I believe, note one fault; for
“ they were not only satisfied, but much gratified by the inspec-
“ tion. Being much on board, I had opportunities of hearing the
u opinions of most people belonging to the king’s yard at Ports-
“ mouth : they all, common shipwrights as well as their officers,
" expressed approbation. I have heard many of them declare, that
“ no ship so highly finished, or composed throughout of material
“ so good, had been launched from any of His Majesty’s dock
“ yards, or any yard in England, during the last fifty years ; nor
“ was the scarcity of good timber likely to admit such selection of
“ that article for any one ship as was observable in the Minden
“ for many years to come. We have found her in all circum-
“ stances answer extremely well—in my opinion better than any
“ ship in which I have sailed hitherto.
“ The Minden excited general attention, and had many visitors
u of distinction on board while at Portsmouth. The great order
“ in which she was kept by Capt. Hoare drew flattering encomiums
“ on himself and officers, and contributed not a little advan-
“ tageously to the exhibition of this first grand and interesting
“ specimen of the resources we have for the support of our mari-
a time superiority in the forests of Hindoostan.”
No. 17. To J. Johnstone, Esq., Resident Commissioner of His
Majesty’s Navy.
Sir,
I have been honored with your letter of date the 21st
November last, acquainting me that the Lords Commissioners of
the Admiralty have directed the Commissioners of His Majesty’s
Navy to cause a piece of plate to be presented to me, as a mark
of their approbation of my skill and diligence in the construction
of His Majesty’s ship Minden, and stating further your great
satisfaction in complying with their Lordship’s directions, in pre-
senting me with the vase, which has been prepared on this occa-
sion, in testimony of the sense their Lordships entertain of my
zeal and abilities in building that ship for H. M, service,29
2d. Deeply impressed, as 1 cannot fail to be, with the strongest
feelings of gratitude and respect towards the high authority from
whence has emanated the distinction now conferred upon me
through your hands, I am but ill able to express the pride and
pleasure derived to myself and family on the present occasion.
That the first ship of 74 guns ever built for His Britannic Ma-
jesty in this part of the world should have been constructed by
me was in itself a matter of great gratification ; but that my
humble efforts in that work should have obtained, not only the
approbation of many respectable professional men in India, but
also that of the high authority which presides over the whole
British Navy, eannot fail to make a lasting impression on my
mind, and be carefully transmitted to my latest posterity.
3d. Since the construction of the Minden of 74 guns, I have
built, under the auspices of the respectable Government of this
Presidency, the Cornwallis of 74 guns, and nearly completed the
Wellesley of 74 guns, and it will add to the pleasure I now feel
under their Lordships’ high approbation, if these latter works are
not considered inferior to the first.
4th. In requesting you to communicate these my sentiments to
the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, I beg you to accept
my sincere acknowledgment of the very handsome and gratifying
terms in which you have carried their Lordships’ instructions on
this subject into effect.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed) JAMSETJEE BOMANJEE.
Bombay,
Master Builder’s Office,
19th December, 1814.
Inscription on the Cup.
“ This Cup is presented to Jamsetjee Bomanjee, by the Right
a Honorable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, in
“ testimony of the sense they entertain of his diligence and skill
“ in building for the service of His Britannic Majesty’s Navy
“ the Minden of 74 guns.”30
No. 18. To Nowrojee Jamsetjee, Head Builder in the Bombay
that I have lately filled as head of the Bombay Marine, I cannot
quit that station without expressing my sentiments on the subject
of its Dock Yard.
I	take occasion to remark, that I found the building establish-
ment under the management of your late venerable and highly
respectable father Jamsetjee Bomanjee.
It would be superfluous in me to dilate on the qualifications of
this venerable architect, as he has sent forth sufficient instances
of his skill in naval construction to make any remark unnecessary.
But it remains for me to bear testimony of his unremitting zeal
and attention in performing those duties which occurred under my
superintendence, and I beseech you to believe that I hold his cha-
racter in grateful remembrance.
The loss of this excellent man would have been most severely
felt, had you not been left to supply his place, and I hold it due
to the department, to the public, and to yourself, to declare that
the Bombay Dock Yard has lost nothing of its celebrity or its
excellence, in the construction of those ships which have been
sent forth under your management. Nor has your zeal and abil-
ity been less conspicuous than your cordiality of operation while
under my superintendence.
The following list of vessels constructed in the Bombay Dock
Yard during my administration in the Marine, viz.—
5 Line-of-battle ships
I Large Indiaman
4	Merchant ships
m\l better testify the consequences of the Bombay Dock Yard
Dock Yard.
Dear Sir,
As I am now retiring from the important situation
4 Frigates
4 Sloops of war
3	Gruizers
10 Pilot brigs
2	Light vesselstn
Establishment than any arguments of mine. And it is with great
pleasure I learn, that orders have been received for the continuance
of the construction of ships for His Majesty’s Navy, an event
upon which I sincerely congratulate yourself and the whole of the
Buildmg Establishment.
I cannot take leave of this subject without expressing my satis-
faction with the conduct of the subordinate officers of your depart-
ment. And it will be a pleasurable part of my duty to bring the
same to the notice of Government.
In taking leave of this subject, I beseech you to accept my best
wishes for your health and prosperity.
Believe me, dear Sir,
Yours very faithfully,
Bombay,	(Signed) HENRY MERITON,
10th November, 1825.	Superintendent.
To the Honble. Mountstuart Elphinstone, President No. 19.
and Governor in Council.
Honorable Sir,
Being on the eve of my departure from Bombay, I
feel it an indispensable part of my duty, to express to the Honor-
able the Governor in Council my high satisfaction with the
officers at the head of the building department.
In the first instance, with the late venerable builder, Jamsetjee
Bomanjee, and latterly with his son, Nowrojee Jamsetjee, as
well for their talent and zeal, as for the cordiality of their opera-
tions ; and in bringing this subject to the notice of Government, I
trust I shall be excused for expressing a hope that the latter
officer may stand as high in the estimation of his Honorable em-
ployers as did his venerable and highly respected father.
I learn with much satisfaction, that orders have been received
for the continuance in Bombay Dock Yard of ships for His Ma-
jesty’s Navy, an event upon which I congratulate your Honorable
Board, as a measure tending to the constant employment of a '
valuable class of men, and the ultimate prosperity of the Dock
Yard.3*2
In offering my opinion on the merits of the late and present
head builders, I cannot pass over the exertions and attentions of
the present second builder, Cursetjee Rustomjee, whose zeal, talent,
and attention have been such as to deserve my fullest approbation,
and whom, with the junior branches of the builders’ department,
give such high promise of future excellence, as to ensure for
many years the success and credit of the Dock Yard.
I have the honor to be,
Honorable Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
(Signed) HENRY MERITON,
Superintendent's Office,	Superintendent,
Bombay, 12th Nov. 1825.
No. 20. Having minutely inspected every part of His Majesty's ship
“ Bombay,” before she was taken out of dock, I am able to state
that she is beautifully finished in all respects, and that the great-
est possible credit is due to the native builder, Nowrojee Jam*
setjee, for the manner in which he has put that fine ship out of
hand.
(Signed) W. H. GAGE,
Bombay,	Rear-Admiral	and	Commander	in	Chief,
the 21st April, 1828.
21.	His	Majesty’s	Ship	Bombay,
Bombay Harbour, May 20th, 1828.
Sir,
Although I am aware that it is presumption on my
part, to offer an opinion upon the merits of such an individual as
Nowrojee Jamsetjee, the native builder of this place, whose
ability in the various branches of his profession has so often called
forth the highest encomiums from the several Commanders in
Chief on this station,—I cannot take my departure from this port
in His Majesty’s ship Bombay, under my command, without ex-33
pressing to you lio\v highly I conceive this ship to be finished in
every respect.
Being in great haste to fit her out before the Monsoon sets in,
which I was enabled to do, in a great measure from the exertions
of the native builder, in completing her masts, yards, &c., and
who desires my warmest acknowledgments.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
To	(Signed)	A.	CAMPBELL,	Captain,
Sir Carles Malcolm,
Superintendent, Bombay Marine, &c. &c. &c.
Extract of a Letter from Captain A. Campbell, of His
Majesty’s Ship Bombay, dated St. Helena, 5th July,
1828, to Nowrojee Jamsetjee, Head Builder, at
Bombay.
I beg to send you an extract of my letter to the Navy Board,
respecting the qualifications of the Bombay, which 1 am sure will
be most pleasing to you, and those employed in building so splen-
did a ship.
To Nowrojee Jamsetjee Esq., Bombay.
Bombay, 25th July, 1828.
Dear Sir,
I have the pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of
your letter of the 22nd instant, and return you many thanks for
the good wishes contained in it towards me.
Considering the situation which I lately held as Superintendent
of Marine, I should be doing an injustice to my own feelings, as
well as what is due to you, were I to leave Bombay without
expressing to you the high sense which I entertain of your pro-
fessional abilities, and the general good conduct evinced by you in
the respectable and responsible situation which you held, as the
Honorable Company’s Head Ship Builder, during the time I
presided in the Marine Department, I have; therefore, the
F
No. 22,
No. 28*34
greatest satisfaction in adding my testimony of approbation to the
many which you and your family have already received from my
predecessors in office, expressive of your talents and the able
management of an extensive establishment. The noble ships
which you have built for His Majesty’s service, and the estima-
tion with which the Bombay Dock Yard is held, both for the
constructing and repairing of merchant ships, is strongly in con-
firmation of both.
I can hardly wish you to follow a better path in the line in
which you are placed, than that which my experience of your
conduct has witnessed.
Wishing you health and prosperity,
I am yours truly,
(Signed) THOMAS BUCHANAN.
No. 24. To Captain Sir C. Malcolm, Knight, Superintendent of
the Indian Navy.
No. 888 of 1830,
Marine Department,
Sir,
I am directed by the Honorable the Governor in
council to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th of
last month, regarding Nowrojee Jamsetjee and Cursetjee Rus-
tomjee, and to acquaint you that those highly meritorious indi-
viduals will be recommended for some mark of distinction from
the Honorable the Court of Directors.
I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) J. P. WILLOUGHBY,
Bombay Castle,	Acting	Secretary to Government,
23rd July, 1830-35
Extract of a Letter from the Honorable the Court of
Directors, No. 6 of 1831, dated 9th March, 1831.
Para 1. In accordance with your recommendation, we have
resolved to present Nowrojee Jamsetjee and Cursetjee Rus-
tomjee each with a silver rule ; which will be forwarded to you,
a number in the packet, in order that you may deliver it to them
respectively as a mark of our sense of their merits.
Superintendent's Office,
Bombay, 22nd December, 183L
Sir,
I am directed by the Superintendent to inform you,
that the acting President will hold a Durbar, at the Persian
Secretary’s Office, on Wednesday next, at 4 p. m. for the purpose
of presenting to you and Second Builder the Silver Rules sent
out for you by the Honorable Court of Directors. You will
therefore make the necessary communication to Cursetjee Rus-
tomjee and such of your friends as may wish to attend.
I have the honor to be, &c.
(Signed) R. COG AN, *
To Mr. Nowrojee Jamsetjee,	Assist.	Sup1.
Head Builder.
Inscription on a Silver Rule presented to Nowrojee
Jamsetjee.
Presented by the Court of Directors of the United East India
Company to Nowrojee Jamsetjee, in testimony of their approba-
tion of his fidelity and services as head builder, in their Naval
Dock Yard at Bombay. London* 1831.
Wm. Astell, Esq. M.P., Chairman.
Robt. Campbell, Esq., Deputy Chairman.
Sir John Malcolm, G.C.B., Governor of Bombay.
No. 25.
No, 26.
No. 27.
On the hinges,
41 Asia/'
** Bombay,”
“ Calcutta,"
u Hugh Lindsay
Steamer.”No. 28.
On the binges,
“ Asia,”
** Bombay,"
“ Calcutta,"
“ H ugh Lindsay
Steamer.”
No. 29.
No. 30.
Inscription on a Silver Rule presented to Cursetjee
Rustomjee.
Presented by the Court of Directors of the United East India
Company to Cursetjee Rustomjee, in testimony of their approba-
tion of his fidelity and services as master builder, in their Naval
Dock Yard at Bombay. London, 1831.
Wm. As tell, Esq. M.P., Chairman.
Robt. Campbell, Esq., Deputy Chairman.
Sir John Malcolm, G.C.B., Governor of Bombay.
I do hereby certify, that in all my public communications with
the native builder, Nowrojee Jamsetjee, during my stay at Bom-
bay, I have found him very attentive, and disposed to forward the
public service as much as possible, in all dependent upon himself.
Given under my hand, on board the Southampton at
Bombay, this 25th May, 1831,
(Signed) G. W. OWEN, Rear-Admiral,
Commanding in Chief.
Bombay, 1st September, 1835.
Gentlemen,
On giving up the control of the Bombay Dock Yards,
I have a pleasing duty to perform, in conveying to you my best
acknowledgments for your unremitting assistance and information;
to you this Government is principally indebted for the very bene-
ficial change which has been effected in the department, and with-
out your best aid and influence could not have been successful.
In conclusion, I conscientiously say that in no branch of the
public service that has ever come under my observation, are there
individuals more devoted to the interest of Government, or to
whom this Government is more indebted.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your humble Servant,
(Signed) R. COGAN, Capt. I. N.
Nowrojee Jamsetjee, )
and	f	Esq™*
Cursetjee Rustomjee,)37
To Nowrojee Jamsetjee, Esq., Head Builder, and No. 31.
Cursetjee Rustomjee, Esq., Second Builder.
Gentlemen,
Though the sense entertained in the highest quarters
of your long and meritorious services, may render any testimony
of mine unnecessary, I should not do justice to my feelings (in
vacating the situation of Controller, on my retirement from the
service,) did I not offer you my best thanks and acknowledgments
for the very able assistance I have at all times received from your
hands, in conducting the duties of the Department in all its
branches; the ready zeal evinced by you, whenever occasion
demanded exertion; and the cordial co-operation you have invari-
ably given for the furtherance of the public service; a line of
conduct which cannot fail to be appreciated by those whom you
have the honor to serve ; and in taking leave of you, gentlemen,
I beg you to accept my assurance, that I do so impressed with the
highest sense of your merits, as most able and valuable public
servants.
1 have the honor to be, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed) J. W. WILSON,
Bombay,	late	Controller.
8th Sept. 1838.
Extract of a Letter from Admiral Sir C. Malcolm, Knt., No. 32,
to Nowrojee Jamsetjee, Head Builder, dated
Bombay, 30th December, 1838.
Be assured that from the honest and faithful manner in which
you have always discharged your duty as Master Builder in all its
branches to your employers, it has afforded me the most sincere
satisfaction, when I could in any way testify to you the high
opinion I entertained of your public services.38
No. 33.
Bombay, 11th February, 1839.
My dear Sir,
I take the opportunity before quitting the Presidency,
to return my best thanks for the able assistance I have received
from you, in furtherance of the interests of Government, in ena-
bling me the better to conduct the duties of the Dock Yard; and
I trust you will long enjoy, with increased honor to yourself and
benefit to Government, the proud position you have so long and
ably filled.
I remain, my dear Sir,
Your’s very truly,
To	(Signed)	A.	S.	WILLIAMS.
Nowrojee Jamsetjee, Esq.
Master Builder.
Printed by John Wilson, 18, Charles-street, Berners-street, London,39
MEMORIAL
TO THE
BOMBAY GOVERNMENT,
WITH
CORRESPONDENCE.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY,
The Honorable Major General
SIR JOHN MALCOLM, G.C.B.
President and Governor in Council,
&c. See. 8cc.
BOMBAY,
The Humble Memorial of Nowro-
jee Jamsetjee and others, com-
prising the Family and the Descend-
ants of the late Lowjee, Master
Builder, deceased.
Most humbly Sheweth,
That your Memorialists crave leave to submit the
following circumstances to the favorable consideration of
the Honorable Board, in detailing which they humbly trust
to seek the desired redress, and in trespassing upon your
valuable time they entreat to be excused.
That the interests of your Memorialists have been always
warmly protected by Government, who in order to provide
some permanent provision for the family of the said Lowjee,
resolved in the year 1783 to confer a perpetual grant of
cultivated and hill lands situated at Parell, upon the heirs
of the deceased Bomanjee and Monackjee then living, of
whose issue, your Memorialists respectively stand as repre-
G40
sentatives, to the extent of annual production amounting to
rupees 1000, or yielding nett 40 morahs of paddy at the rate
of rupees 25 per morah. At the time this grant was made,
the land was in a barren and unproductive state, free from any
tax; but your Memorialists’ late ancestors expended a large
sum of money on its improvement, and planted several brab
and date trees; after many years’ cultivation the spot was
much improved. When the fees on the brab and date trees
were established by Government, this ground also became
subjected to such payment, but it was then so trifling in
amount that your Memorialists did not consider it worth
while to draw the notice of your Honorable Board to the
same; but as the fees have been gradually increasing in
quantify, your Memorialists are at this moment subjected
to a very high taxation of fees, as per annexed memoranda,
amounting to upwards of rupees 3600 per annum;—besides
this simple source of revenue, which your Memorialists are
obliged to pay to Government, there is an annual assess-
ment of about 500 rupees; making a gross revenue payable
to Government on account of this gifted land, of upwards
of rupees 4100 annually. Your Memorialists are still ap-
prehensive, as the ground by their expenditure and labour
is daily improving, that they may experience more heavy
exactions in future, arising from both fees and assessment.
Your Memorialists further beg to observe, that in the
event of your Honorable Board assuming that the dealers
in toddy are the persons who make the payment of fees to
Government, and not to the proprietors of such trees, they
humbly state, that as these lands were given to them by
Government in order to provide themselves with a main-
tenance, in case of exemption of such fees, they secure
the privilege of taking themselves the difference which the
dealers in toddy are bound to pay Government, in whose eye
it is whether he pays to Government or to the proprietor.il
Humbly imploring your Excellency in Council will be
pleased to take the foregoing circumstances into your
favorable consideration, and that the lands in question were
granted to your Memorialists’ ancestors for the due subsist-
ence of their family, many of whom are chiefly dependent
upon the income thereof, but who are subjected to this
moment to discharge heavy sums of money by way of taxes
to Government, and which the family never expected to
defray at the times the lands were so conferred on them,
nor the Government ever meant to exact from them, as
sources of revenue, as has now become payable; your
Memorialists humbly beg your Excellency in Council will be
pleased to order its total exemption; and which they feel
confident will meet with a favorable reception from the
Honorable the Court of Directors in England, in considera-
tion of the very great claim your Memorialists have upon
that Honorable and Enlightened Body for the long and
faithful services which your Memorialists’ ancestors, and
many amongst the family to the present day are serving-
under the Dock Yard Establishment, who look to your
Honorable Board and the superior authorities at home as
their only protectors.
And your Memorialists as in duty bound
shall ever pray.
(Signed)	NOWROJEE JAMSETJEE.
BOMANJEE HORMARJEE.
JEHANGEER NASSERWANJEE.
dadabhoy PESTONJEE.
CURSETJEE RUSTOMJEE.
DOSSABHOY MERWANJEE.
MANOCKJEE NOWROJEE.
BYRAMJEE FRAMJEE.
ARDASEER RUTTONJEE.
Bombay,
27th November, 1840.
G 242
Statement of Fees collected by Government annually on the
following palm and date trees now standing upon the lands, which
have been granted by government to the family of the late
Lowjee, Master Builder in the Honorable Company’s Dock
Yard:—■
Es.
On 150 palm trees, at the usual annual rent of 3
rupees each ...............................................	450	:	0
2850 date trees, the drawing of the toddy from
each tree during the whole season is only reckoned for
two months, and the average produce of the toddy
drawn from each tree grown at Parell is estimated at
1 \ banda or pot daily, or 45 bandas monthly. Now,
taking for two months, which is called one monsoon,
it only produces 90 bandas at the established rate of
fees, at 5 reas per banda, each tree is subjected to a
taxation of 1 rupee 50 reas during a whole season.
Say then 2850 trees are taxed at the rate of 1 rupee
50 reas each, amounts to an annual sum of	3,206	:	1
Total amount which the family pays annually, Rs. 3,656 : 1
This is to certify that Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, K. B.,
and Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s ships and vessels in the
East Indies, having by letter, under date the 10th day of March,
1783, pointed out the great services rendered the nation at large,
and the United East India Company, by Monackjee Lowjee and
Bomanjee Lowjee, the two master builders at this presidency,
and having also strongly recommended to us to confer on them a
certain portion of ground on this island, which will yield annually
40 morahs of toca batty, this is to certify that the said Monackjee
Lowjee and Bomanjee Lowjee have accordingly been put in pos-
session of certain batty grounds in the district of Parell, with
their foras and purteneas of the side grounds, which will yield
the above quantity of toca batty; and that they are to bo kept inpossession of the same, without molestation, until the pleasure of
the Honorable the Court of Directors is known.
Given under our hands, in Bombay Castle, this
29th day of December, in the year of our Lord
1783.
True Copy.
Bbay Town Hall,
11th July, 1793.
Registered in the Regr-
Book, letter P, Folio 212
and 213, at the request of
P. Bomanjee.
(Signed) W. HORNBY,
R. W. BODDAM,
R. GAMBIER,
JOHN FORTESSE,
ROBERT SPARKS,
C. BOURCHIER,
R. CHURCH,
JAMES MORLEY,
ALEX. COLLANDER.
(Signed)
P. T. MAISTER, Regr
Extract from the Honorable Company’s Commands in their
Revenue Letter, dated the 28th April, 1795.
Para. 10th. We have considered of the Memorial you have
transmitted to us from sundry inhabitants of Parell and Mahim,
appealing from a decision of your Board on their former petition,
complaining of encroachments upon their property by the Lowjee
Waria Family, who are in possession of a spot which it appears
from the papers before us, that for time immemorial the cultiva-
tors of toca or batty ground have been allowed a certain portion
of waste land, called foras, at a very trifling rent, for the food of
cattle, and other purposes necessary to the cultivation; and that
the foras land, said to be improperly possessed by the Lowjee
Family, is that which was attached to the batty land acceded to
them in 1783, and is in proportion to the whole quantity allotted
to the villages before-mentioned; and as the Memorialists are not
found in, their assertion that foras land made no part of the
original grant, we are of opinion that they have no just cause
of complaint against the Lowjee Family on that account.44
11th. As it is apparent from the Report of the Collector upon
this subject of the 4th July, 1793, that both the toca or batty
land and the foras land are the undoubted property of the Com-
pany ; that the latter is held as an indulgent, though necessary
appendage, by those who cultivate the former, and that no one
will cultivate the toca without a proportion of foras land being
attached to it; we are much surprized that the holders of the
foras land under such a tenure should have been tacitly permitted
to dispose of the same, as though it had actually been their own
property; and we rely upon your vigilance for preventing any
such improper alienations in future, and for taking care that the
successive occupiers of the toca land be permitted to enjoy their
due proportion of the foras agreeably to ancient usage.
12th. Observing by your advices of 30th September, 1783,
and 10th February, 1784, that you were induced to issue the
before mentioned grant to the two Master Builders and their
Sons, at the earnest recommendation of the late Sir Edward
Hughes, as a reward for the essential and important services they
had rendered the nation, and the Company in particular, in re-
fitting His Majesty’s Squadron; and as we ourselves have borne
frequent testimony of their merits, we hereby ratify and con-
firm the said grant with a due proportion of foras and per -
toneas to their family and descendants.
(Compared)
(Signed) JOHN SMITH,	A	True	Extract,
Registrar.	(Signed)	JOHN	MORRIS,
Secretary.
No. 765 of 1831.
Territorial Department Revenue.
To Nowrojee Jamsetjee, and others comprising the Family
and Descendants of the late Lowjee, Master Builder.
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your Me-
morial dated the 27th November last, and to request you will45
forward for the information of the Honorable the Governor in
Council, the original grant or lease on which the land at Parell,
mentioned in the memorial, is held by the Family of the late
Lowjee, Master Builder.
By order of the Governor in Council,
(Signed) THOS. WILLIAMSON,
Bombay Castle,	Secretary	to Government.
2nd March, 1831.
Thomas Williamson, Esq. .Secretary to Government, &c. &c.
Bombay.
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 2nd instant, requesting me to furnish you for the
the information of the Honorable the Governor in Council, with
the original grant or lease of the lands held by the family of the
late Lowjee, Master Builder.
In compliance with the above request, a copy of this document
is herewith enclosed, and the land has been in the actual posses-
sion of my ancestors from the year 1783, in which year the grant
was conferred.
I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
(Signed) NOWROJEE JAMSETJEE,
for self and other descendants of the late Lowjee.
Bombay,
18th March, 1831.
No. 1192 of 1831,
Territorial Department Revenue.
To Nowrojee Jamsetjee, and others.
In reply to your letter dated the 18th instant, I am
directed by the Right Honorable the Governor in Council to46
acquaint you that the Collector of Bombay has been authorized
to exempt f rom tax the land a?id its produce granted to the
Lowjee Family.
By order of the Right Honorable the Governor in Council,
(Signed) T. WILLIAMSON,
Bombay Castle,	Secretary	to	Government,
28th March, 1831.
Copy of Bombay Collector’s Report to Government on the
subject of the Grant to the Lowjee Family.
The grant to the family was made on the 29th December,
1783, and was subsequently confirmed by the Honorable the
Court of Directors on the 28th April, 1795, as will appear from
the Records of Government; the concluding part of the 12th
paragraph of the letter in question is, “ we hereby ratify and
confirm the said grant with a due portion of foras and perteneas
to their family and descendants.”
The only sums which we have hitherto
collected are on 150 palm trees, at the rate
of three rupees (Rs. 3) each , '.	.	450 per annum ,
On account of date trees ,	,	.	574 : 3 : 15, perdu.
Per Annum. Rs. . 1024 : 3 : 15
instead of rupees 4100 as stated by the petitioners, and which
must have arisen from their calculating that toddy was drawn
from the whole number of date trees, whereas the charge has
been made for only a small portion of that number; but I am
clearly of opinion, that under the grant, no charge whatever
should have been made, and that the whole of the ground and
its produce belong exclusively to the Lowjee Family; under
this view I think that it should be exempted in future.
(Signed) BAZETT DOVETON,
Bombay Collector’s Office,	Collector.
16th February, 183147
To the Honorable Sir James R. Carnac, Bart., President
and Governor in Council, Bombay.
Honorable Sie,
We have just been informed by the Collector of
Bombay, that in consequence of a representation made by him to
Government, regarding the estate on this island granted to our
ancestors, Monackjee and Bomanjee Lowjee, in 1783, your
Honorable Board have resolved to submit, immediately, for the
decision of the Honorable the Court of Directors, a question which
has been raised—whether the tax should not be levied on the
date and brab trees on that estate, though we have enjoyed
exemption from the same under an order of Government, dated
28th March, 1831, and that pending the Honorable Court’s reply
that order is to be considered as in abeyance.
We are deeply concerned to find that a measure so injurious to
the interests of the Lowjee Family has been ordered^ without any
opportunity having been afforded us of submitting information, or
explanations, which we believe would have prevented our being
thus abruptly deprived of valuable advantages long enjoyed by
us; and we regret it the more, as from what we could learn, the
Collector appears (owing no doubt to his having been mis-
informed) to have made a representation which is far from
accurate, especially as regards the number of the trees, and the
revenue which they would yield to Government, if taxed.
We have not the least doubt that we shall be able to satisfy
your Honorable Board of the incorrectness of the Collector’s
statements, on those and other points; but as it is impossible for
us in the mean time to collect and prepare for submission to your
Honorable Board the necessary information, and we are anxious
that the question should not be laid before the Honorable Court
to be decided upon the Collector’s erroneous statements, we
therefore humbly beg that the intended reference to the Honora-
ble Court may be deferred, until we shall be enabled to submit
(which we propose shortly to do) the correct facts of the case,
and the explanations we are desirous of offering, so that these
H48
may also come under the consideration of the Honorable Court,
when deciding on a matter of so much importance to us; such
a course will not only be consistent with fairness and justice, but
your Honorable Board’s compliance with it, will also confer an
obligation on all the members of the Lowjee Family.
- We have the honor to be,
Honorable Sir,
With great respect,
Your most obedient and humble Servants,
(Signed) NOWROJEE JAMSETJEE,
JEHANGEER NASSERWANJEE,
BOMANJEE HORMARJEE,
DADABHOY PESTONJEE,
CURSETJEE RUSTOMJEE.
Bombay,
30th December, 1839.
No. 3765 of 1839.
Territorial Department Revenue.
To Nowrojee Jamsetjee,
Jehangeer Nasserwanjee, I
Bomanjee Hormarjee,	VEsquires,
Dadabhoy Pestonjee,	I
Cursetjee Rustomjee,	j
Gentlemen,
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of yesterday’s date, requesting that the proposed reference
to the Honorable Court of Directors regarding the abkaree of
O	O
your estate, may be delayed for the present, and to state, that the
Honorable the Governor in Council regrets that he is unable to49
comply with your request, as the intended communication cannot,
be deferred, but that he will be happy to give due consideration
to, and to forward by the earliest opportunity to the Honorable
Court, any representation which you may have to make on the
subject,
I have the honor to be,
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
(Signed) L. R. Reid,
Acting Chief Secretary.
Bombay,
31st Dec. 1839.