We start all our auction lots at 99p with no reserve.
Philatelic Identification & Routing:
Sender & Authorization: The front panel is endorsed "From Schoolsterg. John Hamilton No 2 Co 1st Bn Arty, Agra E. Indies."
Routing & Marks: The cover bears a clear, curved red "INDIA" handstamp and a bold manuscript "2" indicating the 2d concessionary rate
Arrival Datestamps: The reverse features multiple clear transit and arrival marks, including a red crowned dispatch/transit datestamp, two Edinburgh receiving circular datestamps ("JUN / W 21 F / 1850" and another from June 1850), and an "S.FERRY" (Queensferry) mark
Re-addressing: Originally addressed to Mrs Margaret Hamilton in South Queensferry, the cover was struck through and readdressed to care of Mr Andrew Hamilton, a grocer in the Grassmarket, Edinburgh
Historical Archival Content (Garrison Life in Agra):
The enclosed transcribed text is a brilliant primary source detailing the realities of British cantonment life in India
The Climate: Hamilton opens with a vivid complaint about the Agra weather, stating the heat is so "oppressive" that the "poor Indians are rendered more fit for eating alive by the powerful heat... than to scribble out sheets of nonsense"
The Garrison School: He details his new, highly comfortable posting: "I live by myself - away from temptation - delight in my occupation - have a nice school-room, as large almost as the Lancastrian... plenty of scholars - a supply of excellent books to read"
Military Pensions: He provides insight into the financial incentives keeping him in India, noting that if he remains a few years longer, he will secure a pension of "2/- a day" alongside some "gowden guineas" to retire with in Edinburgh ("Auld Reekie")
Condition Notes:
The outer wrapper exhibits standard age-related toning, transit wear, and ink smudging typical of 19th-century international mail
John Hamilton
Agra, 16th April 1850
My very dear Mother,
The weather is so very oppressive here that you must not expect any long letter from me for some months to come; indeed, without koking, us poor Indians are rendered more fit for eating alive by the powerful heat of the climate at this season than to scribble out sheets of nonsense; and were it not that you are very dear to me, I can assure you the perspiration & fatigue of even handling a pen would keep me from writing. But I love you too well to let a month pass over in solence; and as I remember to have written you a rather harsh epistle in March, I determined to make it up by giving you a letter this month also, though out of your turn, as little Andw. merited this.
Well, to begin I was angry with you in my last letter to think you will never write either of us, & since I know you cannot do that by yourself, I have thought it a good plan for you to ask the minister of the Ferry or any other gentleman of old standing in the place whom you know. No gentleman would refuse this favout to a widowed mother; and no gentleman would betray your secrets. We are anxious you should commence such a correspondence to know how you are situated; how certain friends behave to you; how you occupy yourself - for we wish if we knew these & all such matters to better your situation, and make you more comfortable - as we are possessed of the means to do it, and feel sorry that you do not make us acquainted with all the vhit-chat of your mind. Andrew is a good fellow, and tells me all he may think of interest to us; but we want more information, and from your own life.
If you neglect to do this, we will employ a solicitor in Edinburgh to come out to you monthly to manage this business.
Bob writes me generally twice a month, and his news are always of good health & good conduct & increasing fortune. I have known a great many characters since I left home, but Bob appears to me to be the very best I have had acquaintance with. He is liked by everybody, but I like him best; he is greatly improved in looks - in knowledge - in many other things he was ignorant of in Europe; and my esteem for his manly good sense & honest principle grows greater every day. I regret very much we are separated so long, but neither of us can remedy it, nor do we know when we shall see each other; it cannot be far distant now such a time, as the H. Qrs. I am pretty sure will move from Agra next cold season, & then I might have a chance of joining him. But God orders all these matters for the best, as I have found by experience heretofore. God is a husband to the widow, and a father to the orphan; and at all times, my dear Nother & Andrew, let us trust him - let us pray to Him - in prosperity - in adversity - tho' thousands of miles divide us - yet God is a ready help - present at all times in all lands.
I often rejpice that I came to India, for everything here suits my disposition. I live by myself - away from temptation - delight in my occupation - have a nice school-room, as large almost as the Lancastrian (Cuddies') in Davie's Street - plenty of scholars - a supply of excellent books to read. My time is my own out of school, and I spend it mostly in study. I cannot think of giving up so much comfort experienced in such a good situation to come home just yet. Besides if I was to do so I would forfeit all chance of pension; and if I remain here a few years longer, I will be entitled to 2/- a day, which I hope to spend with you yet, my dear Mother, in some snug corner of Auld Reekie, and not only that, but some few hundreds od "gowden guineas" I would fling into your pal when we come home - and will you not be a proud woman then?
Do you ever see your old acquaintances in Edinburgh? Take things easy and do not stress yourself at any employment - be of good temper - live well - trouble yourself for nothing - walk about - and do as much good as your circumstances and situation will allow you to do. Be charitable to the poor; and visit the sick, the dying, and those who are in want of consolation. God will bless, and preserve you, my dear Mother, and watch over you at all times.
I sent the Remittance on the 1st Inst. so you will get it as usual. Tell Andrew to write us monthly, as we are much interested in his welfare, and would willingly help him if he required it. Give my love to Donald, Bob (your favourite) Martha (old & young) and our respects to anyone who knew us of yore, that enquire after our welfare. Norman has not written me since 1848 and must be dead I think. Poor fellow, I liked him very much, although he did not use me very well at the last. We had a letter from Mary Henderson who is still single. I guess Bob & her will yet buckle - and fancy they will agree very well. But I seldom trouble my head about such things, as I am determined myself to live a bachelor till I land in Auld Reekie when I may take some auld runt "for better for worse" who knew me as a ragman. But whether I ever marry or not you shall always have the first place in the heart, and the first coin in the pocket of -
My very dear & good olf Mother -
Your most affectionate son,
John Hamilton.
To Mrs Margt. Hamilton,
Terrace, S. Queensferry,
Near Edinburgh,
Scotland.
Cover readdressed:
Care of Mr Andrew Hamilton,
Grocer,
Grassmarket,
Edinburgh
In Queensferry.