Gazette Of The United States

BOSTON, May 12.

[The following extracts from letters of Mr. John Parker Boyd, of
this town, now in India, evince the genius and enterprise of that
young gentleman, and show much of that spirit of adventure so
peculiar to Bostonians.]

"Being well assured that whatever relates to me, will in some
measure be interesting to you, I shall therefore just inform you
of my present situation.

"Fourteenth June last, after having procured recommendatory
letters to the English consul, residing at the court of his
Highness the Nizam, I proceeded to this capital, Hyderabad, being
450 miles from this place. On my arrival I was presented to his
Highness, in form, by the English consul: My reception was
favorable as my most sanguine wishes had anticipated.

"After the usual ceremony was over, he presented me with the
command of two Risalas of infantry (each consisting of 500 men)
with the commission of Buxy and paymaster of my soldiers.

"I am also indulged with the clothing: my pay at present only 500
rupees per month; but my other emoluments will make it 1200 per
month, equal to about 200l. lawful money.

"The Nizam is in alliance with the English company, and had, when
I arrived, taken the field against Tippoo Sultan with about 50,000
infantry, 60,000 horse, and 500 elephants. This was the noblest
sight I had ever seen; each elephant supporting a large castle,
containing a nabob or commander, and four servants; the size of
the animals, the glittering of the castles, and elegance of their
equipage, was the most brilliant sight that the eye can behold.

"I am now down to this place purchasing arms for his Highness; the
method of travelling in this country is very luxurious, as you
must have heard; my servants and escorts in all consist of fifty
men, 16 bearers to my palanquin, the other domestic servants,
runners, &c. all but the 20 are paid by the prince, who is
supposed the greatest in India; his capital, Hyderabad, as I have
already informed you, is an ancient walled city, within four miles
of the diamond mines of Golconda, it is 450 miles from Madras, and
225 miles inland from the coast, and a most luxuriant place.

"I do, as you suppose, keep a journal of my travels, and intend,
when more at leisure, to give you some extracts from the same,
which I flatter myself will afford you some amusement."