| Description | 1. 29 Sep 1814: Quilon: Major Munro, resident at Travancore, to Lieut. Colonel De Morgan, Quilon: bibles received from De Morgan and from Cochin have been delivered to Syrian Christians; bishop and some clergy of Syrian church, who are shortly expected, will give details; has delayed beginning a subscription in Travancore because of uncertainty of suitable subject to which it could be applied; expects only a small sum which would not help Bible Society and if applied to Travancore would not be of great benefit; Protestant mission in south Travancore and Syrian Christians in central district need support; has used influence with Circar in relieving the Protestant mission of some heavy taxes and in getting them a grant of land which will produce an annual income of 1000 pagodas [note by Thompson that Ringeltaube thinks Munro has mistaken this and means 1000 rupees]; further support would help them to increase their numbers; plan under consideration to build college for training Syrian priests and laymen at Cotym [?Cottayam]; suggests expanding plan to include printing press, some priests to be sent to Madras to learn printing and college to be endowed for support of a number of teachers and students; this will need money and seems a suitable object for a subscription; M. desires to help the Syrians, but has been thwarted by internal dissensions amongst their church; the election of their bishop was irregular and his character not all it should be
2. 26 Oct 1814: Magilday near Oodagherri: Rev. Ringeltaube to Schnarre and Rhenius at Tranquebar: the resident, Major Munro, wished S. and R. to help him, but Ringeltaube objected because "it is an inadmissible risk to join missionaries of two different and in fact rival societies to one body"; was later taken ill and decided to leave the station and offer it to S. and R.; learnt that their original plans were impracticable and that they could not enter into a mission nor form a new one in his opinion, which makes his offer more providential; his mission is only six years old and consists of about 500 people; a recent donation of land brings in 350 pagodas per annum; Dr. Cammerer will give them a good head catechist who will do the work until they are more proficient, the mission paying for his salary and travelling expenses
3. 19 Sep 1814: Oodagherri: Ringeltaube to Cammerer: if work in Tranquebar is not possible for Schnarre and Rhenius asks that they be sent to him and he may hand over the mission; wet weather has given him asthma and he needs a change
4. Note from Thompson: extracts of letters are typical of Ringeltaube; he is boastful and inconsistent |