A short note in pen signed 'W. C. P.' and a transliteration with two translations in the writing of Vincent Smith. Handwritten, 1 side, undated.
Peppé William Claxton 1852-1936 Estate managerLetter from Vincent Arthur Smith in Gorakhpur to William Claxton Peppé in Birdpore in which Smith finds Peppé's discoveries 'very interesting'. He hopes he will write a detailed account of his excavations with plans and photographs and asks him to survey the whole site. He warns Peppé that he must report his find officially. He believes the stupa to be 'of early date – anterior to the Christian era'. Continuing on 20 January, he adds that he is busy in court until 26 January but could come out to visit him by train on 27 January. Handwritten 8 sides, dated 19-20 January 1898.
Smith Vincent Arthur 1848-1920 IndologistLetter from Vincent Smith in Gorakhpur to William Claxton Peppé in Birdpore, in which Smith declares the find to be of 'even greater interest than we thought' and that the characters 'may be as early as B. C. 300'. Dates Buddha 'floruit' BC 500, Asoka BC 270. Smith continues in a postscript that the best book on Buddhism is a small book by Rhys Davids, and another is Hardy's Manual of Buddhism. Handwritten, 4 sides, dated 23 January 1898.
Smith Vincent Arthur 1848-1920 IndologistLetter from Vincent Arthur Smith to William Claxton Peppé in which Smith explains who Aśoka is, with dates, and gives an account of Xuanzang's visit to Lumbini and the broken Aśokan column he saw there, quoting from Beal and Julien. Handwritten, 4 sides, dated 23 November 1897.
Smith Vincent Arthur 1848-1920 IndologistLetter from Vincent Smith, ICS, in Gorakhpur to W. C. Peppé in Birdpore, in which Smith explains that he has written about the Asokan pillar on a separate sheet so he can forward a copy to Gibbon. He congratulates Peppé on the birth of his son. Smith's wife is sailing out to join him. Handwritten, 3 sides, dated 23 November 1897.
Smith Vincent Arthur 1848-1920 IndologistLetter from Vincent Smith in Gorakhpur to William Claxton Peppé in Birdpore with which Smith returns Peppé's maps and drawings of the vases. He has sent a copy of the inscription to Hoernle in Calcutta and hopes to have his translation soon. His note (to accompany Peppé's article for the JRAS) is complete apart from the inscription. He lists areas where he hopes that Peppé will continue excavation at Piprahwa. He writes that Griffin will take over his role. Handwritten, 4 sides, top right corner of the first page has been torn off, dated 28 March 1898.
Smith Vincent Arthur 1848-1920 IndologistLetter from Vincent Smith in Gorkhpur to William Claxton Peppé in Birdpore, in which Smith congratulates Peppé on his plans and inscription but goes on to say that he is compelled to retire earlier than planned. He explains that he has been insulted by being turned down for the Lucknow judicial bench. The Lieutenant-Governor has expressed his regret but Smith is determined to resign. Handwritten, 4 sides, dated 3 March 1898.
Smith Vincent Arthur 1848-1920 IndologistList of the Finds at Piprahwa. Handwritten in Vincent Smith's hand, 3 sides, undated [1898].
Smith Vincent Arthur 1848-1920 IndologistNote from Vincent Smith headed 'Memo – Li, Yojana & mile', in which he refers to Cunningham's appendix in The Ancient Geography of India relating to distances of Li and Yojana and how they were employed by 'Hewn Thsang' and 'Fa-Hien'. Initialled by Smith but not in his writing. Handwritten, 1 side, dated 10 May 1898.
Smith Vincent Arthur 1848-1920 IndologistNote from William Claxton Peppé in Birdpore to Vincent Arthur Smith in Gorakhpur, in which Peppé tells Smith he has found some writing on one of the bowls, adds his transcription in pencil, under which is a transliteration in Smith's hand. On reverse is Smith's reply in which he writes that the relics appear to be those of the Buddha himself. Handwritten, 2 sides, dated 19 January 1898.
Peppé William Claxton 1852-1936 Estate manager