AUGUSTE GABRIEL ROUSSAC
The eldest son of Etienne Auguste Roussac Snr and Mary, nee Vrignon.
He was born on Wednesday, 17th October 1810 at Calcutta.
Nothing is known of his early years other than the fact he was bequeathed 45,000 Sicca Rupees - then about £5,625 - of interest-bearing Government Securities in the Honourable East India Company by virtue of his grandfather Gabriel Vrignon's 1809 dated Will when he died in 1815. His brother, Etienne Paul Roussac received the same bequest. The Will also directs that not less than 10,000 Sicca Rupees - then about £1,500 - of ready money be given to Auguste Gabriel and Etienne Paul when they reached twenty-one years old.
Furthermore, the Will directed that the two brothers inherit the then Vrignon family home at No.1 Esplanade Row, Calcutta, after the death of his daughter, their mother Marie, née Vrignon.
By 1830, if not earlier, he had become a merchant, probably under the guidance of his father. He is listed that year in the Bengal Directory as a junior partner in the firm of Walker, Roussac & Co., 13 Tank Square, Calcutta, along with Paul Auguste Roussac and his younger brother Etienne Paul Roussac. The Walker name refers to James Alexander Walker, born about 1788, who was his uncle by marriage since he had married AGR's mother's sister, Felicianne DaCosta, née Vrignon.
This photograph is believed to be of Auguste Gabriel Roussac. It is in his great granddaughter Phyllis Amy's photo album and was taken between 1864 and 1870 at the studio of Schwarzschild & Co., Calcutta.
The eldest son of Etienne Auguste Roussac Snr and Mary, nee Vrignon.
He was born on Wednesday, 17th October 1810 at Calcutta.
Nothing is known of his early years other than the fact he was bequeathed 45,000 Sicca Rupees - then about £5,625 - of interest-bearing Government Securities in the Honourable East India Company by virtue of his grandfather Gabriel Vrignon's 1809 dated Will when he died in 1815. His brother, Etienne Paul Roussac received the same bequest. The Will also directs that not less than 10,000 Sicca Rupees - then about £1,500 - of ready money be given to Auguste Gabriel and Etienne Paul when they reached twenty-one years old.
Furthermore, the Will directed that the two brothers inherit the then Vrignon family home at No.1 Esplanade Row, Calcutta, after the death of his daughter, their mother Marie, née Vrignon.
By 1830, if not earlier, he had become a merchant, probably under the guidance of his father. He is listed that year in the Bengal Directory as a junior partner in the firm of Walker, Roussac & Co., 13 Tank Square, Calcutta, along with Paul Auguste Roussac and his younger brother Etienne Paul Roussac. The Walker name refers to James Alexander Walker, born about 1788, who was his uncle by marriage since he had married AGR's mother's sister, Felicianne DaCosta, née Vrignon.
This photograph is believed to be of Auguste Gabriel Roussac. It is in his great granddaughter Phyllis Amy's photo album and was taken between 1864 and 1870 at the studio of Schwarzschild & Co., Calcutta.
On Thursday, 10th February 1831 he married Jessie THOMPSON at St Andrew’s Church, Dalhousie Square, Calcutta - the church is still used regularly today. The witnesses were his business associates James A. Walker and Charles F. Dumaine.
She was born 26th July 1812 in Calcutta, the daughter of Ebenezer Thompson and his second wife, Maria Roberts. It is recorded in the Marriage Register that before the wedding she formally declared that she was a member of the Church of Scotland. This may have been necessary in order to marry at St Andrew’s since it was a Scottish Kirk. They had four children, about whom more later.
He appears to have been an energetic entrepreneur, even, perhaps, a bit of a ‘chancer’ and most certainly a character and lived an incident-filled life.
According to Alain de Pichon, in ‘China Trade and Empire’ published in 2006, a great many firms in India failed between 1828 and 1833 due to indigo speculation, but the firm of Walker, Roussac & Co. survived. In 1829 one of their ships, the Philbert, was listed as loading at Bordeaux and will be 'touching at Bourbon' en route presumably to Calcutta.
Curiously, in 1830, he donated 10 Rupees to the Irish Harp Society which had a branch in Calcutta. This Society derived from the Belfast Harp Society (1819-1839) and formed to preserve the music and tradition of itinerant Irish harpists. In a sectarian divide the society reformed as the Irish Harp Society in 1819 as a direct result of subscriptions raised by expatriates in India.
In 1831, another ship was listed for Walker, Roussac & Co. This was the Ceres which was loading at Le Havre for England. Interestingly, also on this list is (Jacques Louis) Paul Delessert, then a Négociant who had married Pauline Roussac, the granddaughter of Paul Auguste Roussac Snr.
Also in 1831, he was initiated into the Masonic ‘Lodge of True Friendship’ in Calcutta.
The issue of the London Gazette of 19th May, 1832, states that ‘Auguste Gabriel Roussac, late of Middleton Row, Calcutta, merchant, late in partnership with James Alexander Walker, Paul Auguste Roussac and Charles Francis Dumaine, as merchants and agents in Calcutta under the style of Walker. Roussac & Co. – a prisoner in the common Gaol of Calcutta.’ However, it is not clear how long he was imprisoned for, or why.
It was stated in a Court Report published in the Morning Herald of 31st October, 1846, that Auguste Gabriel Roussac ‘commenced business in 1832 in Calcutta with nothing’ though this date conflicts with the second paragraph above.
By 1834 the firm seems to have changed its name to Roussac Brothers & Co., Strand, since classified advertisements appeared in the Calcutta Courier on January 1st stating – ‘For Bordeaux direct – the French Brig, Landais, Captain Mougens. This vessel having a part of her cargo already engaged will meet with quick despatch. For freight or passage apply to Messrs Roussac Brothers & Co.’
The same year, he attended a meeting at the Calcutta Town Hall to discuss 'the expediency of establishing a Chamber of Commerce in Calcutta’ and appears to have left the partnership of Walker, Roussac & Co.
Around May/June 1835 he and his wife, Jessie, sailed from Calcutta to London with their two sons and daughter (Etienne Auguste junior, then about three years old and Anne Marie, about one year old). On 6th October, 1835, their third child was born in Tavistock Square, London according to the Asiatic Register though it is unclear where or why they were staying there.
According to contemporary passenger records, as commonly reported in the press, in 1836, he sailed from Calcutta to London aboard the Duke of Northumberland with his son.
The same year, he is recorded as being ‘of Austin Friars’ in the City of London and on 4th June that year, they sailed back to Calcutta aboard the East Indianman Roxburgh Castle, built eleven years earlier.
Also in 1836, Gabriel evidently sailed from London again since he and his son (presumably his eldest, Etienne August, then about 4 years old) and other passengers were sailing to Calcutta on the ship Heroine when it got into trouble and after some while they spotted another vessel and signalled it. It was the George, 10 days out from Salem, Massachusetts (most likely somewhere in the S. Atlantic) heading for Calcutta. The painting, left, is of the George as painted by Edmund Stone in 1820.
The Log Book of the ship Heroine states:
‘16th of November, 1836, 6am. After several days of anxious watching, we at last observed a sail about ten miles to windward, steering the same as ourselves, N.N.W. The ensign and signal, ‘I wish to speak to you,’ were hoisted in conspicuous parts. The stranger now bears towards us. Passengers all on the “qui vive,” and once more our countenances beamed with joy at the prospect of assistance. The gallant ship came most beautifully under our stern, and her commander enquired if we were ‘in want of assistance?’ On an affirmative reply being returned they hove to immediately. We then read on her stern “George Salem” a well-known trader in Bengal. The cockle shell so unwillingly supplied us by the “Navarino” served to convey the 2d mate and myself to the “George,” Signed: Capt. Balch, from Salem to Calcutta, out 10 days.’
One of the George’s passengers reported that:
'It will be difficult to describe the kind reception we met with on board of this hospitable American, who immediately offered whatever we required; and presently her boat, as well as ours, began loading with flour, biscuits, bread and fine fish, pork, beef, some ropes, and half the quantity of potatoes remaining. The handsome manner in which these were given out, and the kind feeling shown by the commander, officers, and crew of the George, considerably enhanced the value of their service. Even our men were supplied by the American crew with tobacco, cigars, etc. Capt. McCarthy's feelings were quite overpowered and we could not help going aboard the American, personally, to thank them. Myself and some of the passengers who were particularly anxious to get up to Calcutta without delay were welcome, and most handsomely accommodated by the captain, supercargo, and chief mate, (the latter giving up his cabin) and I believe I need not say much to convince you that we met with the noblest feelings of sympathy and kindness during the few days we were under the command of captain Balch.'
It was later reported in the Calcutta press that ‘a five-piece service of plate had been awarded to the captain of this ship for his human assistance to the passengers and crew of a British ship.’
This service is now held and on display at the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts, and is inscribed with the names of the passengers, including Gabriel Auguste Roussac's.
The engraved inverted pear shaped bowl that was part of the tea set presented to Captain Benjamin Balch, master of the ship George, for his 'Character and Kindness of Heart' in assisting the British ship Heroine whose grateful commander and passengers ordered this service from Hamilton & Co., Calcutta's leading silversmith.
Auguste Gabriel Roussac's name can be seen engraved on the bowl centre left, towards the handle.
In July 1837 he arrived back in England with his son (presumably his eldest son, Etienne Auguste Jnr, born 1832) aboard the Duke of Northumberland.
On 28th February, 1837, it was reported in the Morning Herald that some ‘much talked-about Russian spies were handed over to the Calcutta police by the authorities from Agra and that they were undergoing an examination before the Chief Magistrate. Mr Roussac, of the firm Walker, Roussac & Co. attends as prosecutor, on account of some swindling transaction by them towards the above firm, about four years ago to the sum of 4,000 rs. Mr Roussac was unable to identify them, but two of his friends who came with him immediately recognised the prisoners to be brothers, of the name of Christian, formerly residents of Calcutta. The defendants are young men of a pleasing exterior, dressed as mogul, and have very imposing beards.’
On 15th November, 1837, his wife, Jessie, died aged 25 ‘after a long and painful illness’ at her residence at Clapham Common, London and she was buried at Holy Trinity, Clapham, London. The year of her death coincides with the birth of her son Charles William Roussac.
On 1st December 1837, a notice appeared in The Times stating that A. G. Roussac of Austin Friars, Broad Street, London, Merchant, had his bankruptcy hearing before Commissioner Merivale adjourned or for choice of assignees at 11am.
On 1st May, 1838, a notice appeared in the London Gazette announcing the next hearing to Audit the accounts of the Assignees will take place on May 22nd. He is described as a Merchant, Dealer and Chapman (an itinerant dealer).
He appears to have sailed to Bordeaux where, on 27th July 1838, he submitted his application for a Passport in which he proposes travelling to London for business.
He had blue eyes, a round chin and was 1.76m tall with chestnut hair and stated that he was a Commis Négociant.
On 29th August, 1838, another notice appeared in The Times, this one stating that ‘Unless Mr A. G. Roussac remove away the Goods left in my custody in December 1837 within 14 days from the date hereof, they will be sold to pay my expenses. Frederick Bacon, Paul’s-chain Street, St Paul’s Churchyard.’
In the 1839 Bengal Annual Register he is listed with his elder brother, Paul Auguste Roussac, both partners of J. A. Walker & Co. of 5 Court House Street, Calcutta, along with James Alexander Walker and Charles Francis Dumaine.
The same year, it was stated during a court case in 1846, and reported in the Morning Herald, that he was imprisoned in Paris for four months for debt.
1840s
On 16th October 1842, he wrote to Daniel Webster, then the U. S. Secretary of State (under President William Henry Harrison) applying for the position of Consul at Bombay. Click here to read the letter and reply.
On 13th December 1842 he attended, along with the ‘great and good of Bombay, a dinner at the Byculla Club, given to Major Outram by his admirers’
In 1844 he was listed as a Merchant in Austin Friars, London. The same year, he was travelling on the Neptune from Liverpool to India when the master, Thomas Braithwaite, “treated the steward with great cruelty and actually gave upwards of 200 lashes to a French lad on boat for some supposed offence”.
He filed a case against the master who was committed for trial at the criminal sessions in Bombay in December for his cruelty but the Chief Mate and other crew protested and he was acquitted. The case was widely reported including in the Leeds and General Advertiser of 7th December 1844.
The 1844 edition of the Société Orientale, an annual review of official French connections, has Auguste Gabriel Roussac listed as an 'Agent de la France' and the 'Consul General of Brasil' and a 'Consul of the United Kingdom' and 'un agent Consulaire de Portugal'.
At some time between 1844 and 1855, when he married his second wife, an incident took place which was gossiped about in a letter which surfaced in a book published in 1982. The book is ‘City of Gold: the biography of Bombay’ by Gillian Tindall in which she describes how Mrs Sarah Terry (nee Sarah Saywell Friend) wrote from Bombay to a friend and repeated some gossip her husband, Sidney, had told her:
‘Sidney has reminded me that I have forgotten to tell you that your friend Mr Roussac who lives here was found asleep on the Sofa with a Mrs Leggatt. Mr Leggatt is a very respectable man; when he found them, he got two Constables to seize Roussac who ran off, they chased him all round the port and when they caught him Mr L. gave him a good thrashing. Mr L. who has been married to his wife 15 years and has six children, offered his wife, to whom he is devotedly attached, 2 Hundred a year to go off to England, but she will not and she is living with Roussac. She had a kind husband, plenty of money, nice house, carriage and every comfort, her husband most kind and generous, yet she has forfeited all and left six dear children, poor Mr L. is quite broken hearted. Roussac is very poor and can hardly support himself.'
On 11th November 1846, a notice appeared in the Bombay Gazette announcing a Petition being filed for the relief of his Insolvency and was listed as Managing Director of the British Indian Gentleman’s Gazette formerly residing at Meadow Street within Bombay Fort.
In many publications over the last century, Auguste Gabriel has been credited with opening the first commercial Daguerreotype studio in Bombay in 1850 at Meadow Street. That is true, but he was taking such photographs before then as this item in the Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce of 11th November 1848 shows:
'It may be as well to mention that a change has been made in the hour at which the Launch of the Meanee is to take place. The alteration has been made to suit the tide, and 10 o’clock precisely instead of ½ past 10 to-day is now the time fixed upon. Everything appears to be ready for the occasion and every pain seems to have been taken for rendering the accommodation both ample and complete. Mr Roussac – the Daguerreotypist – was yesterday engaged taking sketches of the vessel at every point of view; those already made seem extremely beautiful, and would well repay a visit to his establishment. These we believe have been commissioned by Government, while a second edition of them are intended for the Illustrated London News. On the left is the relevant picture that appeared in the ILS on 6th January 1849.
At some point, he sailed to France since on 14th March 1849 he embarked at Bordeaux on the French Barque, Georges Cuvier, arriving at Bombay on 11th August 1849.
Towards the end of 1849, he wrote to the Post Master General of Great Britain to complain about the high postal charges for sending English periodicals to the Indian Presidencies. He received this reply from Col. Maberley, Secretary to the Post-Master General:
‘Sir, I am directed by the Post-Master General to acknowledge receipt of your letter January 15th last, and to inform you in reply, that his Lordship has now under consideration, a proposal for sending books and pamphlets to the British Colonies and possessions, at a reduced rate of postage.’
1850s
On 4th May 1850, Allen’s Indian Mail and Register newspaper reported that:
Mr. Cannon, the proprietor of the Bombay Gazette, has been prosecuted for a libel by Mr. A. G. Roussac. The Gazette had described some person as ‘the most incomprehensible of all imaginable vagabonds.’ Mr. Roussac took the complaint to himself, The Gazette disclaimed the application, and the Court decided that Mr. Roussac had more reason to complain of the writer in the Bombay Gazette, who perhaps never dreamt of Mr. Roussac’s existence.
In fact, a google search reveals, that this exact phrase was used in Parliament, and appears in Hansard, in a debate describing, but not naming, a person who had been put forward for election to the seat of Carlow in Ireland.
In 1852 he is listed as a member of the Rising Star Masonic Lodge of Western India No. 342 and had been for some time though it is not known when he joined.
On 1st September 1852, the French author and traveller, Louis Deville, began a journey of exploration and discovery in India during which time he kept a diary which was published in French eight years later titled Excursions dans l'Inde. Arriving in Bombay, he met Auguste Gabriel Roussac and the following extracts, except where stated, all relate to him.
Sept 25th
Around noon we arrive in Bombay. I stay with M. Roussac, who offers me his kind hospitality. The sea breeze, which begins and blows in the evening, makes the temperature very pleasant. We go to the esplanade to have ice cream while listening to military music. It is the rendezvous of the elegant world. Also we notice some graceful Amazons and some pretty English cars.
Oct 11th
We go to the fort. This is the name given to the small English town within the walls of the fortifications. M. Roussac is the only French merchant residing in Bombay. We visit our compatriot, who gives us a gracious welcome. Then we go through the city, regularly built. The streets are quite wide and well maintained. The houses seem transparent, thanks to their many windows pierced one in front of the other, so that the air circulates more freely. This is a country where little thought is given to the danger of drafts.
The shops offer nothing remarkable on the outside. Some contain furniture, rather curious porcelains, paintings and ivories. Chinese goods especially attract our attention. There are two cafes which are renowned for their excellent ice cream. Bombay’s climate make this detail interesting. At a considerable distance from the fort is the theatre, where performances are rarely given.
Everywhere in India attention has been paid to making the existence of Europeans as pleasant as possible. How else could they live in a country so fatal for their health. In the Protestant temple as well as in the court, one is fanned by immense punkas. A fairly large square extends towards the middle of the city. A few clumps of tamarind trees cast a little shade there. In the centre, we see the statue of Lord Cornwallis sheltered by an inelegant dome.
Bombay is surrounded by fortifications which may be useful against the Indians, but which would be quite sufficient in the event of an attack by European troops. The castle and Fort George are formidable. To protect the port, batteries would be needed at its entrance. There are about a thousand on the ramparts of the city, the defence of which would require a garrison of at least 8,000 men.
A fairly long pier juts out into the sea, sheltering a few fishing and pleasure craft. The steamboats and tall three masters do not stay long in the bay which stretches out in front of the town. It is vast, but insecure when a strong wind blows; also large ships drop anchor in a huge harbour comparable to that of Brest. They are much safer there during the southwest monsoon.
The heat becomes so strong towards the middle of the day that business is interrupted for a few hours. Everyone rests on beds or sofas. We follow the general example. Around four o’clock in the evening the heat subsides, traffic in the streets begins again.
We go for a walk through the neighbourhoods inhabited by the natives. They form what is called the Black City. We visit the animal hospital, founded by the Indians. It is an immense square building which encloses a vast courtyard. One finds here a multitude of animals of all species which receive the care of numerous veterinarians or peacefully end their idle existence. One notices horses, dogs, monkeys, parrots, and especially zebus, or Indian oxen, which have a magnifying glass of fat on their shoulders. Once in the hospital, the animals cease to belong to their masters and live lavishly at their ease.
This broad foundation is due to the beliefs of the Hindus, who admit metempsychosis. They want to show humanity to the Souls of their compatriots who have taken on the body of an animal. Lucky the man who after his death will be reborn in the form of a calf. He will be venerated in the temples, and young girls will come to kiss his muzzle. This is because Siva himself was transformed into a calf by the chaste Anoussoyai when he wanted to triumph over virginity. But, afraid of the punishment she had just inflicted, the virgin took care to raise this calf which hid a god, and ended up restoring Siva to her first form.
There are several very beautiful pagodas in the Black City where loud music is constantly heard. We visit one of these Hindu temples. In a large swimming pool attached to it, the men and women together perform the ablutions prescribed by their religion.
13th October
I spend the day reading the illustrations French and English, the Charivari, the Revrie des Deux-Mondes, and several publications arriving from Europe. Mr Roussac is responsible for sending them to its various subscribers in all parts of India. The postal service is perfectly established in this country where letters often have to travel considerable distances. I quickly read the newspaper entitled Bombay Times, which is very uninteresting. It reproduces news from Europe and represents English interests in India.
24th October
M. Roussac brings together at his table the four Frenchmen and the Italian who are in Bombay. He offers us a very fine farewell dinner where many toasts are made to our dear country. How painful exile must be! After a year of absence with what pleasure we return to France! Going on a trip is very amusing; but coming home is not lacking in charm. I really don’t know which of these two moments is the most pleasant. And yet I should have some experience in such matters.
28th October
We thus reach the village, where a Parsis rents me his tilbury (a light open two-wheeled carriage). We then advance rapidly, thanks to the relays of horses which are very close to each other. A native runs in front of us to push aside any cars that might interfere without march. These runners change like the horses at each relay. The coachman alone accompanies us until the end of the journey.
Around ten o’clock in the evening, we arrive in Bombay. We covered ninety kilometers in fourteen hours, it took us four days to cover the same distance with our carts. The tilbury had brought us quickly, but it had also costs me a hundred francs, that is to say, ten francs an hour.
29th October
In the morning, big meeting of the four doctors of the hospital. They decide unanimously that there is no lead in the wound. Young M. Roussac (Etienne Auguste junior, then aged 20) comes to visit me in the morning and wants me to be transported to his father. I ended up agreeing to it. Two hours later, a palanquin deposited me with our obliging compatriot. I share the room with the son, who lavishes me with the friendliest attentions. Here I am almost with family. One of the most famous doctors in Bombay gives me his care. I am visited by all the acquaintances I had made in the city.
5th, 6th, 7th November
I spend my time reading newspapers. M. Roussac receives several: the Home News, the Atlas of India, the Bel’slife, the Punch, the Charivari, the French and English Illustrations, various other periodicals. The Bels’life contains on eight huge pages the mention of all games, races, fights, etc., the different bets engaged on this subject, their results and their various phases, finally the names of the interested parties. It is impossible to imagine the number of these various games. This diary of grown-up children is curious as a study of manners. Of what levity would the French not be accused if they printed such a publication?
15th December
Near the town hall stands the beautiful building called the Mint. Is this establishment one can mint one hundred and fifty thousand rupees a day. I am looking today in Bombay for an art object. Would like to leave a memory for M. Roussac, who offered me such kind hospitality. I got to several marquetry shops. Charming works are made there, especially suitable for ladies, but it is impossible to procure a statuette or a picture. Who, indeed, could dream of the fine arts in such a commercial city ? I ended up buying an admirably carved teak wood armchair and chairs from a Chinese store. My gift pleased.
In the 1853 Bombay Calendar and Almanac, he is listed, as Louis Deville mentioned two years earlier, as a supplier of British and Foreign newspapers, Publications &c. of Meadow Street and of Bake-house Lane, within the Fort, with his eldest son as Assistant.
Also in 1853, the Times of India and other papers reported that:
The public are about to suffer serious loss, owing to the ordinarily received causes in such cases. Few establishments have offered greater facilities than that of Mr. Roussac, at Bombay, for obtaining, regularly and cheaply, any and every English periodical publication and numerous in proportion were the constituents who rushed to avail themselves of the opportunity offered to obtain the papers they specially desired to have; but notwithstanding the assurance, repeatedly put forward by the Agent, that he would only order the periodicals that were paid for in advance, Mr. Roussac finds himself compelled, by the extent of the outstandings due to him, to close his business, at a time when, we imagine, he would have been commencing to derive benefit from his spirited enterprise, had he but stringently adhered to the ready-money rules, laid down when he undertook the Agency. His advertisement will be found elsewhere. He turns to the firm of Messrs. Smith, Taylor, and Co., as best able to take up his business; and though we regret he has been obliged to close, we cordially re-echo his recommendation, as the most likely to afford satisfaction to those who will pay for what they receive.
On 21st August, 1854, he was initiated into the Lodge of Humility with Fortitude, Calcutta.
Also in 1854, AGR ‘entered upon’ a compilation of Samuel Smith & Co’s Bengal Directory, as mentioned above. He was not a partner but received profits for his services. Samuel Smith & Co. found all the funds, it was their risk. However, in 1855 Samuel Smith & Co. went out of business. The repercussions of this were to occur in 1862.
In 1855, he was listed as a PGS (probably Past Grand Secretary) in the Journal of the Masonic District Grand Lodge of Bengal and attended a meeting of theirs in Calcutta on 21st March.
On 2nd December 1855, Auguste Gabriel Roussac married again. His second wife was Mrs MATILDA SIDDONS, née CHAUNCE, at 2 Marquis Street, Moorgyhutta, Calcutta. She was the widow of the late George Frederick Brandon Siddons Esq (a Chemist) whom she had married on 29th June 1840 in Calcutta. She was born in 1823 and died on 3rd March 1901 ‘aged 77 years and 8 months of old age and debility’ and was buried at the General Episcopalian Cemetery, Calcutta. They had one child, Anne Jessie in 1862, about whom more later.
In 1856 he published the first edition of his New Calcutta Directory with editions following each year until 1862. He was the accountant, proprietor and compiler with offices at Free Mason’s Hall, 48 Cossitillah Street, Calcutta. According to a Notice to Banks in The Guardian newspaper he sold 1430 copies in the first year and expected to sell 2,000 copies the next year; he also had 100 subscribers.
For the next few years there is a gap in knowledge about AGR’s activities, there appear to be no newspaper reports where his name is mentioned.
1860s
In 1862, he was listed as being Company Secretary to the Bengal Printing Co Ltd (established on 30th September 1859) with an office and residence at 9 Hastings Street, Calcutta.
Having achieved the not inconsiderable task of compiling an accurate and very detailed New Calcutta Directory (editions of which are in the British Library) he faced competition from Thacker & Co. who were also producing directories and in 1863 he took them to court in a case which lasted five days and was extensively reported in the press. There is insufficient space here to give a blow-by-blow account but in the Reports of Cases 1862-1863 in the High Court of Judicature at Fort William, Bengal, published the following year, the case was summarised as follows:
The plaintiffs, claiming to be proprietors of the books respectively entitled ‘The New Calcutta Directory’ for 1862, ‘The New Quarterly Alphabetical List’ for October 1862, and the Almanack ‘Diary’ for 1862, filed their plaint on the 30th January 1863, against the defendants, the proprietors of a book, entitled ‘Thacker’s Post Office Directory’ which with certain colorable alterations, the plaintiffs allege in the plaint to be a reprint of the said books published by the plaintiff, and in which the copyright of the plaintiff was then subsisting, and that defendants printed the same for sale, without the consent in writing of the plaintiff; and that the plaintiff’s claim to damages to the extent of Rupee ten thousand, and seek to have the defendants restrained by injunction from selling any more of the said ‘Thacker’s Post Office Directory, and also to have an account of the profits made by the sale of the latter work up to the time of the hearing of the cause.'
The Judge went on to say that:
'In 1855 Samuel Smith failed, and in 1856 Roussac commenced business on his own account. Mr Smith continued to publish the Bengal Directory in the name of S. Smith & Co. till 1858. Roussac, in compiling his own Directory in 1858, availed himself of all the information collected while he was conducting S. Smith & Co.’s Directory; and now in n1863, he claims a monopoly in a book which is, in a great measure, the result of the industry, enterprise and capital which Samuel Smith & Co. bestowed in the preparation of their Directory for a quarter of a century.'
The case took five days in court and the Judge, after 'careful comparison and consideration' found in favour of the defendants and the suit was dismissed with costs.
On 24th August 1863 AGR, by now an Insolvent, was refused relief by the bankruptcy court.
There seems no doubt that AGR faced some great financial difficulties at this time. However, far from giving up, his life in business continued unabated, though not always profitably, judging by newspaper reports.
In 1865 ‘The Englishman’ newspaper of Calcutta began advertising Stock and Share prices compiled by Mr. A. G. Roussac who described himself as a 'Bill and Stockbroker of 1 Raneemoody Lane, Calcutta.'
Over the succeeding years until his death, various publications published his daily lists of stocks and share prices, each had his name and address below the column.
He was one of the shareholders in the Port Canning Land Investment, Reclamation and Dock Co. Ltd and attended their meeting on 24th April, 1866, at which he proposed one of the several resolutions which was unanimously passed.
He was also a shareholder in the National Bank of India and attended their half yearly AGM on 29th August, 1866, at their HQ at 1 Mission Row, Madras.
On 1st February 1867, he attended an EGM of the India General Steam Navigation Co. in Calcutta during the course of which he read out a statement of the facts and figures relating to the valuation of the Bengal River Steam Co. and their value assessed at a former period.
On 14th June 1867, he attended a meeting of the Proprietors of the Bank of Bengal was held at the Bank premises in Calcutta. The meeting considered the amalgamation of the Banks of Bengal and Bombay. The meeting was 'very numerously attended.' A long discussion followed and it appears the eventual upshot of these and later discussions on the subject was that an amalgamation did not take place.
In 1867 he continued, as before, as a Bill and Stockbroker of 1 Raneemoody Lane, Calcutta, until about March 1869 when the address changed to 10 British Indian Street, Calcutta.
1868, on 3rd March, he sailed from Calcutta on the P & O ship SS Mooltan (see painting left, c.1865) for Suez where, as was normal then, he would have connected with another ship towards his ultimate destination, presumably England or France.
In May 1868, he was one of many who took part in the Metropolitan Derby Sweep was lucky enough to draw a horse, Eagleman. The winner that year was Blue Gown and it appears from the list of runners (thanks Google) that, unluckily, his horse was withdrawn and did not run.
On 28th December, 1868, he wrote a letter to the Editor of The Pioneer, an English language newspaper published in India:
THE CALCUTTA SHARE LIST
SIR, - In your paper of the 23rd instant you publish a letter signed ETAH, with a sweeping charge, “that the Share List published of the Calcutta Market is quite untrustworthy.”
WHO ETAH is I do not know, but he must be a person of extremely narrow mind; because one or two items he did not find to answer his purpose, he considers the whole must necessarily be wrong, and boldly rushes into print to want the public!
ETAH then says that on seeing my quotation of Agra Bank B shares at Rs. 102. He sent his shares to Calcutta for sale, and received for reply that they were “unsaleable at those prices – Ditto to Punjab Bank shares.” The quotations for Agra Bank B shares were Rs. 100-102. The last sale effected was at Rs.100; and, as no person offered shares for sale at a lower price, I did not consider myself justified in depreciating a valuable stock.
I never received any Agra Bank B shares or Punjab Bank shares from ETAH for sale. Let ETAH send to me, or his Agent in Calcutta to sell through me, any quantity of Agra Bank A shares at Rs.110 each, - which is my quotation for buyers, - and he will soon find that the Money Market List is very trustworthy.
My quotation for Punjab Bank shares is Rs.75. which is indeed cheap. I have just received an order to buy a few at Rs. 70 each for delivery in Calcutta before 31st December, on the terms and usages of Calcutta.
It is preposterous to suppose, even for an instant, that there are always buyers eagerly waiting to scramble for any and every stock ETAH may please to send to Calcutta for sale. The quotations as published are continued from the last sale, if none be offered in the market at lower rates, and the price rise on demands increasing.
I believe I can safely say that my quotations are generally as correct as those of the London Price Currents. Upwards of 250 copies of my Weekly Lists have been asked for by different partis in the country and in England, and about the same number of the Daily Lists circulate in Calcutta.
Will ETAH please say at what price am I to quote for his Agra Bank B shares ? – he being a seller. If he be hard-up and anxious to sacrifice his property, it does not follow that such forced sale will make a market value increase.
In conclusion – as my Lists are signed by me, perhaps you will kindly require real names before publishing any attack on them.
A. G. ROUSSAC
Stock Broker
CALCUTTA
24th December 1868
Etah’s letter was signed with a real name – that of an officer of high rank. – ED. Pioneer.
In 1869, the Port Canning Co., of which AGR was a shareholder, held a very interesting meeting, with some scathing comments, which was reported, as usual, in The Pioneer newspaper of 12th April; I have omitted the final two less interesting paragraphs:
LAST WEEK THE PORT CANNING COMPANY held another “extraordinary” meeting in Calcutta. In fact almost all of their meetings have been, like the Company itself, extraordinary. There must have been a good sprinkling of the rival factions present; for the business was transacted with, or rather in spite of, uproar and confusion. Mr Swinhoe himself was of course there as Chairman, and shared with Mr Roussac the glory of monopolising most of the talk, if not the good sense of the meeting. The latter gentleman, who has blown hot and cold on the Directors and on Mr Schiller alternately, now stood by the latter somewhat feebly. He wanted to know whether that ridiculous mouse of a compromise which had been agreed to was the only result of that huge mountain of litigation which had been upwards of twelve months in labour, and what the shareholders had gained by it all. Mr Roussac seems to have reserved to himself the very useful, if thankless, function of Objector General at all the meetings of public companies in Calcutta. He is the safety-valve through which the wrath of malcontent shareholders finds an escape. But in spite of opposition from the enemy, and no small share of dissention in their own camp, the Directors succeeded in carrying the resolutions for which the meeting was convened.
THE ALBERT LIFE ASSURANCE CO.LTD.
On 1st September 1869, The Pioneer commented on news about the company which was founded in 1838:
The last mail has brought some information from home of the condition of the “Albert.” It is, we regret to say, infinitely worse than expected. The liabilities to be assured alone are upwards of eight million sterling: the assets are stated to be somewhat over six hundred thousand pounds; we are told ‘the deficit under any circumstances must be enormous; and it may even turn out that policy-holders have scarcely any security at all,’ inasmuch as the uncalled capital is very small, and also because the liability of the shareholders appears to be restricted to the amount of unpaid capital (£330,000) by a certain clause in the policies. This is certainly bad news for policy holders.
It comes too at a time when a scheme has been originated in Calcutta to reconstruct the Indian business in the form of a mutual association in which the policy holders would themselves be the shareholders. In the face of this intelligence, we think that the proposal put forth by Mr Roussac altogether impracticable. The principal of mutual assurance is a good one; and Mr Roussac’s scheme might succeed if the full, or nearly the full, amount of premia paid to the “Albert” by those who join in it could be recovered from the defunct Company. But of that there seems no hope now. The proposal to the policy-holders is this:- Continue to pay your premia as usual to a Company which we will form among ourselves, if only two hundred policy-holders can be found to accept this condition; you will be insured at the same rate of premium as was paid to the “Albert” at the time of suspension, provided you make over your right, title and interest in its assets to the Company which will be formed. The amount recovered from the “Albert” will be quite sufficient to cover all risks and will in fact be the capital of the new Company. After five years we will divide profits when everything will go on smoothly.
It is not difficult to see the objections to this way out of the difficulty. They lie on the surface. We will mention only one, but that is, we think, sufficient. The new Company would be literally without a capital, for it is absurd to suppose the amount recovered from the “Albert” could be regarded as such. Even if the full amount of premia paid be eventually recovered, it could only be looked upon as a reserve to meet the liabilities incurred on policies for the rates of the “Albert” were lower than those of any other Company we know of. But if only half the premia, or a fourth, or a mere fraction, as there is now only too good reason to suppose, be recovered, there will clearly be an insufficient sum to meet the risks on policies the new Company would take over.
Mr Roussac must have some glimmering of this when he provides in his prospectus for lapses occurring in 1870 and 1871 by deferred payments. A Company formed in this way would be very unlikely to attract new business for we can’t imagine any one so devoid of common sense as to insure in a concern without a farthing of capital – a Company, moreover, whose liabilities at the time of formation would far exceed its assets.
The ”Albert” was wound up later the same year.
1870s
In May 1870 he was on a Committee presiding over a Raffle for the benefit of St. Vincent’s Home, Calcutta. The advertisement announcing details of the raffle appeared in The Pioneer and stated that ‘There are now many inmates in the Home, and but too frequently the Sisters having charge of them are reduced to the greatest straits to find food for them, and it is hoped that if the present scheme can be carried out, the result will prove of great and permanent benefit to the Institution.’ What was being raffled was a valuable piece of land on which there was also a house and offices. The advertisement explained that ‘The Raffle will take place by one throw of three dice for each share at ten tables simultaneously; each table will take 500 shares, and will be presided over by a Committee of Gentlemen (which included AGR) whose decision in all matters connected with the drawing of the Raffle will be final.'
He appears to have continued as a Share Broker until his death on 21st October 1878.
DEATH OF MR ROUSSAC – The casualties from death have been heavy amongst the old residents of Calcutta during the past year. Another name has been added to the list. Mr. A. G. Roussac, the broker, died suddenly from heart disease. The late Mr. Roussac’s was a long and varied business experience in Calcutta extending over a period of more than forty years.
He was buried at the French Cemetery, Park Street, Calcutta with the inscription: Sacred to the memory of Auguste Gabriel Roussac born 7th Nov 1810 and died 21st October 1878. RIP.
There were four children by his first wife, Jessie:
1. Etienne Auguste Roussac (1832-1908)
2. Annie Marie Roussac
She was born on Friday 28th February 1834 at Calcutta and baptised at St Andrew’s Church, the daughter of Jessie, née Thompson.
She married Louis Edouard SABOULLE on 9th January 1860 at St Thomas’ Church, Calcutta.
He was born 6th October 1817 at Calcutta, the son of Jean-Jacques Saboulle, a Surgeon, and was a Judge of the Civil Records at Chandanagar where he died on 29th November 1884. He married again after his wife died and had five children by her.
Anne Marie Roussac died on 13th December 1862 at Chandanagar and there were two children by her.
3.John Henry Roussac
He was born in 1835 at Tavistock Square, Holborn, London, though it is not known at present what address his mother was at at the time of his birth. He is mentioned in his grandmother, Mary Vrignon’s Will. He died on 10th November 1844 at the residence of his grandmother – presumably in Calcutta – on 10th November 1844.
4. Charles William Roussac (abt 1837-1876)
There was one child by 'Shabeer':
Delphine Roussac
She was baptised on Saturday 22nd April 1854 at Bombay, seventeen years after his first wife died in 1837 and one year before he married Matilda CHAUNCE, née Siddons. Her mother is named as Shabeer in the records.
She died 30th April 1854 at Colabah, Bombay.
I spend the day reading the illustrations French and English, the Charivari, the Revrie des Deux-Mondes, and several publications arriving from Europe. Mr Roussac is responsible for sending them to its various subscribers in all parts of India. The postal service is perfectly established in this country where letters often have to travel considerable distances. I quickly read the newspaper entitled Bombay Times, which is very uninteresting. It reproduces news from Europe and represents English interests in India.
24th October
M. Roussac brings together at his table the four Frenchmen and the Italian who are in Bombay. He offers us a very fine farewell dinner where many toasts are made to our dear country. How painful exile must be! After a year of absence with what pleasure we return to France! Going on a trip is very amusing; but coming home is not lacking in charm. I really don’t know which of these two moments is the most pleasant. And yet I should have some experience in such matters.
28th October
We thus reach the village, where a Parsis rents me his tilbury (a light open two-wheeled carriage). We then advance rapidly, thanks to the relays of horses which are very close to each other. A native runs in front of us to push aside any cars that might interfere without march. These runners change like the horses at each relay. The coachman alone accompanies us until the end of the journey.
Around ten o’clock in the evening, we arrive in Bombay. We covered ninety kilometers in fourteen hours, it took us four days to cover the same distance with our carts. The tilbury had brought us quickly, but it had also costs me a hundred francs, that is to say, ten francs an hour.
29th October
In the morning, big meeting of the four doctors of the hospital. They decide unanimously that there is no lead in the wound. Young M. Roussac (Etienne Auguste junior, then aged 20) comes to visit me in the morning and wants me to be transported to his father. I ended up agreeing to it. Two hours later, a palanquin deposited me with our obliging compatriot. I share the room with the son, who lavishes me with the friendliest attentions. Here I am almost with family. One of the most famous doctors in Bombay gives me his care. I am visited by all the acquaintances I had made in the city.
5th, 6th, 7th November
I spend my time reading newspapers. M. Roussac receives several: the Home News, the Atlas of India, the Bel’slife, the Punch, the Charivari, the French and English Illustrations, various other periodicals. The Bels’life contains on eight huge pages the mention of all games, races, fights, etc., the different bets engaged on this subject, their results and their various phases, finally the names of the interested parties. It is impossible to imagine the number of these various games. This diary of grown-up children is curious as a study of manners. Of what levity would the French not be accused if they printed such a publication?
15th December
Near the town hall stands the beautiful building called the Mint. Is this establishment one can mint one hundred and fifty thousand rupees a day. I am looking today in Bombay for an art object. Would like to leave a memory for M. Roussac, who offered me such kind hospitality. I got to several marquetry shops. Charming works are made there, especially suitable for ladies, but it is impossible to procure a statuette or a picture. Who, indeed, could dream of the fine arts in such a commercial city ? I ended up buying an admirably carved teak wood armchair and chairs from a Chinese store. My gift pleased.
In the 1853 Bombay Calendar and Almanac, he is listed, as Louis Deville mentioned two years earlier, as a supplier of British and Foreign newspapers, Publications &c. of Meadow Street and of Bake-house Lane, within the Fort, with his eldest son as Assistant.
Also in 1853, the Times of India and other papers reported that:
The public are about to suffer serious loss, owing to the ordinarily received causes in such cases. Few establishments have offered greater facilities than that of Mr. Roussac, at Bombay, for obtaining, regularly and cheaply, any and every English periodical publication and numerous in proportion were the constituents who rushed to avail themselves of the opportunity offered to obtain the papers they specially desired to have; but notwithstanding the assurance, repeatedly put forward by the Agent, that he would only order the periodicals that were paid for in advance, Mr. Roussac finds himself compelled, by the extent of the outstandings due to him, to close his business, at a time when, we imagine, he would have been commencing to derive benefit from his spirited enterprise, had he but stringently adhered to the ready-money rules, laid down when he undertook the Agency. His advertisement will be found elsewhere. He turns to the firm of Messrs. Smith, Taylor, and Co., as best able to take up his business; and though we regret he has been obliged to close, we cordially re-echo his recommendation, as the most likely to afford satisfaction to those who will pay for what they receive.
On 21st August, 1854, he was initiated into the Lodge of Humility with Fortitude, Calcutta.
Also in 1854, AGR ‘entered upon’ a compilation of Samuel Smith & Co’s Bengal Directory, as mentioned above. He was not a partner but received profits for his services. Samuel Smith & Co. found all the funds, it was their risk. However, in 1855 Samuel Smith & Co. went out of business. The repercussions of this were to occur in 1862.
In 1855, he was listed as a PGS (probably Past Grand Secretary) in the Journal of the Masonic District Grand Lodge of Bengal and attended a meeting of theirs in Calcutta on 21st March.
On 2nd December 1855, Auguste Gabriel Roussac married again. His second wife was Mrs MATILDA SIDDONS, née CHAUNCE, at 2 Marquis Street, Moorgyhutta, Calcutta. She was the widow of the late George Frederick Brandon Siddons Esq (a Chemist) whom she had married on 29th June 1840 in Calcutta. She was born in 1823 and died on 3rd March 1901 ‘aged 77 years and 8 months of old age and debility’ and was buried at the General Episcopalian Cemetery, Calcutta. They had one child, Anne Jessie in 1862, about whom more later.
In 1856 he published the first edition of his New Calcutta Directory with editions following each year until 1862. He was the accountant, proprietor and compiler with offices at Free Mason’s Hall, 48 Cossitillah Street, Calcutta. According to a Notice to Banks in The Guardian newspaper he sold 1430 copies in the first year and expected to sell 2,000 copies the next year; he also had 100 subscribers.
For the next few years there is a gap in knowledge about AGR’s activities, there appear to be no newspaper reports where his name is mentioned.
1860s
In 1862, he was listed as being Company Secretary to the Bengal Printing Co Ltd (established on 30th September 1859) with an office and residence at 9 Hastings Street, Calcutta.
Having achieved the not inconsiderable task of compiling an accurate and very detailed New Calcutta Directory (editions of which are in the British Library) he faced competition from Thacker & Co. who were also producing directories and in 1863 he took them to court in a case which lasted five days and was extensively reported in the press. There is insufficient space here to give a blow-by-blow account but in the Reports of Cases 1862-1863 in the High Court of Judicature at Fort William, Bengal, published the following year, the case was summarised as follows:
The plaintiffs, claiming to be proprietors of the books respectively entitled ‘The New Calcutta Directory’ for 1862, ‘The New Quarterly Alphabetical List’ for October 1862, and the Almanack ‘Diary’ for 1862, filed their plaint on the 30th January 1863, against the defendants, the proprietors of a book, entitled ‘Thacker’s Post Office Directory’ which with certain colorable alterations, the plaintiffs allege in the plaint to be a reprint of the said books published by the plaintiff, and in which the copyright of the plaintiff was then subsisting, and that defendants printed the same for sale, without the consent in writing of the plaintiff; and that the plaintiff’s claim to damages to the extent of Rupee ten thousand, and seek to have the defendants restrained by injunction from selling any more of the said ‘Thacker’s Post Office Directory, and also to have an account of the profits made by the sale of the latter work up to the time of the hearing of the cause.'
The Judge went on to say that:
'In 1855 Samuel Smith failed, and in 1856 Roussac commenced business on his own account. Mr Smith continued to publish the Bengal Directory in the name of S. Smith & Co. till 1858. Roussac, in compiling his own Directory in 1858, availed himself of all the information collected while he was conducting S. Smith & Co.’s Directory; and now in n1863, he claims a monopoly in a book which is, in a great measure, the result of the industry, enterprise and capital which Samuel Smith & Co. bestowed in the preparation of their Directory for a quarter of a century.'
The case took five days in court and the Judge, after 'careful comparison and consideration' found in favour of the defendants and the suit was dismissed with costs.
On 24th August 1863 AGR, by now an Insolvent, was refused relief by the bankruptcy court.
There seems no doubt that AGR faced some great financial difficulties at this time. However, far from giving up, his life in business continued unabated, though not always profitably, judging by newspaper reports.
In 1865 ‘The Englishman’ newspaper of Calcutta began advertising Stock and Share prices compiled by Mr. A. G. Roussac who described himself as a 'Bill and Stockbroker of 1 Raneemoody Lane, Calcutta.'
Over the succeeding years until his death, various publications published his daily lists of stocks and share prices, each had his name and address below the column.
He was one of the shareholders in the Port Canning Land Investment, Reclamation and Dock Co. Ltd and attended their meeting on 24th April, 1866, at which he proposed one of the several resolutions which was unanimously passed.
He was also a shareholder in the National Bank of India and attended their half yearly AGM on 29th August, 1866, at their HQ at 1 Mission Row, Madras.
On 1st February 1867, he attended an EGM of the India General Steam Navigation Co. in Calcutta during the course of which he read out a statement of the facts and figures relating to the valuation of the Bengal River Steam Co. and their value assessed at a former period.
On 14th June 1867, he attended a meeting of the Proprietors of the Bank of Bengal was held at the Bank premises in Calcutta. The meeting considered the amalgamation of the Banks of Bengal and Bombay. The meeting was 'very numerously attended.' A long discussion followed and it appears the eventual upshot of these and later discussions on the subject was that an amalgamation did not take place.
In 1867 he continued, as before, as a Bill and Stockbroker of 1 Raneemoody Lane, Calcutta, until about March 1869 when the address changed to 10 British Indian Street, Calcutta.
1868, on 3rd March, he sailed from Calcutta on the P & O ship SS Mooltan (see painting left, c.1865) for Suez where, as was normal then, he would have connected with another ship towards his ultimate destination, presumably England or France.
In May 1868, he was one of many who took part in the Metropolitan Derby Sweep was lucky enough to draw a horse, Eagleman. The winner that year was Blue Gown and it appears from the list of runners (thanks Google) that, unluckily, his horse was withdrawn and did not run.
On 28th December, 1868, he wrote a letter to the Editor of The Pioneer, an English language newspaper published in India:
THE CALCUTTA SHARE LIST
SIR, - In your paper of the 23rd instant you publish a letter signed ETAH, with a sweeping charge, “that the Share List published of the Calcutta Market is quite untrustworthy.”
WHO ETAH is I do not know, but he must be a person of extremely narrow mind; because one or two items he did not find to answer his purpose, he considers the whole must necessarily be wrong, and boldly rushes into print to want the public!
ETAH then says that on seeing my quotation of Agra Bank B shares at Rs. 102. He sent his shares to Calcutta for sale, and received for reply that they were “unsaleable at those prices – Ditto to Punjab Bank shares.” The quotations for Agra Bank B shares were Rs. 100-102. The last sale effected was at Rs.100; and, as no person offered shares for sale at a lower price, I did not consider myself justified in depreciating a valuable stock.
I never received any Agra Bank B shares or Punjab Bank shares from ETAH for sale. Let ETAH send to me, or his Agent in Calcutta to sell through me, any quantity of Agra Bank A shares at Rs.110 each, - which is my quotation for buyers, - and he will soon find that the Money Market List is very trustworthy.
My quotation for Punjab Bank shares is Rs.75. which is indeed cheap. I have just received an order to buy a few at Rs. 70 each for delivery in Calcutta before 31st December, on the terms and usages of Calcutta.
It is preposterous to suppose, even for an instant, that there are always buyers eagerly waiting to scramble for any and every stock ETAH may please to send to Calcutta for sale. The quotations as published are continued from the last sale, if none be offered in the market at lower rates, and the price rise on demands increasing.
I believe I can safely say that my quotations are generally as correct as those of the London Price Currents. Upwards of 250 copies of my Weekly Lists have been asked for by different partis in the country and in England, and about the same number of the Daily Lists circulate in Calcutta.
Will ETAH please say at what price am I to quote for his Agra Bank B shares ? – he being a seller. If he be hard-up and anxious to sacrifice his property, it does not follow that such forced sale will make a market value increase.
In conclusion – as my Lists are signed by me, perhaps you will kindly require real names before publishing any attack on them.
A. G. ROUSSAC
Stock Broker
CALCUTTA
24th December 1868
Etah’s letter was signed with a real name – that of an officer of high rank. – ED. Pioneer.
In 1869, the Port Canning Co., of which AGR was a shareholder, held a very interesting meeting, with some scathing comments, which was reported, as usual, in The Pioneer newspaper of 12th April; I have omitted the final two less interesting paragraphs:
LAST WEEK THE PORT CANNING COMPANY held another “extraordinary” meeting in Calcutta. In fact almost all of their meetings have been, like the Company itself, extraordinary. There must have been a good sprinkling of the rival factions present; for the business was transacted with, or rather in spite of, uproar and confusion. Mr Swinhoe himself was of course there as Chairman, and shared with Mr Roussac the glory of monopolising most of the talk, if not the good sense of the meeting. The latter gentleman, who has blown hot and cold on the Directors and on Mr Schiller alternately, now stood by the latter somewhat feebly. He wanted to know whether that ridiculous mouse of a compromise which had been agreed to was the only result of that huge mountain of litigation which had been upwards of twelve months in labour, and what the shareholders had gained by it all. Mr Roussac seems to have reserved to himself the very useful, if thankless, function of Objector General at all the meetings of public companies in Calcutta. He is the safety-valve through which the wrath of malcontent shareholders finds an escape. But in spite of opposition from the enemy, and no small share of dissention in their own camp, the Directors succeeded in carrying the resolutions for which the meeting was convened.
THE ALBERT LIFE ASSURANCE CO.LTD.
On 1st September 1869, The Pioneer commented on news about the company which was founded in 1838:
The last mail has brought some information from home of the condition of the “Albert.” It is, we regret to say, infinitely worse than expected. The liabilities to be assured alone are upwards of eight million sterling: the assets are stated to be somewhat over six hundred thousand pounds; we are told ‘the deficit under any circumstances must be enormous; and it may even turn out that policy-holders have scarcely any security at all,’ inasmuch as the uncalled capital is very small, and also because the liability of the shareholders appears to be restricted to the amount of unpaid capital (£330,000) by a certain clause in the policies. This is certainly bad news for policy holders.
It comes too at a time when a scheme has been originated in Calcutta to reconstruct the Indian business in the form of a mutual association in which the policy holders would themselves be the shareholders. In the face of this intelligence, we think that the proposal put forth by Mr Roussac altogether impracticable. The principal of mutual assurance is a good one; and Mr Roussac’s scheme might succeed if the full, or nearly the full, amount of premia paid to the “Albert” by those who join in it could be recovered from the defunct Company. But of that there seems no hope now. The proposal to the policy-holders is this:- Continue to pay your premia as usual to a Company which we will form among ourselves, if only two hundred policy-holders can be found to accept this condition; you will be insured at the same rate of premium as was paid to the “Albert” at the time of suspension, provided you make over your right, title and interest in its assets to the Company which will be formed. The amount recovered from the “Albert” will be quite sufficient to cover all risks and will in fact be the capital of the new Company. After five years we will divide profits when everything will go on smoothly.
It is not difficult to see the objections to this way out of the difficulty. They lie on the surface. We will mention only one, but that is, we think, sufficient. The new Company would be literally without a capital, for it is absurd to suppose the amount recovered from the “Albert” could be regarded as such. Even if the full amount of premia paid be eventually recovered, it could only be looked upon as a reserve to meet the liabilities incurred on policies for the rates of the “Albert” were lower than those of any other Company we know of. But if only half the premia, or a fourth, or a mere fraction, as there is now only too good reason to suppose, be recovered, there will clearly be an insufficient sum to meet the risks on policies the new Company would take over.
Mr Roussac must have some glimmering of this when he provides in his prospectus for lapses occurring in 1870 and 1871 by deferred payments. A Company formed in this way would be very unlikely to attract new business for we can’t imagine any one so devoid of common sense as to insure in a concern without a farthing of capital – a Company, moreover, whose liabilities at the time of formation would far exceed its assets.
The ”Albert” was wound up later the same year.
1870s
In May 1870 he was on a Committee presiding over a Raffle for the benefit of St. Vincent’s Home, Calcutta. The advertisement announcing details of the raffle appeared in The Pioneer and stated that ‘There are now many inmates in the Home, and but too frequently the Sisters having charge of them are reduced to the greatest straits to find food for them, and it is hoped that if the present scheme can be carried out, the result will prove of great and permanent benefit to the Institution.’ What was being raffled was a valuable piece of land on which there was also a house and offices. The advertisement explained that ‘The Raffle will take place by one throw of three dice for each share at ten tables simultaneously; each table will take 500 shares, and will be presided over by a Committee of Gentlemen (which included AGR) whose decision in all matters connected with the drawing of the Raffle will be final.'
He appears to have continued as a Share Broker until his death on 21st October 1878.
DEATH OF MR ROUSSAC – The casualties from death have been heavy amongst the old residents of Calcutta during the past year. Another name has been added to the list. Mr. A. G. Roussac, the broker, died suddenly from heart disease. The late Mr. Roussac’s was a long and varied business experience in Calcutta extending over a period of more than forty years.
He was buried at the French Cemetery, Park Street, Calcutta with the inscription: Sacred to the memory of Auguste Gabriel Roussac born 7th Nov 1810 and died 21st October 1878. RIP.
There were four children by his first wife, Jessie:
1. Etienne Auguste Roussac (1832-1908)
2. Annie Marie Roussac
She was born on Friday 28th February 1834 at Calcutta and baptised at St Andrew’s Church, the daughter of Jessie, née Thompson.
She married Louis Edouard SABOULLE on 9th January 1860 at St Thomas’ Church, Calcutta.
He was born 6th October 1817 at Calcutta, the son of Jean-Jacques Saboulle, a Surgeon, and was a Judge of the Civil Records at Chandanagar where he died on 29th November 1884. He married again after his wife died and had five children by her.
Anne Marie Roussac died on 13th December 1862 at Chandanagar and there were two children by her.
3.John Henry Roussac
He was born in 1835 at Tavistock Square, Holborn, London, though it is not known at present what address his mother was at at the time of his birth. He is mentioned in his grandmother, Mary Vrignon’s Will. He died on 10th November 1844 at the residence of his grandmother – presumably in Calcutta – on 10th November 1844.
4. Charles William Roussac (abt 1837-1876)
There was one child by 'Shabeer':
Delphine Roussac
She was baptised on Saturday 22nd April 1854 at Bombay, seventeen years after his first wife died in 1837 and one year before he married Matilda CHAUNCE, née Siddons. Her mother is named as Shabeer in the records.
She died 30th April 1854 at Colabah, Bombay.
There was one child by his second wife, Matilda:
Annie Jessie Roussac
She was born on Monday 31st March 1862 and baptised on 6th June 1863 at Darjeeling.
She married Sidney Lemaistre LORD on 23rd February 1881 at St Luke's Church, Dinapore, Bengal. He was born 25th September 1857 at Calcutta, the son of George Lord and Annie Louisa Dawes. He died 1st May 1897 at Sadar, Bengal.
The photo shows Annie Jessie Lord, née Roussac, left, with her son George Augustus Lord and his brother, Dawes Lord's children, Peter and Monica Maud Lord.
It is not known when she died.
There were four children.
