ELPHINSTONE (John, 13th Lord, 1st Baron,1807-1860, Governor of Bombay 1853-1859, where he prevented a rising during the Mutiny, 13th Baron)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed, marked 'Private' to 'My dear General' saying he is "extremely concerned to say that I find that I was mistaken in supposing that your appointment to the Canada Commission would not be affected by the return of your Regiment to England & what renders this discovery the more distressing to me is the feeling that I have been the means of leading you into error upon this point. The orders of the Court are most peremptory on the subject & state that it is contrary to the orders of H.R.H. the Commander in Chief that officers should remain in India ... under these circumstances I fear that no other course is open to me, but to forego the advantages which I had hoped to reap from your assistance to the labours of the Commission. Deeply as I regret the loss of your Co-operation it is some comfort to me to remember that it was almost against your will that you consented to be placed on the Commission and that you were anxious to be speedily relieved from its duties - but whatever satisfaction I may derive from these private considerations I am not the less sensible of your loss on public grounds. I hope that I shall have the pleasure of seeing you at Madras, & that during your stay here you will take up your quarters with me. I shall make no excuses for asking you to a bachelor's house, which is always uncomfortable, & being under repair is perhaps at present even more so than usual because I know you are too old a soldier to be put out at such trifles ...", 4 sides 8vo., Madras, 19th October

In 1837, he left the Guards on being appointed governor of Madras by Lord Melbourne. He was governor of Madras from 1837 to 1842 and built a house at Káiti, in the Nilgiri Hills. On resigning his governorship in 1842 he travelled for some years, and explored Kashmir.

Item Date:  1837

Stock No:  41103      £475

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