BROOKE (Sir James, 1803-1868, Raja of Sarawak)

Autograph letter signed to Herman Merivale, (1806-1874, Under-Secretary for India), headed 'Private', saying that "a young relation of mine is going to try his fortune in Southern Australia and in a few days sails for Port Phil[l]ip" the gateway to Melbourne, he would like an introduction "to the governor of the settlement and would very much prefer any official appointment under the local government to either gold washing or farming. Can you assist?", he continues, "Sir John Pakington", (1799-1880, Secretary for War and the Colonies), "wanted me at the C[olonial] O[ffice] on the 21st but unfortunately I did not get the note till yesterday" as he was "doing my devoir towards Mr [Henry] Drummond", (1786-1860, member for West Surrey), "at his election", but recommending "an article in the Edinburgh [Review] which is the best account of our political relations", he is anxious to confer with members of the government on Borneo, "My own mind is made up for one or other course - efficiency on the one hand or independence on the other ... I shall be sorry to see such a field lost, but anything is better than measures insufficient to insure success", last line and subscription cross written but perfectly legible, 4 sides 7¼" x 4½", Reigate, 23rd July

Merivale has written at the head 'Sir J Brooke Labuan affairs'. Labuan lies 6 miles off the northwest coast of Borneo.

Item Date:  1852

Stock No:  53547     

                


BROOKE-53547-1.jpg BROOKE-53547-2.jpg

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