The Marquess Wellesley, K.G - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ...of the general finance of India, the regulation of the army, and much miscellaneous business. Besides these and other duties of executive control--the most important being exercised in relation to the Presidencies of Madras and Bombay--the Governor-General had the superintendence of the Company's commercial concerns. The duties involved the employment of a number of important officials, and it was absolutely essential that these should be ' men of the first talents and ability.' This sketch of the powers and duties of the Governor-General led naturally to two inferences; first, that especially in view of the Governor-General's authority over the other Presidencies, some modification or rearrangement would be beneficial; and second, that the utmost care should be taken in the selection and training of the Company's officers. It is on this second point alone that Wellesley dwells in the minute of July, 1800; and to this we will return. On the first point we have little published material from which to infer the opinions of the great statesman. There exists, however, happily, in the Record Department of the India Office, a paper1 containing his plan for the improvement of Indian Government, which is of the greatest interest. Its value is increased by the manuscript notes of Dundas which are attached to it. In this minute Wellesley suggests the Union of the Governments of Bombay and Ceylon 1 Fisher Papers, 306 (2207). H under the Presidency of Madras. The whole of the British possessions in India should then be governed by a Governor-General, and two Councils, with a Vice-President to each. The Governor-General would change his residence from time to time, and would control every part of the detail in both presidencies. The Vice-Presidents should...