Description:

CHARLES CORNWALLIS
A pair of retained autograph copies (in a secretarial hand) of two superb content letters sent to Cornwallis from British War Secretary, HENRY DUNDAS. The first letter, 4pp. legal folio, Somerset House, Jan. 19, 1797, marked "Marquis Cornwallis" at the top of the first page, begs Cornwallis to resume his post in India in order to effect better administration in the British possessions there. In part: "...when one is to be firm, we must be so on solid grounds. Indeed, My Dear Lord, or want of proper instruments to conduct the Government of India during the next twelve months, it is impossible not to be very uneasy upon the whole subject and yet, with a firm and at the same time a conciliatory Man at the different settlements, all the difficulties that exist would vanish in a moment. If the Army arrangements was carried into execution at Bengal & something done to prevent matters getting into a wrong train at Oude [?], all would be well there; and if the unfortunate jumble which the two Governments have got into respecting the Nabob of Arcal and Ransack of Tanjore was arranged upon an equitable footing and in a conciliatory manner - and if the judicial and land revenue system of Bengal were put into the proper train at Madras, I could then look to the future state of India with comfort and confidence; but at present I really see not the means of putting in motion, far less of concluding these great arrangements...if you could bring yourself to forego the comforts of home for one year more of your Life, and to spend three months at Bengal, and as much at Madras, you would do the greatest service to your Country, that ever any Man had in his power to do...". Apparently Cornwallis accepted, albeit reluctantly, the appointment as the second retained copy indicates, 4pp. legal folio, Somerset Place, Jan. 20, 1797, Dundas states: "I have this instant received your Lordship's answer to my Letter of Yesterday - In an Age when so few are disposed to consider anything but their own accommodation and self-interest, it is impossible for me to postpone a moment to express the heartfelt satisfaction your Letter give to me. It relives me from an oppression of Mind, which has hung upon me for some time past...". Events in Ireland derailed these plans, however, and he ended up forgoing India to command British forces to put down the Irish Rebellion. The third letter is the original of the January 20, 1797 letter copied by Cornwallis, a partial A.L. of HENRY DUNDAS, 3pp. legal folio, Somerset House, Jan. 20, 1797 and docketed by CHARLES CORNWALLIS himself on the verso. The letters serve as a reminder that Cornwallis, despite his ignominious defeat at Yorktown, managed to salvage his career. From 1786 to 1793 he served as Governor General of India, doing much to streamline British administration there as well as defeating the Sultan of Mysore in 1792, for which he was honored as a hero on his return to Britain in 1793. A superb and fascinating group. The retained copies by Cornwallis bear the usual folds and light toning. The Dundas letter is clearly separated at folds, else very good. Together, three pieces.

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May 13, 2009 10:00 AM EDT
Stamford, CT, US

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