The Register of Donations and a further list concerning acquisition of "India Selections".
East India CompanyThe collection spans Henry Miers Elliot's career working for the Indian Civil Service from 1827 to 1853, and includes:
- Manuscripts mainly concerned with administration. These are in English and local Indian languages.
- Correspondence to Henry Miers Elliot
- Printed Material
- Visual Material, including copper-plate rubbings, agricultural drawings and a map of Baiswara.
Some of the material had previously been identified by Professor Simon Digby, Honorary Librarian to the Royal Asiatic Society (1970-1984). The information provided by him has been kept with the Henry Miers Elliot Papers.
Elliot Henry MiersThe collection consists of two series:
Henry Thomas ColebrookeLetter from Thomas Manning to William Manning from White horse fetter Lane (London). He writes that he has been hunting for the Captain of the Thames, East Indian Company boat, on which he will go to Canton. Captain Riches is a Suffolk man and he wonders if he is related to his friend, Mrs Riches. If his father finds that she is, would he ask for a letter of recommendation for him. He has laid in supplies of medicines and will take good care of himself, though he writes his legs are rather swollen after much walking. Handwritten, 3 sides. Dated 21 [April 1806]
Letter from Henry Thomas Colebrooke to "My dear Lord". Acting in his role of President of the Asiatick Society (role held from 1806--1815) he was requesting that the Lord, as Patron, would act to enable Dr Wallich, keeper of the Society's museum to continue at the Presidency rather than be sent to his recent appointment at an outstation. Handwritten, dated 19 October 1814 from Calcutta. Appended to this letter is a copy of a note written by Wallich about his debt to Colebrooke in obtaining his position at the Calcutta Garden. Handwritten, dated 15 October [1820]. This has further handwritten annotation stating that "The following... Extract from letter of Dr Wallich to Dawson Turner and is in the handwriting of the latter."
Letter from Henry Thomas Colebrooke to Nathaniel Wallich in which he discusses the possibility of the introduction of rice to England. Colebrooke thanks for letters, boxes of specimens and anthropological drawings. Colebrooke asks Wallich to express his thanks to the gentlemen that provided geological specimens. Colebrooke has petitioned the Chair of the Court of Directors, East India Company on Wallich's behalf. He wishes Wallich a speedy recovery to health. Handwritten, dated 8 August 1820, received 25 February 1821.
Letter from Henry Thomas Colebrooke to Nathaniel Wallich concerning Wallich's concern on sending specimens to India House and publications to be sent to Wallich from Richardson. There is a postscript in which Colebrooke reports that Law desires to be remembered to Wallich, that the plants have been given to the Horticultural Society and the seeds given to the Court of Directors to distribute among their friends, However, generally, Indian seeds do not germinate in England. Handwritten, dated 6 November 1823, received 31 May 1824.
Letter from Henry Thomas Colebrooke to Nathaniel Wallich in which Colebrooke thanks Wallich for his reports on timber forests. He is pleased that Wallich continues to send specimens to India House and distribution is now less of a problem. He thanks Wallich for seeds which he has given to Mr Lambert. He also wishes to express his thanks to Wallich and Mr Hodgson for their present to the Royal Asiatic Society which when it arrives will be presented. He also asks whether Mr Hodgson would like to be proposed as a member of the Royal Asiatic Society. He discusses bills that Wallich has sent and closes with the news that Wallich's Lady is in town and Colebrooke hopes to call on her soon. Handwritten, dated 30 May 1826, received 17 January 1827.
Letter from Henry Thomas Colebrooke to Nathaniel Wallich in which he describes the measures that he has taken to obtain an assistant for Wallich. He regrets the delay in Wallich receiving his publications. He remarks on geological specimens and asks Wallich to thank Capt. G. for the vocabulary of the Kunawar language and is unsure whether to deposit it in the Company's Library or that of the Royal Asiatic Society. He discusses his forestry plantations and the possibility of Wallich obtaining leave. He appends a memo concerning geological specimens. Handwritten, dated 27 July 1825, received 10 December 1825.
Letter from Henry Thomas Colebrooke to Nathaniel Wallich concerning the Botanic Library. The East India Company Court of Directors have agrees £200 annually for 10 years for the purchase of books old and new. Thus he will ask Richardson to send certain publications at Colebrooke's discretion until he hears from Wallich. He writes of the cost of certain books that he has already sent and discusses other possible volumes. Handwritten, dated 22 September 1821, received 21 March 1822.