The Minutes of the "Syro-Egyptian Society of London. Instituted 1844". These handwritten minutes cover the time period from the first meeting of the Society on 3 December 1844 to their 146th meeting on 12 March 1861. The Society met fortnightly until June 1846, then monthly, with extended summer breaks. The minutes cover the decisions made at the meetings and the Papers read. Yearly Anniversary Meetings were held in April. The minutes are written in a hardbound volume purchased from H. Penny, Stationer & Manufacturer of Improved Patent Account Books.

Six letters from William Macbean George Colebrooke to Sir Alexander Johnston in which he corresponds, among other things, concerning the beginnings of the Asiatic Society in London.

The patronage material includes original Charters and royal letters, and institutional correspondence concerning the Patronage of the Society.

Royal Charter of Incorporation with seal given by George IV to the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland at the request of Charles Watkin Williams Wynn and other members of the Society. Included in the Charter was permission to own buildings and land to a value of £1000 and that the First Commissioner for the affairs of India should be a Vice-Patron and that there should be a Council to direct the affairs of the Society consisting of a President and not more than twenty-four or less than six other members. It declares that Charles Watkin Williams Wynn will be the first President and that the first Council members should be elected within six months after the date of the Charter. The General Meetings should elect the President and the Council. The finances will be in the charge of the Council and the members will have the right to dispose of assets, and that no bye-law can be made contrary to the spirit of the Charter. The charter measures 80cm by 61cm, and the seal is 15cm in diameter.

Letter from William IV to state that "the King has great pleasure in complying with the wish conveyed to him through Lord Marlborough by the Royal Asiatic Society that His Majesty should become their Patron." Handwritten letter, mounted on a wooden frame. This letter was removed from a picture frame. (The original letter was replaced with a facsimile).

This series contains two letters connected to the Patronage of Queen Victoria.

Letter from John Hobhouse, President of the Board of Control for India, to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn, to inform that Queen Victoria has agreed to be Patron of the Royal Asiatic Society.

Letter from J.E. Anson, Buckingham Palace, to Lord Fitzgerald which he writes on command of Prince Albert to return thanks to the Vice Patrons, Presidents, Officers and Members of the Royal Asiatic Society for their letter of congratulations on the late escape of the Queen, likely referring to the failed assassination attempt on the Queen in May that year. Their letter had been laid before the Marquis of Exeter.

Letter from Edward VII to the Royal Asiatic Society to express his thanks for the Address laid before him from the Society expressing loyalty and devotion to his Throne and Person and their sympathy concerning the death of Queen Victoria.

Letter from Godfrey Thomas, Private Secretary, to Lord Reay, President, Royal Asiatic Society, to inform that the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VIII) would be unable to attend a dinner at the Society prior to him leaving for India. Typed with St James's Palace letterhead, dated 15 July 1921.

Researchers should look at the Minutes of the Council Meeting for this time period for further patronage information.