The Fifth Report from the Select Committee of the house of Commons on the Affairs of the East India Company, Vol-III, 1812

Abstract

It had been my intention to prefix to this third and last volume a sketch of the career of Sir Thomas Munro. In view, however, of the very low rate at which it is hoped that this work may remain on sale, and in view also of the fact that Dr. John Bradshaw has contributed to the g Rulers of India h series an admirable sketch of Sir Thoijigs f work in the Madras Presidency, I have thought it best to remain content with a simple reference to Dr. Bradshaw fs book. g The Historical Tables concerning the Presidency of Fort St. George h were published as a pamphlet several years ago at Madras, and are the work of a member of the Civil Service at that Presidency.. Mr. William Thackeray so often mentioned in the present volume, was the eldest of six sons of William Makepeace Thackeray, Collector of Sylhet, who died at Hadley, Herts, 1883, aged 64 years. The second of these S o n s was Richmond Thackeray, ,pf the Bengal Civil Service, the father of the Novelist. Richmond died in Calcutta in 1816, aged 35 years. Webb Thackeray, the third son, of the Madras Civil Service, diedln 1809, aged 19 years, as he was.being carried down ill to Madras* Thomas Thackeray o^f the Bengal Army, was killed in action in Nepal in 1814, aged 25 years. St. John Thackeray, of the Madras Civil Service, fell in action at the Kittlur Fort, Belgaum District, in 1824, aged 33 years. The last son, Charles, barrister and journalist, died in Calcutta, 1846, aged 22 years. Before laying down my pen, I will take this opportunity of express- ¡ ing my gratitude to the Publishers for their pluck and public spirit in placing a trustworthy edition of the Fifth Report on sale at a price at which it can be purchased by a student whose power t.o purchase books is restricted. I myself, for instance, was never before able to enjoy the possession of a copy of my own, and I have therefore been glad to place my free services as Editor at the disposal of the publishers. I will conclude by saying that there are other Reports, for instance the Touchet Report, the republication of which would be a public service, and I hope that some day a public demand will be felt sufficient to induce Messrs. Cambray & Co. to make yet another venture.