311

(INDIA.)

Lord John Elphinstone.

Farewell address on the official departure of Lord Elphinstone as governor of the Madras district of India (1837-1842).

Madras, 29 August, 1842
Document in English, Telugu, and Tamil, printed recto/verso on vellum and secured together with 46 additional vellum leaves bearing signatures of over 10,000 Madras residents by a decorative engraved gold-plated clamp. Approximately 24x14 inches; minor rippling and edge wear. 

Important document celebrating the career of one of Great Britain's most important colonial administrators during the first half of the nineteenth century. Elphinstone was key to promoting English education in India and founded Madras high school which in turn developed into the University of Madras (Presidency College Chennai). He was later appointed governor of Bombay in 1853 and the present collection of signatures serves as testimony to the gratitude witnessed by his constituents.

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December 9, 2025 10:30 AM EST
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