Governors of a Colonial Island Seven Documents, 1817-1824, ...

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Governors of a Colonial Island

Seven Documents, 1817-1824, associated with the appointment and departure of governors of Prince of Wales Island (now Penang Island) off the coast of Malaya, which was then ruled by the East India Company.
Colonel John Alexander Bannerman (1759-1819), for many years an official of the Company and a director from 1811, was appointed governor on 18 March 1817 but died of cholera on 8 August 1819. He was succeeded until August 1824 by his son-in-law William Edward Phillips (1769-1858), who had already served as the island’s acting governor on six occasions.

(1)  Printed indenture dated 23 May 1817, on Bannerman’s appointment as governor, in which he undertakes to satisfy all the requirements of his position (listed in detail). Approx. 51 x 71 cm.
(2)  “P.W. Island Gazette Extra”, Monday 24 [November] 1817. Flyleaf announcing the arrival and formal reception of Col. Bannerman, Governor, and Sir Ralph Rice, Recorder of the Presidency. Approx. 36 x 22 cm.
(3)  “Prince of Wales Island Gazette”, vol. 4, no. 164, Saturday 4 July 1818, containing notices of a proclamation by the governor, shipping news, advertisements, and the double wedding of Bannerman’s eldest daughter and niece (both called Janet) to William Edward Phillips and the future diplomat Henry Burney.  Superimposed: proclamation dated 11 August 1819 announcing Bannerman’s death and the Phillips’s appointment as temporary governor. In frame, 46 x 33 cm.
(4)  MS proclamation by the East India Company appointing Phillips Governor of the Island, 20 April 1820. Faded (typescript on back). In frame, 64 x 79 cm.
(5)  MS address of the island’s inhabitants congratulating Phillips on his confirmation as Governor, n.d. On vellum, 2 membranes, 66 x 61 & 36 x 31 cm. Rolled in crimson velvet sleeve bearing brief inscription in Malay.
(6)  MS address of the island’s inhabitants bidding farewell to Phillips on his retirement as Governor, listing the benefits they had enjoyed under his rule, and asking him to accept the gold cup they have commissioned in London.  Many signatures. N.d., faded. On vellum, 2 membranes. In frame, 146 x 63 cm.
(7)  MS address in which Phillips thanks the “British Inhabitants” (termed “Gentlemen” – no ladies?!) for their kind words of appreciation and the presentation of a gold cup on his departure from the island, n.d. In frame, 49 x 59 cm. (7)