Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis (1738-1805) to Lord Sydney
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02921 Author/Creator: Cornwallis, Charles Cornwallis, Marquis (1738-1805) Place Written: London, England Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 April 1786 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 24 x 18.8 cm Order a Copy
Written by General Cornwallis, the leader of British forces at Yorktown, who had accepted the post of Governor General of India in February 1786 to Lord Sydney as Home Secretary in the Pitt government. Wants Lord Sydney to talk to King George about the specific powers of his new office. Wants to know if he has the power of granting commissions below the rank of colonel because he heard the king is disinclined to grant that power in peacetime. Says he does not expect any pay for the appointment. Sent from "Mansfield Street" in London.
Mansfild Street April 10.th 1786
My Dear Lord
Understanding that it is thought proper that I should be honored with a Commission of Comr: is Chief of His Majesty's Forces in India, I should wish that you would be kind enough to lose no time in taking His Majesty's pleasure on this Subject. It is probable that Sir Eyre Cooke's Commision may be proposed as a model, but as it contains a power of granting all Commissions, below those of Colonels of Regts:, & as I understand that His Majesty has expressed a strong disinclination to delegate such power in time of peace, I would by no means desire to press the insertion of it in my Commission. I likewise by that it may be understood
R.ht Hon,ble
Lord Sydney &c &c &c
[2] that I do not expect any pay from this appointment.
I have the honor to be, My Dear Lord,
Your Most Obedient
& faithful Servant
Cornwallis
[docket]
Earl Cornwallis
Mansfild Street
April 10: 1786
Rd same Day
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