Catalogue of additional papers of George Macartney, 1st Earl Macartney, 1757-99

Bodleian Library, University of Oxford

2002

Conversion to EAD supported by the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation

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Table of Contents

Introduction
A    Papers, 1769-98, mainly relating to mercantile, naval and military affairs during Macartney's governorship of Fort St. George, Madras, 1781-6
B    Papers, 1757-99, mainly relating to Cochin China, 1792-4

Additional papers of George Macartney, 1st Earl Macartney, 1757-99

Abstract:
Additional papers of George Macartney, 1st Earl Macartney (1737-1806) relating to his governorship of Fort St. George, Madras (India), 1781-6, and his embassy to China, 1792-4

Shelfmarks: MSS. Eng. hist. b. 241-2, c. 1122-4

Extent: 5 shelfmarks

Biographical History

George Macartney, 1st Earl Macartney (1737-1806) was a diplomat and colonial governor. He was governor and president of Fort St. George, Madras, 1781-6. He was sent as an ambassador to China, 1792-4. Details are given in the Dictionary of National Biography.

Scope and Content

Miscellaneous additional papers of George Macartney, 1st Earl Macartney (1737-1806) relating to his governorship of Fort St. George, Madras (India), 1781-6, and his embassy to China, 1792-4, together with a few earlier and later papers.

Acquisition

Bought, Sotheby's, 1979-80

Preferred Form of Citation

Oxford, Bodleian Library [followed by shelfmark and folio or page reference, e.g. MS. Eng. hist. b. 241, fols. 1-2].

Related Material

The main group of papers of George Macartney, 1st Earl Macartney, as governor and president of Fort St. George, Madras, are MSS. Eng. hist. b. 173-85, c. 66-118, c. 399, d. 142-3. These are described in M. Clapinson and T.D. Rogers, Summary Catalogue of Post-Medieval Western Manuscripts in the Bodleian Library Oxford. Acquisitions 1916-1975 (Oxford, 1991), vol. I, nos. 39564-632

Personal names (NCA Rules)

Macartney | George | 1737-1806 | Earl Macartney

Place names (NCA Rules)

Madras | India
China

Subjects (LCSH)

Great Britain -- Colonies -- History -- 18th century
Great Britain -- Colonies -- India
Great Britain -- Foreign relations -- China

A   Papers, 1769-98, mainly relating to mercantile, naval and military affairs during Macartney's governorship of Fort St. George, Madras, 1781-6

Shelfmarks: MSS. Eng. hist. b. 241, c. 1122-3

Acquisition: Bought, Sotheby's, 23 July 1979, lot 67.

Papers, 1769-82
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. hist. c. 1122
Extent: 197 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 3-16) letters from Macartney to Lord Townshend, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1769-72
  • (fols. 17-197) papers relating to Madras, c.1775-1782, including (fols. 41-2) journal of Macartney's voyage from Ireland to Ceylon, 19 Feb.-15 June 1781

Papers relating mainly to Madras, 1783-9, n.d.
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. hist. c. 1123
Extent: 191 leaves

Scope and Content:

With

  • (fols. 133-4) copy of Macartney's letter to the East India Co. declining to become governor of India, 1786
  • (fols. 163-75) papers relating to China, 1792-5, including (fol. 169) draft of a letter from Macartney to Eyles Irwin, n.d.
  • (fols. 176-81) copy of a report on a French project for a secret expedition to the coast of Africa, 1796
  • (fols. 182-91) letters from George, 2nd Earl Spencer, and his wife, to Macartney (when governor of the Cape of Good Hope), 1797-8

Papers, 1778-84
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. hist. b. 241
Extent: 103 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-13) letters to the President and Council of Fort St. George, signed by directors of the East India Co., 1778-80
  • (fols. 15-16) letter with sketch-map of the coast near Paliacat [India, 1781]
  • (fols. 23-89 passim) papers mainly relating to naval actions, including draft minutes of the Madras Council, 1782-3

B   Papers, 1757-99, mainly relating to Cochin China, 1792-4

Shelfmarks: MSS. Eng. hist. b. 242, c. 1124

Acquisition: Bought (with an incomplete Modī syllabary, c.1850, now [pr. bk.] Mar. gen. 86), Sotheby's, 21 July 1980, lot 117.

Papers, 1757-99
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. hist. c. 1124
Extent: 181 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 19-64) Latin translations of official letters from the King and royal officials of Cochin China to Macartney, 1793 (the Chinese originals in MS. Eng. hist. b. 242, fols. 9-29), with drafts in English and Latin translations of many of Macartney's replies, two (fols. 32, 40) marked by Macartney 'Barbara', and re-translated
  • (fols. 89-106) queries by Arthur Young 'in relation to Chinese agriculture', with notes by Macartney in answer, c.1792-3
  • (fols. 107-24) narrative of Teshu-Lâma's journey to visit the Emperor of China in 1777-9, c.1792
  • (fols. 155-61) letters (in French) of Count Bernstorff defending the actions of Denmark after the Convention of Kloster-Seven, 1757-8

Papers, 1785-c.1798
Shelfmark: MS. Eng. hist. b. 242
Extent: 46 leaves

Scope and Content:

Includes

  • (fols. 1-6) 'Observations on the present state of the Kingdom of Pegu, & the means of uniting it to the British Dominions in India', by La Beaume, 1785
  • (fols. 9-29) official letters in Chinese, May-June 1793 (see above, MS. Eng. hist. c. 1124, fols. 19-64)
  • (fols. 40-5) report on Danish plans to monopolise trade with India, c.1798
  • (fol. 46) a printed counterpart indenture of conditions of employment of the physician to Macartney's embassy to China, 1792
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19 May 2011