Madras Government. Appointment to the Governor’s Council, 1901. 2 items

Government of Madras. A formal notice of the appointment of Mr James Thomson of the Civil Service of India to be an Ordinary Member of the Council of the Governor of the Presidency of Fort St George in the place of Mr Arundel Tagg Arundel, C.S.I. …. type written on two sides of  black edged [Queen Victoria had died six months before] folio paper watermarked Government of India. It is dated 30 July 1901 and signed by the Chief Secretary G. Stokes. [Sir Gabriel stokes, K.C.S.I.]  Together with a similar bifolium covering note also signed in the same manner  and dated Ootacamund 30th July 1901. Documents recording Government appointments at this level are uncommon.  jul26/3

Sir James Thomson, K.C.S.I. [1848-1927] held this post from 1901 to 1906 and was Acting Governor of Madras between April and December 1904. He was a Scot, educated at the Grammar School and University of Aberdeen, going out to India in 1871 serving first at Godavari becoming Collector & Magistrate there in 1885. From 1889 he was Resident to the rulers of Travancore and Cochin before occupying senior posts in the revenue and salt departments of government. As a member of council he was appointed C.S.I. in 1902 and in 1902 advanced to the honour of Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India.

A few other documents relating to his career and achievements will appear shortly on the website.