Official vellum scroll of appointment signed by the King Emperor Edward VI, 1901

A very large official vellum scroll, 25¾ x 19 ins, s appointing James Thomson to be a Member of the Council of the Governor of Fort St George [Madras] dated 17th June 1901. The scroll is printed in fine palace svript with manuscript insertions and is signed at the bottom George Hamilton [Lord George Hamilton, 1845-1927 was Secretary of State for India from 1895 – 1903]. At the top it is signed Edward R & I , the King Emperor Edward VII. There are two neat circular holes thrr quarters of the way down the document [not touching any of the wording] and a few small areas of damage at the lower edge, one running across the lower loop of the G in the Secretary’s signature. Documents for India personally signed by the King Emperor are very scarce, apart from those on military and naval commissions. It shou;d be noted that there were only three members of the council.        oct22/1

The document reads:

To Our Trusty and Well Beloved James Thomson Esquire, Member of Our Indian Civil Service

Greeting

Whereas by the Government of India Act 1869 it is enaacted that Ordinary Members of Our Governor General’s Council and the Members of Council of Our several Presidencies shall be made by Us by Warrant under Our Royal Sign Manual.

And whereas a vacancy has arrisen in the Council of Our Governor of the Presidency of Fort St. George by reason of Arundel Tagg Arundel Esquire Commander of Our <ost Ezalted of the Star of India one of the Members of the said. Council having ceased to hold office therein.

Know then that We reposing great trust and confidence in your zeal discretion and integrity have appointed and Do by these presents appoint you the said James Thomson to be one of the said Members of the said Council of Our Governor of the Presidency of the Fort St George in theroom of the said Arundel Tagg Arundel

Sir James Thomson, K.C.S.I. [1848-1927]. a member of the Governor’s Council at Fort St George [Madras], was Acting Governor of Madras between April and December 1905. 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 Most Exalted Order of the Star of India