Letters to John Grant, Annie's father, addressing him as 'Laird' (of Kilgraston), 1858-1865
Item
Shelfmark: MSS. Pac. s. 90 Vol. 6, fols. 343-373
Held at the Weston Library
Comprises:
- (fols. 343-353) from Sarawak (marked 'Private, Charles Grant'), (1) about missionaries and their work, and advocating the conversion to Christianity of the Dyak communities who were 'without a religion'; the mistake of making the Bishop of Sarawak also Bishop of Labuan; (2) the Rajah's 'staggering' announcement about his natural son [Reuben Walker] and his intention to send him to Sarawak; the importance of persuading the Rajah against such a disastrous course; and John Brooke Brooke's letter to Lord Elgin, trying to enlist support for Sarawak from the British Government. Also notes by Charles Grant (fols. 350-353) about the letter, chiefly in relation to Walker, 19 Feb 1858
- (fols. 354-361) from Sarawak, about his letter to the Rajah concerning George Brooke [formerly called Reuben Walker], urging him to leave the boy in England; his wish to have no connection with Holland, especially at a time when England was 'really in earnest' and trade with China was likely to increase; the need for a small gunboat to be stationed permanently on the Bornean coast; and Dr Corry's brief stay in Sarawak. Also an extract from the previous letter (fols. 348-351), 9 Aug 1858
- (fols. 362-365) from Sarawak, (1) (final pages only) about the death of his wife Annie; his letter to Lord Elgin asking him to visit Sarawak; his desire for recognition and protection by England; the Rajah's illness; news of his children, Basil and Hope; and (2) about a report from Duguid of the seriousness of the Rajah's stroke; his decision to leave at once for England, to carry through negotiations with the British Government; and Alan [Grant]'s return to England, 12-16 Dec 1858
- (fols. 366-369) from White Lackington, about the difficulties of his position, his hope of inducing the Rajah formally to resign in his favour, and the terms offered by the Rajah; John Brooke Brooke's wish to approach Lord Stanley, to give him his views; and the case of Dr Corry, 21 Feb 1859
- (fols. 370-373) from London, about a careful letter [to the Rajah] declining to sign away his rights without knowing the terms; his application for the post of Governor and Consul General of Labuan, and his fear of John Abel Smith's opposition, 6 Feb 1865.
Dates
- Creation: 1858-1865
Extent
31 Leaves
Language of Materials
- English
Shelfmark
MSS. Pac. s. 90 Vol. 6, fols. 343-373
Repository Details
Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository
Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom
specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk