The deep solicitude which your Majesty has, on all occasions, evinced for the welfare of that important portion of the empire denominated British India, — the countenance and favour bestowed from the throne on those who may have contributed either to acquire or to retain a dominion which, with justice, may be considered the brightest gem in the English diadem, — and the personal regard with which it has pleased your Majesty to honour the nobleman whose administration the following despatches and correspondence fully illustrate, will, I hope, acquit me of any charge of vanity for soliciting the distinguished honour of dedicating the ac companying work to a Sovereign whose comprehensive mind has been long directed to the weal of our transmarine pos sessions, and which, at an earlier period of life, and in an hostile age, he had so nobly endeavoured to preserve and to extend.