I HAVE met with no work giving full insight into the duties and responsibilities of west Indian Political officers, a body of men who uphold British supremacy or British interests over some fifty millions of human beings, and whether as Residents at native Courts, or under the titles of Commissioner, Agent, or Superintendent, with their respective Deputies and Assistants, control, with more or less of diplomacy or of direct power, both kings and people.

Owing to the large field for selection offered by the Military services of western India, and the training so many undergo in the extra regimental duties on which they are employed, the Political Department has been mainly recruited from the army, though the Civil services have also furnished brilliant names, such as Metcalfe and Elphinstone.