A FRANK DISPATCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 14060, 15 May 1906, Page 6

A FRANK DISPATCH.

There are possibilities in the proposal of the Government to have* collected, and presumably

published, documents relating to the history of the colony from tho earliest timer, to the year 1887. It was for this purpose, according to the popular idea., that a Government “ histriographer ” was appointed some years ago, hut tho work is now to bo entrusted to a Com- | mission. There are possibilities in the | idea, we repeat, if tho reports of tho Imperial Historical Manuscripts Commission arc any guide. Tho latest volume issued by the Commission covers the campaigns of the closing years of the eighteenth century, and one of tho moist interesting of all the documents published is a very frank dispatch written from Fort St George on May 12, 1799, by the Earl of Mornington to Lord Grenville:— “I lose not -a moment in transmitting to yon tho enclosed ‘ Gazette,’ which I know you will read with pride and satisfaction equal do any which I can feel. The event is indeed brilliant, glorious and substantially advantageous beyond my most sanguine expectation. 1 . . . To you I shall use no disguise, but inform you plainly that tho manner in which I have conducted this war ha® been received with exultation, and even the most unqualified admiration, in India; and (to talk like Lord Abercorn) you will gain much credit by conferring some high and brilliant honour upon mo immediately. Tho Garter : would be much more acceptable to me than any additional title, nor would any title bo an object which should not raise mo to tho Same rank which was given to Lord Cornwallis. Tippoo Sultan fought better and had a much more efficient army than in the last war; yet tho British army entered Mysore on March 5, and took Scringapatam on May 4. In my conscience I believe the army fitted out under my eye, and | commanded by General Harris, to be as fine as any in the world. I trust to you not to suffer'me to be neglected.” Tho manner and matter of this message are alike entirely commendable. Perhaps our own archives contain letters couched in tho same strain. Tho.ago of the great letter-writers is said to bo past-, but the colony, wo believe, could match the Mornington document at least in frankness.