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"TilSS'S ISWHWSM

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AUTHENTIC SKETCH

OF nil;

LIFE AND PUBLIC SERVICES

HIS EXCELLENCY

Sill CHARLES TIIEOPHILUS METCALFE,

BART.. K. C. B.. {<cc. & c. &c.

PUBLISHED BY ROBEilT W. S. MACK AY,

No. l\5, Notre Dame Street.

LOVELL AND GIBSON, PRINTERS, ST. NICHOLAS STREET.

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u'l7:i3 1355

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The affectionate regard ami esteem felt by a great majority of
the intelligent people of this Province for the person and cha-
racter of Sir CuARMcs Metcalfe, as evinced on every occasion,
has induced tlie writer of the following Biogruphical Sketch to
place before the public a brief but authentic record of the ser-
vices which that illustrious individual has rendered to his
country.

Comment or eulogy upon those services has been studiously
avoiuw'd as alike uncalled for, and many incidents illustrative of
the kindness and urbanity which distinguish Sir Ciias. Met-
calfe's personal character have been withheld, as not being en-
tirely relevant to the object of this publication, which is to place
u simple narrative of facts in the hands of all who may feel
interested in the subject.

In conclusion, the writer would remark that he trasts any
errors or inaccuracies, should such exist, will be pardoned by
the reader for the sake of the information which is now (it is-
believed for the first time) given to the Canadian public.

I' '

Milliii

[Fy]©©iF2^[PKifl©^[L §iillT©[Kl

THE RIGHT HON OK ABLE

SIR CII \RLES T. METCALFE, Bart.

T-ii. iuDJcot of Aid tV'lowirgr brief Memoir, Sir Charles T.
Metcalfe, was born on *iie COth of January, 1785 ; he succeeded
his elder brother, Sir Thcopbilus Metcalfe, in the Ileraditary Ba-
ronetcy in 1822, was created Knight Grand Cross of the Bath by
'-'s late Majesty William IV. in 1835, and was called to the Privy
Council by our present Gracious Sovereign, in 1839.

It would be foreign to the purpose of this biographical sketch
to enter at length into the earlier incidents of his life. It may
suffice to state that he was educated at Eton, where he gave
early indications of a thirst for knowledge, and that love of lite-
rature which has ever been his favorite pursuit. .

Sir Cii.VELES Metcalfe received his first appointment in the
Civil Service of the East India Company, from his father, Sir
Theophilus Metcalfe, Bart. M. P., who was also a member of
the Court of Directors, in 1800 ; he sailed for India in the June
of that year, and arrived in Calcutta in January, 1801.

After studying the oriental languages for some time in the

College at Fort William, then recently founded by the Marquis of

Wellesley, at that time Governor-General, he was, towards the

close of 1801, appointed Assistant to the Envoy to the Arab

States, and subsequently Assistant to the Resident at the Court

of the Mahratta Chief, Dowlut Rao Sindheea. In 1802 he was

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ftppoiutod Assistant to tho Chief Secretary to tho Supreme Go-
vernment ; in 1803 Assistant in tho Office of tho Governor-Gen-
eral, tho IMarquis of Wellesley. In 1804 he was permitted, at
bis own request, to join the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Lake,
in tho field, and attended him as Assistant in Diplomatic Affairs
during the campaigns of 1804, 5 and 6.

During the time that lio was attached to Lord Lake's array
Sir Charles JMetcalfe invariably accompanied the Commander-
in-Chief into action; his cool gallantry under fire was always
conspicuous, and ho was amongst tho first who entered the breach,
at the storming of the strong Citadel of Deeg, where the enemy
made a most gallant resistance.

In U06 he was deputed by Lord Lake as Envoy to the Mah-
ratta Chief, Jos want Eao Ilolkar, then at Amritscr, in the
Punjaub, who, di'ivcn to that position, had previously been forced
to conclude the peace which put an end to the Mahratta War of
1803, 4, 5 and G. In the course of the latter year he was appointed
First Assistant to tho Resident at Delhi.

In 1808 ho was selected by the Governor-General, Lord
Minto, and deputed as Envoy to the Court of Ilunjcet Singh, tho
Ruler of Lahore and the Punjaub, and as such he negotiated a
treaty with that Prince which established those amicable rela-
tions between the British Government and him, that lasted
without interruption during the whole of his long and eventful

reign.

In 1809 ho was selected by the same Governor-General to
accompany His Lordship as Deputy Secretary on an important
mission to Madras.

In 1810 ho was appointed Resident at the Court of the Mah-
ratta Chief, Dowlut Rao Sindheea, and in 1811 Resident at Delhi,
at that time the highest 'diplomatic office in India, including the
Government of tho Deini Territories, and all the relations with
the Affghan, Seikb, Rajpoot, and Jaut Chiefs, and also the
celebrated and powerful Chief Ilolkar.

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In 1818 ho was called to the capital to assume the duties of
Secretary to the Supreme Government in the Secret and Po-
litical Departments, and Private Secretary to the Governor-
General, the Marquis of Hastings.

In 1820 he was appointed Pesidtnt at the Court of the Nizam
of the Dekkan, where he remained till called upon again in 1823
to proceed to his former post at Delhi, in consequence of difficulties
then existing in that quarter. He accompanied the army, under
the Commander-in-Chief, Lord Combermere, to the siege of
Bhurtpour, which was taken by assault, and tranquillity again
restored to that part of India.

In 1827 he was summoned by appointment from the Court of
Directors to a seat in the Supreme Council at Calcutta, and on
the termination of five years, the usual period of service in that
office, he was re-appointed thereto for two years mure.

In 1834 ho was appointed by the Imperial Government and
the Court of Directors to be the first Governor of the New Pre-
sidency of Agra, and in 1835 succeeded Lord William 13ontinck,
as Governor-General of India and Governor of Bengal, under
the provisional appointment usually made, which will be more
fully explained hereafter.

From those arduous duties he was relieved in 1836 by the
arrival of Lord Auckland, at whose desire and that of the Court
of Directors, he resumed the Government of the Territories in-
cluded in the Presidency of Agra, and the political relations in
the North West f India, under the new title of Lieutenant-Go-
vernor of the North Western Provinces of India, the Presidency
ot Agra having been discontinued.

Sir CuAS. Metcalfe continued in this highly important office
until 1838, when he ultimately resigned it, retiring at the same
time from the service of the East India Company, and returning
to his native country, after an absence of thirty-eight years.

The causes which led to the voluntary retirement of Sir Chas.
Metcalfe from the service of the East India Company, where he

9l' '<!

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had been so long and so honorably distiuguitihed, are but imper-
fectly understood by many of the people of Canada, and aa they
are such as reflect the highest honour upon his character as a
statesman of liberal and enlarged viows, it is but justice ihat
they should be more fully explained here.

When Acting Governor- General he had in Council passed a
law granting full and unrestricted liberty to the press through-
out India ; this measure, which ho considered imperatively culled
for, in consequence of the many restrictive, irroconcilable, and
inconsistent rules and enactments which existed in various parts
of * lie country, v/as not approved of by either the Imperial Go-
vernment or the Court of Directors, tind although its justice and
wisdom have since been abundantly proved, yet Sir Ciias.
Metcalfe was in 1837 made aware that it was considered a bar
to his farther promotion.

Although perfectly satisfied with the important office which he
then held, he did not think it consistent with the duty and self-
respect which was due to himself to remain in the public service
with the impression alluded to ; he therefore requested of the
Court of Directors to intimate to him whether he had been cor-
rectly informed as to their feelings and views towards him.

The answer of the Court of Directors, although extremely
courteous, neither admitted noi denied the correctness of the in-
formation which had been previously received, and being conse-
quently unsatisfactory, Sir Ciias. Metcalfe resigned office, and
retired from the service of the Company, as before sialed.

It is customary on the part of the Imperial Government and the
East India Company to name, as Provisional Governor-General,
one of their most approved Public Servants, who, in case of sick-
ness, death, or any other casualty, preventing the Governor-Gene-
ral's acting, is duly autl. orised to assume the functions and exercise
the authority which belongs to that high station ; and it re-
dounds highly to the honor both of Sir Charles etcalfe and
the Court of Directors that on three several occasions he was

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jut iraper-
id as tbey
ucter as a
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i through-
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perial Go-
usticc and
^i^ Chas.
cred a bar

( which he
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lie service
:ed of the

been cor-

him.

extremely

of the in-
ing conse-
office, and
ed.

nt and the
r-General,
se of sick-
nor-Gene-
id exercise
and it re-
etcalfe and
DHS he was

the party selected by them to occupy that distinguished positbn.

It was long the fashion .vitb the detractors of the Dukt of
Wellington to -lali hiin the " Sepoy General," in nllusio!* to his
first great successes as u military leadei* having been obtuinei*
in India by and over armies composed of natives of the country.

The brilliuni victories, however, which that grr-*. warrior
afterwards achieved over the armies of France, wher t. i.imanded
by some of her ablest Generals, and finally on the field of Wa-
terloo, over Napoleon himself, have long since silenc ^ the tongue
of slander, so far as regards his military character.

The detractors of Sir Ciias, Metcalfk. actuated by similar
motives, have endeavoured to designate him reproachfully
as the " Indian Governor ;" but, as in the former case, the laurel*
which he first gathered on the same fields, where many of Bri-
tain's noblest and bravest sons have earned an iniperishable
name, have been but confirmed and increased by every subse-
querjt act of his puWio life.

On returning to England in 1838, Sii CiiAS. Metc vlfe lived
in retirement at his country seat in Berkshire, and had no :n-
tention of again entering public life. But the eye of the illus-
trious statesman who then presided over the national councils
was not slow in perceiving the great advantages which the pub-
lie service would derive from securing the aid of his profound
judgment and long experience.

Accordingly the Government of Jamaiqii (then in a state of
all but open insurrection) was tendered to him in we most flat-
tering manner, and he, acting upon the principle that duty to
his country was paramount to all ether considerations, frankly,
but not unfearingly as to the result, accepted it.

When Sir CnAS. Metcalfe amved in Jamaica in September
1839, the state of that fine Island was truly deplorable. Torn
intestine faction and domestic dissensions of all kinds, lab ^'* by
had been neglected, trade languished, and both individual and
public suffering was consequently great.

.V- ;■*"

■SjWW'W*'

One of ihe earliest ar j of his administration was to convene
the Colonial Parliament and lay before that body a review cf
the existing state of affairs in the Island. He pointed out t>
them, kindly but forcibly, the causes which had conduced to
create and continue the evils under which they suffered, and
urged upon their immediate consideration such measures as
would tend to allay excitement and remove discontent.

He assured them of his most cordial co-operation in every
means calculated to effect such a salutary change in public sen-
timent. He informed them that he hud authority from the Iio«
perial Government to suspend tl.e constitution of the colony if
he deemed such a measure necessary or advisable, but at th«
same time declared his intention to consider such authority as
non-existent, and ended with the assurance that he placed his
hopes of re-establishing the happiness and prosperity of tha
Island upon the wisdom, patriotism, and loyalty which he truste<l
wouia govern their deliberations.

The noble simplicity and manly frankness nhich prevaded
this address, and marked his subsequent intercourse with the
colonists, could hardly fail to have the desired effect ; and it will
be an enduring monument to h's fame, that all classes of a
community, where hopeless discord had hitherto prevailed,
were so thoroughly convinced of the entire honesty of purpose
and singleness of heart by which he was actuated, that every
measure of importance which he recommended to the considera-
tion of the Legislature was passed with a previously unheard-of
unanimity.

The happ}'^ effects resulting from this wise confidence in the
advice of the Governor were soon eminently conspicuous, and it
is now a matter of history that the preservation of the peace,
happiness, and constitutional liberty of Jamaica, was mainly, if
not entirely, owing to the kind and lil)eral policy which distin-
guished his administration.

As soon as ho was of opinion that he could again seek the

convene
, review cf
ted out ti>
rid need to
ered, and
asures n&

1 in every

ublic sen-
a the Iia«
: colony if
)ut at th«
thority as
placed his
ty of tho
le truste<l

prevaded
with the
nd it will
sses of a
Prevailed,
purpose
lat every
onsidera-
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;e in the
IS, and it
iie peace,
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ih distin-

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retireiaent which he loved, without "iijury to the public service-,
Sir CnAs. Mktcalfk resigned the Government of Jamaica, and
returned to England in July, 1842.

Such a scene as took place upon his departure from the Island
had seldom, if ever, been witnessed there. The population,
without distinction, turned out to bid an aHectionate farewell to
»heir beloved Governor, and he was accompanied into his retiz'e-
i.ient by the prayers and blessings of a people whose beautiful
inmntry ho had, under Providence, been mainly instrumental in
) escuing from so many threatened calamities.

It speaks volumes in favor both of the people of Jamaica and
of the permanent, good effects of Sir Chas. Metcalfe's adminis-
tratidn, that long after he had left the colony the Legislature
voted the munificent sum of £5000 to erect a statue to him, and
;i private subscription to a still greater amount was raised for
the purpose of founding a charitable institution, to be called the
Metcalfe Dispensary (which is now in operation) ; so that las
name, and the memory of ine blessings confer/ed by his govern-
ment, shoul 1 bo perpetuated to all succeeding generations.

It is one of the strongest indioati(ms of a high and noble* nature
'Ahen a great minister, intent alone upon the advancement of his
country's interests, can, in pursuance of this abject, (and over-
looking tlie claims which political supporters may be supposed
to have upon him) select to carry out the raeasur'es of Govern-
ment one who, personally unknown to him, has a reputation as
extended as the limits of the Great Empire which he has so long
and so faithfully served.

Such was the relative pttsition of Sir IlonERT Peel and Sir
('has. Metcalfe when the Government of British North Anie-
i-ica was tendered to the latter. The same sense of duty which
actuated him on former occasions prevailed also on this, and he
iiccepted the high trust, with the determination to discharge its
duties fully, faithfully, and impartially.

The events which have marked Sir Chas. Metcat fe's Cana-

;r"a?s«"":"."^:-'-'

dian administration are so well known and of such recent occur-
rence, that any particular notice of them here would perhaps be
superfluous. It may not, however, be out of place to advert to
his hrm and noble refusal to sacrifice the just Prerogativj of the
Crown, ar.d the rights and liberties of a large portion of the
people of Canada, to the demands of a presumptuous and tyran-
nical faction ; to his reply to the Gore Address, which should
be printed in letters of gold, and its sentiments treasured in the
heart of every loyal man in Canada ; to his unbounded liberality
and charity, which know no distinction of race or creed ; and
finally to the stern integrity, impartially, and love of justice
which so pre-eminently distinguish both his public aud private
character.

It is stated upon the best authority that our Gracious Sove-
reign has declared her intention of raising Sir Chas. Metcalfi;
to the Peerage, in token of Her high approbation of his long and
meritorious services. This mark of approval, coming from so
high a source, must of cou.-se be extremely gratifying to him ;
and it is equally certain that the response from every truly Bri-
tish heart in Ca. Ja, when informed that the conferring of the
proposed honors has been consum-^iated. will be —

"He won them well,
And may he wear them long."

Note. — In person Sir Charles Metcalfe is about the mid-
dle size, strongly and compactly built, and apparently capable
of enduring great bodily fatigue. The usual expression of his
countenance, when in repose, is that of mild and benevolent
gravity; phrenologically speaking, his head exhibits benevolence,
conscientiousness, and firmness, in a very remarkable Q?grec, as
may be sein on referring to the excellent likeness lately published
from Mr. Bradish's portrait of hira.

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UPPPIPII