Tennent, Sir James Emerson.

comprising a bundle of c.55 letters, most significantly including a series of 32 autograph letters signed by Lord Torrington, Governor of Ceylon, to Tennent, on the animosity of certain members of the Ceylon civil service towards Tennent and Torrington, and more general administrative matters, 1846-50; c.15 letters on the Christian Church in Ceylon, 1849-55; Tennent's draft notes relating to a Parliamentary Enquiry into the administration and government of Ceylon, most with corrections and revisions, including speeches, notes on Ceylon, its culture and administration, defences of his controversial actions under Torrington's administration, and notes on his private correspondence with Lord Torrington, in excess of 200 pages, c.1850; printed Parliamentary reports on Ceylon, 1848-50, and three issues of the Ceylon Overland Observer, 1849; photographic carte-de-visite of Tennent; the collection housed in two blue collector's folding boxes with red morocco labels gilt

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

An important cache of papers investigating the administration of Ceylon. Sir James Emerson Tennent (1804-1869) was civil secretary to the colonial government in Ceylon from 1845 to 1850, firstly under Sir Colin Campbell and then under Lord Torrington. The latter's administration was deeply unpopular among many sections of Ceylon society, and following petitions to Parliament, a Select Committee was formed in 1849 to enquire into the administration of the colony.