Sir Charles Trevelyan, Governor (1859 — 1860)

• Lord Harris was succeeded by Sir Charles Edward Trevelyan, K.C.B., in the Governorship of Madras in 1859.
• Trevelyan was a brother-in-law of Lord Macaulay and a notable figure in British public life during the mid-19th century.
• He entered the Company’s service in 1826 and was known for his courage in championing purity and fearless denunciation of corruption.
• Early in his career, he denounced his superior, the Resident at Delhi, leading to a storm of opposition. This step helped establish a high standard of purity in the British administration in India.
• Lord William Bentinck, the Governor-General, supported Trevelyan by ordering an inquiry, leading to his exoneration and protection.
• Hannah More, Macaulay’s sister, became his wife and was instrumental in polishing his manners.
• Trevelyan, after Macaulay’s retirement, moved to England and stayed there longer than expected.
• In January 1840, Trevelyan was appointed Assistant Secretary to the British Treasury, an unusual move for someone in the Company’s Service.
• He remained in England for nearly 20 years, occupying a leading position in Whitehall.
• Trevelyan returned to India in 1859 to assume the Governorship of Madras.
• His administration was considered successful, with Trevelyan seen as a zealous and competent governor, rivaling the services of Sir Thomas Munro.
• He transformed the open Esplanade outside the west wall of Black Town into a fine park, now known as the People’s Park.
• Trevelyan took vigorous steps to ensure a sufficient supply of fresh water for drinking purposes, leading to the creation of the Trevelyan Basin near Elephant Gate.
• Trevelyan faced controversy due to his rash act of recording a minute of difference with the Governor-General and his Council regarding fresh taxation in the new budget of Sir James Wilson, the Finance Member.
• His breach of administrative custom led to his recall from the Governorship in May 1860.
• Sir Charles Wood, Secretary of State, was Trevelyan’s old friend and admirer, and publicly acknowledged that Trevelyan’s administration had been highly beneficial in all other respects.
• Trevelyan’s recall occurred just as Wilson had to remodel his budget and impose an income tax.
• Two years later, Trevelyan was sent to Calcutta as Financial Member of Council, where his financial views were found to be just.
• Trevelyan’s private letters indicated that he did not regret his controversial actions, believing they eventually led to the triumph of his policy.
• Walter Bagehot in the Economist (1862) commented on Trevelyan’s recall, stating that he was recalled not for erroneous financial doctrines but for insubordination.
• Bagehot described Trevelyan’s publication of the Madras despatch as a monstrous act of misjudgment and insubordination.
• Bagehot acknowledged Trevelyan’s eminent qualities, including great acuteness, industriousness, and public zeal, but criticized his lack of sound judgment.
• Bagehot also noted that Trevelyan was not suited to the role he was given, as he lacked the qualities of someone who could serve well in India in such a position.