"حياة ومراسلات اللواء السير جون مالكوم، قائد فرسان وسام الطُهر، المبعوث السابق إلى بلاد فارس وحاكم بومباي؛ من رسائل ومذكرات غير منشورة. في مجلّدين. المجلد II." [‎٤‎٧‎٤] (٦٥٤/٤٩١)

PREFEEMENT.
haps, considering how all my work has prospered, was a better
harvest of fame than I could have reaped at Bombay; but the loss
of Madras sank deep in my mind, as it was, in the actual state of
India, taking away from me the opportunity of rendering services
to my country that would have opened a prospect of reaching the
ultimate object of my ambition, which is to be, ere my career
terminates, Governor-General of India.
I am, and always have been, perfectly aware of the great ob
stacles that oppose my path to that high office. I know well the
bars which the interests of one class and the prejudices of another
oppose to success. These are so strong, that they would seem to
most men insuperable; but hitherto they have only stimulated me
to labor for its attainment. I have already gone through much
toil, and if I continue in public life, I shall (to the utmost of my
strength) strive to attain a station in which I am satisfied I could
essentially promote the interests of my country, at the same time
that I advanced the good of the vast population subject to our
rule in India.
Though there are some persons in the administration on whose
kind friendship I can completely depend, these are not so situated
as to lead me to expect they could (even if they approved of them)
promote my views; and from others who have the power, I have
been treated with a neglect that shows they place no value what
ever on me or my services.
I do not believe there is any personal indisposition in those to
whom I allude, but I share the lot of all who are associated with
Indian subjects. Such have no consequence, except when dangers
press once in twenty years, when the Company's privileges are
to be renewed, or taken away. At all other times, every question
connected with India gives way to the slightest interest in Eng
land : and I have, perhaps, no reason to complain that on a late
occasion, when the public services of my life were put in the
balance against some minor arrangements in England and a point
of patronage, they were as a feather in the scale.
When I made an eftort at the last general election to get into
Parliament, though some friends in power were anxious for my
success, I was crossed in the only place where support would have
made success certain by a strong ministerial interest. This was
all in course, but, added to the matter-of-course rejection of me
Ma