196 Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. [ Sepr- 
In ‘Chambers’ lives of Scotchmen,” it is stated, that Buchanan 
Hamilton on his departure from India was deprived by the Mar- 
quis of Hastings of all his extensive drawings and papers relating 
to every branch ofnatural history. (McClelland.) Since this period 
it has been generally admitted that the Indian Government appro- 
priated the private collections of drawings belonging to that officer. 
Having been furnished with the original correspondence, I find 
that Buchanan, on having resigned the office of Superintendent of the 
Botanic Gardens, sailed for Europe in 1815 in the ‘‘ Marchioness of 
Ely,” taking with him ‘collections of natural history, coins and 
Hindu Manuscripts” which he presented to the Court of Directors 
of the East India Company. 
Ina communication from Dr. Hare, a successor to Dr. Buchanan, 
in the appointment of Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens, to 
the Chief Secretary to the Government, (dated July 27th, 1816), 
there occurs the following passage, ‘‘ In a letter from the Right 
“ Hon’ble the Governor-General of the 5th January, 1815, His 
‘Excellency says: ‘by a letter from Dr. Buchanan received here, 
“it appears that he proposes to carry to Europe all the drawings 
“of animals and plants collected by him during the tour which he 
‘““¢was employed to make in this country. Dr. Buchanan states 
“< that it is his object to request the Court of Directors to accept 
‘‘¢ this collection as a present from him. Now, I apprehend that 
‘“¢those drawings are already the property of the Hon’ble Court, 
“¢the service for which Dr. Buchanan was employed and paid 
‘‘ ‘having specifically been the furnishing Government with a know- 
** ‘ledge of the animal and vegetable productions of this country, 
‘¢ ¢delineations are essentially included in this service.’ * * * The 
‘drawings were transmitted to Government with the following 
“letter, dated 18th February. ‘I have been honoured with your 
‘“‘<letter of the 3lst ultimo, withdrawing the permission of the 
‘©¢ Hon’ble Vice-President in Council for sending to the Hon’ble 
“¢Qourt of Directors, such drawings of natural productions as 
‘‘¢have been made at the Public expense, and desiring me to 
« ¢ deliver them to you which I have accordingly done by the bearer, 
«¢* * * my object in requesting, that I might be permitted to 
“present the drawings to the Court of Directors, did not originate 
