April, 1844.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. xxxi 



of its Members, that His Honor will be pleased to order the Buchanan Drawings and 

 MSS. now deposited at the H. C. Botanic Garden to be placed in the Society's 

 Library. 



The vast amount of knowledge in almost all its branches, relating to India, contained 

 in these volumes, and the great expenditure to Government at which it was obtained are 

 well known, while it is not less notorious, that partly from non-publication and partly 

 from its almost entire inaccessibility as now deposited, this noble monument of the soli- 

 citude of the Government of India for the development of its resources has been hitherto 

 a sealed book to the public. Jn order to remedy, however late, this long existent evil, 

 the Society begs earnestly to press upon his Honor's consideration the advantage that 

 may arise from placing such resources within the reach of all who may desire to profit 

 by them; and this His Honor may perhaps incline to allow, might be best done by 

 placing the drawings and documents above alluded to for general reference in the 

 Museum of the Society ; where they will be available to its officers in the several de- 

 partments of science for reference and comparison. 



The Society would engage to make use of this valuable material for the public 

 benefit, adding to the value of its own publications by selections from the mass of the 

 Buchanan documents, which it is hoped His Honor may gratify the Society by plac- 

 ing in its charge and custody. 



H. Torrens, 

 Vice-President and Secretary, Asiatic Society. 



No. 798. 



From Under-Secretary to the Government of Bengal, to the Vice-President and 

 Secretary, Asiatic Society. 



Sir,— With reference to your letter of the 26th January last, I am directed to 

 transmit the enclosed copy of one from the Officiating Superintendent of the Honor- 

 able Company's Botanic Garden, No. 10, of the 13th ultimo, and to intimate, that his 

 Honor the Deputy Governor has no objection to allow the Buchanan Drawings and 

 Manuscripts to be temporarily deposited in the Library of the Asiatic Society, on the 

 conditions therein stated, and has given directions to that Officer to forward them to 

 you accordingly. 



I have the honor to be, Sir, 



Your most obedient servant, 



A. Turnbull, 

 Under-Secretary to the Government of Bengal. 

 Dated Fort William, 25th March, 1844. 



No. 10. 



From W. Griffith, Esq. Offg. Supt. H, C. Botanic Garden, to A. Turnbull, 



Esq, Under-Secretary to the Government of Bengal. 

 Sir, — 1 have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of a letter from the Secretary 

 to the Asiatic Society to the Secretary to the Government of Bengal, Home Depart 

 ment, on which I am desired to report. 



