169 
1898.] C. R. Wilson — An unrecorded Governor of Bengal. 
old age Stephenson was consulted by Orme about the history of this 
embassy in which he played no small part and of which he was in 1765 
the sole survivor. On the 18th July, 1717, the embassy left Delhi and 
returned to Calcutta on the 22nd November. 1 
From the embassy Stephenson went to Balasor to be Chief of the 
local factory ; but in July, August, 1718, he was transferred to the 
Council at Patna of which he became Chief on the 25th June, 1719. 2 In 
September, 1720, he was confirmed in this appointment, and given a 
gratuity of £300 for his services in connection with the embassy. 2 
After eight years of uneventful service, first as Chief at Patna, 
and afterwards as Chief at Cassimbazar, he was suddenly called 
upon to fill the highest post of all. “ On Friday, the 23rd August, 
1718,” says the Consultations Book, “the Hon. Henry Frankland, 
Esq., late President, having, after a sickness of about twelve days, 
departed this life at one o’clock this morning, and the Worshipful 
Edward Stephenson, Esq., being next in succession, who is now 
Chief at Cassimbazar, it is unanimously agreed that we despatch 
a pair of qasids to advise him that thereby the government of this 
place devolves on him.” The Consultations Book continues the story 
on Tuesday the 17th September. “ This morning at nine o’clock the 
Hon. Edward Stephenson, Esq., arrived here from Cassimbazar and took 
his place at this board as President and Governor of Fort William in 
Bengal to which he succeeds by the death of our late President, the 
Hon. Henry Frankland, Esq., and accordingly the commission and keys 
of the fort were now delivered him.” His rule was short. On the 
evening of Wednesday the 18th John Deane who had already held 
supreme authority, from 1723 to 1726, returned from England and 
resumed his former position. “ At eight o’clock in the night arrived 
here John Deane, Esq., who produced the Honorable Company’s 
commission for appointing him President and Governor of all their 
affairs in Bengal; which commission was rend in the Consultation Room, 
Fort William, in the presence of all the Company’s servants, &c., and 
accordingly the keys of the fort were delivered to him by Edward 
Stephenson, Esq.” 4 
1 See the Surman Diary and the Bengal Public Consultations of the dates given. 
8 See Bengal Public Consultations as before. S J&. 
4 No notice of these changes is to be found in any of our authorities. Even 
Mr. Danvers in bis carefully compiled list of Bengal Governors has omitted Edward 
Stephenson and the second governorship of John Deane. According to him Henry 
Frankland assumed office on the 30th January, 1726, and returned to Europe on the 
25th February, 1732. Whereas, as I have said, Henry Frankland died on the 23rd 
August, 1728, and was succeeded by Edward Stephenson, who after actually holding 
office for a day and a half was superseded by John Deane on the night of the 18th 
J. i. 22 
