Glenbuchat Heritage

21 Silver Tray presented to Sir Charles Forbes1811

Silver tray presented to Sir Charles Forbes 1st Bart in 1811 by the Merchants of Bombay

If a larger view required click on the ‘view large version’ link at the bottom of the page.

Click to see the album of Treasures of Castle Newe


The tray is signed by fifty -three Parsee and Banian Merchants and Shroffs (bankers and money lenders).

The following is a copy of the eulogy given by the merchants to Sir Charles and his reply to them


TO CHARLES FORBES ESQ.
Sir

Having heard of your intention shortly to return to England, we the undersigned Native Merchants and Shroffs (bankers and money lenders) of Bombay come to bid You farewell, with a hearty concern for the loss of that friend, in whom general benevolence has been uniformly marked by the liberal patronage of native industry, .and the generous support of native character.

After an experience of two and- twenty years, we think we can appreciate your worth; and, speak the language of our hearts without the imputation of flattery. We address you therefore with the freedom of old friends who have long known you. Many of us you have laid under personal obligations, which, though you may not remember; we can never forget - and we have all seen your prosperity with satisfaction, for whoever applied to you in the hour of distress, and did not find you the friend of the poor and the helpless.

Liberality in dealing has been long the distinguishing characteristic of a British merchant to be made the peculiar praise of any individual. We shall not therefore dwell on the uniform integrity and candor which have marked all your commercial transactions They have excited our admiration and esteem, it is true, but it is a train of still gentler virtues which has won our hearts, the generous concern you have ever taken in the interests of your friends; your zeal for their welfare, your sympathy in their misfortunes, the assistance you have been ever ready to afford, with your advice, your influence, your exertions, and the noble sacrifices you have often made, when the vicissitudes of human life have appealed to your benevolence; these are qualities peculiarly your own, they spring from the feelings of a superior mind, and with all our admiration of your country's virtues eminently distinguish you amongst your countrymen.

We are about to separate, in all probability, for ever; this therefore is not the moment for worldly praise; it is gratitude and affection that speak, and request you to accept, as a small, but sincere memorial of our friendship, a service of plate of the value of, fifteen hundred guineas, engraved with the arms of your family, and bearing the following inscriptions;

TO
CHARLES FORBES, ESQ.
FROM
THE NATIVE MERCHANTS AND SHROFFS
OF
BOMBAY.

ln memory of twenty-two years’ experience
of his liberality as a Gentleman,
his disinterestedness as a friend,
and his spirited integrity as a British Merchant.
Defrens unipropriamque laurum
Quisquis ingentes Ocuto irrctorto;
Spectat acerves.

Est Animus tibi,
Rerumque prudens, et fecundils
Temporibus dubiisque rectus,
Vindex Avar fraudis, et absinens
Ducentis ad se cuncta pecutie.

And now, Sir, farewell! The loss we sustain by your return to the land of your fathers is great indeed, and to many of us irreparable. But we are not so selfish as to forget the happiness that awaits you in the bosom of your family, your friends, your country. That your days may be long amongst them; that you may always live in prosperity and honour; and that, in the enjoyment of your well-earned fortune, God may continue his blessings is the sincere and affectionate prayer
Of your faithful friends
and obliged horrible servants.

Here follow the names of fifty -three Parsee and Banian Merchants and Shroffs.


FORBES'S ANSWER TO THE NATIVE MERCHANTS AND SHROFFS OF BOMBAY.

GENTLEMEN

The flattering testimony you have borne to my character and conduct as a merchant, and the general sentiments of friendship and esteem which you have done me the honour to express, in your kind farewell, affect me so sensibly, that no language can do justice to the lasting impression they have made upon my feelings. The experience two and twenty years, to which you have done me the honour to advert, enables me, with equal pride and satisfaction, to declare., that in the intercourse I have had with the Native Merchants and Shroffs, of Bombay, I have witnessed acts of generosity. fidelity and honour which could not in any country be surpassed ; to have beets connected with such men, for so long a period, is an advantage which I shall never cease to acknowledge ; to have obtained their confidence and esteem is a distinction which I shall be anxious to preserve with my life. The generous memorial of your friendship, which you have honoured with an inscription so far beyond my deserts, will ever be highly valued by me as a pledge of the principles which have bound us so long together, and I shall beneath it to my children, as a sacred remembrance of the gratitude and respect their father owes to the Native Merchants and Shroffs of Bombay.

Though about to be separated from you by my natural attachment to the country which gave me birth, there are many powerful ties which will continue to bind my affections to India. I came so young amongst you, that there is hardly any feeling dear to human nature which is not associated in my mind with the Island of Bombay; no change of time or place can destroy such an association; the memory of your worth is connected with the happiest days of my life, and your prosperity and honour will never cease to be objects of my solicitude.

I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect,
your sincere and obliged friend,
(Signed) CHARLES FORBES.
Bombay, October 25, 1811

View Large Version