'But it is not from considerations of your family alone that the Viceroy has been pleased to confer the high honour upon you. You have proved yourself worthy of it by your own merits. Your great intelligence and ability, distinguished public spirit, high character and the services you have rendered to the state deserve a fitting recognition.
'I have had the pleasure of receiving your assistance as a member of the Bengal Council, and can assure you that I highly appreciate the ability and information which you bring to bear upon its deliberations. Indeed nothing can be more acceptable to me than advice from one like yourself. It is true we have had occasion to differ, and honest differences of opinion will always prevail between man and man: but at the same time I can honestly tell you that when we have been on the same side, I have felt your support to be of the utmost value, and when you have chanced to be in opposition, yours has been an intelligent, loyal and courteous opposition.'
Later in the same year, Sir George Campbell wrote asking him to allow himself to be nominated for a further term of office as member of the Legislative Council. "Your high character and fair mode of dealing with all questions render your assistance especially valuable," he wrote, "and I have much confidence that you are a man not bound to class interests but prepared to look to the good of
