Collection of felicitation scrolls presented to the Governor of Bengal. A unique collection of felicitation scrolls, all in fine condition, all preserved in wooden cylinders with silver(?) ends, awarded to Sir Francis Stanley Jackson, Governor of Bengal, soldier, politician and test cricketer (played twenty test matches, including playing alongside W. G. Grace in the 1899 Ashes series).

In 1927 Jackson became Governor of the Bengal Presidency in British India, at a time when the province had become the nerve centre of Indian nationalist and protest politics. The outburst against the all-white Simon commission, Gandhi's civil disobedience movement, revolutionary terrorism, and the rising tempo of peasant and labour militancy combined to pose a threat to the stability of the Raj. Jackson proceeded to meet the crisis with strong-arm methods. He amended the Bengal criminal law and Bengal emergency powers ordinance and enacted the Indian Press Emergency Powers Act, thereby empowering the administration to take action against those suspected of sedition without furnishing prior evidence. Those believed to assist terrorism 'from background' were also brought within the ambit of these laws. The police budget was substantially enhanced. Special stringent regulations were imposed on districts like Chittagong, particularly vulnerable to terrorism. (ODNB).

The British Library have a couple of examples of felicitation scrolls presented to Jackson in poor condition in their endangered archives programme.

1. A printed paper 'welcoming' scroll from the 'Members of the Chittagong Association', dated August 13th 1927, fixed onto a pale blue silk backing, by the Minto Press, Chittagong, 57 x 28 cm. approx., contained in a lined black wood cylinder with engraved white meta (?Indian silver)l ends and plaque engraved with dated inscription, Original case.
2 A printed Sanskrit paper scroll from the 'Members of the Dooars Planters Association', 38 x 25 cm. approx., contained in a lined ebonised wood cylinder with white metal (? Indian silver) ends and plaque engraved with undated inscription.
3. A printed paper 'welcoming' scroll from the 'Chittagong Sanskrit College', dated August 1927, by the Minto Press, Chittagong, printed in blue, 57 x 23 cm. approx., contained in a lined ebonised wood cylinder with engraved white metal (? Indian silver)ends (lacks plaque).
4. A vellum 'welcoming' scroll from the members of the Indian Merrchants Association, Dacca, dated 15th August 1927, printed in gilt, decorative purple borders, 70 x 28.5 cm. approx., signed by the members.
5. 5 A cream printed silk 'farewell' scroll from the "Members of the District Board of Dacca', dated August 15th 1931, signed by the Chairman, by the Screenath Press, Dacca, 63.5 x 33 cm. approx., contained in a lined wood cylinder with foliate pierced and chased white metal (? Indian silver) ends (oversized).