Agents, chiefs and governors (1650-1699) In 1644
Gabriel Boughton, procured privileges for the
East India Company which permitted them to build a factory at
Hughli, without fortifications. In 1650, the factories of Balasor and Hughli were united. On 14 December 1650, James Bridgman was appointed as the chief of the factories. However, in 1653, Bridgman left suddenly and Powle Waldegrave assumed his charge. On 27 February 1657, the company resolved its holdings into four agencies:-
Fort St. George, Bantam, Persia, and Hughli. George Gawton was appointed as the Agent of Hughly. Additional three factories in
Ballasore,
Cassambazar and
Pattana were put under the Hughly agency. In 1658, Johnathan Trevisa was appointed as the second to Gawton and was meant to succeed him after the latter's death. On 6 February 1661, the company reduced the Hughly agency under the Fort St. George, and then agent Trevisa was made the
"Chief of Factories in the Bay of Bengal". On 24 November 1681,
William Hedges was appointed as the "Agent and Governor for the affairs of the East India Company in the Bay of Bengal". On 21 December 1684,
William Gyfford who was the President and Governor of Fort St. George was given the additional charge of Bengal due to increasing mismanagement. John Beard was appointed as the
"Agent and Chief in the Bay of Bengal" and become the subordinate to Gifford.
President and Governor of Fort William, in Bengal (1699-1705) On 20 December 1699, the Court of Directors (London East India Company) declared Bengal a Presidency, and then Agent
Charles Eyre was made the
" President and Governor of Fort William, in Bengal". The President or Chief in the Bay of Bengal for the English East India Company was Sir
Edward Littleton in whose commission and instructions, dated 12 January 1698, it was also stated that power had been obtained from his Majesty to constitute him the "Minister or Consul for the English Nation" with all powers requisite thereunto.
" Littleton was later deposed by the Court of Directors in 1703. The union of the two East India Companies took place on 23 July 1702. For united trade in Bengal, a Council was appointed, of which Nathaniel Halsey and
Robert Hedges were to take chair each in their week alternatively as per the dispatch from United Company on 26 February 1702. In a dispatch of 12 February 1704, it was ordered that if Beard shall die, no one will be appointed as President to succeed him. After the departure of John Beard to Madras, Ralph Sheldon assumed the position of Chief of Council, and his appointment was confirmed in a dispatch of 7 February 1706.
President in the Bay, and Governor and Commander-in-Chief for Fort William, in Bengal (1705-1774) On 30 December 1709, Anthony Weldon was appointed as the
"President in the Bay, and Governor and Commander-in-Chief for Fort William, in Bengal" for the United East India Company. His appointment was later revoked and was supposed to be succeeded by Sheldon. Since Sheldon had died by the time dispatch arrived in Bengal, John Russell was ordered to succeed as the Governor. By a letter of 8 May 1771, the Court appointed
Warren Hastings to be Governor of Bengal. By Act of Parliament 13 Geo. III., cap. 63, the
Presidency of Fort William in Bengal will headed by a Governor-General, and Hastings was appointed as the first Governor-General. He assumed the office on 20 October 1774. ==List==