Land
Ledion
as Aid-de-Camp & His Royal Highness Prince Henry of the Netherlands, With Tour Major Caine continued during the sojourn of this Royal Highness in the Bengal Presidency in 1838. Major Caine was also nominated in several orders, Brigade Major to the late (then Brigadier) General Oglander, in the Chekawatty Force in 1834, and performed the duties of Aid-de-Camp to that deeply regretted Officer from February, 1839, until the arrival of the China Expedition at Singapore in June 1840, where he joined his Regiment. Two days after the first capture of Chusan he was appointed British Commissioner, and about three weeks afterwards, Chief Magistrate of the Island of Chusan. His situation was filled until the following February on the Evacuation of the Island by the British Troops. Major Caine was accidentally in Command of the Cameronian Regiment for a few days in Canton river, when the Lieutenant-Colonel proceeded in the steamer to Whampoa in March, 1841. In May 1841, Major Caine was nominated to the appointment of Chief Magistrate of Hongkong. When the Force went against Canton in 1841, Major Caine begged Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary to permit him to join his Regiment, but was refused.
225 May 1841,
(vide letter No. 131, dated 22nd May 1841, from the Secretary to Her Majesty's Plenipotentiary, herewith attached.) In September 1843, was appointed member of Council in this Colony. In November, 1844, obtained through the kindness of His Grace the Duke of Wellington, on Henry Pottinger's application, his Majority. In November, 1846, promoted Colonial Secretary & Auditor. In April, 1847, when the Expedition went against Canton, was left here in charge of the Colony, being Commandant of the Garrison as well as Colonial Secretary.
True Copy
(Signed) W. J. Mercer,
Colonial Secretary
Extract from Despatch marked "Separate" of 29 October, 1850, from Governor Sir George Bonham to Earl Grey
"2. Major Caine has spent forty-seven years of his life in Asia, and during thirty-seven years has been employed as a soldier and Civilian in the public Service. In the former capacity he has served either on the staff or immediately under the eye of several of the most distinguished General Officers who have held Commands in India, and their letters, which copies are Enclosed in his letter to me, unanimously attest his activity, utility, and distinguished gallantry in Camp and Field. As a civilian, both Sir Henry Pottinger and Sir John Francis Davis have spoken in the highest terms of his zeal and efficiency, and I can but repeat the assurance which I have already had the honor to convey to your Lordship of my perfect concurrence with my predecessors in his title to their good opinion.