Forbes Ross MacDonald
Encyclopedia
Major Forbes Ross MacDonald (died 1799), a gentleman in the service of the Nabob of Arcot, was appointed by Governor-general Sir John Shore
as superintendent of Prince of Wales Isle to succeed Philip Manington
who had resigned due to ill health.
MacDonald served from 14 May 1795 to 1799. MacDonald's tour of duty was not a happy one as he was in conflict with the merchants and his own civil servants. This led to his resignation and return to Madras. He died in Madras in May 1799.
Although Macdonald did not get along with many people, he nevertheless made his mark with the many transformational improvements he made during his term in office including the construction of the Customs House, Hospital, and Prison. He widened streets and built a new road from town, at the coast, right into the interior of the isle. He ensured that streets and roads in town were clearly marked and had them extended to sixty-five feet wide. He organised the road system so that street intersections were at right angles.
Macdonald was trusted and held in high regard by his superiors and had been given supervision of the military force that seized Malacca in 1795.
Upon his departure, George Caunter
once again took charge as Acting Superintendent as he had done before in 1779 when MacDonald went on leave, and continued until the arrival of Sir George Alexander William Leith
in 1800.
John Shore
John Shore was an English trumpeter. He invented the tuning fork in 1750. Shore was Sergeant Trumpeter to the court, who had parts specifically written for him by both George Frideric Handel and Henry Purcell.-References:...
as superintendent of Prince of Wales Isle to succeed Philip Manington
Philip Manington
Philip Manington arrived as the first magistrate of the Prince of Wales' Island and governed the land as Superintendent and acting governor of Prince of Wales' Island, after Sir Francis Light, from 1794. Ill health caused by the unhealthy living conditions at the time forced him to resign in 1796....
who had resigned due to ill health.
MacDonald served from 14 May 1795 to 1799. MacDonald's tour of duty was not a happy one as he was in conflict with the merchants and his own civil servants. This led to his resignation and return to Madras. He died in Madras in May 1799.
Although Macdonald did not get along with many people, he nevertheless made his mark with the many transformational improvements he made during his term in office including the construction of the Customs House, Hospital, and Prison. He widened streets and built a new road from town, at the coast, right into the interior of the isle. He ensured that streets and roads in town were clearly marked and had them extended to sixty-five feet wide. He organised the road system so that street intersections were at right angles.
Macdonald was trusted and held in high regard by his superiors and had been given supervision of the military force that seized Malacca in 1795.
Upon his departure, George Caunter
George Caunter
George Caunter governed the Prince of Wales' Island as Acting Superintendent in 1797 during Superintendent Major Forbes Ross MacDonald's leave of absence and again in 1799 upon the resignation and departure of MacDonald...
once again took charge as Acting Superintendent as he had done before in 1779 when MacDonald went on leave, and continued until the arrival of Sir George Alexander William Leith
George Alexander William Leith
Major General Sir George Alexander William Leith, the second Baronet, , K.C.B. O.B was the first Lieutenant-Governor of Prince of Wales' Island taking the reins over from George Caunter, a Magistrate who was Acting Superintendent following the resignation and departure of the last governor,...
in 1800.