Charles Andrew Bruce

Charles Andrew Bruce (1768–1810) was briefly Governor of Prince of Wales Island (now called Penang) from March 24, 1810, until his death in office in December 1810. He is buried at the Old Protestant Cemetery, George Town, Penang, now in present-day Malaysia. Bruce was one of the sons of Charles Bruce, 5th Earl of Elgin and Martha Bruce, Countess of Elgin and Kincardine (1739–1810) and a brother of the collector Thomas Bruce, 7th Earl of Elgin. The Prince of Wales Island Gazette Extra of 21 March 1810 recorded the appointment and arrival of Charles Andrew Bruce as Governor and the appointment of Colonel Norman Macalister and William Edward Phillips as members of Council. March 1810 Occurrences for March 1810: March 24—Late on Tuesday night, the ship Bengal Anna, Captain Thomas Scott, anchored in the harbour from Calcutta, having on board the honourable C. A. Bruce as governor; honourable Mrs. Bruce, and two children; Mrs. Scott and three children; Major Yule, J. C. Lawrence, esq. civil service, captain M'Innes, 20th regiment, and lieutenant M'Donald, Bombay establishment. At sunrise, on Wednesday, the Anna saluted the fort, which was returned. At seven o'clock, the honourable Mr. Bruce landed under the appropriate honours, and was received at the wharf by the honourable the governor and members of council, who accompanied him through a street, formed by the military, to the government house. At ten o'clock, the honourable Mr. Bruce took the usual oaths and his seat as governor, and colonel Macalister was sworn in as second, and W. E. Phillips, Esq. third, and last member of council, under the customary salutes. The following proclamation was published by order of the honourable the governor and council. PROCLAMATION: Whereas the honourable the court of directors have been pleased to direct that a civil servant of the establishment of Bengal, should be appointed governor of this presidency, and the right honourable the governor-general in council, having under that authority, nominated the honourable Charles Andrew Bruce, to the office, the arrival of that gentleman, at this island, and his having taken the prescribed paths and charge of the government, is announced. All persons, in the honourable company's civil, military, and marine service, and all the other inhabitants of Prince of Wales's Island, and its dependencies, are therefore directed to take due notice thereof, and to obey the said honourable Charles Andrew Bruce, accordingly.