Charles Cornwallis, first Marquis Cornwallis (1738–1805), was a highly influential colonial governor and British army officer, though he is best remembered for his role on the losing side in the American War of Independence (1775–1781). Cornwallis entered military service in 1757. Following the War of Independence, in 1786 he was appointed as first Governor General of India, where he instituted extensive military and civil reforms, and he became Lord Lieutenant of Ireland in 1797. These fascinating volumes, first published in 1858, contain personal letters and official dispatches written by Cornwallis during his long career. These letters vividly describe the historical and political context of events in which Cornwallis participated, and succinctly illustrate his character and personal motivations. These volumes are reissued from the second edition of 1859.