Colonial Office and predecessors: Mauritius, Original Correspondence

CO 167

1778-1951

This series contains original correspondence relating to Mauritius. Includes records and papers of the Commissioners of Eastern Inquiry, 1826 to 1832. From 1810 to 1814 correspondence concerning Réunion (Ile de Bourbon) is included. From 1887 to 1903 correspondence concerning the Seychelles is included.

Bound volumes arranged chronologically within the following subject headings: Despatches (letters of the governors), Offices (letters of government departments and other organisations) and Individuals (arranged alphabetically). With some case volumes. Each volume with a contents list, or précis of each letter giving name of correspondent, date of letter and subject matter. From 1926 correspondence is arranged in subject files.

For later correspondence see CO 1023

For later correspondence relating to the Seychelles see CO 530

For further records of the Commissioner of Eastern Enquiry in Mauritius see CO 415

Public Record(s)

English

• Colonial Office, 1854-1966
• War and Colonial Department, Commissioners of Eastern Enquiry in Mauritius, 1826-1828

960 volume(s)

Subject to 30 year closure unless otherwise stated

Topics

International

Africa

Mauritius was first settled by the Dutch in 1598, abandoned by them in 1710 and occupied by the French in 1715. In 1721/2 it was placed under the administration of the French East India Company and its name changed to Isle de France. In 1767 it was transferred to the French Crown. It was conquered by the British in 1810. The former name of Mauritius was then restored. It was ceded to Britain in 1814 by the Treaty of Paris. From 1810 to 1903 Mauritius and Seychelles were administered as a single British colony. On 12 March 1968 Mauritius became an independent state within the Commonwealth.