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Bengal Presidency became the most important of
these ; and the whole of the acquisitions of the
Company soon became so large that a central
government had to be formed, and, accordingly,
the supreme supervision and control were vested
in the government of the Bengal Presidency, and
a Governor-General and Council were appointed
in 1773.

Twenty years later, the settlements at Madras
and Bombay, respectively, were placed under a
Governor and Council.

As territories were acquired they were attached
to the presidency from which they could be most
easily governed, and to which they were most
closely situated.

Up to quite a recent date this method of deal~
ing with new territories was the only one which
was recognized by law. But without this authority
it soon happened that large areas of territory were
conquered or ceded to the British Government, and
were not definitely attached to any particular
territory, and with regard to these it was doubtful
whether the whole presidency law applied.

In 1800 a Statute, 39 and 40, Geo. III., Cap. 79,
was passed, empowering the Company to declare
what places should be subject to either presidency,
and in pursuance of this power certain territories
were annexed to the various presidencies; - - -