834 - A Power of Attorney granted by Richard Gough (1655–1728) for his Voyage to the East Indies, dated 20 October 1697, appointing his brother Sir Henry Gough, Knight, and three associates as his attorneys during his absence, authorising them to receive debts, rents and other monies, manage his financial affairs and securities and conduct legal and other business on his behalf, signed 'Rich Gough' and with a red wax seal, and East India Company, House of Commons, reports from the Committee of Secrecy appointed to enquire into the State of the East India Company, 1772-73 (image 56.5 x 41cm, framed and glazed; book 36.5 x 24cm; folio 35.5 x 22.5cm) (2) Footnote: Sir Richard Gough was a prominent London merchant whose fortune was made principally through trade with the East Indies and China. The third son of John Gough of Oldfallings, Staffordshire, he was trained in commerce under the London merchant and politician Sir James Houblon, developing considerable expertise in overseas trade. He became a Director of the East India Company in 1713, was knighted in 1715, and subsequently served as Member of Parliament for Bramber until his death. Gough’s mercantile success enabled him to acquire substantial landed property. In 1717, he purchased the 1,700-acre Edgbaston estate, rebuilding the partly ruined Edgbaston Hall and developing the surrounding park and church. The estate later passed to the Calthorpe family and formed the basis of the Calthorpe Estate in Birmingham. The present 1697 power of attorney provides an important record of Gough's early career. Dated 20 October 1697, it records that Gough, then a London merchant, was preparing to undertake a voyage to the East Indies, appointing his brother Sir Henry Gough and other associates to manage his financial and legal affairs during his absence. It thus documents his involvement in the East India trade more than a decade before his later prominence as a Company director, Member of Parliament and landed proprietor.