The plans drawn up by the committee did not commend themselves to the Governor of Madras, Lord Elphinstone, who proposed nineteen resolutions that passed unanimously.

He arrived in Mumbai (Bombay) on September 20, 1840, but did not reach Chennai (Madras) until 24 November.

Meanwhile, the committee had invited Cooper from Hoogly College, Kolkata, to temporarily carry out the principal duties at a salary of Rs 400 per month.

Soon after Powell's arrival, and before the high school department opened on 12 April 1841, he returned to Kolkata.

[2] In 1870, the college moved to its present location in Kamaraj Salai, opposite Marina Beach.