27th May, 1782; with comparative statement, | countries. Their prospect of relief from the heavy and minute thereon. To the Right Honourable Lord MACARTNEY, K. B. President, and Governour, &c. Select Committee of Fort St. George. My Lord, and Gentlemen, ALTHOUGH We have, in obedience to your commands of the 5th January, regularly laid before you our proceedings at large, and have occasionally addressed you upon such points as required your resolutions or orders for our guidance, we still think it necessary to collect and digest, in a summary report, those transactions in the management of the assigned revenue, which have principally engaged our attention, and which, pon the proceeding, are too much intermixed vith ordinary occurrences to be readily traced ind understood. эт Such a report may be formed with the greater ropriety at this time, when your lordship, &c. ave been pleased to conclude your arrangements For the rent of several of the nabob's districts. Our aim in it is briefly to explain the state of the Carnatick at the period of the nabob's assignment; The particular causes which existed, to the prejuice of that assignment, after it was made; and be measures which your lordship, &c. have, upon ur recommendation, adopted for removing those auses, and introducing a more regular and benecial system of management in the country. Hyder Ally having entered the Carnatick with is whole force, about the middle of July, 1780, nd employed fire and sword in its destruction for early eighteen months before the nabob's assignent took place, it will not be difficult to coneive the state of the country at that period. In lose provinces which were fully exposed to the vages of horse, scarcely a vestige remained either f population or agriculture: such of the miserable habitants as escaped the fury of the sword were ther carried into the Mysore country, or left to ruggle under the horrours of famine. The Arot and Trichinopoly districts began early to feel e effects of this desolating war. Tinnevelly, fadura, and Ramnadaporum, though little infest1 with Hyder's troops, became a prey to the inursions of the Polygars, who stript them of the reatest part of the revenues; Ongole, Nellore, nd Palnaud, the only remaining districts, had uffered but in a small degree. burthens of the war was indeed but little advanced by the nabob's concession; and the revenues of the Carnatick seemed in danger of being irrecoverably lost, unless a speedy and entire change of system could be adopted. On our minutes of the 21st January, we treated the subject of the assignment at some length, and pointed out the mischiefs which, in addition to the effects of the war, had arisen from what we conceived to be wrong and oppressive management. We used the freedom to suggest an entire alteration in the mode of realizing the revenues. We proposed a considerable and immediate reduction of expences, and a total change of the principal aumildars who had been employed under the nabob. Our ideas had the good fortune to receive your approbation; but the removal of the nabob's servants being thought improper at that particular period of the collections, we employed our attention chiefly in preserving what revenue was left the country, and acquiring such materials as might lead to a more perfect knowledge of its former and present state. These pursuits, as we apprehended, met with great obstructions from the conduct of the nabob's servants. The orders they received were evaded under various pretexts; no attention was paid to the strong and repeated applications made to them for the accounts of their management; and their attachment to the company's interest appeared, in every instance, so feeble, that we saw no prospect whatever of success, but in the appointment of renters under the company's sole authority. Upon this principle we judged it expedient to recommend, that such of the nabob's districts as were in a state to be farmed out might be immediately let by a publick advertisement, issued in the company's name, and circulated through every province of the Carnatick; and, with the view of encouraging bidders, we proposed, that the countries might be advertised for the whole period of the nabob's assignment, and the security of the company's protection promised, in the fullest manner, to such persons as might become renters. This plan had the desired effect; and the attempts which were secretly made to counteract it, afforded an unequivocal proof of its necessity: but the advantages resulting from it were more pleasingly evinced, by the number of proposals that were delivered, and by the terms which were in general offered for the districts intended to be farmed out. The misfortunes of war, however, were not the nly evils which the Carnatick experienced. The abob's aumildars, and other servants, appear to ave taken advantage of the general confusion to Having so far attained the purposes of the asnrich themselves. A very small part of the reve-signment, our attention was next turned to the me was accounted for; and so high were the orlinary expences of every district, that double the pparent produce of the whole country would not Lave satisfied them. In this state, which we believe is no way exaggerited, the company took charge of the assigned heavy expences entailed upon the different provinces; and here, we confess, our astonishment was raised to the highest pitch. In the Trichinopoly country, the standing disbursements appeared, by the nabob's own accounts, to be one lack of rupees more than the receipts. In other districts, the charges were not in so high a pro- | titude for every species of fraud and oppression. portion, but still rated on a most extravagant scale; and we saw, by every account that was brought before us, the absolute necessity of retrenching considerably in all the articles of expence. Our own reason, aided by such enquiries as we were able to make, suggested the alterations we have recommended to your lordship, &c. under this head. You will observe, that we have not acted sparingly; but we chose rather, in cases of doubt, to incur the hazard of retrenching too much, than too little; because it would be easier, after any stated allowance for expences, to add what might be necessary, than to diminish. We hope, however, there will be no material encrease in the articles as they now stand. Your Such a system has, in the few latter years of the nabob's necessities, brought all his countries int> that situation, from which nothing but the most rigid economy, strict observance of the conduct of managers, and the most conciliating attention to the rights of the inhabitants, can possibly recover them. It now only remains for us to lay before you lordship, &c. the inclosed statement of the suas at which the districts lately advertised have been let, compared with the accounts of their produce delivered by the nabob, and entered on our pr ceedings of the 21st January. Likewise a conparative view of the former and present expences. The nabob's accounts of the produce of these districts state, as we have some reason to think. the sums which former renters engaged to pay to him, (and which were seldom, if ever, m good,) and not the sums actually produced by th districts; yet we have the satisfaction to obsere, that the present aggregate rents, upon an avera are equal to those accounts. Your lordship, &: cannot indeed expect, that, in the midst of the danger, invasion, and distress, which assail te Carnatick on every side, the renters now One considerable charge upon the nabob's country was for extraordinary sibbendies, sepoys, and horsemen, who appeared to us to be a very unnecessary incumbrance on the revenue. lordship, &c. have determined to receive such of these people as will inlist into the company's service, and discharge the rest. This measure will not only relieve the country of a heavy burthen, but tend greatly to fix in the company that kind of authority, which is requisite for the due collec-pointed will be able at present to fulfil the terms tion of the revenues. In consequence of your determination respecting the nabob's sepoys, &c. every charge under that head has been struck out of our account of expences. If the whole number of these people be enlisted by the company, there will probably be no more than sufficient to complete their ordinary military establishment. But should the present reduction of the nabob's artillery render it expedient, after the war, to make any addition to the company's establishment, for the purposes of the assigned countries, the expence of such addition, whatever it be, must be deducted from the present account of savings. In considering the charges of the several districts, in order to establish better regulations, we were careful to discriminate those incurred for troops kept, or supposed to be kept, up for the defence of the country, from those of the sibbendy, servants, &c. for the cultivation of the lands, and the collection of the revenues, as well as to pay attention to such of the established customs of the country, ancient privileges of the inhabitants, and publick charities, as were necessarily allowed, and appeared proper to be continued; but which, under the nabob's government, were not only rated much higher, but had been blended under one confused and almost unintelligible title of expences of the districts; so joined, perhaps, to afford pleas and means of secreting and appropriating great part of the revenues to other purposes than fairly appeared; and certainly betrayed the utmost neglect and mismanagement, as giving la of their leases; but we trust, from the measure we have taken, that very little, if any, of the ac tual collections will be lost, even during the w. and that on the return of peace and tranqui the renters will have it in their power fully to p form their respective agreements. We much regret that the situation of the Ar province will not admit of the same settlem which has been made for the other districts: he the enemy being in possession of the capital, to ther with several other strong holds, and hav entirely desolated the country, there is little re to hope for more from it than a bare subsiste to the few garrisons we have left there. and We shall not fail to give our attention towa obtaining every information respecting this vince that the present times will permit, take the first opportunity to propose such rangements for the management as we may t eligible. We have the honour to be, Fort St. George, A true copy, Charles Oakley, Hall Plumer, J. Hudleston, Sec. COMPARATIVE STATEMENT of the Revenues and Expences of Nellore, Ongole, Patnaud, Trichinopoly, Madura, and Tennevelly Countries, while in the Hands of the Nabob, with those of the same Countries on the Terms of the Leases lately granted for Four Years to commence with the beginning of the Phazeley 1192, or the 12th July, 1782. Abstracted from the Accounts received from the Nabob, and from the Rents stipulated for, and Expences allowed by the present Leases. N. B. In this statement, Madras Pagodas are calculated at 10 per cent. Batta, Chuckrums at 2-3ds. of a Porto Novo Pagoda, which are reckoned at 115 per 100 Star Pagodas, and Rupees at 350 per 100 Star Pagodas. To avoid fractions, the nearest internal numbers have been taken. (a) In this statement, the Ongole country, though it is included under the head of gross revenue, has been let for a certain sum, exclusive of charges. If the expences specified in the nabob's vassool accounts for this district are added, the present gross revenue even would appear to exceed the nabob's-and as the country is only let for one year, there may hereafter be an encrease of its revenue. (b) The Trichinopoly countries let for the above sum, exclusive of the expences of Sibbendy and Saderwared, amounting by the nabob's accounts to rupees 1,30,00 per annum, which are to be defrayed by the renter.-And the jaghires of Amur ul Omrah, and the Begum, are not included in the present lease. Fort St. George, 27th May, 1782. Signed, Charles Oakley, David Haliburton, No. V. Referred to from p. 336. CASE of certain Persons renting the assigned Lands under the authority of the East-India Company. Extract of a Letter from the President and Coun cil of Fort St. George, 25th May, 1783. "ONE of them, [the renters,] Ram Chunder Raus, was indeed one of those unfortunate rajahs, whose country, by being near to the territories of the nabob, forfeited its title to independence, and became the prey of ambition and cupidity. This man, though not able to resist the company's arms, employed in such a deed at the nabob's instigation, had industry and ability. He acquired, by a series of services, even the confidence of the nabob; who suffered him to rent a part of the country of which he had deprived him of the property. This man had afforded no motive for his rejection by the nabob, but that of being ready to engage with the company; a motive most powerful indeed, but not to be avowed." [This is the person whom the English instruments of the nabob of Arcot have had the audacity to charge with a corrupt transaction with Lord Macartney, and, in support of that charge, to produce a forged letter from his lordship's steward. The charge and letter the reader may see in this appendix, under the proper head. It is asserted, by the unfortunate prince above mentioned, that the company first settled on the coast of Coromandel under the protection of one of his ances tors. If this be true (and it is far from unlikely) the world must judge of the return the descendant has met with. The case of another of the victims, given up by the ministry, though not altogether so striking as the former, is worthy of attention. It is that of the renter of the province of Nellore.] "It is with a wantonness of falsehood, and indifference to detection, asserted to you, in proof of the validity of the Nabob's objections, that this man's failures had already forced us to remove him; though in fact he has continued invariably in office; though our greatest supplies have been received from him; and that, in the disappointment of your remittances [the remittances from Bengal] and of other resources, the specie sent us from Nellore alone has sometimes enabled us to carry on the publick business; and that the present expedition against the French must, without this assistance from the assignment, have been laid aside, or delayed until it might have become too late." [This man is by the ministry given over to the mercy of persons capable of making charges on him," with a wantonness of falsehood, and indifference to detection.' What is likely to 66 happen to him and the rest of the victims, may appear by the following] Letter to the Governour General, and Council, March 13th, 1782. "The speedy termination to which the people were taught to look, of the company's interference in the revenues, and the vengeance denounced against those who, contrary to the mandate of the durbar, should be connected with them, as reported by Mr. Sulivan, may, as much as the former exactions and oppressions of the nabob in the rev nue, as reported by the commander in chief, have deterred some of the fittest men from offering to be concerned in it. "The timid disposition of the Hindoo nativ of this country was not likely to be insensible & the specimen of that vengeance given by his excellency the amur, who upon the mere runc that a Bramin, of the name of Appagee Row, ha! given proposals to the company for the rents of Vellore, had the temerity to send for him, a to put him in confinement. "A man thus seized by the nabob's seapor within the walls of Madras gave a general alara and government found it necessary to promise the protection of the company, in order to calm the apprehensions of the people." No. VI. Referred to from p. 43, and P. 344. Extract of a Letter from the Council and Sele Committee at Fort St. George, to the Goverca General and Council, dated 25th May, 17: In the prosecution of our duty, we beseech to consider as an act of strict and necessary → tice, previous to reiteration of your orders for surrender of the assignment, how far it wouli) likely to affect third persons, who do not appe to have committed any breach of their enga ments. You command us to compel our auc to deliver over their respective charges as shall a appointed by the nabob, or to retain their tr under his sole authority, if he shall choose to c firm them. These aumils are really renters, t were appointed in the room of the nabob's a and contrary to his wishes; they have already be rejected by him, and are therefore not likely confirmed by him. They applied to this gov ment, in consequence of publick advertisen in our name, as possessing in this instance the authority of the nabob and the company, and hav entered into mutual and strict covenants with * and we with them, relative to the certain distry not actually in the possession of the enemy; which covenants, as they are bound to the per tual payment of their rents, and due manage of the country, so we, and our constituents, . the publick faith, are in like manner bound to maintain them in the enjoyment of their leases, during the continuance of the term; that term was for five years, agreeably to the words of the assignment, which declare that the time of renting shall be for three or five years, as the governour shall settle with the renters.-Their leases cannot be legally torn from them. Nothing but their previous breach of a part could justify our breach of the whole; such a stretch and abuse of power would indeed not only savour of the assumption of sovereignty, but of arbitrary and oppressive despotism. In the present contest, whether the nabob be guilty, or we be guilty, the renters are not guilty. Whichever of the contending parties has broken the condition of the assignment, the renters have not broken the condition of their leases. These men, in conducting the business of the assignment, have acted in opposition to the designs of the nabob, in despite of the menaces denounced against all who should dare to oppose the manlates of the durbar justice. Gratitude and humanity require that provision should be made by you, before you set the nabob's ministers loose on the country, for the protection of the victims devoted o their vengeance. communicates with the nabob his father, in the language the latter understands. Through two channels so pure, the truth must arrive at the nabob in perfect refinement; through this double trust, his highness receives whatever impression it may be convenient to make on him: he abandons his signature to whatever paper they tell him contains, in the English language, the sentiments with which they had inspired him. He thus is surrounded on every side. He is totally at their mercy, to believe what is not true, and to subscribe to what he does not mean. There is no system so new, so foreign to his intentions, that they may not pursue in his name, without possibility of detection: for they are cautious of who approach him, and have thought prudent to decline, for him, the visits of the governour, even upon the usual solemn and acceptable occasion of delivering to his highness the company's letters. Such is the complete ascendency gained by Mr. Benfield. It may be partly explained by the facts observed already some years ago by Mr. Benfield himself, in regard to the nabob, of the infirmities natural to his advanced age, joined to the decays of his constitution. To this ascendency, in proportion as it grew, must chiefly be ascribed, if not Mr. Benfield, to secure the permanency of his the origin, at least the continuance and encrease, power, and the perfection of his schemes, thought it of the nabob's disunion with this presidency; a ecessary to render the nabob an absolute stranger disunion which creates the importance and subo the state of his affairs. He assured his highness, serves the resentments of Mr. Benfield; and an hat full justice was not done to the strength of his ascendency which, if you effect the surrender of entiments, and the keenness of his attacks, in the the assignment, will intirely leave the exercise ranslations that were made by the company's ser- of power, and accumulation of fortune, at his ants from the original Persian of his letters. He boundless discretion; to him, and to the Ameerherefore proposed to him, that they should for the ul-Omrah, and to Syed Assam Cawn, the assignuture be transmitted in English.-Of the Englishment would in fact be surrendered. HE WILL anguage or writing his highness, or the ameer, (IF ANY) BE THE SOUCAR SECURITY; cannot read one word, though the latter can con- and security in this country is counter-secured erse in it with sufficient fluency. The Persian by possession. You would not choose to take anguage, as the language of the Mahommedan the assignment from the company, to give it to onquerors, and of the court of Delhi, as an ap- individuals. Of the impropriety of its returning jendage or signal of authority, was at all times to the nabob, Mr. Benfield would now again argue articularly affected by the nabob:-it is the lan- from his former observations, that under his uage of all acts of state, and all publick trans- highness's management, his country declined, his ictions, among the mussulman chiefs of Indostan. people emigrated, his revenues decreased, and his The nabob thought to have gained no inconsider- country was rapidly approaching to a state of poible point, in procuring the correspondence from litical insolvency. Of Syed Assam Cawn, we judge our predecessors to the rajah of Tanjore to be only from the observations this letter already conchanged from the Marattah language, which that tains. But of the other two persons [Ameer-ulHindoo prince understands, to the Persian, which Omrah and Mr. Benfield] we undertake to declare, e disclaims understanding. To force the rajah to not as parties in a cause, or even as voluntary withe nabob's language was gratifying the latter with nesses, but as executive officers, reporting to you, new species of subserviency. He had formerly in the discharge of our duty, and under the impresContended with considerable anxiety, and, it was sion of the sacred obligation which binds us to thought, no inconsiderable cost, for particular truth, as well as to justice, that, from every obserforms of address to be used towards him in that vation of their principles and dispositions, and every language. But all of a sudden, in favour of Mr. information of their character and conduct, they Benfield, he quits his former affections, his habits, have prosecuted projects to the injury and danger his knowledge, his curiosity, the encreasing mis- of the company and individuals; that it would be trust of age, to throw himself upon the generous improper to trust, and dangerous to employ them, candour, the faithful interpretation, the grateful in any publick or important situation; that the return and eloquent organ of Mr. Benfield !-Mr. tranquillity of the Carnatick requires a restraint Benfield relates and reads what he pleases to his to the power of the ameer; and that the company, excellency the Ameer-ul-Omrah-his excellency whose service and protection Mr. Benfield has VOL. I. 2 A |