acquiring an intimate knowledge of the commercial and political power of England, aided by an ardent desire to contribute my mite towards promoting the happiness of my fellow creatures, are my credentials for appearing before the public in order to aid in obtaining a dispassionate consideration of the momentous questions about to be submitted to the determination of Parliament.

With this object in view, I have analysed every disputed topic relative to the home and foreign affairs of India, aiming as much as possible at impartiality, for I am free to avow, that the evidence elicited by the Select Committees of Parliament has weakened previous impressions on my mind; and, without diminishing my respect for those who pertinaciously adhere to priority of opinion, that testimony has at least necessitated me to scrutinize more narrowly my own thoughts, and to deliberate more calmly on the wisdom or expediency of several proposed measures.

In a stormy period like the present, when men are almost compelled to form quick and energetic decisions, it is impossible to avoid being in some

degree swayed towards either side of an argument involving, not merely the ulterior destiny of the United Kingdom and of Hindostan, but of the entire habitable world; where I err, therefore, it must be attributed to the fallibility of human judgment:-I do not, however, hesitate to assert, that now, when society is in a state of transition, when a direful contest has already commenced between absolute monarchy on the one hand, and eager aspirations for liberty on the other, and when the vast peninsula of Asia is for the first time within record or tradition in the enjoyment of peace, I range myself on the side of order, of civilization, and of freedom; but in doing

So,

I may be permitted to acknowledge, what indeed it would be futile to deny, that the EastIndia Company have materially contributed to enhance the commerce of this country, to enlarge extensively but safely the dominions of the Crown, and to advance the prosperity of one hundred million of its subjects.

That a vast and complicated government, which profound talent, local experience, and lengthened

years, have thus far firmly consolidated, may not in laudable efforts to improve it, be rashly undermined, is the sincere wish of,

Your most obedient servant,

Ivy Cottage, Highgate Hill,

1832.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

Page

CHAPTER I.

The unavoidable sovereignty of India by England ;-necessity

of preventing a French Empire in Hindostan ;—atrocious des-

potisms of the Mahomedan, Mahratta, and feudal Govern-

ments, from which the Hindoos have been rescued by the

British nation
1 to 19

CHAPTER II.

Great varieties in the natives of India;-their character in-

fluenced by soil, climate, food, &c.; rather than by political

institutes ;-opinions as to their qualifications for high official

situations; and unavoidable policy of the Government in

cautiously inducting them into places of trust and emolu-

20 to 51

ment..

CHAPTER III.

Analysis of the Home Government of India; the Court of Pro-

prietors, Court of Directors, and Board of Control;-their

relative powers and patronage ;-refutation of the Westminster

Review for July 1832;-danger of further interference by

ministers in the Government of India
52 to 87

CHAPTER IV.

Free-trade with India what have been its results of late?—A de-

crease of imports and exports!-the assertions of Mr. Crawfurd

refuted;―increase of cotton goods owing to the displacement of

several million of Hindoo manufacturers;-deplorable effects

thereof described by Bishop Heber and others with regard to

Surat, Dacca, &c. ;—restrictions on the India trade by Parlia-

ment and the Government, not by the East-India Company, who

have given every facility for commerce
88 to 133

CHAPTER V.

The foreign administration;-civil 'Government, military esta-

blishments, and expenditure thereof;-tabular statistics of the

population in proportion to the number of civil and military

servants, revenue, area, &c., and the executive, legislative, and

diplomatic charges of the three presidencies ;-the proposal of

making the Indian army a 'royal colonial army!'

CHAPTER VI..

Page

134 to 178

Great extent and freedom of the Indian press ;-education of

the natives of India compared with those of Europe;-the

clerical establishment of India adequate to its duties;—Mr.

Poynder's motion for three Indian bishops, and his assertions

respecting the Company's participation in idolatry replied

179 to 200

to

CHAPTER VII.

The colonization of India by Englishmen ;-refutation of Mr.

Rickards' calumny;-petition of the natives against coloniza-

tion;-motives which influenced the Court of Directors in

granting licenses ;-if Europeans had been allowed an indis-

criminate resort to India, the landed property of the Hindoos

would have passed into the hands of the former

CHAPTER VIII.

......

201 to 246

The landed revenue of India ;—mode of assessment;—number of

villages, houses, square miles, and inhabitants under the per-

manent settlement ;-proportion of revenue to each district;—

area, population, taxation, debt of India relatively compared

with the different states of Europe and America;—Mr. Rick-

ards' description of the effect of the metayer system in Italy

refuted.
247 to 293

CHAPTER IX.

Salt 'monopoly ;'-vindication of the East-India Company by a

Hindoo ;-refutation of Mr. Crawfurd and Mr. Rickards re-

specting the miseries of the Molunghees, &c. ;-ungenerous

policy of England towards the Hindoos;-examination of the

prudence or justice of supplying India with British salt 294 to 329