but to die, while religion or pure morals, by which man is alone enabled beneficially to govern his fellows, is entirely neglected? Which of these is preferable for the India service? The first is not incompatible with capabilities of the highest order; the latter is too frequently found identified with qualities which render men unfit to govern themselves, much less others. Those who cry out so lustily for having the cream of English talent and genius for the civil service of India, should ask themselves, is nothing but genius and talent requisite for India? Indeed it might be asserted and proved, that they are, under present circumstances, but secondary qualifications-that integrity of purpose, and unflinching morality are now more indispensable for India than the former; the superstructure being built, and its preservation and gradual improvement being mainly required. Our government in India is one of opinion, as well as of strength: not an opinion of our talent, for in that very many Asiatics would compete with Englishmen; but an opinion of our moral worth, inflexible justice, and undeviating rectitude. These are qualifications above all price in an Indian functionary, to whom the whole management of a province, equal in size to a European kingdom, is frequently entrusted, and whose conduct, of course, influences all around him. But, as I cannot bring myself to believe that the theorism of Lord Grenville will, in the face of facts and common sense, be acted on, I proceed to sketch the mode in which the affairs of government are conducted abroad, merely premising, that the destruction of Haileybury College implies the abolition of the Court of Directors' patronage, and with it a change of which, although we may see the beginning, we know not, and cannot predict, the end. The governments of India, although delegated from Europe, are necessarily possessed of much local efficiency; the Governor General exercises some of the most important rights of sovereignty, such as declaring war, making peace, framing treaties, and to a certain extent, the prerogative of forgiving criminals. He is assisted and partly controlled by a council composed of two of the Company's civil servants appointed from home, and of not less than twelve years' residence in India;* to whom are added the Commander-in-chief of the army. On all questions of state policy, except in a judicial capacity, the Governor General is independent of this council; he proposes, for instance, a declaration of war against China; the minute to that effect is delivered to the council, who, we will suppose, dissent from the propriety thereof, and record their minutes assigning the cause; the Governor General, having perused this and remaining of his original opinion, after permitting an adjourned discussion for forty-eight hours, proceeds to execution, first minuting his reasons for dissenting from the council. The Governor General, in virtue of his commission as captain general may head the military operations he has ordered. The whole of the documents relating to the proceedings in council are immediately transmitted to the Court of Directors, and Board of Control; if approved of at home, new members of council are appointed to succeed the former ones; if other This is according to an Act of Parliament. The Act of Parliament provides that it shall not be understood as giving authority" to make or carry into execution any order or resolution against the opinion or concurrence of the counsellors of their respective governments, in any matter which shall come under the consideration of the said Governor-General or Governors in Council respectively, in their judicial capacity; or to make, repeal, or suspend any general rule, order, or regulation for the good order or civil government of the said United Company's settlements; or to impose, of his own authority, any tax or duty within the said respective governments or presidencies." (33 Geo. ÎII. c. 52, s. 51.) All propositions, communications, rejoinders, &c. must be carried on in writing. wise, the Governor General is instantly recalled. This hypothetical case is put merely to shew the responsible power which the Governor General enjoys, subject to controlling checks from home. The Governors in Council of Madras or Bombay are in a similar manner independent of local control, but for the sake of obtaining unity in foreign transactions on matters of general or internal policy, they are subject to the authority of the Governor General, who on proceeding to either of the settlements, takes his seat in the council as president.* Regulations for the good government of the interior, † are passed by the Governor General or Governors in Council under the 21 Geo. III. and subsequent acts; they become immediately effective, but are transmitted home, and subject to the revision of the Court of Directors and Board of Control; ordinances for the good government of the presidencies are not valid until publicly exposed for fourteen days, and then registered by the Supreme Court; they are then put in force, but are subject to a further ordeal at home. On arriving in England they are publicly exhibited at the India House, and sixty days left open for appeal; within two years his Majesty may disallow the o idinanc‡ The legislative department being described, we come to the executive, which the government exercises by means of Boards; in Bengal they are thus divided : * "The Governor General in Council has full power and authority to superintend, control, and direct the governors in all such points as shall relate to any negociations or transactions with the country powers or states, or levying war or making peace, or the collection or application of the revenues of the territories in India, or to the forces employed at any of such presidencies or governments, or to the civil or mililtary governments of the said presidencies," &c. (33 Geo. III. c. 52.) † All territory beyond the jurisdiction of the Supreme Courts, which, properly speaking, is solely confined to the cities of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay. Since 1793, the number enacted for Bengal amount to 150. 1. The Sudder Board of Revenue-Consists of a president (one of the members of council), and three of the Company's senior servants of extensive experience, who exercise a general control over the collectors of the land revenue, under the authority of the Board; are commissioners over divisions of three or four districts, who also exercise under the Nizamut Adawlut court the powers of judges of circuit. The Board is a Court of Wards for lunatics or minor landholders, &c. 2. The Board of Customs, Salt and Opium-Superintends the agents who provide the salt and opium, controls the officers employed in the collection of the customs and town duties, and the collectors of stamps, excise, &c. 3. The Board of Trade-Manages the Company's commercial investments, and has nothing to do with political duties. 4. The Military Board-Has the management of all military agencies; the distribution of military stores; superintends the construction of roads, canals, bridges, embankments, and buildings in the civil department, and advises the government upon all questions touching the matériel of the army. 5. The Medical Board-Attends to the provision and distribution of medical stores; collects and examines the reports of the medical officers, and advises government on medical affairs. At Madras there are but three Boards, revenue, military, and medical; and at Bombay only one, medical. Any of these Boards make suggestions, or present drafts of regulations in their respective departments to the government; the Boards also receive from their subordinates suggestions, either for their own information or for transmission to the Governor General in council; by this means the local knowledge of the inferior officers is brought under the cognizance of the chief executive, and their talent and capabilities appreciated. A leading feature in the duties of the Indian governments, is that of noting down every official transaction, whether as individuals or Boards. As regards the former, it generates habits of business, combined with a moral check of supervision, no matter what distance from the presidency, or what period of time may elapse, should an inquiry be necessary; a beneficial connexion is thus maintained between the highest departments of the state at home or abroad, down to the lowest covenanted servant of the Company. With regard to the Boards, they are obliged also to keep regular minutes of all their proceedings, to report every matter of any importance to the Governor General in council for his sanction; a monthly copy of all proceedings is transmitted to the Court of Directors, as well as to the Supreme go vernment. A few words is necessary with respect to the European subordinates of the Indian governments, who are in number as follows: EUROPEAN COVENANTED and UNCOVENANTED CIVIL SERVANTS of the COMPANY in INDIA,† and ST. HELENA. I have detailed at the commencement of the chapter, the mode in which the civilians are prepared for their duties at Haileybury College, and in the third chapter, under “ Patronage," have shewn the high classes of society to which they belong. On their arrival in India, at Calcutta for * The number of uncovenanted servants is very trifling. |