The Press.
London, England, 1853-06-04 00:00:00

THE PRESS.

devolved on Government. The Company.
practically, became sole landlord, and under-
took to collect its rent from many millions of
tenants, whose holdings were for the most
prt infinitesimally small. and collectively ex-
tended over a territory somewhat larger than
France. Nor was this rent ever fixed. but
varied annually. according to the caprice or
ignorance of the collector ; thus discouraging
improvement, and tending to impede. if not
actually to forbid, all outlay on laud. The
assessment, too, was originally fixed higher
than it should have been ; and this fault is not
removed to the present day. Some modifica-
tions of principle, and many involving ques-
tions of detail, have been introduced lay suc-
ceeding governors, the principal one being it
reptsal of that most odious regulation by
which tenatucy was made compulsory, and the
rya forbidden, without leave first obtained,
to throw up a firma which he could not, culti-
vate to advantage. But as at whole the ryot-
war plan still remains in force ; and even Mr.
Kaye, the apologist of the Company, aeknow
ledges its ill success. Legislative blunders
are not quickly repaired ; and legislative
blunders in India less quickly than anywhere
else. Renee Madras early obtained the
sobriquet which it still keeps. that of the " be-
nighted presidency."
From this red of unrepaired and now al-
most irrepantble blunders—these " follies of
the wise," all the more dangerous because the
" great" men who planned them seem to have
acted without. fear, and unhesitatingly to have
committed Government to an unworkable
plan—it is at relief to turn to the history of the
North-West Provinces. This territory enjoyed
the great advantage of being the last operated
upon. It profited at the cost of Bengal and
Madras ; for time had taught caution, and
English statesmen had learnt that legislation
in the East must of necessity be experimental.
The authors of the North-West settlement•
came to their work impressed with a strong
conviction at once of the complexity of the
questions involved, and of their own inability
to solve them. They deprecated permanent,
measures, and both at Calcutta and in mead
enhall-street their request for delay was fa-
vourably looked upon. In the ceded districts
of Outle, about the year 1801, the basis of the
new system was first laid. Mr. Wellesley,
brother of the Governor-General, directed
operations under the title of Lieutenant-
Governor, himself devoid of Indian experience,
but full of ardour and talent, and aided by
intelligent councillors. Their task was not
light :
The misrule which pmeeded our at4sunipt ion of dominion,
owl the disorder which we found Mewlry department, were
se vast, that it. would have loeeit a miracle if any great
momma mot of success had ancialell our initial operations. A
iris natal gettlement wits !Hideo:diem infinity with the land-
hi•blers, in. the expiration 14 the eurrent financial year ;
laid a permit:ma settlenela was after two Mon'
the first, three foal' Years'
duration.
The area of territory to be dealt with soon
extended over what is known as the Doab—
the country of two rivers—lying between the
Jumna and the Ganges. The state of this
province, as of that of Omit', is well described
as follows • -•

The systent of laud revenne which obtained at this t• •
was based upon the old estaldisliment of village (soon 1111 l
•
nities. These institutiotoe existed but in all imperfect,
fragmentaiy state ; anti when the 111111'0N if the British
I lovernment began hastily and to establish %4 011ie
intelligible system of revenue collection, or at all events to
make out clearly the parties to whom the State were too look
for the apportioned amount of revenue. they groped about
painfully in the dark. All sorts of claimants answ, with
titles god, hood, and inditio•oviit, and flocked to the Cool•
lector's ('curt at the chief station, urging their proprietary
rights. Enolotorrossed by these eloittlicting claims, the rob
lectoor plaeoll loiniself in the hands of the " extoxingo,"
or
native notary, and decided locos':sling to his dictum upon thu
claims that were laid before him. There was little or no
inquiry, and the decision was wrong. The amount of re•
yellow hall then to be fixed ; and here again the authority
of the village fnuetionary was go•tiendly followed, and the
valuation was generally wrong.
Every day of inquiry made one fact plainer,
that Government had not knowledge enough
to legislate permanently and safely. I)elity,
though 1111 evil, was felt to be the preferable
alternative, and the idea of a perpetual settle-
ment was relegated to the future :
Thus was the question of the permanent iissetignont of
the ceded and conquered provinces settled, at all events