The Sun.
London, England, 1839-06-10 00:00:00

It is adnetted in Great Britain, and known to be but too true
by all who have had personal experience of the real state of India,
that although a commercial intercourse has existed between the
British Isles and India, for more than two hundred years, and
the Government of this Empire now rules over a hundred mil-
lions of the inhabitants of the East, there is, nevertheless, a
general want of information upon Indian affairs, and an almost
total indifference felt respecting them. It must be obvious to
all who reflect upon those facts, that such a state of things con-
trasts strangely with the duty we owe to our distant dominions,
with the extent, the value, and the importance of our East
Indian Possessions, and with the many and vast interests in-
volved in the question.
British India is an Empire as large as Europe (exclusive of
Russia), with a population, including tributary States, of more
than one hundred and fifty millions. Over this Empire and
People, a sway is exercised wholly British ; and consequently,
the want of an accurate knowledge of Indian affairs, and the
absence of a proper interest in the public at large for the wel-
fare of the natives, must operate prejudicially upon their
minds, since they cannot but feel that their destinies are in-
fluenced by the disposition manifested towards them in the
parent country.
From the perusal of a variety of official and other documents
of recent date, it appears that ignorance, poverty, crime, and
disaffection, prevail to a distressing and alarming extent
throughout the British Indian Territories. It also appears,
that during the last twenty years, though a period of profound
peace, there has been a succession of famines of the most deso-
lating description. It has been estimated that the famine of
183 7-33, in the Upper Provinces of Bengal, swept off more
than half a million of the inhabitants. Famines are this year '
ravaging the Northern Provinces of Bombay and Madras. These
calamitous events are rendered the more mysterious and affect-
ing, when viewed in connexion with the statement, that the soil
of India is a soil of unequalled fertility, and that a very large
portion of it (by some authorities, computed at one half) lies
uncultivated, and covered with jungle, the haunts of wild beasts.
Information on these subjects has, within the last few months,
been laid before the public in various parts of the Kingdom.
The result has been, a deep feeling of compassion in the minds
of many humane and influential persons, and the formation of
Associations for promoting the welfare f the natives of India,
in Sheffield, Glasgow, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Edinburgh,
Darlington, &c. A strong feeling has, besides, been expressed
for the establishment of a Metropolitan Society for the same
object ; by whose inquiries and efforts, the friends of India,
throughout Great Britain, might be guided and assisted in this
new and benevolent undertaking.
In consequence of these circumstances, and in accordance
also with their own deep feeling of interest in the subject, the
individuals whose names are attached to this Prospectus, have,
after mature deliberation, resolved themselves into a Provi-
sional Committee, for forming a Society, to be designated the
"BRITISH INDIA SOCIETY, for bettering the eindition
of our fellow-subjects—the Natives of British India."
In making known this resolution to the public, the Corn.
vnittee consider it their duty to state very briefly, but distinctly,
their motives and plans.
The Committee has its origin in a regard fir the welfare of
the natives of India, who, owing allegiance to the Government,
are entitled to look for sympathy and succour from the people of
England. The Committee desire to found the proposed So-
ciety upon the strictest principles of justice and humanity—
upon a basis which will permanently exclude the adoption of
party, of sectarian, or mercenary views. They contemplate the
use of those means only which are moral, peaceful and consti-
tutional. They would suggest, and labour to secure, the delay
of all specific plans of amelioration, until every doubt respecting
the nature and extent of alleged existing evils, and the neces-
sity of remedying them, is entirely removed.
The primary duty of a BRITISH INDIA SOCIETY would
therefore be—to obtain from every available source authentic
and impartial information respecting the present actual condi-
tion of the natives of India and the circumstances of the coun-
try, and to give to the information so obtained the widest pos-
sible circulation. The means of accomplishing this necessary
preliminary object appear to be, viz. :
To bring together, analyse, condense, and diffuse, the facts
already at hand.
To adopt the best means of obtaining regular and syste-
matic information from all parts of India.
To begin a collection of the most useful Works on every
branch of the subject.
To issue, under proper management, a Periodical Publica-
tion, containing the most recent, important, and inte-
resting Indian intelligence.
To reprint, in whole or in part, such Works as may be
calculated to elucidate particular portions of the great
subject.
To employ an active, experienced, and effective Agency,
for the organization of Provincial Auxiliary Societies.
The judicions and zealous prosecution of a course, such as
has been now described, would, the Committee feel assured,
effectually remove the apathy which at present exists. That
apathy, they believe, may with justice be ascribed to the diffi-
culty which has hitherto attended the search after correct and
comprehensive information, respecting the condition and cha-
racter of the natives of India, and the nature and effects of Bri-
tish rule in the East.
The Committee entertain no doubt, that, when the vast im-
portance of our Possessions is understood—when the claims of
one hundred millions of British subjects are recognized and felt
—and when the responsibility and moral obligation of this nation
towards them are considered, a great and generous effort will
promptly be made, to benefit a country, which contains within
itself, the means of returning a hundred-fold into the bosoms of
its benefactors, all the blessings they can possibly confer upon it.
The Committee prefer to make their appeal to the just prin-
ciples and Christian feelings of the country. They are not ig-
norant, however, of the extent to which they might address
themselves to the loyalty, the patriotism, and the interests of
their fellow-citizens • but they believe that such an appeal is
unnecessary. They feel convinced that no argument is required,
to demonstrate the inseparable connexion between the bettering
of the social, moral, and intellectual condition, of the countless
millions of India, and the accomplishment of those ends which
are sought by the promoters and patrons of legitimate com-
merce, and the advocates of the honour, the stability, and the
prosperity of tne British empire, at home and abroad.
The Committee having stated the objects, principles, and
plans, according to which they are about to attempt the formation
of aBRITISICINDIA SOCIETY, look with confidence for the
sanction, support, and co-operation of the British public. They
sincerely and earnestly solicit advice. They especially desire
the aid of gentlemen who have resided in India, and who, after
perusing this Prospectus, feel that they can cordially unite in
the work proposed.
Finally, the Committee respectfully solicit pecuniary assist-
ance. Subscriptions and donations rill be gratefully received
by the Treasurer, Secretaries, Bankers, and Members of the
Committee.

May 25, 1839.
*** It is the intention of the Provisional Committee to give
due notice of the public formation of the proposed Society. and
to invite the presence and aid, on the occasion, of those Friends,
in different parts of the kingdom, who may have already espoused
the cause, or who may be desirous of doing so.
P. S. Since the First Edition of this Prospectus was issued,
the Committee have received, from various parts of the country,
the most encouraging assurances of sympathy and support. The
Committee have been peculiarly gratified by the Resolution
passed at the Annual Meeting of the Relief Synod of Scotland,
on the 14th inst.—recognising the great importance of the
object the Committee have in view, and pledging the co-opera-
tion of that respectable and influential body. The friends of
humanity will rejoice to find that Thomas Clarkson, Esq., the
venerable and enlightened friend of African freedom, has
heartily united with those who are associated in this effort for
the improvement of the condition of their fellow-subjects, the
Natives of British India.
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
Sir Charles Forbes, Bart .......£100 0
Joseph Pease, Sen., Esq
General Briggs
Jonathan Backhouse, Esq... 5O 0
F. C. Brown, Esq.
William Aldam, Jun., Esq 25 0
John Harfiird, Esq
Thomas Christy, Jun., Esq 2l 0
Thomas Clarkson, Esq 2O 0
Dr. Bewring

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lit. THE /EGIi OF LIFE aflbrds a comprehensive physiological
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