The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1805-11-05

would be extremely difficult to overcome. Iheie GER
AMY are circumtances which mutt dimlniih and
ard iueh beneficial change.
But to return from generalities, in which ought
not, perhaps, to have dwelt 70 long. You are well
aware, that from partial failure Of the periodical
rains in 1909, and from more complete failure in
1908, famine has ariien in the adjoining provinces
Of India Especially in the territories of the Pcihwa
which ihal not attempt to delcribe, and which,
believe, man can truly repreient tn the European
public, without hazard of being charged with
VACANT and incredible fiction. Some of you have
Teen its ravages all of you have heard accounts of
them from accurate oblervers. have only ieen the
fugtyes who fed before it, and who have found an
liylum in this illand. But even have feen enough
to be convinced that it is difficult to overcharge
picture of Indian defUlation.
ihall now Fate you, from authentic documents,
what has been done fave theie territories from the
miierable condition CT the neighbouring couatry.-
From the III September, 1908, 20 the preient time,
there have been imported purchaled by goverii-
ment $4,000 bags of rice, and there remain $50,
600 bags contracted for, which are yet to arrive,
forming an aggregate of nearly 100000 bags, and
amounting TO the value of fifty lacks of rupees or
6oo,ooo tterling. During the fame time there have
been imported by private merchants 10000 bags of
rice, making in all an importation of million of
bags, and amounting i'll value to one million lerling
OF our own territories, it is very dc ult to ei
smate. The population of the illands of Bombay,
Salhette and Carania, and the city of Surat, de-
ignedly under Ultimate ~ 100000. l an, entitled
10 Preinme, that if they mad continued fubied to ma
ave governments, they would have fhared the fate
oil the neighboring provinces which if are 70 filb-
jet H." NOT be iufpeaed of any tendency towards
e1aggeration by any man who is acquainted with the
tate OF the oPpoiite continent, when fay, that in
iu'h cafe an eighth of that population muit have
periihed Fifty thouiand human beings have, there
tore, been aved from death in its molt merable form
ny the exittence Of Britih government in this IL
and. ! conceive myielf entitled to take credit for
the whole benefits of the importation for that which
was imported by private merchants as we'll as for that
which was directly imported by the government, be-
eauie' without the protection and fecurity enjoyed
"ruer brith government, that commercial capital
weud not have exRed by which the private impor
tation was effected
he next particular which have to ta.e. relate,
10 thoie unhappy refugees who have found their way
INTO our territory. From the month of March to
the Preient time luch of them as could labor have
been employed in ufefu public works, and have b.en
led by government. The monthly average of there
Perions' fince March, is 9l25 in Bombay, 1852 in
saiiette, and in Surat comfortable number though
from that city have exact returns
But many of thele milerable beings are, on their
by any, even the mott moderate, labor They ex
pre- IN the road before they can be difcovered by
the agents OF our charity. They expire in the very
Ae' oil beng earredt to the place where they are TO
receive rellel. To obvilte, at leaf, to mitigate
tneie dreadful evil, humane hofpital was eaablh-
ed by government for the relief of thoie emigrant,
VINO We're unable to labor. The monthly average
OF thoie who have been received iince March into
TINS hoiPital is 1880 in Bombay about 100 in Sail,
lette' and probably 500 at Surat.
imyislt viiited this hoipital, in company with NV
excellent friend DR. Scott, and witneiIeda fc.ne Of
winch the impreiion will never be efaced from
my mind. The average monthly mortality of the
eitashihment rs DREADFUL it amounts to 49, AT
nrh light this ieems to argue fome mouftrous defects
in the plan or management of the inhitution And
/! there were great defects in 70 an eablifhment
hatty provided aganf 70 unexampled an evil, thole
who were accultomed TO make due allowance for hui
man raty, would find more to lament than to blame
in iuoh defects. But when it is coniidered that alno
all thele deaths occur in the r four or five DAVIS af
ter admiion, and that fcarcely any difeae has been
obierved among the patients but the direct effects
OF famine, we ihall probably view she nortaty as
proof of the deporable fate of the patients rather
than of any defects in the hoipital and initead of
making the hofpiral anfwerable for the deaths, we
hall deemit entitled to credit for the life of every
Jingle furyivor
Hpie WIN hllOW me, VIII need aiiurances that
have not made theie obervations from motive fo
unworthy OF my nation and my character as tina, of
paying court to any government. am aSluated by
lar other motives. believe that knowledge on flb
lects 10 important cannot be widely promulgated
believe, 1t every government on earth were bound
give an annual account, before an audience whom,
they respected, and who knew the facts, of what
they had done during the year for improving the
condition OF their iubje6ts that this Jingle and appa-
rently light oircumnauce would better the fituaton
OF all nanlond-and am defirous, if any Brtiin 90
Vernnen III India ihoud ever, in fmilar crcumlian-
ce' forget It's mott important and Gacred duties tina;
inns example houd be recorded for their reproach
and difgrace.
Upon the whole, | am fure ,hat comfortably
undertake the fact in faying, that the Brith govern
ment in this iand has fayed the lives of one HUNDRED
thoniand Perlons, and, what is more important thar
1t mas prevented the greater part of the mlery through
winch they mutt have Pafed before they found re-
nge IN death, beildes the nilery of all thofe who
I"Ved them, or who dsPtnded upon their care
! he exlitence, therefore, of Britifh Government
IN Bombay, IN 1904, has been bleiIing to its Glb
lee'S' would to God, that every government Of
the world could with truth make fmilar Jecl,ra.
tom
Many otyou have been, and many will be. eu,run-
"a with authority over nlulttudes of your fellow
Ireatures:-Your means Of doing good will not in
deco be 10 grelt As thofe Of which have now def
l $ 70 you the employment and the efe,a. But
Ih'f WIN DC coniiderabie Let me hope that every
One Oh you VIII be ambitious to be able to fay to vour
'"Ii confidence lhave done fomethng to better the
condition OF the people eutruaed 70 my care 1.LL