Extent and Produce of the Tea- Flan tat ions in Assam. 157 



vile drug has kept, and does now keep, down the population ; 

 the women have fewer children, compared with those of other 

 countries, and the children seldom live to become old men, but 

 in general die at manhood, very few old men being seen in 

 this unfortunate country, in comparison Avith others. Few but 

 those who have resided long in this unhappy land know the 

 dreadful and immoral effects which the use of opium produces 

 on the native. He will steal, sell his property, his children, 

 the mother of his childi-en, and, finally, even commit murder 

 for it. Would it not be the highest of blessings, if our humane 

 and enlightened Government would stop these evils by a single 

 dash of the pen, and save Assam, and all those who are about 

 to emigrate into it as tea-cultivators, from the dreadful re- 

 sults attendant on the habitual use of opium ? We should, in 

 the end, be richly rewarded, by having a fine, healthy race of 

 men growing up for our plantations, to fell our forests, to clear 

 the land from jungle and wild beasts, and to plant and culti- 

 vate the luxury of the world. This can never be efi'ected by 

 the enfeebled opium-eaters of Assam, who are more effeminate 

 than women. I have dwelt thus long on'the subject, thinking 

 it one of great importance, as it will aff"ect our future pro- 

 spects in regard to tea ; also, from a wish to benefit this peo- 

 ple, and save those who are coming here from catching the 

 plague, by our using timely measures of prevention. 



Monthly Outlay of the present standing Establishment. 



Superintendent, 



Ist assistant to ditto, 



2d do. do. 



1 Chinese black tea maker, 



1 ditto assistant to ditto, 



1 ditto tea-box makei', 



1 ditto interpreter, 



1 ditto tea-box maker, 



2 ditto green tea makers, at 15:8:0 each, 

 1 ditto tea-box maker, 



1 ditto lead-canister maker, 



24 native black tea makers, at 5 each, 



12 native green tea makers, at 5 each, 



Co.'s rupees. 

 500 



100 

 70 

 55 

 11 

 45 

 45 

 15 

 31 

 33 

 22 



120 

 60 



Carry forward, 



