144 



for the loss resulting- from the bestowal of their pro- 

 perty, by their own Guardian, on their more wealthy 

 and powerful fellow-subjects, that Guardian makes 

 a free gift of it, with the avowed intention of com- 

 pelling- these unfortunate people to make g-ood the 

 deficiency of their own estate, the case assumes a 

 very different aspect. It is no longer a, question of 

 policy. It is one rather for the opinion of the Law 

 Officers of the Crown. 



Scrupulous respect for rig-hts of the people in the 

 soil, it has been said, and, most firmly do I believe, 

 most conscientiously said, is one of the most solemn 

 duties of a Government, and the sentiment has been 

 cordially concurred in by Her Majest} r 's Govern- 

 ment, and as heartily echoed, I am certain, by every 

 honourable Anglo-Indian. Indeed, there can be no 

 doubt whatever, that however opinions may differ, 

 all persons officially concerned in this measure could 

 have been actuated . by but one sentiment in their 

 treatment of this momentous question, an anxious 

 desire to benefit the country and the people God's 

 providence has entrusted to our care. I doubt, 

 therefore, if many, and especially those broug-ht up 

 in a country where the land has long been the pro- 

 perty of individuals, have fully apprehended this 

 view of the question a view, which, in my humble 

 opinion, is not only fully applicable to the circum- 

 stances of India, but in strict accord with the ideas 

 of the people. ^The people of India, from times 

 anterior to History, have been led to consider the 



