20 



from precisely the same points, as Doctors Me Cle- 

 land and Griffith. Their conclusions formed on 

 the only fully sound bases, actual examination, and 

 practical experience, verified his Lordships prog- 

 nostication in every particular* With the reports 

 of these gentlemen His Excellency's case in favor 

 of India, as a tea growing country , was completed, 

 and to them, therefore, must be nssigned the second 

 place in merit 3 in the investigations which led up 

 to the successful introduction of tea culture in 

 the Lower Provinces. It is a source of regret 

 that the experiment was not placed under the super* 

 intendence of one or other of them, at a time 

 when their services might have been of the utmost 

 value, instead of being jeopardized, and all but aban- 

 doned, as WHS subsequently the case. For, I have 

 little doubt, that had the reports of Dr. Me Clelland 

 and Griffith, received, at the time they were 

 furnished, the attention that experience gained, has 

 proved they were deserving of, India instead of 

 of tv.-o, might now be exporting, annually, ten 

 million pounds of tea. 



But to return to the Tea Committee. Mr. Gordon 

 had no sooner returned to Calcutta, than it was found 

 lie had been recalled at the moment his service?, 

 on the spot, were most required ; and he was deputed, 

 a second time, to China, to superintend the arrange- 

 ments he had made for procuring supplies of seed 

 and plants. In both his missions, Mr. Gordon 



