296 



would seem to be admitted.* The measure of Lord 

 Canning was preferable, I tbink, to a permanent 

 settlement throughout India, because it was 

 designed to be partial, tentative, and purely experi- 

 mental. At present it would certainly have been 

 wholly nugatory, and ere mischief was done, experi- 

 ence and the expression of public opinion, would 

 have placed the Indian Government in a position to 

 come to a satisfactory conclusion on all points of 

 dispute and doubt. 



As matters now stand, Her Majesty's Government 

 are prepared to sanction the settlement in perpe- 

 tuity of revised assessments throughout India ; but 

 it is provided that each case should be recora 

 mended by the Viceroy, or that the recommenda- 

 tion of the local Government should have his 

 support. The Government of India have still the 

 power, of staying proceedings, and it is therefore 

 not too late to express a hope that time may be 

 given for the measures of good Government and the 

 development of the resources of the country in pro- 

 gress, to work themselves out, before any action 

 whatever be taken in the matter. 



Without entering on the consideration, in detail, 

 of the advantages expected to result from a per- 



Whatever advantages or disadvantages are anticipated from a 

 direct permanent settlement will be equally caused by the indirect 

 mode of attaining 1 the same object by the redemption of the laud 

 assessment. Despatch Secy, of State 1862. 



