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in the North West, and it confidently expected 

 that the Zemindars would willingly accept the high 

 responsibility which attaches to ownership in the 

 soil. How the two Landlords have discharged 

 their trust, what I have stated above will suffi- 

 ciently show. But it is not all. The Zemindars 

 have not only not discharged those duties and 

 responsibilities in respect of public works, which 

 in other countries landlords most cheerfully accept ; 

 but shielding themselves behind the letter of the 

 enactment which perpetuated the decennial settle- 

 ment, they have refused all further aid to Govern- 

 ment in lieu of any extraordinary protection they 

 may be afforded in times of extreme peril, or for any 

 public purpose whatever. When, in consequence 

 of the inefficient state of the Police, especi- 

 ally of the Village- Watch , thefts, gang-robberies, 

 and dacoities had increased to an alarming extent 

 in parts of Bengal, and Government sought all 

 the assistance it could obtain, in righting the evil, 

 it was alleged by the Zemindars "that Government 

 were bound to defray the entire expenses ot' the 

 Police establishment, and had not even the right to 

 insist on the appointment of the village watchmen, 

 if the Communities considered their interests did 

 not require it."* It would be monstrous to sup- 



* Statement of objects and reasons of a bill to amend the law 

 relating- to Police chowkedars introduced by Air, Moffat Mills into the 

 Legislative Council of India, 16th September 1854, Mr, Mills con- 

 tinued, "The Course of Legislation on this subject which is described 



