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looking to the anomalous position of the British 

 Government in India, and its expressed determina- 

 tion to govern with, and not against the will of the 

 people, there seems to be some contradiction of 

 principles involved in this measure and the declared 

 objects and reasons for its introduction, that it would 

 be well to consider, before it is too late. I trust my 

 remarks will not be misconstrued into an arrogant 

 attempt to dogmatize on points of principle and 

 policy, which are disputed by persons and authorities 

 of infinitely greater wisdom and experience in the 

 philosophy of Government. The question under 

 review involves interests of far too great magnitude 

 for the admission into its discussion, by any c n- 

 scientious person, of feelings other than those which 

 spring from an anxious desire for the good of this 

 great Empire. Whatever then my vieus are, they 

 are the honest result of my experience of the people 

 amongst whom I have lived for the better part of 

 a quarter of a century, and the only object I 

 have in stating them, is to endeavour to throw such 

 light on this very difficult question, as any oppor- 

 tunities of observation 1 may have had, enabje me. It 

 would be well, 1 say, to consider this point now, be- 

 cause the time when the tax-gatherer should knock 

 at the peoples' doors, will not be the most convenient 

 for the purpose, nor yet the most favorable for ex- 

 planations. I have already shown how the Zemindars 

 >f Bengal refused ail voluntary aid to the Govem- 



z 3 



