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depot of a Native Contractor is thus described by 

 the Committee. " We found little trace of any 

 habitation, but a square of ground was pointed out 

 to us, in the neighbourhood of Fenwick's Bazar, as 

 Thakoor Lalla's depot ; and a hut, a few feet square, 

 only now in course of completion, was said to be the 

 sole accommodation. This square resembled rather 

 the half-dried bed of a small tank, greatly defiled by 

 the surrounding people, than any thing else that we 

 can compare it with. A spot more repulsive to sight 

 and smell we could not imagine ; and having assured 

 ourselves beyond all doubt that the Contractor's 

 laborers did really congregate here, we felt no 

 surprise at the stories which we heard of the numbers 

 that yeurly fall victims to disease in his hands. We 

 found no person in this place who would acknow- 

 ledge any connection with Thakoor Lalla, nor any 

 sort of preparation for the reception of human 

 beings, except the hut above mentioned ; and we 

 were forced to conclude that the proprietor, having 

 heard of our intended visit, had removed all that 

 belonged to his depot from fear of more damaging 

 disclosures." The Supply of women is stated to 

 be out of all proportion to the supply of men, the 

 rate being only 5 to 15 per cent. The smallness 

 of this proportion is considered by the Planters to 

 be the principal cause of the very numerous deser- 

 tions which take place during the river passage and 

 after arrival.' 



