Ixviii 



In cases of indebtedness, the debts are not recovered by deductions 

 from wages, but in due course of law. No annual presents are given 

 to the labourers nor are they flogged on any account. 

 The rates generally given are — 



For tilling (work done till 1 p.m). 2 McLeod seers of paddy. 



Do. (the whole day) 3 seers with breakfast. 



For ploughing (work done till 12' H seers of paddy. 



noon). 

 For weeding (women) whole day. 1| nalis or | seers of rice. 

 For reaping (women) ... 10 sheaves for every 100 



sheaves brought to the 

 threshing ground. 

 For turning up parambas (till 1 As. 2-6 in money or 2 seers 



P.M.). of paddy. 



Cooly work (full day) in urban As. 4 with 6 pies extra for 

 parts. noon -meal if the latter 



is not supplied by the 

 employer. 



(C.) — Abstract of the Proceedings of the Board of Revenue, dated 2bth 

 November 1819^ on the subject of agricultural slavery. 



Salem. — There was no vestige whatever of slavery in the district 

 nor had any such practice obtained from the time the district came 

 into the possession of the Company. 



Madura and Dindigul. — Slavery had existed during the Muham- 

 madan Government and the slaves were sold at the pleasure of their 

 masters. Since the assumption of the country by the Company, some' 

 slaves had continued with their masters ; others had left them and 

 even enlisted as sepoys. The Collector could not discover that any 

 Pullan had sold himself as a slave. Indeed slavery seemed gradually 

 disappearing, 



Ooimbatore. — Slavery existed in the district in but a very few 

 villages and the number of slaves was always inconsiderable. 



Tanjore. — Slavery existed in the district, but it was founded in 

 the first instance upon a voluntary contract. The condition of the 

 slaves differed very little from that of the common labourers, and the 

 treatment of both was nearly the same. The system of slaves attached 

 to the soil and transferable by purchase, as appendage to the land, 

 did not obtain in the district. 



Tinnevelly. — Slavery existed in the district. It was usual for 

 slaves to be sold or mortgaged, either with the land or separately, at 

 the pleasure of the proprietor. The slaves were afforded subsistence 

 on the lowest scale of allowance, being generally no more than 2 

 measures of paddy a day on working days. They were also entitled 

 at the time of harvest to a small deduction from the gross produce, 

 which generally amounted to 2f per cent. It was usual for the 

 masters to assist the slaves with necessary funeral expenses, and to 

 grant them presents on occasions of marriages, births and festivities, 



