1849.] STOPPAGE OF THE COTTON EXPERIMENT. 179 



been produced. To both assertions I most unhesitatingly CHAP. 



demur. Small batches of excellent Cotton wool have been 1_ 



occasionally sent to England from Coimbatore, but they 

 formed the exception and not the rule ; and as regards the 

 alleged absence of insufficient encouragement, I am sure that 

 no one who has taken the trouble that I have done, to ob- 

 tain a perfect insight into the whole matter, will for an 

 instant admit the correctness or applicability of the accu- 

 sation. My own decided sentiments are that the Manchester 

 Merchants must blame themselves, if there should be any 

 inadequacy in the future supply ; unless they come forward, 

 as they have been repeatedly urged to do, and apply their 

 own agents and capital to the task, in which Government 

 has set them the example, and pointed out, according to 

 their own showing, so easy a course. 



State of Dr. Wight's Farm at Coimbatore, May 235 

 1849 : 5OO acres held by lease and 2OO acres Memoran . 

 worked by contract. Whilst Sir Henry Pottinger's $^ Sir 

 Minute was still under the consideration of the other Seryfnth 

 Members of Government, and whilst Dr. Wight and Mr. iS. 1 R 4 e- 

 Finnie were as yet ignorant of the fate in store for them, p* r lii ( . 

 Dr. Wight happened to visit Madras, and to call at the 

 office of Sir Henry Montgomery, the Chief Secretary. Ac- 

 cordingly, Sir Henry Montgomery took the opportunity of 

 asking Dr. Wight to explain the exact state of his depart- 

 ment at that moment. Dr. Wight represented that he had 

 about 500 acres of land, all ploughed and ready for seed. 

 Part of this land consisted of waste; and part was rented 

 from Ryots, who themselves held the land on puttah or lease 

 from the Government, under the ordinary system of Ryot- 

 wary tenure. As regards these last lands, Dr. Wight had 

 agreed to pay the Government assessment, and something 

 more to the Ryot as compensation; that is, half as much 



