212 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1852. 



CHAP, but still the correctness of the interpretation of their langu- 

 L_ age, was confirmed by the fact of their systematically hold- 

 ing back, until they saw what they considered to be good 

 reason for believing their suspicions to be groundless and 

 unjust. 



286 2nd, The Government Agency had not proved 

 unnecessary, as it removed the suspicions of the 

 Ryots. Though Dr. Wight had stated, that nothing 

 further was wanted but remunerative prices on the 

 spot, it was not to be inferred that the continuance 

 of Government Agency, after the withdrawal from the 

 Cotton Farms, had proved wholly unnecessary. It was the 

 temporary continuance of the Agency, which had removed 

 the suspicions of the Ryots, and led to the increase of the 

 cultivation. Had not Dr. Wight been on the spot, the culti- 

 vation of New Orleans Cotton in Coimbatore would have 

 nearly ceased with the crop of 1849 ; whereas by his pur- 

 chases of produce at liberal prices, and by his reiterated 

 assurances of the good faith of Government, the cultivation 

 had so extended, that during the current season he had 

 already distributed 400 maunds of seed. Moreover, Dr. 

 Wight represented that, had he not continued his purchases 

 of American Cotton from the Ryots, he would have acted 

 prematurely, and would moreover have created doubts of 

 our probity. Seven or eight years previously, Government 

 had agreed to purchase from the Ryots all well cleaned picked 

 Cotton. Circumstances had compelled Dr. Wight to con- 

 tinue his purchases. The old contract, made some seven or 

 eight years previously, by which Government had agreed 

 to purchase from the Ryots all first sort of American Cotton 

 at 20 rupees per candy, had never been cancelled. The gin 

 house at Coimbatore had been purchased by Mr. Campbell, 

 the merchant; and Mr. Campbell had agreed to retain the 

 same terms. But meantime Mr. Campbell had died, and 



