1853.] FINAL RETIREMENT OF DR. WIGHT. 213 



prices had so fallen at home, that had he lived he would have CHAP. 



been a loser. The only other merchant in the place, being 1 



bound by no contract, would only give from 16 to 17 rupees 

 per candy. Under such circumstances, the Ryots represent- 

 ed to Dr. Wight that he was bound to purchase the Ame- 

 rican Cotton at the prices fixed in the still uncancelled con- 

 tract ; and that unless he did so, they would grow no more 

 American Cotton. Dr. Wight saw both the justice and the 

 expediency of their claim; but whilst fulfilling his duty as 

 Government Agent, he took the opportunity of cancelling 

 the long standing agreement, and of assuring the Ryots, that 

 if they continued the cultivation of American Cotton after 

 the current year, they must run the chance of the market, 

 exactly as they were in the habit of doing in the case of the 

 Native article. 



Retirement of Dr. Wight: Final Despatch of 287 

 the Court of Directors 1853. Dr. Wight appears to have 

 retired from the service, and to have left India in March 

 1 853. In the following July, a despatch from the Court of 

 Directors was addressed to the Madras Government, order- 

 ing that all purchases of American Cotton to cease from that 

 date, and that all direct interference in the culture of foreign 

 Cotton should be gradually withdrawn. 



The following is a literal copy of the despatch of the 

 Court of Directors : 



"REVENUE DEPARTMENT, 



20th July 1853. 



"OUR GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL AT FORT ST. GEORGE. 



" 1. "We entirely approve your having declined to entertain the proposal 

 of Dr. Wight, that all the Cotton grown by the Ryots in Tinnevelly from 

 American seed, should be purchased at a fixed rate by the Government. 

 There are now, it appears, individuals connected with Manchester settled in 

 the District ; and if the price at which the Ryots can afford to sell the Cot- 



