214 COTTON IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY. [1853. 



CHAP, ton is greater than it suits the purpose of those parties to give, it is hopeless 

 V to attempt to force the cultivation by factitious encouragement on the part 

 of Government. 



" 2. The statement of Dr. Wight, that since the relinquishment of the 

 Government Farms in Coimbatore, the Byots have taken to the culture of 

 American Cotton on their own account, to an extent considerably greater 

 than during their existence, would seem to imply that the time had ar- 

 rived when the interference of Government could properly be withdrawn. 

 All that is now wanted, you observe, is a purchaser on the spot ready to give 

 a fair remunerating price to the Ryot for his Cotton, and in your opinion, 

 this object can only be attained by affording full scope to private enter- 

 prise, and by abstaining from all intervention on the part of Government. 



"3. In our despatch of the 4th July 1848, we directed that the 

 purchases of American Cotton on the part of Government, should not, at 

 that time, be discontinued ; observing, however, ""We are satisfied that no 

 satisfactory and permanent extension of the cultivation of the American 

 Cotton will be attained, until the persons most interested in its production 

 shall take the matter into their own hands, by locating in the Districts com- 

 petent Agents, empowered to purchase from the cultivators such Cotton as 

 may be produced of a description suited to the wants of the manufacturers 

 in this country. 



" 4. "We are of opinion that a sufficient period has elapsed since the date 

 of these instructions, for the course of proceeding indicated in them to be 

 adopted ; and that, if the inducements to engage in the purchase of Indian 

 grown American Cotton for use in this country are still insufficient, a fur- 

 ther perseverance in our efforts to force the cultivation, by means apart from 

 the ordinary operations of commerce, can lead to no beneficial result. We 

 accordingly think that we may properly withdraw from the market as pur- 

 chasers of American Cotton ; and we hereby convey to you our authority 

 for gradually relinquishing all direct interference in the culture of Cotton 

 of that description, in the hope that it has now reached a point where it may 

 be safely left to private enterprise. 



We are, &c, 



R. ELLICE, 



J. OLIPHANT." 



