PREFACE. vil 
in a state of nature all over the skirts of the Sylhet Province, is in taste, flavour, smell of its leaves and 
bark, the same as that from Ceylon. It has not yet given fruit so as completely to demonstrate its quality, 
but from what I have said it will be obvious to the Board that, with the smallest encouragement from 
the Court of Directors, they may in the course of five years have a plantation of the Cinnamon tree as 
extensive as they choose, from our now actually holding in possession the means of effecting it, free 
from all visionary and systematic suppositions. 
I have been induced to throw out these communications in hopes of their being the means of 
awakening the nation at large to a sense of the inestimable treasures which we already hold in our exten- 
sive dominions in this part of Asia, and, if possible, to divert the Administration not only from thinking of 
making further acquisitions by new settlements (except in as far as they may prove absolutely necessary for 
the preservation and security of what we already hold), but also to embrace the opportunity of peace to reject 
such unprofitable parts of our empire as have only proved useless burthens to our more valuable possessions, 
and that they may also illustrate the small degree of encouragement which it is requisite to afford to 
the efforts made by private industry to enable us.to outstrip our rivals in every valuable production 
which nature has confided to this part of the globe, and which she has showered down with so 
bountiful and partial a hand over our possessions. 
I also do myself the honour of enclosing a drawing of the long and black pepper plants, both of 
which species, I can inform the Board, rise to maturity and give fruit in perfection, although reared 
in the vicinity of the Presidency under a very imperfect knowledge of the requisite mode of cultivation. 
I shall not presume to intrude anything further on the subject, resting assured that the Board 
will foresee the inferences to be drawn from these communications. 
But I take this opportunity of suggesting to the Board the propriety of establishing a Botanical 
Garden, not for the purpose of collecting rare plants (although they also have their use) as things of 
mere curiosity or furnishing articles for the gratification of luxury, but for establishing a stock for 
disseminating such articles as may prove beneficial to the inhabitants, as well as to the natives of Great 
Britain, dnd which ultimately may tend to the extension of the national commerce and riches; and this 
I conceive can be best effected by Government procuring from the different parts of India, and establish- 
ing a nursery stock, from which private individuals may be supplied gratis who may think themselves 
qualified to adventure on a general cultivation of the innumerable articles which our possessions will 
furnish the means of raising with success, of which I shall beg leave to suggest the enclosed very 
imperfect enumeration. 
And I have to add that the chargés attending such an institution ought not, I conceive, to exceed 
Rs. 150 or Rs. 200 per month, considering the great influence and assistance which this Government 
is capable of affording it. 
Minute of the Governor-General on the foregoing letter. 
I HAVE ereat pleasure in laying before th» Board the accompanying letter and memorandum from 
Colonel Kyd. 
The establishment of a Botanical Garden as a nursery for rearing and propagating for the public 
benefit thé productions of other countries and climates, and such as may be equally conducive to increase the 
commerce and improve the culture of these Provinces, is an institution I have long had at heart, and 
to forward which the Board are, I know, perfectly disposed. The late Governor-General was a great 
encourager of the introduction of new articles of commerce and foreign production into these Provinces, 
and I regretted very much that the state of the Company’s finances prevented our purchase for them of 
his garden, in which these plants were reared. If agreeable to the Board, I will look out for a spot 
in a proper situation where a garden may be formed, as a General Plantation or Nursery where the 
cultivation of the cinnamon, and the different articles mentioned by Colonel Kyd, may be attempted. It 
' 
