112 Restoration of the Canals in the Delhi Territory. [Marcn, 
efficient for a season, and were overcome by the increasing difficulties. 
Had irrigation existed to any extent, 100 years could not have 
obliterated all traces of it; and had the water flowed for any length of 
time, results analogous to what are now experienced elsewhere 
would have followed, and must have left a trace behind them. Of the 
former condition of this canal, I must therefore content myself with 
these inconclusive remarks. 
‘ Restoration of the Canals in the Delhi Territory. 
The attention of Government seems to have been drawn to the 
canals shortly after these provinces came under our dominion. I 
have understood the first suggestion was the offer of a gentleman 
(Mr. Mercer) to re-open the Delhi canal at his own expence, un- 
der the engagement of having secured to him the whole benefits 
resulting for a period of 20 years, which was not accepted; 
and under orders of Government, a survey and design for the work 
was completed and submitted for consideration by Lieut. Macartney, 
of the Cavalry, in the year 1810; this was further followed up, if not 
preceded, by several reports from other officers on the subject; (Lieut. 
Wuire of the infantry and Lieut. Forpycr of the engineers, amongst 
the number,) whose reports are lodged in the Chief Secretary’s Office : 
and the whole subject seems to have elicited such a variety of opinion 
from Colonels Kyp, Garstin, and CoLeBRookg, either as Surveyors Ge- 
neral or Chief Engineers, that the matter seems to have fallen into abey- 
ance, until revived during the government of the Marquis or Hast- 
incs. In the same year, a survey of the Doab canal was made by 
Lieut. Top, followed up by a notice from Lieut. Hopeson, from which 
nothing resulted. The canal of Feroz Suan is merely incidentally 
noticed, and appears not to have engaged any attention until the peri- 
od of Captain Buanz’s appointment to the canals. I am unable to give 
any special notice of what may be called the preliminary measures, 
from the want of records in my office, where nothing further than the 
original reports by Lieuts. Macartney and Top exist. 
Restoration of the Delhi Canal, from the Hills to Delhi, 185 miles in 
length. 
This subject appears to have early engaged the attention of the Mar- 
quis oF Hastines, although it was not till the beginning of 1817, that 
Lieut. Buanr of the engineers was appointed to conduct the work; his 
estimate was framed on the report of Lieut. Macartnry: although in 
the progress of the work, it was found necessary to depart considerably 
from the ideas of that officer, in consequence of the changes effected 
by the river in this interval. The work was carried on by Lieut. Blane, 
