1852. J FIITAl DECISION Or HABEAS GOTEENMBNT. 191 



pretation of their language, was confirmed by the fact 

 of their systematically holding back, until they saw 

 what they considered to be good reason for believing 

 their suspicions to be groundless and unjust. 



3nd, The Government Agency had not proved un- 286 

 necessary, as it removed the suspicions of the Byots. — 

 Though Dr. Wight had stated that nothing further 

 was wanbed but remunerative prices on the spot, it 

 was not to be inferred that the continuance of Q-overn- 

 ment Agency, after the withdrawal from the Cotton 

 Farms, had proved wholly unnecessary. It was the 

 temporary continuance of the Agency, which had re- 

 moved the suspicions of the Ryots, and led to the in- 

 crease of the cultivation. Had not Dr. Wight been on 

 the spot, the cultivation of New Orleans Cotton in 

 Coimbatore would have nearly ceased with the crop of 

 1849 ; whereas by his' purchases 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 distri- 

 buted 400 maunds of seed. Moreover, Dr. Wight 

 represented that, had he not continued his pxu-chases 

 of American Cotton from the Eyots, 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 Eyots all 

 well-cleaned picked Cotton. Circumstances had com- 

 pelled Dr. Wight to continue 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. Camp- 

 bell had died, and prices had so fallen at home, that 

 had he lived he would have been a loser. The only 

 other merchant in the place, being bound by no con- 

 tract, would only give from 16 to 17 rupees per candy. 

 Under such circumstances, the Ryots represented to 

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



