544 Mineral Resources of India. [No. 139. 



and erecting saals (or smelting places), I can pay nothing. For three 

 following years I will pay 2000 Rs. per annum, and for the remaining 

 years of the lease, I will pay 5000 Rs. per annum, which shall be in full 

 of all rents or customs whatever. 



I will engage, if business succeeds, to supply Government with what 

 iron they may want at the bazar price of the time they may demand it. 



I will not force any ryots from the Malgoozary lands, nor give protec- 

 tion to any who may desert with arrears of rent due to the farmers. 



The Choars and mountaineers, who at present infest the Malgoozary 

 lands, and by their violence cause the ryots to desert, will themselves 

 engage in the working of iron. They gave me assurance of this, when 

 I was lately in that country. I have travelled over the greater part of the 

 country described in my sketch ; I am confident no part of it is either 

 included in the jumma of any of the present farmers, or yields any revenue 

 to Government; but should I be mistaken, and it be hereafter discovered to 

 contain any jumma lands, I will readily pay the highest rent that has 

 been received from it since the beginning of 1178. 



If the above terms are accepted and a grant given me — should Govern- 

 ment, at the end of my lease, think proper to take it into their own hands — 

 in consideration for the expense and trouble I shall have been at, I request 

 a preference in farming it. In case they should not deem this advisable, I 

 request to be allowed, for the expense of all the buildings I may have 

 erected, whatever shall be determined to be their value by an Ameensent 

 by Government. 



Government to the Burdwan Council. 



We approve of the proposals offered you by Indernarain Surma, for 

 clearing a part of the waste jungle lands of Beerbhoom, and manufacturing 

 iron ; and authorize you to grant him the necessary deeds accordingly, receiv- 

 ing from him such writings in return, as may bind him to the performance 

 of his engagements with Government, and the observance of the conditions 

 he himself proposes. — 23d September, 1774. 



Nothing more with reference to this attempt appears on record. 

 Perhaps the speculation was of too sanguine a complexion, as the high 

 rents offered lead us to apprehend, and was silently abandoned on 

 second thoughts by the projector. One thing is, however, proved by 

 it, and that is the loha mahal already accruing to Government seems 



