1843.] Mineral Resources of India. 557 



only eleven. Dehra Mourissa, Azimnagur, and Ahmednuggur are valued 

 at 169 Rupees, where there has not been a single saal, nor scarcely an in- 

 habitant since the famine. I would, Gentlemen, send proofs to you of what 

 I advance, were not one of your members, (Mr. Pye,) perfectly acquainted 

 with the facts. 



I have likewise to observe, that the Governor and Council were pleased 

 to direct that the farm should be let to me by your Board without menti- 

 oning a word of the Zemindar, as will appear by the enclosed letter. The 

 Rajah's Dewan, however, says, that they are still included .inhis doleputtah, 

 and of consequence that I must hold them in cutkina of him. I hope there- 

 fore, Gentlemen, that you will be pleased to order them to be struck out 

 of the doleputtah, and to direct that the Honourable Company's Dewan 

 receive the rents from me at the former jumma, 

 Beerbhoom, \bth October, 1778. 



The Burdwan Council examined into these statements, and find- 

 ing them true, addressed the supreme authority to the effect, that 

 believing their intention to have been essential assistance to Mr. Far- 

 quhar, in establishing and prosecuting the business of an iron manufac- 

 tory at Beerbhoom, they wished to be authorized : — first, to let the 

 iron mahals to Mr. Farquhar on a fixed annual jumma of 766 Rupees ; 

 second, to receive the jumma from Mr. Farquhar, and to strike off its 

 amount from the general jumma to be paid by the Zemindars ; and 

 third, to release Mr. Farquhar from all responsibility to the Zemindar 

 of Beerbhoom. All this confirms the view that the property was 

 vested in Government, who were free to improve their revenue deriv- 

 able from it, the leases not being mocurruree, by farming it to the 

 highest bidder, or to one at least who promised to increase its value. 



It was agreed by Government to fix Farquhar's jumma at the origi- 

 nal sum, but they did not fail to direct, that the land revenue of the 

 Noony pergunnah should be raised to its proper assessment. 



Relieved from these annoyances, Farquhar seems to have set to work 

 with some ardour, but in a few months, we find him again importuning 

 the Government for pecuniary assistance : — 



Mr. Farquhar to the Government. 

 Honoraisle Sir and Gentlemen, — Although you were pleased to 

 countermand the directions you had given me last year, to make a trial 



