20(T — xxxn— 



these should be settled on the principle of tendering them in the 

 shape of an annual payment the full equivalent of which they now 

 receive. That is to say, the proprietors should agree on their own 

 behalf and that of their heirs to surrender and deliver up all rights, 

 privileges and advantages, resulting from this present title, to 

 Government, receiving in return a certain annual sum, payable as 

 long as the British Government shall remain in possession of 

 Malacca. It might have been expedient to have awaited the orders 

 of the Hon'ble Court of Directors before such a measure was car- 

 ried into execution, but it appears to me that the case admits of no 

 delay. Unless immediate advantage be taken of the disposition 

 evinced by the proprietors to part with their titles, the object may 

 be entirely defeated, for it is impossible to say what complicated 

 rights may arise, and come into judicial decision which may oppose 

 difficulties to future arrangement. It is clear that, by agreeing to 

 pay a sum equivalent to the present amount of their receipts, or 

 even something more — the right being rented and a certain excess 

 of profit, without reckoning undue exaction, must remain to the 

 contractor, and which would, of course, be levied by the Officers of 

 Government — no loss could occur. In support of such an arrange- 

 ment, and to induce consent to such, it may be pointed out to the 

 proprietors that, by their tenures, they are bound to perform certain 

 services, which, though neglected by the late Government, will be 

 required under our administration ; that in all old Grants the right 

 of Government to impose a land tax is expressly reserved, is indeed 

 inherent in every Government, and must, in all probability, be 

 reverted to at no distant period, as it is not to be supposed that 

 Government can be at the expense of affording efficient protection 

 to the country without some contribution of the people, levied in 

 all other countries for purpose of Government. The titles to many 

 of the principal estates as they are called, I have reason to believe 

 are of a very questionable nature, and if strictly scrutinised would 

 be found probably very defective : they have on some occasions been 

 acquired, and their limits extended by the exercise of private and 

 undue influence rather than the sanction of public authority. The 

 circumstance of their having been long in possession of the right, 

 such as they are, is the main argument to induce the offer of pecu- 

 niary compensation for their redemption. Should the proprietors, 

 as they are called, decline coming to terms, a strict investigation 

 must take place ; the terms expressly stipulated on those quoted in 

 Mr. Lewis's last report, that is, the right of resumption must be 

 exerted whenever they can be traced. The offer of paying an 

 annual sum to the proprietor involves no admission of their claims, 



