INDIGO. 



9 



other measures concernino^ this article, than those i^etter to 



^ ' Bengal, 



that have been heretofore pursued. 28 March nss. 



41. We feel with reluctance, that an article 

 which, considered in a political point of view, has 

 every claim to our attention, as having a tendency 

 to render the Company's possessions in Bengal 

 more valuable, by creating from the soil and labour 

 of the natives an export commerce, capable of 

 being carried to a very great extent, as well as 

 ultimately to benefit this country, in supplying an 

 article so necessary to its manufactures, and for 

 which large sums are annually paid to foreigners, 

 should be wholly abandoned, after the very heavy 

 expenses that have been incurred, in bringing it 

 to the degree of perfection at which it is now ar- 

 rived ; but at the same time we cannot, in justice 

 to the Company's commercial interests, which are 

 equally an object of our concern, acquiesce in the 

 measure of investing any further sums therein, 

 until there is a more flattering prospect of their 

 turning to a more favourable account. To ac- 

 complish this, either the article must undergo a 

 very considerable reduction in price, or be mate- 

 rially improved upon as to quality. 



42. The prices at which tenders have been 

 made you for the year 1787-8, are by no means 

 such as, we apprehend, are at all likely to answer 

 at this market, unless it shall prove to be of a 

 very superior assortment to our former imports ; 

 we have therefore, from a due reflection upon the 



subject, 



