1839.] 



in periods of Famine, 



215 



abstain from interference in the emergency of famine j but whether 

 it should not for the time, come forward and afford such aid, as may- 

 place her grain merchants in the period of severe drought, as much as 

 possible on a level in the means of communication, with the dealers in 

 more advanced nations, by undertaking part of the labour, and bearing 

 part of the charge of transit.* But whether this be a legitimate infer- 

 ence, ornot, it is I think clear, that till there is that facility of intercom- 

 munication which Dr. Smith assumes, neither his principle, nor his rea- 

 soning can be justly applied to this country. 



There can also I think be little doubt, that in laying down his great 

 doctrine of non-interference. Dr. Smith had under consideration, the 

 abundance of capital in private hands, the extensive credit, and the known 

 enterprize, and spirit of adventure in British and European merchants ; 

 as well as the intimate connection of the whole mercantile body 

 of Europe; by which, the merchants of London, Liverpool, or Dantzic 

 can obtain with ease, an immediate consignment of com from each other, 

 or from any quarter, at the shortest notice. t Whilst the large and con- 

 stant commerce by sea, and the good roads generally throughout Euro- 

 pean states, remove all impediments to an early augmentation of the 

 food of the country, even from distant markets, whenever scarcity prices 

 shall make this profitable. All these circumstances are, I apprehends 

 included as the grounds of Dr. Smith's views ; and I cannot but think, 

 they differ widely from the actual circumstances of this Presidency. 

 Not only, are the means of intercommunication by land between our 

 provinces very defective ; but it must also be allowed, that the mari- 

 time commerce of the Presidency is in its in fancy; — that the whole 



* As an illustration I would propose the question, whether in the event of absolute fa- 

 mine in our provinces bordering on the Punjab, it would be an injudicious interference on 

 the part of Government, at a moment of pressing exigency to offer the native merchant 

 of Bengal and Bombay, the use of the Government steam vessels on the Indus and the 

 • Ganges at a low charge, and thus give him the means of introducing supplies in one-fifth 

 of the ordinary time. And whether this increased facility of importation at such a pe- 

 riod, and thus raising the country pro tempore to a level with more civilized states in the 

 means of intercommunication, would not rather be in accordance with, than a departure 

 from Smith's principles ; if care were at the same time taken by bounties, that no mer- 

 chant should suffer loss by his more tardy importations. Or, to apply the case to the 

 Madras Presidency, would it be an improper act, if the Government were to offer the 

 native merchant at periods of famine, the use of vessels to bring up his grain against 

 the monsoon, when the native craft either could not, or would not move. 



t The extensive credit which the European merchant enjoys, is the consequence of 

 the general integrity of the class; and this integrity, not only gives him a command 

 Over the capital of others, but secures a faithful execution of his orders in foreign mar- 

 kets. It is, I have reason to believe, the difficulty the European capitalist in this 

 country finds, in obtaining through native agency a similar upright and faithful execution 

 of orders, and supplies of grain of good quality, which keeps him from embarking in the 

 trade, even when large profits are to be made in it. 



