1835.] 



History of the Rcm-oossies. 



few exceptions^ extremely deceitful, being iDconceivably. 

 corrupt and dishonest. And in many instances, they 

 have a mildness of manner and there is such a want of 

 these bold^ active, and enterprising qualifications, neces- 

 sary for a superintendent of police to possess, that they 

 are not always calculated for holding the appointment, 

 in parts of the country where the predatory trihes are 

 both numerous and troublesome. 



In selecting a Mamlutdar for an unsettled tract of 

 country, his character and capability for regulating the 

 police duties, should be most particularly attended to. 

 It is gf course necessary that he should not only prevent 

 persons in the employ of Government, but all others, 

 from conniving at irregularities, or in any manner bene- 

 fiting by one portion of the people plundering the other ; 

 for oppressive acts are very apt to drive persons of un- 

 settled habits from their homes, and too frequently force 

 them to subsist by robbery. 



One of the most judicious measures lately adopted by 

 the Bombay government, and one which promises to 

 afford great protection to the interests of the inhabitants 

 as well as to those of the state, is that of permanently 

 stationing the collector's assistants in the districts, in 

 charge of two or three pergunnahs or talooks of each col- 

 lectorate. These gentlemen have the power of effecting 

 much practical good, by establishing a free and confiden- 

 tial intercourse with the people, which can only be done 

 successfully by divesting themselves of the trammels of 

 office, and watching vigilantly the conduct of clever and 

 influential persons of their own departments ; (for there 

 is scarcely a native who has been employed for any length 

 of time under the same European officer, and secured such 

 gentleman's favourable opinion, and entire confidence, 

 that will not avail himself of his situation to commit the 

 meanest and most oppressive acts, his avarice urging him 

 to seek every opportunity of advancing his own pecuiiia- 



