242 



History of the Ramoossies, 



[July 



should consequently be on principles of the most liberal, 

 just, and benevolent policy. A very great improvement 

 has lately taken place, respecting the employment of 

 natives in the civil branch of the administration, by 

 employing them more extensively in responsible situa- 

 tions, and on higher salaries. It is generally admitted 

 that an improvement is much required in the mode of 

 remunerating a few of the old and meritorious native 

 officers of the army. With the British government it 

 is a characteristic feature, to make a marked distinction 

 between the pay of civil and military classes, but setting 

 aside the justice of the claims of these men, to be remu- 

 nerated in a proportionate degree with their civil bre- 

 thren, policy points out the absolute necessity of it. I 

 shall conclude these remarks by adding that great care 

 should be taken that no measures are adopted, or any 

 orders issued, calculated in any manner to affect the 

 prejudices of the sepoys, or make them suppose for a 

 moment, that any alterations in the least degree disad- 

 vantageous to them, of a pecuniary nature, were in con- 

 templation. Let us avoid doing that which might shake 

 the unbounded confidence they have reposed in our 

 honour, our faith, and our generosity. 



The observations embraced in this concluding chapter, 

 may be considered of too general and irrelevant a nature, 

 and therefore uncalled for ; but in touching on such 

 matters, my object is twofold, the hope of private, as 

 %vell as the public interests being benefited however 

 slightly, by my having done so ; for every suggestion 

 that leads to the adoption of measures that contribute 

 to alleviate distress among a poor people, will naturally 

 tend to check and prevent irregularities and acts of vio- 

 lence ; and where there is security of property, and peace 

 reigns, there will be little need for the services of a 

 hired and expensive Police establishment. The people 

 are v/ell avrare^ that the v.-atchful and fostering solici- 



