183.J.] Biographical sketch of CcL Maclmizie. 275 



southern provinces, the Cirhars, and the Dekkan. The 

 papers annexed explain the progress of this branch dur- 

 ing the period of my absence in Java: I regret that I 

 cannot at present recur to other documents more fully 

 explanatory of the extent and nature of these researches 

 into the ancient history and present state of the south 

 of India, as the greatest part of the collection has been 

 sent on to Calcutta to wait my arrival at that presidency. 



25, A detailed view of the origin and progress of that 

 branch alone (the historical investigations) would more 

 properly be the subject of a separate memoir : a concise 

 view of a similar attempt made in Java is annexed (in 

 No. A). This was effected under limitations of time 

 and means required by local circumstances ; but under 

 a liberal degree of encouragement and protection, both 

 from the local government there, and from two succes- 

 sive governors -general of British India, which heightens 

 the contrast in other cases, and without any expense to 

 government on that account, the success of these inves- 

 tigations justifies the hope, that considerable advantage 

 may be derived from following up the same plan of re- 

 search wherever the influence of the British government 

 affords the same facihties^ in the intervals of military oc- 

 cupation. 



26. On my return to this presidency in 1815,1 found 

 the office of surveyor-general at Madras was ordered to 

 be abolished, and before I could well go into the revisal 

 and completion of the reviev/ of the survey departn\ent 

 commenced in 1811, and which had been discouiiiuuMl 

 in consequence of my being sent on foreign service, I 

 was honoured v/ith the appointment of the office of sur- 

 veyor-general of India, on a new system which required 

 my residence at Calcutta or Fort William. My atten- 

 tion has in consequence been chiefly turned to that ob- 

 ject ever since, with the view of fuhilling the Honoura- 

 ble CoLirt',-^ intciitioiis in confcrviug an appointment 



