India revenue letter : dated 15th March, 1839 (no. 4).

  • Auckland, George Eden, Earl of, 1784-1849.
Date:
[1840]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: India revenue letter : dated 15th March, 1839 (no. 4). Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    on the condition of the cotton cultivation, and of the success or failure of the attempts made for its improvement, at the several Presidencies. 3. Before, however, I proceed to notice the conclusions which may be deduced from those authorities, it may be convenient that I should first briefly allude to the general principles by which I think that a government should be carefully guided in its efforts to fix in its territo- ries the growth of any better articles of produce, of whatever interest or importance, with reference particularly to some of the propositions which have been, and are likely to be urged upon us, by parties laudably eager for the accomplishment of the great ends in view. 4. The following are the chief propositions of this nature, which I find in the papers and publications before me:—^ 1st. That there be an alteration in the rate and mode of taxing cotton lands,—the rate being erroneously supposed to be a maximum one, and the amount often taken in kind, thereby* “inducing the grower to produce quantity or weight without regard to quality or cleanness.” 2nd. Thatf encouragement, or reasonable inducement, be afforded to the influx of capital, and to its application to this particular cul- tivation. A special mode of encouragement is indicated in “thej offer of a fitting bounty, either by reducing the assessment on lands on which foreign cotton seed is grown, or by stimulating industry by large grants as prizes.” 3rd. That experimental farms be instituted, and rewards given for improved produce, or for improved machines for cleaning the cotton, this last being the great desideratum, especially as regards the cotton of Bombay. Seeds to be also procured of the best foreign cottons, and freely distributed. 4th. That the transport of produce be facilitated by the formation of roads, and its preservation and shipment by the erection of suitable warehouses or sheds, and of quays at the ports of dispatch. 5. Of the first of these recommendations, I need say little, as it is For the Bombay Presidency specially.—“ The Government of India.”— By Sir John Malcolm, pp. 108 to 133. For the Bengal Presidency specially.—“ Summary by the Secretary to the Agricultural and Horticultural Society of India,” dated June 10th, 1839, in “Pro- ceedings for June, 1839.”—pp. 33 to 59. • Manchester Memorial. Glasgow Memorial. J Summary, by the Secretary to the Agricultural Society, p. 59.