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·SELECTIONS FROM THE RECORDS OF TIL GovtOFINDIA LIBRARY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA, (IIOME DEPARTMENT.) Published by Authority. N°, XIV. Minute BY TIF MOST NOBLE THE GOVERNOR GENERAL OF INDIA; DATED TIE 28TD OF FEBRUARY 1856, AMA- Calcutta: Taos, JONES, “ CALCUTTA GAZETTE " OFFICE. 1856.

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·Contents of this Minute. Puragraph 1 II.I.III. 2 ..... .. .. 4 ...... 5 ......... ........ 6 ........ ....... ...IO. 7 ......... 8 ...IOS ........ ........ .. ......... I...... ......II. 9 10, 11 12 13 ........ ......... ........ ......... ......... ........ 15 16 ........ 17 ......... O....!! . Design of the Minute, . Sccond Sikh War, Second Burmese War, ... Forcign Relations of India,.... Burmah,... Nepal, Maharaja Golab Sing, Kelat, Cabool, Internal condition of India, Acquisition of Territory, Punjab and Pegni, Nagpore, Oude, Sattara, ... Jhansic, Assigued Districts of IIyderabad, Revenue froin Territorial Acquisitions, General Revenue of India, Trade of India, ... Conversion of the Fivo per Cent, Debt, Surplus and Deficiency of General Revenuo, Administrativo Progress, Punjab, Pegu, Nagpore, Hyderabad, Oude, Changes made by Statute, Government of Bengal, Legislative Council of India, Minor Political Events, Ungool, ... 18 ........ 19 20 21 ......... .. ...... 22 .....II.. .. 23 ......... ......... 24 ......... 25 ........ .. ... ...... IIIIIIIII II.1.1. 26 27 28 29 ......... ......... 30 ...... ........ ......... 31 ......... ........ .... 32 .....10 ..III. 33 34 ....... ..III... IIIIIII.

·ü CONTENTS. ........ ......... ....... ........ ......... ..... ...... ......... ......... .... ......... ........ ......... ........ ......... 42 ......... ......... ......... ......... ...I.. ......... ......... .. 45 ......... ......... ......... ... ..... ......... ........ ...... ......... Paragraph Sikkim, 35 36 Khyrpore, Bhayulpore, 37 Nepalese Sirdars, 38 Jummoo, 39 Mundoto, 40 King of Delhi,... Nawab Nazim of Bengal, Nawab of Carnatic, 43 Raja of Tanjore, The Guicowar and Central India, Mabarajah Dhuleep Sing and Princess of Coorg, 46-8 Improvements in Civil Administration, ........ 40 Opening of the Civil Service, 50 Rules for young Civil Oficers, 51 Periodical Examination of Assistants, 52 Abolition of College of Fort William, 53 Officers probibited to take part in management of Trading Companies, 54 Officers having recourse to Insolvent Court to be suspended, ib. Civil Absentee Rules, 5,5 Promotion in Non-Regulation Provinces, 56 Promotion in Uncovenanted Service, 57 Improvement in condition of Uncovenanted Service, 58 Abolition of Board of Customs, Salt and Opium, 59 Secretariat at Bombay, 60 Accountant General, 01 Expediting of Financial Accounts, 62 Annual Review of Finances, 63 Abolition of Government Agency, 64 Salaries of Civil Officers, 65 Revision of Civil Salaries, 66 Prison Discipline, Education, 68 Female Education, 69 Great Measures of material Improvement, 70 Railways, 71 Post Office, 72 Electric Telegraph, 73 ........ ......... ...... ......... ...... ..... .....4 ... ....... ........ ......... ......... ....... ......... ........ ......... ......... ........ ........6 ......... 67 ...... ......... ......... ....... ...... ......... ......... ......... ...... 1.1...... II..... ......... ......... ......... ...... ........

·CONTENTS. Hii Paragraph ........ ........ ........ ......... ......... ..... ......... ...... ........ ......... ........ ......... ......... ...... ....... ...... ........ ........ .. .... 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 ......... ......... ...... ......... ......... ..... ......... . . . . . ... 90 ......... ........ Other material Improvements, Commerco and Navigation, Salt Manufacture, Commerce, Resources of India, Cotton, ... Тca, Agriculture, Forests, Mineral Resources of India, Coal, Iron, Surveys, Ganges Canal, Baree Doab Canals, Mooltan Canals, Derajat Cavals, Cis-Sutlej Irrigation, ... Behar Canals, Godavery Irrigation Works, Irrigation Works in Madras, Irrigation Works in Dombay, Irrigation Works in Sinde, Internal Navigation, Riser Ganges, River Indus, Rivers of the Puujab, Pegu Rivers and Channels, River Burrumpootra, River Nerbudda, River Godavery, Navigable Canals,... Improvement of Ports,... Port of Calcutta, River Mutlah, Port of Bombay, Port of Kurrachce, Ports of Madras, Port of Singapore, ......... ... ...... 91. 92 93 96 95 96 97 98 99 ........ ...... ........ .....0.0 ....... . . . . . ... 100 101 102 .. ......... ......... ........ ......... ......... ...... ......... ....... ...... 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 .......10 ......... ......... .. ...... ...0.. ........ ......... ......... .........

·IV (ONTENTS. ...... ........ ......... ......... .... ...I ....... ........ ......... ........4 ...... Paragraph 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 ......... ... ........ ......... ......... ....... ...... ........ 128 129 ........ ..... ...III.4 130 ......... 131 Ports of Rangoon and Dalhousie, Lighthouse on Alguada Reof,... Port Rules, Land Communications in India, ... Railways, ......... Roads, Grand Trunk Road in Hindostan, Grand Trunk Road in Punjab, Road to Patna and Gya, ......... Road to Sumbulpore, Road from Dacca to Akyab, Road from Calcutta to Dacca, Bengal District Roads, Roads in Punjab, Roads in Pegu,... Roads in Ilyderabad and Nagpore,...... Roads in Sinde,... Roads in Madras and Boinbay, Itindostan and Thibet Road, Road over Gomah Rauge in Arracan,... Aggregate Annual Expenditure on Public Works in India, Ancient Works, Reform of Department of Public Works, Annual Budget of Public Works, Local Sanction to Public Works, Secretary in Department of Public Works, Establishment of Department of Public Works, Training Officers for Departinent of Public Works,... Thomason College at Roorkco, Civil Engineering Colleges at Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay,....... Civil Engineering Classes at Lahore and Poona, Object of Civil Engineering Colleges, Noted Evils in India, Suttee, Thuggee, Female Infanticide, ... Meriah Sacrifice, Improvements in the Military Service of the Hon'ble Company, European Soldier, 132 ........ .... 123;3 ...... ........ 134 ...... ....... 13.3 130 ...... ......... 137 ......... O ...... ...... 133 139 1410 141 112 ........ ... ......... 143 11.1 ......... ......... ...... ......... ......... ......... ......... ..... ......... 145 116 147 148 149 150 151 . ......... ........ ......... ......

·CONTENTS. II... .. ......... ......... ... ......... ........ ........ ........! ........ ....... ...... ......... ...... ...... ........ ..... Paragraph Sanataria, 152 Care of Cadets, 153 Knowledge of Native Languages by Officers of the Army, 154 Seniority no longer allowed to determine Appointments to Command, 155 Recent Regulations for Promotion in England,....... 156 Rank conccded to Officers of the Indian Arıny wherover they may be, 157 Military Orphan School, 158 Revision of Military Departments, 159 Commissariat Department, 160 Stud Department, 161 Ordnance Department, 162 Abolition of Military Board,...... 163 Military Prisons, 164 Clothing Department, 165 Ecclesiastical Department, 166 l'rovision of Protestant Places of Worship, 167 Provision of Roman Catholic Places of Worship....... 168 Further Provision for Roman Catholics, 169 Medical Establisluent, 170 Dispensaries, L71 Vaccination, 172 Opening of Medical Service, 173 Proposal for the Improvement of the Medical Service, 174 Legislation, 175 Acts relating to Criminal Justico and Police, 176 Acts relating to Civil Justice and Procedure, 177 Miscellaneous Legislation, 178 Act for securing Liberty of Conscience,... 179 Conclusion, 180 ........ .... .. ......... ... ...... ...... ......... ... ..... ........ ...... ...... ........ ..... .......

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·VERNM DENT BENGAL uni Minute PUILIC LIBRARY 1802 BY TIIE MOST NOBLE THE GOVERNOR GENERAL INDIA; Datal 28th February 1856. 1. Tie tiine has nearly come when my, alministration of the Governinent of India, prolonged through more Riview of the period January 18 18 to Mirul than cight years, will reach its final close. 10 1850. would scem that soinc few hours may be profitably clorotcil to a short review of those eventful years, not for the purpose of justifying disputed measures, or of setting forth a retrospective defence of the policy which may, on every several occasion, have been adopted, but for the purpose of recalling the political events that havo occurred, the ineasures that have bron taken, and the progress that has been made, during thic course of the alministration which is about to closc. T enter on that review with the single hope that the Hon'ble Court of Directors may derive from the retrospect some degree of satisfaction with the past, and a still larger measure of encouragement for the future. 2. When I sailed from England in the winter of 1817 to assume the Government of India, there prevailed universal conviction among public men at home that permanent peace had at length been secured in the East. Before the suminer came we were alrcadly involved in the second Sikh War. That we were so, was due to no precipitation or fault of ours. The murder of the British Officers at Mooltan, and the opeu rebellion of the Dewan Moolraj, were not made pretext for quarrel with the Government. of Lahore. On the contrary, the offence of the Dewan Moolraj was scululously distinguished from national wrong. The Sikhs themselves were called upon to punish Moolraj as a rebel against their own Sovereign, and to exact reparation for the British Government, whose protection they had previously invoked. B ·( 2 ) But when it was seen that the spirit of the whole Sikh people was inflamed by tho Litterest animosity against us--when Chief after Chief deserted our cause, until nearly their whole Army, led by Sirdars who had signed the treaties, and by Members of the Council of Regency itself, was openly arrayed against us-when, above all, it was seen that the Sikhs, in their eagerness for our destruction, had even combined in unnatural alliance with Dost Mahomed Khan and his Mahomedan tribes-it became manifest that there was no alternative left. The question for us was no longer one of policy or of expediency, but one of national safety. Accordingly, the Government put forth its prer. After a prolongad campaign, and a struggle sovere and anxious, the Sikhs were utterly defeated and subdued, the Affghans were driven with ignominy through the mountains, and the Punjab became a British Province. 3. When little more than two years had passed, the Government of India again was suddenly engaged in hostilities with Burmalı. Certain British traders in the Port of Rangoon had been subjected to gross outrage by the Officers of the King of Ava, iu dircct violation of the Treaty of Yandalioo. Holding to the wisiloin of Lorul Wellesley's maxim, that an insult offered to the British Flag at the mouth of the Ganges should be resented as promptly and as fully as an insult offered at the mouth of the Thames, I should under any circumstances have regarded it as sound policy to exact reparation for wrong done to British subjects from any Native State. But our relations with the Burmese Court, and the policy it had long pursued towards us, imposed upon the Government of India, at the time to which I refer, the absolute necessity of exacting from it reparation for the systematic violation of treaty of which British tralers had now made formal complaint. Of all the Eastern nations with which the Government of India has had to do, the Burmese were the most arrogant and overbearing. During the years since the treaty with them har been concluded, they had treated it with disregard, and had been allowed to disregard it with impunity. They had been permitted to worry away our Envoys by petty annoyances from their Court, and their insolence had even been tolerated when at last they vexed our commercial Agent at Rangoon into silent departure from their port. Inflated by such indirect concessions as these, tho Burmans had assumed again the tone they ilscd before the War of 1825. On more than one occasion they had threatened ·( 3 ) rc-commencement of hostilities against us, and always at the most untoward time. However contemptible the Burman race may seem to critics in Europe, they have ever been regarded in the East as formidable in the extreme. Only five-and-twenty years before, the news of their march towards Chittagong had raised a panic in the bazars of Calcutta itself; and even in the late War, a rumour of their supposed approach spread consternation in the British Districts of Assam and Arracan. If deliberate and gross wrong should be tamely borne from such a people as this, without vindication of our rights or cxaction of reparation for the wrong, whether the motive of our inaction were desire of peace or contempt for the Burman power, it was felt that the policy would be full of danger ; for the Government of India could never, consistently with its own safety, permit itself to stand for a single day in an attitude of inferiority towards a Native power, and least of all towards the Court of Ava Every effort was made to obtain reparation by friendly means. Tho reparation required was no more than compensation for the actual loss incurred. But every cffort was vain. cffort was vain. Our demands were evaded ; our Officers were insulted. The warnings which we gave were treated with «lisregarıl, and the period of grace which we allowed was cinployed by the Burmese in strengthening their fortifications, and in making every preparation for resistance. Thereupon the Government of India (la-spatchcıl a powerful expedition to Pegil, and within a few weeks the whole of the Coast of Burmalı, with all its defences, was in our possession. Even then the Government of India abstained from further operations for scveral months, in the hope that, profiting by experience, the King of Ava would yet accede to our just demands. But our forbearance was fruitless. Accordingly, in the end of 1852, the British Troops took possession of the Kingdom of Peyu, anul the Territory was retained, in order that the Government of India might hold from the Burman State both adequate compensation for past injury and the best security against future danger. 4. Since hostilities with Burmah ceased, the Indian Empire has been at peace. No prudent man, who has any knowledge of Eastern affairs, would over venture to predict the maintenance of continued peace within our ·Eastern possessions. Experience-frequent, hard and recent experience has taught us, that War from without or rebellion from within may at any time be raised against us, in quarters where they were the least to be expected, and by the most feeble and unlikely instruments. No man, therefore, can ever prudently hold forth assurance of continued peace in India. But having regard to the relation in which the Government of India stands towards each of the several Foreign powers around it, I think it may be safely said that there seems to be no quarter from which formidable War can reasonably be apprehended at present. 5. Although the mission which lately proceeded to the Court of Ava, with the primary object of reciprocating the friendly fceling which the King of Ava had previously shown by voluntarily despatching an Embassy to the Governor General of India, has brought back with it no treaty of alliance or of commerce, I nevertheless regard the continuance of peace between the States as being not less eccure than the most formal instruinent could have made it. When the Hon'ble Court recalls to mind that from the very first, in 1852, I deprecated the reconstruction of any Treaty relations with the Court of Ava at all, it will not be surprised to find me adı, that I still consider peace with Ava as even more likely to be maintained in the absence of all commercial or friendly treaties, than if those conventions had been renewed as before. It is admitted on all sides that the desire of the king of Ava for lasting peace is gonuine and sincere. It is admitted that his will is supreme, and his authority without disputo, among his Chiefs and eople. A sense of inferiority has penetrated at last to the convictions of the nation. The Burman Court and the Burman people alike have shown that they now dread our power ; and in that drrad is the only real security we can ever have, or ever could have had, for stable peace with the Burman State. 6. For nearly forty years Nepal has. s-faithfully observed the peace she bought so dearly. Her minister, sagacious anal ablo, has himself been witness of the vast resources of our power, during his recent visit to Europe. He has been for some time 'engaged in a War with Thibet, which has been productive of heavy charge, while it has brought neither power nor profit to Nepal, and must have given unbrage to China, whose tributary she is. From Nepal, therefore, there is even less probability of hostility now, than in any one of the forty years during ·which she has in good faith observed the peace, which she solemnly bound herself to maintain, and which her obvious interests recommend. 7. Maharaja Golab Sing of Jummoo and Cashmere, so long as he lives, will never depart froin the submissive policy he announced, with unmistakeable sincerity in his air, when in Durbar at Wuzeerabad he caught my dress in his hands, and cried aloud,—"Thus I grasp the skirts of the British Government, and I will never let go my hold !" And when, as inust soon be, the Maharaja shall pass away, his son, Mcean Ruubeer Sing, will have enough to do to maintain his ground against rivals of his own blood, without giving any cause of offence to a powerful neighbour, which he well knows can crush him at its will. 8. On the Western border a Treaty has been made with the Khan of Kelat, whereby he becomes the friend of our friends and the enery of our enemies, and engages to give us temporary possession of such positions within his Territory as we may at any time require for purposes of defence. 9. Lastly, a Treaty was concluded, during the past year, with the Ameer Dost Mahomed Khan of Cabool. It bound him to be tho friend of our friends and the enemy of our enemies, while it imposed no corresponding obligation upon us from which inconvenience or embarrassment could arisc. The Ameer himself sought our friendship, and he has already stown that he regards it as a tower of strength. Thus the enmity which existed throngh many years, and which was aggravated by the Affghan policy of 1849, las happily been removed without any sacrifice on our part and to our manifest advantage. An alliance has been timely formed with the leading Affyhan State upon the solid basis of common interest against a common enemy. Already the consequences of the treaty lave developed themselves in the conquest of Candahar by the Ameer Dost Mahomel Khan, an event which has largely increased the Ameer's power, while it has brought to pass for us, that cvery portion of our Western Frontier, from the Himalayas even to the Sea, is now covereil against hostile attack by the barrier of a treaty with a friendly powo% I venture to think that the Court of Directors will see me this brief summary ample reason to be content with the condition in which I leave the relations of the Hon'ble East India Company with every Foreign State around its border. 10. As regards the internal tranquillity of the Empire, I have already observed that no man can presume to warrant its continuance, with ·(6) certainty, for a day. In Territories and among a population so vast, occasional disturbance must needs prevail. Raids and forays are, and will still be, reported from the Western Frontier. From time to time marauding expeditions will descend into the plains, and again expeditions to punish the marauders will penetrate the Hills. Nor can it be expected but that, among races so various and multitudes so innuinerable, local outbreaks will from time to time occur, as little looked for as that of the Sonthal tribe in the Damun-i-koh. But the rising of the Sontbal tribe has been repressed, and measures of precaution have been taken, such as may be expected to prevent all risk of its recurrence. With respect to the Frontier raids, they are, and must for the present be viewed as, events inseparable from the state of society which for centuries past has existed among these mountain tribes. They are no more to be regarded as interruptions of the general peace in Iudia than the streetbrawls which appear among the every-lay proceedings of a Police Court in London are regarded as indications of the existence of Civil War in England. I trust, therefore, that I am guilty of no presumption in saying that I shall leave the Indian Empire in peace, without and within. 12. During the eight years over which we now look back, the British Territories in the East have been largely increased : within that time four Kingdoms have passed under the sceptre of the Queen of England, and various Chiefships and separate tracts have been brought under her sway. 13. The Kingdom of the Punjab and the Kingdom of Pegu were the fruits of conquest, which followed upon the Wars, whose origin and issue have beon already stated. 14. The Kingdom of Nagpore became British Territory by simple lapse, in the absence of all legal heirs. The Kingdoin, which had been granted to the reigning Raja by the British Government when it had become forfeited by the treachery of Appa Sahib, was left without a claimant when the Raja died. No son had been born to His Highness ; none had been adopted by him; nono, as they have themselves admitted, was adopted at the Raja’s death by the Ranecs, his widows. There remained no one male of the line who descended from the stock and bore the name of Bhonsla.

·( 7 ) The British Government, therefore, refused to bestow the Territory in free gift upon a stranger, and wisely incorporated it with its own Dominions. 15. Lastly, the Kingdom of Oude has been assumed in perpetual government for the Hon'ble East India Company, in pursuance of a policy which has so recently been under the consideration of the Hon'ble Court that I deem it unuecossary to refer to it moro particularly here. 16. The Principality of Sattara was included in the British Territories in 1849 by right of lapse, the Raja having died without male heir. 17. In like manner the Chiefship of Jhansie has reverted to the possession of the Indian Government. 18. Lastly, by a treaty concluded in 1853, His Highness the Nizam has assigned in perpetual Government to the Hon'ble East India Company the Province of Berar and other Districts of his State, for the permanent maintenance of the Hyderabad Contingent, for the payment of certain debts which he had incurred, and for the termination of those transactions which for many years had been the fruitful source of dispute, and had even endangered the continuance of friendly relations between the States. 19. By the several territorial acquisitions which have just been enumerated, a revenue of not less than l'unjab £1,500,000 Pegn (1951) 270,000 (L 1,000,000) four millions Sterling Nagore (less tribute) 410,000 (nuc, 1,450,000 has been added to the annual income 150,000 of the Indian Empire. Jhansie 50,000 Jlyderdal, 500,000 20. Stated in general terms, the 1:1,380,000 revenue of India has increased From Returns aurl from Parliamentary from L26,000,000 in 1817-18 to Puppern. £30,000,000 in 1831-55; and the income of the present year, exclusive of Oude, has been estimated at the samo amount of £30,000,000 Sterling. Without entering into any close detail, it may be stated that the main sources of revenue are not less productive than beforo ; while the revenue derived from Opium has increased from £2,730,000 in 1817-48 to L4,700,000 in 1854-55, and is estimated at upwards of £5,000,000 for the present year. 21. The increase which has gradually and rapidly taken place in the external trade of India may be fairly estimated by the shipping returns of its principal port, Calcutta. Sattara ·( 8 ) In 1847-48 there arrived in the Hooghly 625 vessels (exclusive of Native craft) amounting to 274,000 tons. In 1854-55 the number of vessels had increased to 866, and the tonnage to 481,000 tons; while in the first ten months of the present year, there have already arrived 1,010 vessels of 556,000 tons. Thus, in these cight years, the tonnage which sought the Port of Calcutta has more than doubled in anount. 22. The facts which have been briefly stated above would seem to promise well for the financial prosperity of the country. A measure which was carried into effect in 1853-54 was calculated to contribute further to that end. During those years the Five per cent. debt of India was entirely extinguished. Excepting the payment of a comparatively small sum in cash, the whole of the five per cent. deht was either converted into a Four per cent. debt, or re-placed in the open Four per cent. loan. The saving of interest which was effected by this operation amounted to upwards of L300,000 per annum. At a later period, by a combination of many unfavorable circumstances which could not have been anticipated, and which were not foreseen in England any more than by us in India, the Government has again been obliged to borrow at the high rate of five per cent. But the operation of 1853-54 was not less politic or less successful in itsell, while the financial relief it afforded was timely and effectual. 23. During the years 1847-48 and 1848-49 the annual deficiency which had long existed still continued to appear in the accounts; but in each of the four following years the deficiency was converteil into a surplus, varying from £360,000 to nearly L580,000. During the years 1853-54 and 1854-55 there has again been a heavy deficiency, and the deficiency of the present year is estimated at not less than L1,850,000. But these apparent deficiencies are caused by the enormous expenditure which the Government is now annually making upon Public Works designed for the general improvement of the several Provinces of the Indian Empire. Therefore, a large annual deficiency must and will continue to appear, unless the Government shall unhappily change its present policy, and abandon the duty which I humbly conceive it owes tu the territories entrusted to its charge. The ordinary revenues of the Indian Empire are amply sufficient, and more than sufficient, to meet all its ordinary charges; but they are not sufficient to provide for the innumerable and gigantic works which are necessary to its ·(9) dne improvement. It is impracticable to effect, and absuril to attempt, the material improvement of a great Empire by an expenditure which shall not cxceed the limits of its ordinary annual income. 2+. It is impossible, within the narrow bounds of a singlo Minuto, to describe all the various changes that have been made, and the improvements that have been introduced, in the system of Indian adininistrition, and its several subordinate departments, during the long period which is now being passed under review. A few loading facts can alonc be recalled and marshalled in their order. 25. The several new Provinces whose Government we have assumal have been administered in tranquillity and with success. The remarkable results which have attended the labors of the able First Punjah Report; and eminent men, to whom was committed the charge of the Province of the Punjab, are now familiar to Parliament and to the country. I feel it to be unnecessary to auld even a single word to the Punjab Reports already submitted to the Hon'ble Court, which explain how internal pcaco has been guarıled --how the various cstablishments of the State have been - organized-how violent crime has been repressed, the penal law cxc- “cuted, and prison discipline cnforced—how Civil Justice has been "administered-how the taxation las been fixed and the revenue “collected--how commerce has been set free, agriculture fostered, and “the national resources developed-how plans for future improvement “ liave been projected--and lastly, how the finances have been managed.”. para 452. 26. In the Province of Pegu the results of our administration have licen satisfactory in a high degree, though they have ncither the brilliancy nor the interest which attaches to the labors of the local Officers in the Punjab. But in Pegu aiso we have the satisfaction of knowing that, in spito of the peculiar discouragements and heavy difficulties with which our Officers have had to contend, complete tranquillity has long since been established. The people, lightly taxed and well to do, arc highly contented with our rule : order and quiet prevail throughout the Districts : even in Tharrawaddy, which under the Burman rule was the permanent refuge of rebellion -and crime, all outrage has ceased. The rivers, the great highways of the country, watched by an effective police, are tra- C ·( 10 ) 1 versed in safety by all. Trade is rapidly increasing : a new port has been founded for the new European trade which has at once sprung up: and, light as taxation is, the revenue has already exceeded the amount at awhich I estimated its probable mcasure, for « it is expected that twenty-seven lakhs will be collected this year. Population alone is wanting. When that deficiency shall have beon supplied, the Province of Pegu will equal Pengal in fertility of producand will surpass it in every other respect. tion, 27. The anticipations of those who believed that the renewal of British authority in Nagpore would be hailed with lively satisfaction by the whole population of the Province, have been more than fulfilled by the event. The Raj was transferred by a simple order to the possession of the British Crown. Not ono additional sollior was moved into the Province. Our Civil administration has been introduced into every District. Şuch portion of the Army as was required has been embodied and disciplined in our pay, while the rest have been pensioned, or discharged with a hanılsoinc gratuity. Perfect coutentment and quict prevail. Beyond the palace walls not a murmur has been heard, and in no single instance throughout the districts has the public peace been disturbed. 28. Equally happy results have attended the assignment which the Nizam was persuaded to make of the districts belonging to the Stato of Hyderabad In the possession of Berar and the neighbouring districts of Nagpore, the British Government, it deserves to be remembered, has secured the finest cotton tracts which are known to exist in all tho continent of India, and thus has opened up a great additional channel of supply, through which to maku gooil a felt deficiency in the staple of onc grcat branch of its manufacturing industry. Since the assignment was made all disputes with the Nizam have ecascd. Though the Districts assigned were covered with places of defencethe famous fortress of Gawilghur among the rest—and although they were garrisoned by Arabs or Rohillahs, yet all were delivered over submissively and at once, and not a single shot was fired in anger. There also the Civil administration has been introduced. Crimc, especially the violent crime of dacoity, has already much diminished. The Revenue is already capidly increasing. The public tranquillity has not been disturbed by even a single popular tumult; and the admirable ·( 11 ) little Army which was formerly the Nizam's Contingent, lout which is now a British force, is available for any service for which it may be required. 29. The assumption of the Governinent of Oude is an event too recent to admit of any record being given of the progress that has been made towards the organization of its future adıninistration. The Government of the Province was assuined on the 7th of this month. Up to the present time, no resistance has been attempted, no disturbance of the public peace has occurred. The troops of the King are contentedly taking service in our pay; and, thus far, at least, no Zemindar or Chicf has refused submission to our authority. A complete Civil alministration has been prepared, and the military force which it was intended to retain had been fully organized, before negociations were opened with the King Officers had been named to every appointment. The best men that could be found available wero sclected from the Civil and Military Services for the new Offices in Oude, and the Government has every reason to anticipate that they will achieve an equal degree of success with those to whom siinilar tasks havo previously been committeil. 30. It is not, however, in the now Provinces alone that great changes have been brought to pass. When the Statute of 183: expired, matcrial and important changes were made by the House of Parliament upon the framo of the administration itself. Of these, two principal measures are worthy of note. 31. Until that time the local Governmout of Bengal had been placed in the hands of the Governor General of India. But in the ycar 1853, the systein, by which the Officer charged with the responsibility of controlling the Covernment of all India was further burdened with local duties of vast extent and importance, was happily abandoned. The Governor General was finally liberated from the obligation of performing an impossible task, and a Licutenant Governor was appointed to the charge of Bengal alone. The importance of this measure cannot be over-rated. 32. At the same time another great change was introduced, eqnally novel in its character, and not less important. A Council was appointed as the Legislature of India, which was no longer identical with the Supreme Council, but included divers other members, and exercised its functions by scparate and distinct proceedingsof its own ·( 12 ) The organization of the Legislative Council proved to be a work which involved great labor, and was attended with many difficulties. The proceedings of the Council, however, were speedily reduced to form. The duties of the Council have subsequently been laboriously and faithfully performed. The public has long since had access to its deliberations. Its debates and papers are printed and published, and I trust and believe that Parliament and the public will each year see reason to be more and more content with the manuer in which the Legislativo Council of India will fulfil the purposes for which it was established. 33. Before proceeding to enumerate the ineasures that have been framed and carried into effect in connexion with the internal administration of the country, I am desirous of referring to some political incidents, which are not uuworthy of note, although they did not seem to be of sufficient in portance to find a place in the paragraplis allotted to the foreign relations of the Hon'ble Company. 34. Early in 1848, the Raja of Ungool, a petty Chieftain in the Jungle Mehals, resisted the authority of the Government. Ilis Raj was taken from him, and he has siuce died in exile. 35. The Rajah of Sikkim, a Hill Chieftain on the borders of Nepal, in order to enforce certain claims which he alleged agaiust the Government of India, had the audacity to scize the person of the Political Officer at Darjeeling, when travelling under the Raja's safeguard within his Dominions. · Military preparations were mado; the Agent was released; and all the Territories which the Raja possessed within the plains were confiscated and have been retained. 36. In Sinde, Meer Ali Moorad of Khyrpoor was accused of having forged a clause in a treaty whereby le had wrongfully obtained possession of lands which of right belonged to the British Government. full and fair investigation was made. The Ameer had every opportunity afforded to him of defending himself, but his guilt was proved beyond a doubt. The lanıls were taken from him, and his power and influence were reduced to insignificance. 37. Upon the death of the Nawab of Bhawulpore, who had faithfully supported us in the contest with Moolraj, and to whom a pension of a lakh of rupees was granted as a reward, his second son was acknowledged as his successor, in accordance with the Nawab's request. Before very long, rebellion was raised against the new Nawab, and appeal was made to the British Government.

·( 13 ) Nothing would have been easier for that Governinent than to have made terms by which direct and prospective advantage would have been gained for itself. The Government, however, refrained from all endeavour to aggrandise.itself. It left to the Daoodpootras themselves to determine who should be their ruler, and when they had decided in favour of the eldest brother, the natural heir, the Government at once recognized him as Nawab, stipulating only for the safety of the deposed ruler, and accepting the custody of his person. 38. In like manner, when Jung Bahadoor had begged from the Nepalese Durbar the lives of his own brother and of the brother of the Raja of Nepal, who has conspired for the assassination of the minister, and when he obtained their lives only on condition that the British Government would undertake for their safc custody, the Government acting in the interests of humanity accepted the trust, though it was a dubious and responsible one. 39. When, not long since, Raja Jowahir Sing was engaged in open resistance to his uncle, Maharaja Golab Sing, the Government of India maintained a rigid neutrality. Nothing would have been more casy than that the Government of India, while acting strictly within the obligations of Treaty, should have so framed its policy on this occasion as to place itself in a favorablo position for drawing its own advantages from the contest which one day or other will probably arise between the members of the Jummoo family, and for perhaps recovering the fertile and unhappy Province of Cashmere, which in 1846 we unwittingly handed over to a Chief who has proved himself a veritablo tyrant, and who alrcady appears to be the founder of a race of tyrants. But the Government of India was loyal both to the spirit and to the letter of its obligations, and stood wholly aloof from both contending pårties. 40. Very lately the Nawab of Mumdote, who derived his independent powers from our 'gift, was accused of the grossest tyranny and of many personal atrocities. Full investigation was made, and the Nawab has been removed from power, and his Territory will be administered in trust for his family. 41. Seven years ago the heir apparent to the King of Delhi died. He was the last of the royal race who had been born in the purple. The Court of Dircctors was accordingly advised to decline to recognise ·( 14 ) any other heir-apparent, and to permit the kingly title to fall into abeyance upon the death of the present King, who even then was a very aged man. The Hon'ble Court accordingly conveyed to the Government of India authority to terminate the Dynasty of Timoor whenever the reigning king should die. But as it was found that, although the Hon'ble Court had consente to the measure, it had given its consent with grcat reluctance, I abstainel from making use of the authority which had been given to me. The grandson of the King was recognisel as huir-apparent, but only on condition that he should quit the Palace in Delhi, in order to resiile in the Palace at the Kootub, and that he sbould as King receive the Governor General of Iudia at all times on terms of perfect equality. 42. The Nawab Nazim of Bengal having permitted a cruel murilor, by the infliction of bastinado, to be conimitteil within his jurisdiction, and almost at the door of his own tent, Ilis Highness' peculiar jurisiliction and legal exemption were taken away from himn; and he was subjected to the disgrace of losing a large portion of the salute of honor which he had previously received. 43. During the lastautumn the Nawab of the Carnaticvery suddenly lied. As the Treaty by which the Musoul of the Carnatic was conferrel on His Highness' predecessor was exclusively a personal one, as the Nawab had left no male heir, and as both he and his family had disreputably abused the dignity of their position and the large share of public revenue which had beou allotted to them, the Court of Directors has been advised to place the title of Nawab in abeyancc, granting fitting pensions to the several members of the Carnatic family, 44. Very shortly after the death of the Nawal of the Carnatic, the Raja of Tanjore deceased. He left no son, and no male heir, direct or indirect, who bore his name. The Hon'ble Court was thereforo advised to resume the large stipend, which the Raja had cnjoycci, as a lapse to the Government ; pensions being granted to the members of the family, as in all similar cascs. 45. In consequence of the proyed existence of Khutput (that is of bribery and other undue influence) in conuexion with the political affairs of Baroda at Bombay, the direction of the relations of His Highness the Guicowar with the British Government was transferred to the Governor General in Council. Since that time His Highness' affairs have ceased to give troublo or anxiety, and, so far as can be known, ·( 15 ) no attempt to cxercise Khutput has ever been made by IIis IIighness' agents, or by Goozeratteo intriguers, at Calcutta. All the States in Central India have been placed under the control of a Governor General's Agent for Central India, with the some advantage which attended a similar measure within Rajpootana. 46. There are two incidents connected with the families of Native Princes, which remarkably signalise the period we are now reviewing, though they may not be regarded as of political moment. 47. The first is the aloption of the Christian faith by Maharaja Dulcep Sing, the last of the rulers of the Punjab. The act was voluntary on the part of the boy, and, under the guidance of God's hands, was the result of his own uninfluence convictions. It is gratifying to be able to stato, that his life hitherto has been strictly consistent with the injunctions of the faith he professes. 48. Tho other incident is of a similar character. I refer to the Christian baptism of the daughter of the Ex-Raja of Coorg, under the special protection of Iler Majesty the Queen. The desire for the baptismı of the young Princess procecled from the Raja himself, and was intimated to mc so early as in 1818. 49. The catalogue of the changes and improvements which liave bcon cffected, and of the measures that have been taken, under various locals in the several branches of the Civil administration, during the last eight years, is happily a long one. It commences with the re-organization of the Civil Scrvice itself. 50. By the statutc which was passed in 1853 to provide for the Government of India, admission to the Indian Civil Service was thrown open to all who, being natural-born subjects of the Queen, should offer themselves as, candidates for examination and admission. This change of system, comprohonsive in its principle and momentous in its conscquences for good or for ill, is still an experiment whose result remains to be seen. 51. Before this large step was taken by the Imperial Parliament, new and stringent rules had been introduced by the Government of India for increasing the efficiency of the Officers of the Civil Servico. The unnecessarily protracted period which was allowed for study to every young Civilian, before he presented himself for the examination which was to test his fitness for entering on active duties, was much ·( 16 ) curtailed. Instead of allowing for that purpose twenty-two months, during which the young gentlemen had usually idled and loitered at the Presidency, the Government now requires that every Civilian shall pass an examination in two languages within six months after his arrival. If he should fail to do so, he is not allowed to remain at the Presidency, but is sent into tho Mofussil to continue his studies there. These rules have been extended to all the several Governments. 52. Periodical examinations of the Covenanted Assistants in the several branches of the administration have been established. Every Assistant is required to pass each of these successive examinations before he receives promotion to a higher grade in the Civil Service. A similar system of examinations has been established for the Uncovenanted Officers whom the Government employs. It is believed that the regulations just described havo been productive of the best effect. 53. Sinultaneously with those measures, the College of Fort William, which was established by the wisdom of Lord Wellesley, but which scemed no longer adapted to the purposes it was intended to serve, and which had indeed become a more name, was abolished. A Board of Examiners for conducting examinations, and for superintonding the studies of young Civilians, has been created in its stead. 54. All Officers of the Government have been prohibited from engaging or taking any part whatever in the management of Banking and Trading Companies. 54 A. It has been ordered by the IIon'ble Court, that in the event of any of their servants, Civil or Military, resorting for relief to the Insolvont Court, they shall be suspended until the pleasure of the Court shall be made known. 54 B. After several references and modifications, a complete set of Civil Absentee Rules has been substituted for those which were published in 1843. It is hoped that they will be found advantageous at once to the members of the Civil Service and to the interests of the Hon'ble Company. 55. The following are improvements that have been introduced into the frame of the administrative departments. 56. In the Non-Regulation Provincos a principle has been established, whereby the whole body of Civil Officers is distributed into classes of varying size and numbers. The promotion from class to class is ·( 17 ) regulated by merit, not by seniority. Undoubted benefit has arisen from this change. 57. Effect has been given to this principle in the Uncovenanted Service of Government. The system of promotion from grade to grade was formerly regulated by length of service. It gave to each Officer promotion, as a matter of course, after hc had served a certain number of years. Promotion by merit is now the rule. In Bengal and in the North-Western Provinces tho Uncovenanted Officers in the Opium Department, the Deputy Collectors, the Deputy Magistrates, and Abkaree Superintendents, have been arranged in classes, on different rising salaries. Merit alone will now raise an Officer from a lower to a higher among these classes. The superiority of the new system must be obvious at a glance. 58. In addition to thesc improvements in the terms of service under which the large and valuable boily of Uncovenanted Officers is employed in India, there are others which remain to be noticed. The benefits of the Pension Rules have been conceded to the Officers of the Education Department. This boon has been extended to tho Uncovenanted Officers of the Public Works Department, and to those of the Bengal Steain Service. Furthermore, a set of Absentee Rules for the Uncovenanted Service has been prepared, and has been submitted for the confirmation of the Hon'ble Court. 59. Formerly in the Lower Provinces two separate Boards, each consisting of two Members, had the management, one of the Revenue of Customs Salt and Opium, the other of the general Revenue. The effect of their peculiar constitution was to imposo upon the Government tho necessity and the labor of deciding in every one of the numerous cases in which the two Members of each Board might chance to differ in opinion. The separate Boards were abolished ; and ono Revenue Board of three Members was created in their room. 60. A scheme of reform of the Secretariat and of the Administrativo Departments at Bombay, which was submitted by the Government of that Presidency, has been sanctioned, with some temporary reservations. 61. An Accountant General has been appointed in immediate connexiou with the Supreme Government.

·( 18 ) 62. For some time past very earnest endeavours have been made to expedite the preparation and despatch of the Reports on the Sketch and regular Estimates, and of the Statements of actual Receipts and Disoursements in each year. It is believed that in future years the wishes of the Home Authorities will be completely met. The Sketch Estimate of 1855-56 was sent on 22nd October 1855. It is expected that the regular Estimate of 1855-56 will be sent in May 1856; and that the actual Statement of 1855-56 will be made up in December 1856. 63. It has however been long felt by tho Supreme Government that the information which was given, as to the condition of the Indian finances in cach year, by the Reports which accompanied the Estimates of the year, was cumbrous, obscure and insufficient. Whereforc, in order to enable the Government of India to take a formal anıl clear review of its financial position, at regular intervals, it was lately directed that, in aldition to the Reports which are annually prepared by the Financial Secretary to accompany thc Sketch and regular Estimates and the Accounts of actual Receipts and Disburseinents, the Secretary should in future, once in each year, at the time of the submission of the regular Estimate, prepare a separate Report, pointing the attention of the Government in this country and at home to any notable changes in the income from material sources of Revenuc, and affording such explanation of the cause as is to be given, noticing where and how any material increase or reduction of expenditure has been made, and submitting gencrally an exposition of the prospects of the coming year founded upon an intelligible analysis of the results of the year under review. 64. In the year 1854, it was represented to the Hon'ble Court of Directors that in the circumstances of the present day it was unnecessary to maintain any longer the Office of Government Agent. The business of the Government Agent, (the whole of the property in whose hands was private property, not liable to the jurisdiction of the Government, and in cases of dispute tangible by law only,) consisted in buying and selling Goverument Securities for whoever thought proper to employ him. These and similar functions seemed no part of the duty of a Government Officer ; nor was there any reason why the Goverument of the country should continue to act any longer as a private Agent. Accordingly, the consent of the Hon'ble Court was given to the abolition of the Government Agency at the end of the present year. - ·( 19 ) 65. By the Statute of 1853, the salary of each Member of the Supreme Council was fixed at Rupees 80,000 per annum. The salary of ench Member of the Legislative Council was fixed at Rupees 50,000 per annum. Guided by this standard the Government has ruled, that no salary in India, shall excocd 50,000 Rupees a year, with some few and specified exceptions. 66. Under the orders of the Hon'ble Court a Special Commissioner has recently been appointed, for the purpose of executing the revision, which the ITon'blo Court had required the Governmeut to make, of all Civil Salaries throughout the Indian Territories. 67. Two great subjects, which command the decpest interest and attention in Eugland, have received, during these ycars in India, a large measure of consideration and practical (levelopment-I incan Prison Discipline and Elucation, It was in the North-west Provinces, under the administration of Mr. Thomason, that the first offcctual effort was made for the improveicot of Prisons and Prison Discipline. The appointment of an Inspector of Prisons within that juriseliction was found to be so benoticial in all respects, that a similar Office was crcaled in Bengal. The Governments of Mulras and Bombay have since been authorised to establish the Office within their respective Presidencies. It has long since been found necessary to employ an Officer in that capacity for the Non-Regulation Province of the Punjab, and the advantuge which would have been derived from possessing the control of such ilu Officer there from its first annexation having been inde apparent, the Governinent has profited by experience, and has included an Inspector of Prisons among the necessary administrative Officers of the Province of Oude. In connection with this subject it may be added that the punishinent of transportation to the Colonies having been abolished in respect of all civil European prisoners, measures have heen taken for preparing a general Prison for persons of that class convicted in India. 68. Until of lote years the progress of Education in India, under the auspices of the several Local Governments, must be admitted to have been languid and inconsiderablo.

·( 20 ) It received its first great impulse, as a general system, from the hand of the late Mr. Thomason, who obtained permission to cstablish a Government School in every Tchsildaree within eight Districts in Hindoostan. The measure was declaredly cxporimental-; but it was attended with such signal success, that in 1853, the Government of India very earnestly recommended that the system of Vernacular Education, which had proved so effectual, should be extended to the whole of the North- Western Provinces. Not only was this large measure recommended for immediate adoption, but similar measures were advised for the Lower Provinces of Bengal and for the Punjab, with such modifications as their various circumstances might be found to require. The Supreme Government did not fail to give its attention to tho subject of Vernacular Education in Bombay and Madras, in the former of which some progress has been made. About the same period the Hindoo College and the Mudrissa in Calcutta were revised and improved. In connection with them the Honorable Court was requested to sanction the establishment of a Presidency College at Calcutta, which should be open to all classes of the community, and which should furnish a higher scale of Education, especially of English Education, to the youth of Bengal, than was supplied by any existing Institutions. The establishment of the College has since been sanctioned, While the proposals for that Institution, and for the extension of Vernacular Education, were still before the Home Authorities, the Honorable Court addressed to the Government of India their great Education Despatch dated 19th July 1854. It contained a Scheme of Education for all India, far wider and more comprehensive than the Local or the Supreme Govornment could ever have ventured to suggest. It left nothing to be desired, if indeed it did not authorise and direct that more should be done than is within our present grasp. Vernacular Schools throughout the Districts, Government Colleges of a higher grade, and a University in each of the three Presidencies of India, were the main fcatures of this great plan. The bestowal of Grants-in-Aid on all Educational Institutions was also sanctioned, subject to certain rules, and on the condition of Govern. ment inspection being at all times and fully admitted. Immediate steps wero' taken in India for giving effect to the orders of the Honorablo Court, .

·( 21 ) A distinct department for the superintendence of Education was constituted. A Director of Public Instruction has been appointed by each Governor and Licutenant-Governor, and in the Punjab; and suitable aid by Inspectors and others has been allotted to each of them. Provisional Rules for regulating Grants-in-Aid have been sanctioned for the guidance of the several Local Governments. Lastly, a Committee has been appointed for the purpose of framing a Scheme for the establishment of Universities at the Presidency Towns of Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay. It is still engaged in its difficult task. 69. In its general Educational projects the Government has not lost sight of a collateral object, full of peculiar interest, namely, the Education of the Females of India. In 1850, at the suggestion of the late Mr. Bethune, then the President of the Council of Education, that body was instructed by the Government of Bengal to consider their functions as henceforth extending to the Superintendence of Native Femalo Education, and that, whenever any disposition was shown by the Natives to establish Female Schools, it would be their duty to give them all possible cncouragemont. The Court of Directors, in their Despatch already referred to, observed that the importance of Female Education cannot be over-rated ; and they expressed their cordial sympathy with the efforts which had been made for its cncouragement and extension. It is well known that, among the many difficulties which have stood in the way of cducating the females of India, none has been more obstructive than the reluctance which has always been shown by the higher classes of Natives to consent to permit the attendance of their daughters in schools. The late Mr. Bethunc endeavoured to meet this difficulty at the Capital; by founding a school for the especial instruction of tho fomale children of Natives of wealth and rank. It began with very small beginnings, but the influence, the liberality, and the persever anco of its founder enabled him to achieve and to witness a certain success in his labors. His unexpected and lamented death, in 1851, seemed likely to be fatal to the benevolent and novel undertaking in which he had engaged. Unwilling that any chance of success in so desirable an object should be lost, I adopted and have myself supported the School from the time of Mr. Bethunc's death until now.

·( 22 ) Though it has struggled on but slowly, its progross has been steady and still continues. The attendance has gone on increasing, until there are now moro than fifty scholars attached to the School. By means of funds which were left by Mr. Béthune, an excellent School-house and all requisite buildings have been constructed in Cornwallis Square. Every thing, as I leave it, promises well; and as the Hon'ble Court has been pleased to take upon itself the pecuniary maintenance of the School in future, I trust that such special interest will be shown in the undertaking, by those of rank and influence on the spot, that its future progress will be insured, until it shall have acquired an extent and stability which will enable it to fulfil the high purposes for which its founder, Mr. Bethune, designed it. 70. While it is gratifying to me to be thus able to state that the moral and social questions which are engaging attention in Europe have not been neglected in India yduring the last cight years, it is doubly gratifying to record, that those years have also witnessed the first introduction into the Indian Einpire of three great engines of social improvement, which the sagacity and science of recent times had previously given to the Western Nations I mean Railways, Uniform Postage, and the Electric Telegraph. I propose to advert to each of them, briefly, in their order. 71. The subject of Railway communication in India was first laid before the Supremo Government by Mr. Macdonald Stephenson, in 1843, In 1819 the Hon'ble Company engaged in a Contract with the East Indian Railway Company, for the construction of an experimental line at a cost not exceeding one million Sterling. The line was to be selected with a view to its forming a portion of a future trunk line to the North-Western Provinces. On that ground the section from Howrah towards Rajmahal was chosen, with a branch to the Coal field at Raneegunge. In the cold weather of 1851, a line was surveyed between Burdwan and Rajmahal. In the following season that survey was continued to Allahabad. In the Spring of 1853 the Government of India submitted to the Court of Directors its views upon the general question of Railways for the Indian Empire. + ·( 23 ) The Hon'ble Court was respectfully advised to encourage the formation of Railways in India to the utınost. It was urged not to hesitate to engage in the enterprise upon a scale commensurate to the vast extent of the Territories which had been placed under its Government, and to the great political and conimercial interests which were involved. It was specifically recommended that, in the first instance, a system of trunk lines should be formed, connecting the interior of each Presidency with its principal port, and connecting the several Presidencies with each other. The trunk lines which were proposed, and of which the general direction could alone be given, were, --- 18,-A line froin Calcutta to Lahore. 2nd,-A line from Agra, or some point in Hindostan, to Borabay, 'or alternatively a line from Bombay by the Nerbudda Valley to meet at some point the line from Calcutta to La re. 3rd,--A line uniting Bombay and Madras. 411,-A line from Madras to the Malabar Coast. The 1[on'blo Court was pleased to give its approval to the general plan which the Supreme Government had sketched. Some progress has already been made in the construction of most of these lines; and incasures have been taken for the construction of them all in due course of time. In the Bengal Presidency, the line from Calcutta to Ranecgunge, a distance of 120 iniles, was opened on the 3rd February 1855. The Court of Directors has sanctioned the construction of a line from Burdwan to Delhi, on a capital of L'10,000,000 Sterling. The direction of the line from Burdwan to Allahabad having boen previously approved, that from Allahabad to Cawnpore was sanctioned in Juhe 1854, from Cawnpore to near Agra in December 185t, and thence vid Agra and Muttra to Delhi in November 1855. Surveys of two alternative lines from Delhi or Agra to Lahore were executed in 1854-55 : additional surveys have been authorized from Mirzapore to Jubbulpore, and from Cawnpore to Bhilsa. It has been stated above that the trunk line from Calcutta to Burdwan, with a branch to Raneegunge, has already been opened. It is expected that the section of this trunk line which lies between Mirzapore and Agra (except the bridge over the Jumna at Allahabad) ·( 24 ) will be completed by the end of 1857; and arrangements are in progress for opening this portion of the line separately. Itis further expected that the section between Burdwan and Rajmahal will be completed in 1858, and the remainder probably not till 1859. In the Bombay Presidency the Hon'ble East India Company has recognized and made engagements with two Railway Companies for executing the several lines proposed ; the first, the Great India Peninsula Railway Company; the second, the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Company. In 1849 a contract was entered into with the former, for constructing an experimental line from Bombay towards the Ghâts. The first section of the Bombay line, which was the first line of Railway employed for public traffic in India, was opened on 16th April 1853. A length of fifty-one miles on this line, from Bombay to Wasindra, has been open since October 1855. Aftor much discussion and many surveys, in regard to the competing lines for the traffic between Candeish and Bombay, (the one proposed by the Great India Peninsula Railway Company, direct, by the Thull Ghât in the Syhādree Rangc--the other proposed by the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Company, circuitous, by way of the Tapteo Valley,) the Government of India was enabled to form a well-founded conclusion in the autumn of 1855. The Supreme Government recommended that the line from Bombay to Candeish by way of the Thull Ghật should be sanctioned by the Hon'ble Court as a highly important local line. At the end of the year the Supreme Government recommended further, that an extension of this line from Candeish to Nagpore should receive the sanction of the Hon'ble Court. Thus direct and casy and cheap conveyance will be afforded to the magnificent port of Bombay, not only for the produce of the rich province of Candeish, but for all the raw cotton of the famous districts of Berar and Nagpore, to whose value allusion has already been made in a previous paragraph of this Minute. Surveys have also been executed for this Company from Candeish to the Iron and Coal Districts on the Nerbudda, and as far as Jubbulpore, where they will meet the survey already mentioned from Mirzapore. In December 1854, the Supreme Government recommended to the Hon'ble Court to give its sanction to the line from Bombay by the Bhore Ghât to Poona, as the first section of the trunk line from Bombay to Madras.

·( 23 ) In the autumn of 1855, the Hon'ble Court was advised to sanction the prolongation of this line from Poona as far as the River Kistna, wliere it is intended to meet the trunk line from Madras. In November 1854, the Government of India resolved to recomiend to the Court of Directors to give its sanction to the line which had been surveyed by the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Company from Bombay to Baroda and Ahmedabad, and which was intended to form the first section of a trunk line from the Western Coast of India to Ilinclostan. The Hon'ble Court was pleased to approve of the section from Surat to Ahmedabad, but it withheld, for the time, its sanction to the section betweon Surat and Bombay. The line of junction which should be selected between the Presidency of Bombay and Hindostan has been found beset with difficulties. But in the very last hours of my administration, I have had the satisfaction of receiving plans and sections, which appear to show that a very practicable and eligible line may be found from Baroache over the Ghâts to Indore, and thence by Bhilsa and Gwalior to Agra. I trust that this linc, forming an excellent junction between Bombay and Hindostan, and giving casy access to the rich products und important trade of Central India may ultimately be adoptod. In the Madras Presidency all the Railway engagenents of the Hon'ble East India Company have been formed with the Madras Railway Company A lino from Madras by Vaniombaddy, Salem, and Coimbatore, to Poonany on the Malabar Coast, was sanctioned by the Hon'ble Court. No portion of this line has been opened as yet for public traffic; but I had the satisfaction of travelling upon it for about fifty miles in No: vember last, and I saw every reason to approve of the execution of the line, and of the vigour with which the works wero being carried on. Sanction has also been given by the Hon'ble Court to a branch line from Vaniem baduy to Bangalore. Two plans have been proposed for the trunk line which is to unito the Presidencies of Madras and Bombay. The one line would proceed by Cuddapah and Bellary to the River Kistna the other would form a continuation of the line first mentioned, and would be carried from Bangalore to Bellary, and thence to the River Kistna, ·( 26 ) The Supreme Government has given the preference to the trunk line by way of Cuddapah, and has referred the question for the final decision of the Hon'ble Court. 'It seems to me that the Hon'ble Court have every reason to he satisfied with the progress that has been made in the construction of Indian Railways since 1849, and with the prospect of future return. 72. The inferiority of the Postal system in India, and the unsatisfactory manner in which the Post Office Department had been found to work in every Presidency, induced the Supreme Government, in the year 1850, to appoint a Commission, consisting of one member from each Presidency, to examine into the Post Office system and to report on soine scheme for its improvement. The Report prepared by the Commission was submitted for the consideration of the Hon'ble Court of Directors. It resulted ultimately in the adoption of the following principal changes and improvements in the Indian Postal system :- 1st --The institution of the Post Office throughout India as a distinct department, superintended by the “ Director General,” under the immediate control of the Government of India. 2nd, -The establishment of an uniform single rate of Postago, of half-an-anna (ed.) for letters, and of an anda (1 d.) for newspapers, fow irrespective of distance. 3rd,-The substitution of Postage Stamps for cash payments. 4th,—The restriction of the privilege of official franking to as Officers as possible. Very recently Her Majesty's Government have consented to the adop tion of an uniform rate of Postage, payable in one sum, on tetters between England and India. The rate has been fixed at six ponce per As yet, it is too soon to form any correct estimate of the actual effect of these changes upon the amount of general correspondence and upon the public revenue. So far as we may venture to form a conjecture, the increase in correspondence has already been at the rate of 25 per cent., while the loss of revenue has been less considerable than was expected. On tho other hand, it would be difficult to form any conception at all of the real magnitude of these changes and of their social effects, unless by illustration and contrast. Two simple facts may perhaps enable a ounce.

·( 27 ) bystander to estimate in some degree the extent of our Postal reform and its value. In England a single letter is conveyed to any part of the British Isles for a penny : in India a single letter is now conveyed over distances immeasurably greater, from Peshawur on the borders of Affghanistan to the southernmost village by Cape Comorin, or from Debrooghur in Upper Assam to Kurracheo at the mouth of the Indus, for no moro than three farthings. The postage chargeable on the same letter three years ago in India would not have been less than a shilling, or sixteen times the present charge. Again, sinco uniform rates of Postage betwoen England and India have been established, the Scotch recruit, who joins his regiment on our furthest frontier at Peshawur, may write to his mother at John O'Groat's House and may send his letter to her free for a sixpence. Thrce years ago the same sum would not have carried his letter beyond Lahore. It has rarely happened that a departmental revolution so complete, having consequences so wide-spread and so generally beneficial, could be recorded in so few lines as have now sufficed to exhibit the reform of our Indian Post Office and its excellent results. 73. It was in the beginning of April 1832, that the Report of Dr. W. O'Shaughnessy, on the full completion, and the successful working, of the experimental line of Electric Telegraph, which had previously been authorised by the Hon'ble Court, was laid before the Government of Bengal. On the 14th of that month the Governor of Bengal strongly urged the Governor General in Council to obtain the sanction of the Hon'ble Court to the inmediate construction of lines of Electric Telegraph from Calcutta to Agra, to Bombay, to Peshawur, and to Madras. 1Io also advised that Dr. O'Shaughnessy should be forthwith sent to England for the furtherance of the measure. On the 23rd of the same month, the Governor General in Council recommended these measures to the Court of Directors, and Dr. O'Shaughnessy proceeded to England. The Hon'ble Court entered into the proposal with the utmost cordiality and promptitude, and on 23rd June it signified its assent to the whole proposal of the Government of Indian During the rest of that year, and through the greater part of the next year, Dr. O'Shaughnessy was employed in procuring and dispatching from ·( 28 ) England the immenso mass of materials which was required for the vast work which had been projected. In November 1853, the construction of the Telegraph line from Calcutta to Agra was commenced. On the 24th March 1854, a message was sent over the line from Agra to Calcutta, a distance of 800 miles, which had been completed in less than five months. The vigour which was thus apparent at the commencement of the work was fully maintained throughout all its subsequent progress. On the 1st February 1855, fifteen months after the commencement of the work, the Superintendent was able to notify the opening of all the lines from Calcutta to Agra, and thence to Attock on the Indus, and again from Agra to Bombay and thence to Madras. These lines included forty-one Offices, and were extended over 3,050 miles of space. Nor is this all. Since the commencement of the past year the line of Electric Telegraph has been completed to Peshawur. It has been extended from Bangalore to Ootacamund; and is nearly finished from Rangoon to Meeaday upon the Burmese Frontier. To sum up in a single sentence. The Superintendent has stated in his last Report that 4,000 miles of Electric Tele- 9th February 1856. graph have been laid down, and placed in working order, since the month of November 1853. The difficulties which have been encountered in the construction of the Indian Telegraph lines were such as have no existence in the civilized and cultivated countries of Europe. Throughout Central Icdia, for instance, Dr. O'Shaughnessy states, - Roport Oth Feb. 1856; “The country crossed opposes enormous difficul- “ ties to the maintenance of any lino. There is no “metalled road; there are few bridges; the jungles also in many places are deadly for at least half the year; there is no police for the protection " of the lines. From the loose black cotton soil of Malwa to the rocky “wastes of Gwalior, and the precipices of the Sindwa Ghâts, every variety « of obstacles has to be encountered." On the lines that have been mentioned, about seventy principal rivers have been crossed, some by cables, others by wires extended between masts. Some of those river-crossings have been of great extent. The cable across the Soane measures 15,840 feet; and the crossing of the Toombuddra River is stated to be not less than two miles in length, para, 27.

·( 29 ) parth 66. para, 81. pam. 32. The cost of constructing the Electric Telegraph to India cannot yet Report 9th Feb. 1858; be accurately calculated. The Superintendent in his last Report has stated it as his belief, that the “total cost of everything, construction of 4,000 miles as they at present stand, working of all the offices for two years, spare stores in hand, “instruments, houses, &c.” will not exceed twenty-one lakhs of rupees, or little more than 500 Rupees a mile. It is to be observed that the construction of the line, though rapid, is Report 9th Feb. 1856 ; for the most part already substantial. The Superintendent states, that the line "for three-fourths of the distance from Madras to Calcutta is superior in solidity to any ever erected elsewhere." On some portions of its length, it stands without a rival in Report 9th Feb. 1856 ; the world. For instance, in the Madras Presidency, the line for 174 miles is bornc on stone masonry pillars capped with granite; while for 332 miles it is sustained “on superb granite, 16 feet high above ground, in single slabs." It is satisfactory to be able to add, that the Superintendent has offici- Report 9th Feb. 1850; ally stated that the Tariff of charges on the Indian lines “is now as cheap as that in use in any other country having lines of such length as permita fair comparison with ours." Thus it is stated that in England a message of 20 words, sent 400 Report 9th Feb. 1856 ; miles, would be charged five shillings. The charge in India for 24 words to Benarcs, 420 miles, is three shillings. Again, in the lines on the Continent of Europe, a message of 24 words Roport 9th Feb. 1856 ; sent from London to Trieste, would cost 22 shilparu. 74. lings. A similar message of 2+ words sent from Calcutta to Bombay (about the same distance, 1,600 miles, as from London to Trieste) would be 12 shillings. For a comparison of the charges for greater distances than thesc, wo must look to the United States of America The Superintendent states, that a message of 16 words, sent from Report 9th Feb. 1856 ; New York to Now Orleans, 2,000 miles, would cost 13 shillings and 6 pence. A similar message of 16 words, sent from Calcutta to Bangalore, 'which is more than 2,000 miles, costs only ten shillings. para. 68. pain. 70. para. 76.

·( 30 ) para. 100. Allusion has been made to the physical difficulties which obstructed the formation of the Telegraph lines in India. But these were by no means the most serious difficulty with which the Superintendent has had-to contend. An entire establishment for the working of the lines was to be formed from the commencement, and the materials from which to form it were soanty, and by no means of the best description. Hence the Superintendent states, even in his last Report, that his Report 9th Feb. 1856; “ chief and almost insurmountable difficulty" has lain in the sudden and simultaneous training of some 300 persons, employed in sixty different offices. And while tho Superintendent affirms that the signallers generally are expert and capable of accurate manipulation, yet in respect of steadiness and other requisite qualities he records that there is both room and need for great improvement. I could myself bear testimony to the accuracy and rapidity with which the Telegraph is worked, but I prefer to quote the recorded statements of the Superintendent. Referring to allegations of inaccuracy in the Telegraph Departınont, the Superintendent observes-—"I can further establish by facts and “official records beyond dispute, that the Indian lines have already accomplished performances of rapidity in the transmission of intelligence, which equal that achieved on the American lines. “We have repeatedly sent the first bulletin of overland news in 40 Report 9th Feb. 1856; “ minutes from Bombay to Calcutta, 1,600 miles, “ We have delivered despatches from Calcutta to “the Governor General at Ootacamund, during tho rainy season, in three "hours, the distance being 200 miles greater than from London to Sebastopol. We have never failed for a whole year in delivering the mail news from England við Bombay within twelve hours." The Superintendent has been permitted by the Hon'ble Court to proceed a second time to England and to America, to obtain the means of improving our present system and of extending it still further. Several new lines are in contemplation within India itself. The Supreme Government has further expressed its readiness to cooperate with the Government of Ceylon in extending the Indian lincs from the Presidency of Madras to Point de Galle. And, as the Hon'ble Court has indicated its willingness to join in any practicablc scheme for laying down a Submarine Tolegraph across tho para. 78. .

·( 31 ) para 7. Mediterrariean and the Indian Seas, it may be hoped that the system of Electric Telegraphs in India may yet ono day be united with those which envelope Europe, and which already seek to stretch across the Atlantic Ocean. It is not the object of the Government of India to derive any surplus Report 9th Feb. 1866 ; revenue from its Telegraph establishment. If, therefore, mention is here made of the financial results of the year, it is only for the purpose of showing the important fact, that increasing resort is made to the Telegraph for the transaction of private business throughout the country. The Superintendent states, that the "monthly cash receipts have, even in the first year, very largely ex- "ceeded the sum anticipated (namely 10,000 Rupees), and that they “ exhibit a steady and constant increase from month to month." The Political and the Military advantages which the Government of the country derives from the possession of such an engine of power are too obvious to call for notice. But two remarkable instances of its efficacy, which have fallen within my own immediate knowledge, will afford an illustration of its political value, which will not be without interest. When H. M.'s 10th Hussars were ordered with all speed from Poona to the Crimea, a message requesting instructions regarding their des. patch was one day received by me at Calcutta, from the Government of Bombay, about nine o'clock in the inorning; instructions were forthwith sent off by the Telegraph in reply, and an answer to that reply was again received at Calcutta from Bombay in the evening of the samo day. A year before, the same communications, for the despatch of speedy reinforcements to the seat of war, which occupied by the Telegraph no more than twelve hours, could not have been made in less than thirty days. The other instance is of a similar character: 'When it was resolved to send Her Majesty's 12th Lancers from Bangalore to the Crimea, instead of Her Majesty's 14th Dragoons from Meerut, orders were forthwith despatched by Telegraph direct to the Regiment at Bangalore. The Corps was immediately got ready for service. It marched 200 miles to Mangalore, and was there before the transports were ready to receive it. In both cases the effect was the same. The Electric Telegraph enabled the Authorities in India to give to Her Majesty's Government, 1 ·( 32 ) comin its hour of need, two magnificent Cavalry Corps of not less than 1,300 sabres; and to despatch them to the Crimea with a promptitude and timely alacrity which exceeded all expectations, and which in the circunstances of the previous year would bave been utterly impracticable. I have now given NOTE.--I venture to add another and a recent instance of the political value of the Electric Telegraph, which has a brief history of the occurred since this Minute was signed. cunstruction of the On the 7th February, 18 soon as tho culministration of Oudo wns assumeil by the British Rovernment, a branch working and of the Kloctric Telegraph from Cawnpore to Lucknow was forthwith couinienced. In eightecu working days it way results of the Electric pleted, including the laying of a Cable, 6,000 fuct in lengtlu, Telegraph in India. across the River Ganges. In tlie Minute in On the morning ou which I resigned the Government of India, General Outrain was askel by Telegraplı, "Is all which, as Govornor of well in Oudo t"-The answur, “ All is well in Oudo," W.18 l'eceived soon after noon, and grectel Lord ('inuing on Bengal, I first proliis first arrival. (Signed) D. posed the coustruction of a gencral system of Telegraphıs to the Governor General in Council, it was observed, “Everything, all the world over, moves faster now-a-days than it used to do, except the transaction of Indian business." Whoever shall peruse the paragraphs that have just been written Minute, 14th April will be ready to admit, that, so far as the Electric 1852, p. 9. Telegraph is concerned, the rcproach of tardiness has been removed. Furthermore, I make bold to say that, whether regard bc had to promptitude of executivo action, to speed and solirlity of construction, to rapidity of organization, to liberality of change, or to the carly, rcalizaion and vast magnitude of increased political influence in the East, the achievement of the Hon'ble Company in the establislıment of the Electric Telegraph in India may challenge comparison with any public enterprise which has been carried into execution in recent times, among the Nations of Europe or in America itself. 74. Although conspicuous place has been given to those great measures of public improvement, on which I have dwelt in the preceding paragraphs at a length which only their great importance and value will justify, many measures remain to be told which are well worthy of note, in connexion with the commerce, the resources, the products, the communications, and the general improvement of the country.

·( 33 ) 75. In connexion with Commerce and Navigation, it may be mentioned, that, within the last eight years, differential duties on foreign bottoms have been abolished. The Coasting trule of India has been set entirely free. An Act has been passed for the discouragement of Crimps and for the Registry of British Seamon. Tho duties levied in the Ports of India were alrearly so light, that there has been little inducement to touch the Tariff, unless it had been for the purpose of enhancing the rates in justice to the general revenue of India. Tho Tariff, however, has been in some degree simplified ; and its operation has been extended to the ports in the Provinces of Tonasscrim, Arracan and Pegu. Restriction on the Salt trade of the North-Westeru Provinces has been remover. 76. Early in 1854, a Commissioner was appointed to investigate and report upon the whole question of the manufacture and sale of Salt in India. The appointment of the Commissioner was made with especial referenco to the question of the practicability of controlling the manufacture of Salt in Bengal by means of a system of Excise. It has been a cause of just dissatisfaction to the Supreme Government, that the submission of the Report on this subject las boen so long delayal, and that it has only just been transmitted to the Home Authorities by the Commissioner, Mr, Plowden, and even now in an imperfect state. In the mean timo the sanction of the Supreme Government has been given to an experiment being made under the authority of the Licutenant-Governor of Bengal, for the manufacture of Salt, in one District within his jurisdiction, under a system of Excise. The experiment is still in progress. 77. A duty on the import of raw cotton into the North-Western Provinces has been abolished. The Frontier customs duties in the Punjab having been found to be a cause of vexatious oppression to the population, while the sun they gave to the Treasury was comparatively inconsiderable in amount, they were wholly abolished; and their place was supplied principally by a Tax on Salt from the Mines.

·( 34 ) At the same time the duty on the Salt taken from the Trans-Indus mines was made 'excoedingly light : the object there being, not the realization of Revenue, but the maintenance of tranquillity and of an offectual control over the interests and the conduet of the Hill tribes. In like manner, and for similar reasons, all Customs and all Export duties upon the River Indus were abandoned ; and ultimately the Land Frontier Customs were abolished in Sinde, as they had previously been in the Punjab. Upon the same principle the Land Frontier Customs between the Territories of His Highness the Nizam and the British Provinces which surround it have been wholly given up, and are no longer levied upon any part of the Frontier. 78. While efforts have thus been made, in various provinces of the Empire, to give full freedom to the course of trade, the Government of India has been sedulous in originating and encouraging endeavours to discover and bring to use the hidden resources of the Indian Territories. 79. The great acquisition which has been made by the possession of the Cotton districts of Borar and Nagpore lius alrealy been noticed. Attention has also been given to the cotton which is produced in the Uppor Districts of Pegu. A gentleman, having practical knowledge of the subject, was deputed to examine tho Districts beyond Prome and Thayet Myo. His report, although ineagre, was encouraging in a certain degrce. 80. The cultivation of Tea in Assam bas prospored in a remarkable degrec. The plant has also been largely introduced into the upper Districts of the North-West Provinces. Some years ago plautations were esta blished in the Deytah Dhoon and in Kumaon and Gurhwal. More recently Mr. Fortune has been cmployed to bring plants and seeds in large quantities from China, and to engage Chinese workmen for the manufacture of the tea The cultivation has extended along the Himalayas. Extensive plantations are now growing up on the heights towards Kangra, and an experimental plantation has been formed on the Murree Hills above Rawul Pindee. Further to the Eastward, in Kumaon and + ·( 85 ) Guihwal, the Zemindars have adopted the cultivation of the plant themselves. Very large quantities of tea are now manufactured every year. It sells readily, at a high price. There 18 every reason to believe that the cultivation of the tea plant will be very widely spread in fature years, and that the trade in tea produced in India will become considerable in extent 81. An Agricultural and Horticultural Sociсty having been established in the Punjah, the Government has given to it a liberal annual contribution, and constant support and aid Different kinds of secds have becu procured from Europe for the impiovement of agriculture in that Province The growth of Flax has been langely enrournged, and the cultiva tion of it at once extended to vay considerable dime 1 sions An experiment for the growth of Silk having been undertaken, workinen skilled in the business, mulberry plants, and every other lequisito were provare abundantly by the Government Measures have also been taken for preserving the breed of horses which was formerly much prized in the Punjab And, to aid the exertions of the Society for introducing a botter breed of sheep into the countıy, Merino iams wcie proruicd by the Government, and application was made for the importation of a further supply from the Australian Colonies. An experiment has bren made of the practır ibility of introducing a breel of sheep into Pigu. The practicability had always previously becn denied, but the success which has already attended the cstablishment of large flocks in Upper Pegu gives the strongest reason to belevc 'that the animal will specdily be naturalised in those districts, and multiply. The Natives show a strong desire to possess thein They thue perfectly, and are singularly frutful The object is one of great importance ; for the absence of sheep leads to a pnvation in respect of food, which is severely felt not only by the European Soldiers in the Province, but also by all of every class who are employed therein. Corresponding measures for the encouragement of agriculture have not been wanting uu the elder Provinces; and a large pecuniary grant was recently sanctioned by the Supreme Government, on the application of the Government of Maulras, for the establishment of periodical Agricultural Shows within that Presidency.

·( 36 ) 82. The prcsorvation and renowal of Forests in different parts of India is an object of the highest public importance, which until lately had not recoived the attention it deserved. Rulos have now been laid down, and appointments have been made, which it is hopod wall for the future have the effect of proventing all unthrifty monagensent of the forests, on which we must mainly depend for the supply of necessary timber, while the renowal of the troos, as well as their preservation, will be provided for. With that view a Conservator of Forests was appointed in Pegu, as soon as we obtainod possession of tho Province A similar Officer has been appointed for Tenassciini and Martaban. The principal forests from wluch our supply of tinubei for public pirpusus in Hindostan was derived bolougud to the Government of Oude. They have heretofort been lieyond our coutrol, but they will now bc carefully regulatod nod preserved. A transit duty was until lately levied on the report of timber grown on grants of land made to private persons m the Deyrah Dhoon This transit duty bats been rclinquishod. But for the proper conservancy of forests in tho Dhoon, it has been doemcd nccessary to prevent the felling of lumber without the sanction of a Superintendent of Forests, who is appointed by the Government to ensure due precaution being taken against the waste and injury to the forests which had hithorto gone on uncheckod. Similar endeavours have been made for the preservation of the forests within the Hill States. But as inost of these belong to Ilill Chicfs, the attainment of the object at which the Government uns is beset with difficulties. Regulations, however, have been laid down tor the management and for the renewal of those forests over which the Government can exercise control A complete examination of all the forests upon the Sutke, and Beas has been made by an Officer appointed by the Government of India, and every precaution has been taken for their future preservation and thrifty management, by leasing tracts of forosts for our own usc, by the prohibition of burning the hill sides, and by the excrcise of such influence as can be used with the improvident and iguorant petty potentates to whom the forests for the most part belong. Throughout the whole Punjab, the Government, as well as private persons, is almost wholly dependent for a supply of timber upon the forests ·( 37 ) in Chumba and in the Territories of Maharaja Cholal. Sing To favili. tate the supply, and to provent extortion, a Guveniment Agency Las been established with wholesome effcct. The plains of the Punjabare wholly destitute of forest trepes. Shortly after our occupation of the Provivce justructwns were issued by the Government, with a view to the gradual removal of this great want. It is hoped that the measures which were cujoined, and which have been vigorously carried into effect, inay in due time proditce the results which the Government has harl in view. But the process must needs be slow, and if success shall ultimately be attaineil, it must be the work of time. 83. Duriug the last right yoars, prrsovering efforts have been maile to rcador available the mineral wealth which this country is boliered to possess At the present time two principal necessities which prrss upon the Government, and are felt to be essential to the interests of the community, aro Iron um? Coul Every possible effort has been made, and is still making, to supply those grcat neocssities. 84. Inmediately after the inuexation of the Punjah, an cxamiintion of the Salt Range was ninde, with it view to determine the extent of the Coal within it, of which seitms hivl been found at Kalabagh. The result of the lamination infortunately established that the coal discovered at Kalabagh was a mero lignite, inconsiderable in quautity, and alınost worthless in quality; and that the Salt Range contained no beds of real coal. More recently the hopes of the Covcrument were raised by the announcement of the liscovery of coul in Pegu. But bere also the geam unfortunately proved to be of inconsiderable extent. There is, howevor, god reason to hope that workablo seains of coal may yet be found iu Pogu, where, as well as in the Tenasserim Provinces, the minoral has been discovers at various points. Mr. Oldham, a gentleman possessing scientific and practical knowledge of the subject, was appointed by the Court of Directors to make full examination of the Districts in which coal might be present. Mr. Oldham has already examined the principal Districts of Bengal, Sylhet, and Tenasserim, and he is not carrying on his investigations in the Nerbudda Valley There is no doubt of the cistence in India of coal in abundance ; but the great difficulty of access to it, and dislance, are formidable ·'( 88 ) impediments in the way of rendering it available for the purposes for which it is required. 85. Enquiries regarding the capacity of the Indian Territorios set an iron-producing country were actively set'on foot by the deputation of M. Marcadieu, in 1863, as a Geological Surveyor, to examine and report upon the iron mines which were said to exist in the hills to the North of Simla. Reports were submitted by him on mines at various points. They proved the existence of rich iron ores at certain points ; but, from the situation of the mines, and the general scarcity of fuel and of water in the neighbourhood of them, it did not seem to the Court of Directois that the minerals in the Simla Hills held out sufficient inducement to the Government to undertake the working of them. M. Marcadicu was also employed to enq uire iuto and report upon the supply of Borax, which was said to be found in the Inner Himalayas. The enquiry was urgently pressed by the English manufacturers of porcelain and pottery. The Burax exists in great abundance in a very wild and remote country belonging to Maharaja Cholab Sing, beyond Spiti and Kooloo The difficulties of access are very great. The Maharaja has given assurance that he will not raisc his duty on the article. The Coveinment of India hus promised its best aid. But the Chamber of Commerce in the potteries seems now disinclined to pursue the trade in Borax at so remote a point. The Hon'ble Court doputed M. Tlenwood, a gentleman possessing practical experience as well as scientific knowledge of the sulyect, to survey the Districts of Kumaon and Guilwal, where iron deposits were said to abound, During the last year the rosearches of Colonel Drummond and those of Mr. Henwood appeared to the Government of India to have established the practicability and the expediency of commencing mining operations in the Districts above-mentioned. Accordingly an experimental mining and smelting establishment at the foot of the Kumaon Hills has been sanctioned by the Government ; and it is already in progress under the direct control of the Lieutenant-Governor of the North-Western Provinces Other investigations carried on simultaneously by different porsons in various quarters, have been equally successful in the discovery of iron ores .

·( 89 ) In the Nerbudda Valley, the existence of rich mines of iron have been ascertained by local examinations, conducted by the surveyors of the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Company, under the direction of Colonel Kennedy ; and proposals for working the mineral at Ponassa have, some time since, beon laid before the Hon'ble Court. Iron has beon found, and has been actually manufactured, very recently, in districts near Beerbhoom. Lastly, proposals have during the last few weeks been submittod to the Government of India by Mr. Hunt, one of the Contractors on tho East Indiau Railway, for leasiug and working mines of iron and coal which he has succeeded in finding in the districts not far from Jubbulpore. On these encouraging facts, fair hopes may be built, that the present most urgent want of India in connection with her material improvement, namely, an amplo supply of good iron within her own bounds, may at no distant clate be abundantly supplicd. 86. Before proceeding to describe the various classes of Public Works, which during the last eight years have been undertaken by the Government for thu material inprovement of the country, it should be stated that steps have been takcu for the execution of a Topoyraphical Survey of all our rocent territorial acquisitions, as a measure which is a necessary preliminary to all systematic improvement. Thus in the Punjab, suu vuys were very oaily established, in different portions of the Province, and on a large scale. The Northern boundary of Pegu has been very accurately laid down by Major Allan. It was a work of great difficulty and delicacy, and has been exccuted with much ability and with complete success. A topographical survey of Pegu is already in progress, and a similar measure has been directed in the adjoining Province of Martaban. 'Measures have also been taken for obtaining, as soon as may be practicable, topographical surveys of Nagpore and Sinde, as well as of the Assigned Districts of Hyderabad. In connection with this part of the subject, it may be mentioned, that in Central India, the consent of all the Native States has been obtained to the making of a topographical survey, and to a demarcation of all the boundaries between the several Native States, and between the British Territories and those of Native States, ·640) This mcasure is of great importance and value, not only with reference to the possible future improvement of those Territories, but for the preservation of public tranquillity, which has heretofore been so frequently disturbed by feuds arising from disputerl boundaries. Minute Governor Go- 87. Of all the works of public improvement which can be applied to an Indian Province, works of Irrigation are the happiest in their effects upon the physical condition of the people. And foremost among all the works of irrigation that the world, as yet, has ever seen, stands the Gouges Canal, whose main stream was for the first time opened on the sth April 1854. When the opening of the Canal was reported to the Hon'ble Court, the work was thus briefly described : “ Within eight years the main lines of the Ganges Capal, applicablo to the double purpose of irrigation and navigitporal; duted 5th May 1864. tion, have been designed, exccuted, and opened. Extending over 525 miles in length, measuring in its greatest “ depth ten feet, and in its extreme breadth 170 feet, the main irrigation line of the Ganges. Canal is justly described, as a work “ which stands unequalled in its class and character among the efforts of “civilized nations.'-—(Letter of Licutenant Governor, April 1854, para. 8.) "Its length is five-fold greater than that of all the main lines of “ Lombardy united, and more than twice the length of the aggregate irrigation lines of Lombardy and Egypt together—the only countries " in the world whose works of irrigation rise above insignificance. “As a single work of navigation for purposes of commerce, the “ Ganges Canal has no competitor throughout the world. No single “Canal in Europe has attained to half the magnitude of this Indian « work. It nearly equals the aggregate length of the four greatest “ Canals in France; it greatly exceeds all the first class Canals of “ Holland put together, and it is greater, by nearly one-third, than the "gatest Navigation Canal in the United States of America. "I have spoken here of the main line alone. When the branches in progress shall have been completed, the extent and influence of the “ work will be vastly increased throughout all its gigantic proportions. “ Wonderful and admirable in all respects as the Canges Canal is felt "to be, it has been well said, in the words which the Lieutenant Governor ·( 41 ) But nonc “has quoted, that there is no more striking fact in connexion with it “than that such a truly gigantic undertaking should have been, in its designs, the work of a single intellect, and, in its execution, the work of "a third part of one man's professional life.'” All the plans for the prosecution of the works upon the Canal haul been formed before the Government of India was placed in any hands. But of the sum of £1,400,000 which had been oxpended upon the Canal at the time of its opening in 1854, all excepting £170,000 has been granted since my administration commenced. No financial pres • suro--10 oxigencies of war-were suffered to interrupt the progress of that great work. Its main lines have now been opener for nearly two years. The water has been admitted over their whole length. The works have stood the test, during the last monsoon, of some of the severest floods that have ever been known; and as yet the success has becn, in all respects, complete. When the branches shall be finished, the Canal will extend to about 900 miles in length. It is estimated that the area which may be irrigated by its waters will not be less than 1,470,000 acres. con estimate, in their full extent, the blessings which its fortilizing influence will confer upon millions, whom it will place henceforth beyond the reach of those periodical calamities of season, which from time to time, as in 1837, have brought upon the plains of Hindustau the wide spread desolation of famine and Jeath. I trust I shall not be thought vain-glorious if I say, that the successful execution and coinpletion of such a work as the Ganges Canal would, even if it stood alono, suffice to signalise an Indian administration. I rejoice to know that the gracious favor of the Sovereign was promptly shown to the man, whose genius desigued, and whose energy so rapidly completed, this noble work; and that Sir Proby Cautley has been worthily decorated with high honors from the Crown. 88. Although the gigantic proportions of the Ganges Canal might appear at first sight to dwarf all other similar works into insignificance, the Government during these years has undertaken other irrigation projects, which must also be regarded as of great magnitude and importance Soon after the annexation of the Punjab the sanction of the Government was given to the construction of a large Canal with various branches, which should be fed by the waters of the River Raveo, and which should be applied to the irrigation of the Manjha, (the tract ·( 42 ) para. 424. which was chiefly inhabited by the Seikhs) and of the rest of the Baree Doab. The work has been carried on with vigour and success. The main line with its branches will extend over not less than 465 miles. · Its stream will be at its head 120 feet in breadth, and 6 feet in depth, diminishing at its lower end to 16 feet in breadth and 2 feet in depth. Its course is intended to be navigable; and even during the dry season of the year the Canal head will roll down a body of water amounting to not less than 3,000 cubic feet in each second. The Report on the Punjab did not exaggerate the magnitude or the Second Punjab Report; importance of the works in the Baree Doab, when it stated that the new canal would be “ second “in India only to the great Ganges Canal, and equal, if not superior, to " the finest irrigation canals in Europe." 89. In the Mooltan District we found a vast number of smaller canals, fed by the periodical inundations from the rivers of the Punjab. They had been originally dug by the Pathan Governors, and had more recently been repaired by Sawun Mull, the father of Dewan Moolraj. An Officer was appointed to supervise the clearance of the canals and Second Punjab Report; the distribution of the waters. “The canals," it is stated," have been both enlarged and improved; and as regards conservancy and subsidiary management they are in more efficient order than ever they were, even in the palmy days u of Sawun Mull." The aggregate length of the inundation Canals in the District of Mooltan is upwards of 600 miles. 90. The The Inundation Canals in the Derajat are of local importance; but the streams are troublesome, and the people have not been successful in their management of them. A survey of all these canals was made, and the improvement of them is still in progress. In the Cis-Sutlej Province, where surveys for great irrigation works were completed several years ago, no commencement has yet been made, or could have beon made, while the expensivé works already mentioned mere urgently demanded the attention of the Government. Some amendment, however, has been wrought in those arid regions by a proper distribution of the waters of the Gugger and Sursootee Rivers, which was effected some years ago by the exercise of the para 429, ·( 43 ) influence of the Government among the Chiefs of the Seikh protected States. 92. Even the Lower Provinces of the Bengal Presidency, where the usual abundance of the annual raips diminishes the necessity and the call for works of rigation, have roceived their due share of improvement under this head; a comprehensive project for the irrigation of the Districts of Shahabad and Behar, by a canal from the River Soane, and by large reservoirs which are to be formed by' bunding up the streams where they issue from the hills, has been strongly recommended to the Hon'ble Court. 93. Among many works which have been constructed in the Presidency of Madras during these years, for the supply of tanks and for other modes of irrigation, I think it necessary to enumerate only a few. A magnificent work has been designed and executed by Colonel Cotton and his successors, in the construction of the great Anicut across the River Godavery, whereby tho means of irrigation will be given to very large tracts of country, to which such security against the constant risk of famine will be beyond all value. 94. For similar purposes of irrigation, sanction was given to the construction of a Regulating Dam across the rivers Cauvery and Venaar. In order to render the water of the Kistna available for purposes of irrigation, the formation of a great Anicut across that river has been sanctioned. A similar Anicut was sanctioned on the river Pennair, which, wbile it answered the purposes of a bridge, has secured and extended the cultivation of a large tract of Country besides. When the Anicut across the River Palar shall be finished, it will ensure a supply of water to the tanks on both sides of the river in the Districts of North Arcot and Chingleput, and will confer substantial benefit on the whole country within its scope. 95. In the Presidency of Bombay proposals have been made by a Joint Stock Company to undertake the execution of great works of irrigation throughout the various Districts of the Presidency, on terms which are set forth in its proposals. The project has been su bmitted to the Hon'ble Court by the Government of India, and acceptance of the proposals of the Company has been recommended, with certain large modifications which it is not necessary to specify. 96. In Sinde the construction of a canal connecting the river Indus with the Narra Stream has been approved. By this work the channel .

·( 44 ) 1 of the Narra will be annually and regularly supplied with water, which hitherto it has only received by extraordinary inundations once in twenty or twenty-five years. The certain result will be immense benefit to the people of the Province, and consequent increase to its revenue. In Lower Sinde the channels of the Foolalie Canal have been cleared and improved ; and in Upper Siude similar and extensive measures of improvement have been executed on the channel of the Begarie Canal, 97. Next in order, to works of irrigation, stand works for improving the general communications of the country. Of these, works of internal navigation shall first be noticed. 98. Already, before 1848, the Ganges had been covered with a flotilla of river steamers, provided as well by Government as by the enterprise of private Companies, for conveying the great trade which sought, passage upon its waters. 99. When the conquest of the Punjab gave the upper stream of the River Indus into our possession, the Government was in hopes that private enterprise would place river steamers upon its streams even more abundantly than upon the Ganges. That hope was disappointed. The Government therefore endeavoured, by its own flotilla, to establish a regular communication by steam between the sea and the rivers of the Punjab. Accordingly, river steamers have for several years periodically made the passage from Kurrachee to Mooltan, and there seems no reason to doubt that if the steamers wer more numerous, more certainly accessible to the public, and better adapted to the shallow waters on which they ply, their services would be of infinite benefit to the frontier trade. In the mean time the channel of the Indus is becoming the great highway between Europe and the North-Western Provinces of our possessions. Troops arrive and depart from England by that route. Recruits are sent out and invalids are sent home each year by its stream, thus avoiding the long and weary march which must otherwise be made by Calcutta Great quantities of heavy stores follow the same course. And passengers in large numbers now by preference seek by it a point of departure at Bombay. A proposal has been made by the Government of Bombay for despatching two steamers on experimental trips from Kurrachee direct to ·( 45 ) Sucz. The result of it, should it prove successful, will add importanco and value to steam communication upon the Indus. 100. Surveys have been made of the principal rivers of the Punjab, with a view to the extension of river navigation still further into the interior of the Province. The Indus may cortainly be navigated nearly as far as Kalabagh ; and, at no great expense, it might be made navigable to Attock. Occasional trips have been made by steamers in the rains as far as the Military Depôt at Jhelum ; and although the results of the surveys of the other streams cannot be said to be encouraging, there is no doubt that internal navigation may be extended much further within the Punjab than has yet been attempted. 101. Immediately after the occupation of the Province of Pegu, half of the steam flotilla upon the Ganges was transferred to the Irrawaddy, and it forms now the great vehicle for trade, and for the conveyance of supplies between the Frontier and the sea. This Province is peculiarly adapted for the services of river stcamers, and it is to be hoped that the flotilla will be largely increased. Already a project has been laid before the Elon'ble Court for removing the obstacles which impede a free navigation between the Bassein River and the Irrawaddy. Surveys have been made in the hopes of finding the means of opening a similarly free channel between the Pegu River and the River Sitang. During last year, there was discovered an excellent channel through the creeks, which gives a passage, perfectly safe and open at all times, between Bassein and Rangoon, A creek already exists between the River Sitang and the River Salween, in the neighbourhood of Beling, which, it is stated, might at small expense be made navigable throughout the year. if, therefore, the channel which has been surveyed between the Sitang and the Pegu Rivers should be formed, a continuous line of internal navigation, open at all seasons of the year, will be available for river steamers throughout the whole breadth of the Eastern Provinces, from the port at the mouth of the Bassein River to the anchorage at Moulmein. 102. The necessity for the employment of regular means of communication throughout the Province of Assam upon the stream of the River Burrumpootra, has long been increasingly felt. It has lately been resolved to place upon that river such portion of the Government ·( 46 ) Aptilla upon the Ganges as can from time to time be spared from more urgent duties, and application has been made to the Hon'ble Court for additional steamers to be employed upon the Burrumpootra. 103. Examination has been made of the stream of the River Nerbudda The Report which has bcen published of the result of the examination affords little hope that the Nerbudda will ever be rendered a navigable river for purposes of trade. 104. A survey of the River Godavery, upon the opposite coast, has given a result of much more hopeful aspect. Although I do not concur with those who hold that, if the streams of the Godavery and of its tributary the Wyngunga should be made navigable at all seasons, the cotton trade of Berar and Nagpore would be transported by this channel to the Sea, notwithstanding the construction of a Railway between those Districts and Bombay, yet I am fully alive to the importance of opening this great inland navigation, if it be possible, for general purposes of communication and trade. The Government of India, therefore, has given full sanction to the prosecution, with proper cautiou, of the extensive operations which the nature of the river channel, so far as it is yet known, seems to render indispensable, before the Godavery can be made a navigable stream. 105. Besides the measures which have been taken in regard to navigable rivers, the means of internal navigation have been considerably increased during the last eight years by the completion of various navigation canals. The works of the great Ganges Canal and of the Bares Doal Canals, both of which will be available for navigation, have already been noticed. In the Madras Presidency considerable improvements and extensions have been made in the channel of Cochrane's Canal. A canal has been constructed to connect the Ports of Porto Novo and Cuddalore, in the District of South Arcot. In connexion with this work, sanction has been given to the construction of a canal along the Eastern Coast between the Rivers Adyar and Palar. The general importance of this work to the country is very great. It is capable of being prolonged from Palar to Cuddalore, where it would join the new canal from Porto Novo, which again is connected with the line of water communication between Coimbatore and the seacoast through the Province of Tanjore. Thus a long line of inland navi- ·( 47 ) gation would ultimately be established with great benefit to the couutry. In the budget of the year 1855-56, further proposals were made for extending the several lines of internal navigation at an expense of not less than 15 lakhs of Rupees; and thoy have been recommended for the approval of the Hon'ble Court. 106. The value of all such channels of inland navigation as lead to the sea must of course be greatly dependent upon the condition of the ports at which they respectively terminate. The public records will show that the improvement of ports of shipment has not been lost sight of 107. The access to the Port of Calcutta, for a great part of the immense trade which flows to it from Bengal and other Provinces, lay through tho Soonderbunds, which were connected with the Hooghly by two canals. These have been enlarged and deepened. The accommodation in the Port of Calcutta for the increasing number of ships which of late years have resorted to it has been considerably augmented. 108. Some alarm having been generally folt that the navigation of the lIooghly was gradually and yearly deteriorating, and that there was some risk of the loss of the Port of Calcutta by the silting up of the channels, an enquiry was directed to be made. It was conducted with great deliberation and care, and the Report is now before the Government. In order to meet the wishes of those who desired that precautions should be taken to meet the evil which they believed to be approaching, renewod examination was made of the River Mutlah, a channel in the Soonderbunds lying to the Eastward, and navigable for the largest ships to within twenty-five miles of Calcutta. T'he result of the examination was satisfactory. An experiment has lately been tried of lading a ship in the Mutlah. The stream has been buoyed by the Government, the advice of the Government Officers has been given, and every other assistance has been afforded to those who have been turning their attention to the new channel. It may be added, that before any steps were taken which could draw attention to the possible future importance of the Mutlah, I took the precaution of purchasing on behalf of Government, and for an inconsiderable sum, the large estate which occupied the site where the new ·( 48 ) port must be placed, if the trade should be diverted to the Mutlah Channel. As a further measure of improvement for the Port of Calcutta a project' has been entertained for throwing a bridge across the River Hooghly. Boring operations have already been commenced ; and the subject, in all its parts, in now under consideration. 109. The accommodation of the Harbour of Bombay has been improved by the addition and extension of piers, and by the recovery of Moodee Bay at a large expense from the sea; whereby ground for a Railway Terminus, a Custom House, Basin, &c., will be obtained and much additional space will be secured. The works which have been sanctioned for bringing a supply of water into the Island of Bombay may properly be included among the improvements of its Part. A lake is to be formed at Vehar, on the Island of Salsette, by 'bunding' up the stream which flows from the hills in that vicinity. For this great work the Government has copsented to advance 25 lakhs of Rupees, secured by an increase of the house assessment in the Island of Bombay. 110. The Harbour of Kurrachee has also been much improved. Until of late, the Harbour was supposed to be inaccessible during the Its accessibility at that season has now been fully proved ; and communication with Bombay and all other quarters will continuo uninterrupted throughout the year. 111. Measures have been recommended for the improvement of the Harbours of Coringa and Coconada 112. Complaints having frequently been madle of tho unprotected state of the Harbour at Singapore, heavy batteries have been constructed, to an extent which the Military Engineers have considered to be amply sufficient for the ordinary defence of the port. 113. Lights, Buoys, and Pilots have been provided for the Port of Rangoon, and provision is now being made for the new Port of Dalhousie on the Bassein River. 114. As a measure of the utmost importance to the trade with these Ports, and with Moulmein, the construction of a Lighthouse upon the Alguada Reef, to the Southward of Cape Negrais, has been strongly recommended to the Hon'ble, Court. The ports of the Indian Territories are comparatively few in number, and for the most part, of little natural value. monsoon.

·( 19 ) The statement now given will show that the Government of ludia during these years has, at least, endeavoured to turn them to the best account. 115. I have only to add that a new Code of Rules for the regulation and conservancy of Indian Ports has lately been passed into law. It was much required, and will be of great value to the interests of navigation and trade. 116. It remains for me to advert to those works of improvement by which the land communications of the country have during the last eight ycars beon opened up and amended. 117. The introduction into India of the grcatest improvement which man's invention has yet applied to the means of movement and carriage by land, namely, the Locomotive Enging upon iron rails, has already been fully narrated. 118. It would be impossible to compress within the limits I wish to observe an enumeration of all the works which have been executed or sanctioned by the Government of India for the improvement of inland communication, by means of ordinary roads, during the past cight years. I shall notice merely a few of the learling lines. 119. The Grand Trunk Road, which had, speaking gencrally, been completed as far as Delhi, has been carried on without interruption. In the Lower Provinces many large bridges have been con- Structed; but it must unfortunately be added that scveral have been destroyed by the force of foods; and their place must again be supplied. Until a bridge shall be built across the River Soane, a formidable work, whose accomplishment must still be regarded as remote, the passage of the river will present vexatious difficulties and cause excessive delays. To obviate these, as far as may be possible, the Government is engaged in laying dowu a Causeway of stone across the river bed. This work, though but a temporary expedient, will be productive in the mean timo of great public benefit. Without imputing blame in any quarter, it must be observed that during these years the progress that has been made in the Trunk Road between Delhi and the Suhlej appears to have been slow. The difficulties, however, have been great, and the road is now approaching to completion. II ·( 50 ) 120. When the Punjab became a British Province, the prolongation of the Grand Trunk Road across its breadth was scen to be an object of primary importance. Accordingly the line has been carried from Loodianal'ny Jullundur to the Beas, and thence by Ümritsur to Lahoro, aud from Lahore by Wuzeerabad, Jhelum, Rawul Pindee, and Attock, to Peshawur. Every natural difficulty that can be conecived has been encountered; Vilst expense has been incurred; but the roail is rapidly approaching to completion, and by its usefulness will repay a thousand-fold the labor and the treasure it has cost. 121. Sanction has been given to the construction of a road froin Patna by Gya to join the line of the Grand Trunk Road. This is perhaps the most important cross-road in the Lower Provinces, and the traffic upon the line of country is said to be exceedingly great. The present line will forni an essential branch of the Grand Trunk Road, and when the Railway shall have been constructed on the Patna and Mirzaporc line, the road will become of still greater iinportance as a foeder to the Railway. 122. A roal, available at all seasons of the year, has been formel from Cuttack to Ungool and Sumbulpore, and has usefully opened up that wild tract of country. 123. A line of the ulinost importance has been constructed from Dacca to Akyal). An improved communication with the Province of Arracan hai long been much required ; but when political necessity compelled the Government to take possession of Pegn, it became an object of vital imprortance to the Government to be able to command the means of communicating with Pegu by larid, so that it might have the power at all times of despatching troops from Bengal to Pegu, for reinforcement or in relief, without being obstructed by the sepoys' conditions of enlistment, which entitled him to refuse to proceed on service by soa. The work has been very costly, and attender with serious difficulty, from the pestilential climate of inuch of the country through which it passes. Iron ferry boats linve been provided to facilitate the passage of troops across the rivers which lie in the way. From Akỹab to a point behind the Islap of Ramree, the troops will be conveyed by an inland creek navigation, which has been carefully examined and arranged. From this point thc troops will cross the Toun- .

·( l ) ghoop Pass into Pegu by a road, which will be particularly noticed hereafter. 124. A project for a road from Calcutta to Dacca, there to join the Dacca and Akyab" Road which has just been described, was calleit for ; but the natural difficulties between Jessore and Dacca appeared, for the present at least, to be insuperable. 125. With respect to district roads the Government of India has consented that the ferry funds of tho Lower Provinces and the tolls levicd on the Nuddea Rivers and on the Calcutta Canals, amounting iv all to about five lakhs a year, should be thrown together as a fund for the construction and maintenance of district roads. The distribution of the funds will be made by the Local Government, on the principle that no district road shall be formed from the fund until due provision shall have been made for its maintenance by means of local resources. 126. In the Province of the Punjab, besides the great Trunk Road from Lahoro to Peshawur, to which reference has already been made, a vast extent of road has been coustructed during the last seven years, for every difforent purpose, Military, Commercial, and Local. To enumerate them would be tedious. A full description of them will be found in the First and Second Punjab Reports, and more especially in tho Punjab Road Report, all of which have been printed. 127. In Pegu the difficulties which iinpede the formation of roads aro similar to those which render the construction of them in a permaucut fornı almost impossible in Bengal. Excepting the road from Prome to Mecaday, no continuous line has wet been executed in the new Province; but Surveys have been executed for three great lines of road, 1st, 2 From Rangoon to Promc; 2nd,-From Rangoon by Pegu to Tounghoo ; 3rd,--From Martaban by Sitang and Shocyghcen to Tounghoo. Theimpediments to be overcome on all these lines are very serious the cost will be excessive. Nevertheless, it is to be hoped, that they will be undertaken with 'vigor and prosecuted to a successful conclusion. Their effect will be incalculably great. 128. In the new Paces of Nagpore and Hyderabad, the impossibility of providing a full establishment of Engineers at present has prevented any general plan of public works being formed. . .

·( 52 ) 129. In Sinde a complete system of roads from Kurrachce to the Northern boundary was proposed by the Commissioner. They will be executed gradually, but as speedily as the necessary agency for their construction can be found. 130. The principal systems of roads which have been projected within our new Provinces, and some other leading works, have now been enumerated. I abstain from mentioning in detail the roads which have been sanctioned in the Presidencies of Madras and Bombay; for, although the returns before me show that those roads are exceedingly numerous, and that in the aggregate their cost amounts to an enormous sum, the aggregate is made up of so many single items, which though of great local importance, are of little general interest, that the recital of them would be tedious, and of no obvious profit for any purpose. 131. Two important works have been reserved for separate notice, by rcason of the peculiarity of their situation and of the circumstances under which they have been carried on with singular success. I refer to the mountain roads in the Himalaya and in the Gomah Range of Arracan. The Hindostan and Thibet Road, when it shall have been completed, will.(as its name imports) connect the Plains of Hindostan with the Frontier of Thibet. A full and most interesting Report upon this road has been prepared by Lieutenant Briggs, the Oficer who has borne the chief part in constructing it. The Report will shortly be published. All description of the road in this paper shall, therefore, be confined to the mercst outline, The work had its origin in the desire entertained by the Government to abolish and to remove all pretext for defending Begaree (or the system of employing the forced labor of coolies) in the Hills. So far as th Government was concerned, that system had the sanction of treaties; for every Chief was bound, whenever he should be called upon, 'to find upon his own part bands of laborers for the temporary service of the State. The Government has always remunerated amply the coolies who were so employed for the time they served ; but the money was usually in great measure taken from them by their own Chiefs on their return. They were forced to travel great distances, and in many ways they suffered oppression from the duty. The abuse of the system by private in Nuals was Lelieved to be great, though every endeavour upon the part of the Government was steadily made to check it.

·( 53 ) 4 The first step, Yet the evil of the system itself was unavoidable by any means. So long as the Hill roads, even to the English Settlements and military stations, continued to be little better than mountain paths, no other labor than that of men could transport whatever was to be carried, and no substitute for Begaree could be found. therefore, and the only step necessary for the abolition of Begaree, was to construct a system of roads which would admit of all articles being carried upon beasts of burden, or even dragged in wheeled conveyances of various kinds. For the furtherance of this purpose a road, first designed by Major Kennedy, and executed by Lieutenant Briggs, has been constructed from the plains at Kalka to the Hill station of Simla. It is about fifty miles in length. It is already sixteen feet in breadth, and has nowhere a steeper gradient than three feet in the hundred, constituting a hardly perceptible rise. From this road, branches have been carried to the military stations at Kussowlee and Subathoo, and a branch is now being formed to connect those stations with the Plains towards the Sutlej. Before long the distance from Simla to Kalka will be considerably shortened by a tunnel which is now being formed, and wheelcd carriages will be placed upon the pad. From Simla, the station most remote from the Plains, the road towards Thibet has been formed as yet on a smaller scale, and it is still incomplete. In many portions of its length from Simla to the Valley of Chini, which is its present terminus, the road is finished to a breadth of six feet, weld is generally used. It is easy to conceive the obstacles which must be met and overcome, among the 'valleys and forests and cliffs of the mighty ranges of the Ilimalayas, for the right formation through the midst of them of a road which is everywhere to conform to the gradient alrcady mentioned of three in every hundred feet; nor can rapid progress be expected; but the difficulties are yielding one by one. The greatest difficulty of all, namely scarcity of labor, admits of no remedy, for labor from the Plains is, for such a purpose, of little value in the Hills. Nevertheless a steady progress has been le. Within a year, I trust that the completion of the road to Chini will enable thc Government to try an experiment which I have long had ·( 51 ) much at heart, but which, until the road should be complotu, could not be carried into execution, I mean the establishment of a Convalescent Station for sick European soldiers in the Valley of Chini. Medical testimony and personal experience combine to encourage the belief to which I strongly hold, that such an institution would be productive of sanitary benefits for the European soldiers of the Army in India, such as no hill station in the Himalayas has yet been found to give, and such as would indirectly produce essential advantage for the State. When, too, the road shall be completed to Chini, and still more when it shall be carried as far as the Frontier of Thibet, it may bo expected that the form of trade which now shows every article conveyed in a little pack upon the shoulders of a goat will disappear, and that the commerce with Thibet will assume, both in quantity and value, the considcrable proportions which all who are well-informed upon the subject have anticipated for it. Above all, I trust that whenever the completion of the road shall afford the means of traversing the Hills as readily as the Plains, Begarec, both for public and private purposes, will be abolished ; that recurrenco to it under any protext will be prohibited ; and that the treaty right of the Government will be reserved solely for os of war or for some such great occasion of public emergency as, I trust, may never arise. Thus the construction of this fill road will become a lasting blessing to the people of the FIills, as it is even already a lasting honor to the Government of the East India Company, by one of whose many able and energetic Oilicers it has been mainly carried into execution. 132. The construction of the Hill road over the Tounghoop Pass, from Arracan into Pogu, arose out of the necessity which occupation of the new Province had created for direct military communication, by land, with the Presidency of Bengal. With great difficulty and labor 150 elephants had forced their way over the mountains and through the forest in 1852, to aid the operationg of the Army at Prome. The natural obstacles wero very great. The mountains were lofty, the forests dense, and the climate for a large portion of the Year pestilential. There was ttle water to be found, and no labor was procurable except that of Burman villagers, disinclined to toil of any kind, and afraid to commit themselves to our service.

·( 55 ) These clifficulties seemed at first to make the formation, within a reasonable time, of a road across tho Gomah Range almost a desperate hope. Nevertheless the vigor and perseverance and remarkable tact of Lieutenant Forlony, tht Officer to whom the work was committed, overcamo every obstacle with a speed which far outran our liveliest hopes. The range was everywhero surveyed. A line of roail was formed Burmese laborers were collected; were trained to the peculiar work ; were induced to submit to organization ; and even roused to emulation, and effectual industry. It was not until the enıl of December 1853 that the work was fairly commenced. In the spring of 1855, the Arracan Battalion, with all its baggage anl followers, inarched over the road from Prome to the sea. The roal is now rapidly approaching to completion. In the Aracan Section, 20 miles arc opened for carts to 15 feet of breadth, and 30 miles to a breath of from 6 to 9 feet. In the Pegu Section, 21 miles in the Plains lave been completed to a width of 24 fect, and 22 brislges havo been built. In the mountains on the Peyn sicle 20 miles havo been opened for carts to a breadth of from 12 to 20 fuct, and 24 miles from 6 to 10 feet. Arrangements hbecn made for shelter and for water, and the Sth Regiment of Irregular Cavalry aro just about to march over the road. It due regard be had to the difficulties which stood in the way of such an undertaking, and which have alreaily been adverted to, and if it be remembered that the working season in the Gomah Hills lasts only from December to April, if so long, and that consequently the working year is no more than five months in duration, the Hon'ble Court will feel that the construction of the Arracan Hill road by Licutenant Forlong, under the circumstances, and with the speed and success that have been described, is an achievement which is highly honorable to himself and to the Service of the East India Company. 133. Lest, in my anxiety to avoid an enumeration of single works, which might prove tedious and uninterosting, I should creato upon the minds of those who may read this Minuto an impression that the attention and the revenue which have been devoted by the Supreme Government to the prosecution of public works in India of lato years have been less in amount than has sometimes becn supposedl, I beg to recall to recol- ·( 56 ) lection the aggregate sum which has yearly of late been expended on public works in India. The charges on account of public works in the year 1853-54 rose to 2524 lakhs, or £ 2,525,000. Tho charges on account of public works for the year 1854-55 rose still higher to 299 lakhs, or very nearly £ 3,000,000 Sterling. Of this aggregate sum in each year a very large proportion was expended on new works. The charge for extraordinary public works alone, in the year 1855-56, is estimated at 2244 lakhs, or nearly £ 2,250,000 Sterling. The simple statement of these figures affords the means to all of forming at once an estimate of the real extent to which the Government of India in recent years has carried the execution of public works, designed for the improvement of the Indian Territories. 134. While the Government of India has thus been earnest in its endeavors to urge the prosecution of new works of public advantage, it has not neglected to take duo measures for the preservation of the magnificent works of former times. The attention of the Government having been drawn to the fact, that the noble arches and other remains of ancient architecture in the immediate vicinity of the Kootub at Delhi were in disrepair that there was danger of their falling in, and of their being thus lost to the world, immediate orders were given for their preservation. At the same time general instructions were issued to the Officers of Government, declaring the desire of the Governor General in Council that all such interesting and instructive monuments of former people, and former days, should be carefully preserved, and that the executivu Officers at Agra, Delhi, and wherever such remains are to be found, should consider it a part of their duty to seo that they were' upheld and sedulously cared for. Similar orders had been issued in the Punjab, with especial reference to the buildings there, soon after our occupation of the Province. It is hoped that these injunctions, and the care of the Civil Authorities, and of the departmental Officers at each spot where architectural monuments remain, will be effectual for their preservation to still distant times. 135. For the proper superintendence and control of operations so extensive, and so various as those which are required for the execution ·( 57 ) of public works in India, it is manifest that an organization of the highest order must be requisite. The system of management which existed in 1848, and continued for some years afterwards, was altogether ineffective. It gave dissatisfastion to all aliko-to the Officers of the department, to the Government, and to the public. The same dissatisfaction was felt by the Hon'ble Court, who six years ago directed that a Commission should be appointed at ench Presidency to enquire into the whole subject. The Commission which was appointed in the Presidency of Bengal reported didedly and unanimously against the system which had been pursued by the Military Board, and suggested the general outline of a scheme for the future inanagement of the Department of Public Works. The principal features of the scheme proposed were these :-- 1st,- That the control of the Department should be taken from the Military Board, and should be vested in a Chief Engiueer for cach Local Government. 2nd. That each Local Government should exercise control over public works, Civil and Military, within their respective jurisdictions, under certaiu prescribed limitations. 3rd.—That the Chief Engineers should be assisted, as at present, by Executive Engers, and where the Province was of sufficient extent, by Superimending Engineers also. 4th.--That the Executive Officers should be relieved in respect to the departmental accounts by which they had been overwhelmed. This system wag ultimately adopted for the Presidency of Bongal and for its Local Governments. It was subsequently introduced into the Presidency of Madras and the Presidency of Bombay, with such modifications of detail as were necessary to adapt it to the peculiarities of each Local Government. The cxperience which has been had as yet gives every encouragement to believe that, as a whole, the system now adopted is calculated to fulfil the purposes for which it was framed. 136. Under the orders of the Hon'ble Court of Directors, each Local Government has been directed to prepare for the Government of India, at a fixed period in each year, a Statement showing the public works which it proposes to commence or to carry on dweng the ycar to which the Statement refors. This Statement, which has insensibly acquired the designation of Budget, is intended to show every class I ·( 58 ) of public works which is proposed, or in progress, in ench local jurisdic. tion. Its object is to impart method to the prosecution of public works, and to enable the Supreme Government and the Hon'ble Court to acquire an accurate knowledge, of the extent to which public works are being carried on in the different divisions of the Empire, to regulate the expense which is to be incurred, and to control the general management and progress of public works throughout the country The Budgets, received and decided upon by the Government of India, so far as its authority extends, are to be annually submid to tho Llon'ble Court. 137. With reference to the power of giving sanction to public works, without reference to the Hon'ble Court, it may be observed, that the authority of the Governor General in Council now extends to the sanction of any work whose cost will not exceed one lakh of Rupees, and that the authority of Governors and Lieutenant-Governors is extended to grants of 25,000 Rupees. 138. The Government of India having thus been required to excrcise a direct and vigilant control over the execution of public works in India, it became absolutely necessary that it should have professional assistance to enable it fitly to perform that duty. Former it was wholly without any such aid ; latterly, and since the commencement of Railways, it had become the practice for the Government to refer the engineering questions of every sort which came before it to its Railway Consulting Engineer. This however was only a temporary expedient, hardly fair to the Consulting Engineer, and quite insufficient for the state of things wbich had now arisen. Accordingly, a Secretary for the Department of Public Works,with two Assistants, has been appointed in connexion with the Governn.cntof India. The Secretariat of Public Works has alrcady become a charge of grcat labor, and of the utmost public importance. 139. It will be readily perceived, that when there has been so great an increase of public works of late years, there must have been by some means a great addition made to the agency by which those works were to be executed. This has been the case. Military Officers have beon withdrawn for this purpose from their regimental duties in the Artillery and in the Line in large and unprecedented numbers, ·( 59 ) The expedient is advantageous to the present interests of the Officers, and it affords a material relief to the present necessities of the Government. But there scems good reason for apprehending, that it will, after a time, prove deoply injurious to the military efficiency of the Army. It is to be hoped, therefore, that the experiment will be treated on all hands as a temporary onc. Her Majesty's Government gave, some timo since, their consent to a certain small proportion of the Officers of Royal Regiments in India being einployed in the Department of Public Works. Furt , an atgmentation has been granted by the Hon'ble Court to the Engineers' Corps in each of the three Presidencies. Lastly, the Hon'ble Court has consented to the employment of Civil Engineers in the Indian Department, many of whom have been cngaged in this country, while a considerable number have already arriverl from England, Still further recourse must be had to this source of supply, if (as I earnestly hope) the execution of public works of improvement in India is to be followed up by the Government in future years with steady perscvcrance and with unabatod vigor. 1:40. Simultancously with the great exertions which have been made during these years to obtain from every various quarter a present supply of Ollicers for the Public Works Departmeutz active nicans have been taken to form what, it is hoped, will prove a fruitful source of supply hcrcofter. 1+1. It was the far-socing sagacity of Mr. Thomason which first anticipated the necessity of training Engineers in the country itself in which they were to be cmployed, and which first suggested an effectual method of doing so. On his recommendation, the Civil Engineering College at Roorkee, which now rightly bears his honored namo, was founded with the consent of the Hon'ble Court. It has already been cularged and exteniled greatly beyond its original limits. Instruction is given in it to Soldiers preparing for subordinato employment in the Public Works Department, to young gentlemon not in the Service of Government, and to Natives upon certain conditions. A higher class for Commissioned Officers of tho Army was created some years ago, at the suggestion of the late Sir Charles Napier, and the Government has been most ready to consent to Officers obtaining leave to stuly thicrc, as in the Sonior Departıncut at Sandhurst.

·(60) Excellent fruit has alrcady been borne by this Institution. Many good public servants have already been sent forth into the Department, and applications for the services of students of the Thomason College were before long received from other Local Governments. • 142 A similar College for Civil Engineering has lately been formed at Calcutta ; another is in progress of formation at Madras; and a third has been sanctioned in the Presidency of Bombay. 143. Subsidiary to the Colleges there has been temporarily sanctioned a Civil Engineering Class at Lahore, and very recently a Civil Engineering Class at Poona. 144. In all these Institutions the object will be to provide instruction which shall supply its due training to every separate class required for the service of the Government in its Department of Public Works. Hitherto, comparatively little has been done in Iudia towards creating within itself the cngincering skill which is now becoming one of its most urgent wants. But with such aids in prospect as those which havo just been described, we may now look hopefully to the future. 145. Having thus concluded a recital of the measures which have becn taken of late years for the prosecution of material improvements in India, it will not be out of place to make mention here of the progress that has been made during those same years towards the removal of certain noted evils, which have long been just causes of national reproach, and which have been vieweil with considerable interest even by the community in England. The noted evils to which I refer are Suttec, Thuggee, Female Infanticide, and the Meriah Sacrifice. 146. The prohibition of Suttec by the British Government is now a familiar tale. In the time of those who proceded me great progress had becn made in persuading all Native Princes to unite in denouncing the rite, and in punishing those who should disregard the prohibition. The Goverument of India, since 1848, has had only to follow up the measures of preceding years. When Suttee has occurred in any independent State, no opportunity of remonstrating has been lost ; when it has occurred in any District which was within our control, no indulgence has been shown to the culprits. Thus, renewed remonstrances have been addressed to Ulwar, Beckaneer and Oodeyporc, ·( 61 ) But in Doongurpore, a petty Stato under our direct management, where the Thakoor's son took part in a Sutter, the son and two Brahmins who abetted his crime were condemned to imprisonment for three yoars in irons; while the Thakoop himself, for tlic same three years, was mulcted in half the revenue of his possessions. The performance of the rite of Suttee is now a rare occurrence, either in Mahometan or Native States. .187. 147. Thuggee has become almost unknown in the Provinces of India which lie tu cho Eastward of the Sutlej. Tho detectivo establishments of the Governıncnt are still maintained; but the brotherhood has disappeared ; and the crimo of Thuggee, in the peculiar sense in which the word is familiarly understood, can hardly now be said to exist. The Provinces beyond the Sutlej are excepted in the preceding paragraph, because it appeared towards the close of 1851 that Thuggee, which it was previously supposed had never passed to the Westward of the Sutlej, had obtained a footing in the Punjab. The Board of Administration, however, were able to state in 1852, that First Report; para. “the Punjabee Thugs are not so dangerous as “ their brethren of Hindostan. The origin of the crime is comparatively “of recent dlate. These Thugs have none of the subtle sagacity, the " insidious perscverance, the religious faith, the dark superstition, tho “sacred coromovies, the peculiar dialect, the mysterious bond of union, “which so terribly distinguish the Indian Thugs. They are merely an organized body of highwaymon, and murderers, rude, ferocious, and desperate. They nearly all belong to ono class of Sikhs, and that the lowest.” In 1854, the Chief Commissioner of the Punjab was able to report to the Government regarding Thuggee, that "during 1852, the last year “ in which the crime had any chance of making head, there were only thirty-five murders. Since that year the crime would appear to be almost “extinct. During 1853 there was only one murder reported." Wherefore, even in its last refuge, the Provinces across the Sutlej, while they were still under the dominion of the Sikhs, the crime of Thuggee can hardly now be said to exist. In truth the only aspect in which Thugs can now be seen 'in India is in that of a well-conducted community at Jubbulute, where the former approvers of the tribo, together with their relatives and their descendants, arc kept under inspection; and where they form a quiet ·( 62 ) and prosperous colony, remarkable only for the industry which they exhibit, and for the excellenco of the fabrics produced by their hands, fabrics which have taken their place in the great Exhibitions of London and of Paris, and which aro said to hayo done no diecredit there to the manufacturing skill of Indian nations. para, 171. 148. The existence of the practice of Female Infanticido among the Rajpoots and other tribes of India has long been well known. Thie British Government has long striven against it, and denounced the cruelty of those by whom it was countenanced. A great success regarding it was achieved, some years since, within the Provinces of Hindustan, by the energy and influence of Mr. Charles Raikes; and large numbers of Native tribes and families were then induced to set their faces against it. But the greatest triumph which has yet been accomplished has been within the Punjab. Enquiry had shown that the Rajpoots, the Beders, (or descendants of Nanuck,) the Khutrees of the Sinde Doabs, and even the Sudlozyn Pathans, the Mahoinedan tribes of Mooltan, and thc wandering pastoral races in the central wastos of the Punjab, were all, more or less, addicted to this inhuman custom. Tho causos which led to it were found to bo Second Punjab Report; two-fold, -"pride of birth and pride of purse; that "is, parents murder their infant daughters, cither “ because they cannot afford the marriago expendituro which must one day be incurred on their account, or because they foresce difficulties in marrying them suitably." Great exertions were made by all the Officers in the Punjab, among whom Mr. Raikes was now included. On their recommendation the Governor General in Council authorized the convening of a great Mocting of the representatives of all the tribes at Umritsur in 1853. The Meeting was held; and the assembled delegates unitei cordially in the adoption and promulgation of certain rules, their observance of which would cffcctually secure that no man should feel any rcal difficulty in providing for his daughter in marriage, and should conscquently have no motive for thecommission of Infanticide. Thcsc Indes were adopted in the other Districts of the Puujab; and Maharaja Cholab Sing, in like manner, voluntarily and in public Durbar, adopted the Rulcs for the great Rajpoot clan within his Dominions.

·( 63 ) Jälld. 177. "If," as the Chief Commissioner has remarked, " future success Scconel Punjib Report; “ should crown these initiatory measures, then, in “some respects, a social revolution will have been “offected. Not only avill a barbarous and secret crime have coased, but “ endless abuses connected with betrothal will be repressed, doinestic “ morality improved, and the female position secured.” 119. It only romains to notice the measures that have been taken for the suppression of Meriah Sacrifico. This hottible rito, which consisted in the sacrifice with every circumstance of atrocity of young human victims, for the propitiation of the special divinity which presided over the fertility of the earth, prevails only among the Hill and jungle tribes of the Province of Orissa. Measures for the suppression of the rite had been undertaken before the ycar 1818. They had been steadily pursued in subsequent years. The nature of the country, the nature of the climate, the nature of the people, all was advcrse to success, nevertheless the exertions of the Officers to whom the duty was entrusted have been singularly successful. Multitudes of victims during that time have been rescued from the horrible fate that awaited them, and have been settled in villages within our control. The various tribes have, one by one, consented to abandon the rito; and from the narrative given in the papers which were published upon this subject by the Government, it does not appear over-sanguino to anticipato, that as regards the tribes which are at all subject to our influence or lie within our reach, the Meriah Sacrifice may be considered to be at an end. 150. If large improvements have been made under the various departments of Civil administration during the last eight years, the military branch of the Service has received its full measure of attention and amendment. 151. The position of the Native Soldier in India has long been such as to leave hardly any circumstance of his condition in need of improvement. The condition of the European Soldier, on the other hand, was susceptible of great improvement, and has received it liberally. His terms ·( 64 ) of service, his food, lis lodging, have all been bettered during these years, and infinitely greater care than heretofore has been bestowed upon his occupation, his recreation and his health. · The Regiments in Her Majesty's Sorvice, no longer condemned to the prolonged banishment to which they were formerly subject, are to be relieved every twelve years. The rations of the European Soldier have been greatly improved. Strict Rules have been laid down to ensure that tho rations should be of proper quality, and, as a further sccurity, a Victualling Sergeant has been attached to European Corps. The pernicious system under which a morning dram was served out to every Soldier before his breakfast has been abolished, The use of spirits at all by the Soldier has been discouraged to the utmost. To that end Malt Liquor is annually imported from England in enormous quantities by the Government, and is served out to the Troops at reasonable rates. The benefits which are likely to arise from the introduction of this change cannot be estimated too highly. In like manner, to remove from the Soldier temptations to excess under which he lay before, the system which prevails in Her Majesty's Army, of paying the troops daily, has been extended to the troops of tlie Hon'ble Company. The lodging of the Soldier has been greatly improved, anxi no nation can show better or more appropriate quarters for its troops than the Government now provides for European Soldiers in the East. No Barrack in the Plains is now built with less than twenty-four feet of height within. All are raised from the ground, and every appliance for cleanliness, ventilation, and healthiness, which experience has suggested or ingenuity can devisc, is introduced into the buildings. At.Peshawur and in the Hills the height of the Barracks has been adapted to the colder nature of the climate, at the wish of the Military Authorities themselves. Within eight years new Barracks have been built, or are being built, at Peshawur, Nowshera, Rawul Pindee, Sealkote, Lahore, Rangoon, and Thayetinyo. Old Betracks have been replaced, or are being replaced, by new buildings at Ferozepore, 'Subathoo, Kussowlio, Umballa, Agra, Cawnpore, Fort William, Moulmein, and Hyderabad in the Deccan, ·( 65 ) In every caso, as a general rule, separate Barracks are built for the married men of every Regiment. Proper provision for washing and cleanliness has been made in all the new plans, and of late Reading Rooms have been included, in the design for each Barrack. The scanty comforts of the Soldier within his quarters have also been increased. Punkhas aro hung in every barrack as in a private house. In the colder Provinces additional bed covering is now issued, and a certain proportion of fuel is allowed. A chest, too, is provided for every man at his bed-side by the Government, and canvas bags are supplied for the conveyance of his baggage when marching, instead of the cumbrous wooden boxes which the men dragged with them from station to station, when they were their own property. Lastly, it has been ordered, that wherever means can be found, swimming-baths shall be constructed for the European Soldiers at every station. For the instruction of Soldiers and their children, books and stationery and furniture for Regimental Schools are now supplied by the Government; further, a Normal School for training School-mosters (Non-Commissioned Officers or Privatos) has been attached to the Lawrence Asylum. For the recreation of the Soldiers, and for encouraging them to useful occupations, Soldiers' Gardens have in some Stations been already formed, and it is intended that a Soldier's Garden should form a part of every Cantonment in which European Troops are quartered. - Work-shods also have been authorized in connexion with every Barrack, and implements and materials for different kinds of handicraft are to be provided by the Government. For the encouragement of the class of Non-Commissioned Officers, it has been ordered that Annuities not exceeding £20, should, as in Her Majesty's Service, be granted to Sergeants of the Hon'ble Company's Armies, as, rewards for distinguished or meritorious services. More especially of late years, solicitous care has been shown for the preservation and for the restoration of the health of the European Soldier. Measures have been taken for the early despatch by steam to the Upper Provinces of all Recruits who arrive from England ; and the K ·( 66 ) departure of the Invalids of every season has been facilitated and expedited by making use of the Indus route. 152. The temporary Barracks run up at Subathoo and Kussowlio are now being re-placed by buildings ofe the best description. At Dugshaie magnificent barracks have already been built; three full Regiments, therefore, may now be quartered on the Hills near Simla. A few years ago the only Convalescent Depôt for European troops was at Landour, above Mussoorie. A second Depôt was subsequently formed at Darjeeling, for the use of the troops in the Lower Provinces. The great benefit which was derived from these sanitary Depôts led speedily to an increase in their number. A Depôt has accordingly been formed at Murrce, above Rawul Pindee. Another has been sanctioned in the Chumba IIills, at the head of the Baree Doab. Another is being built at Dhurumsala, near Kangra ; and a site has been selected for another in the Hills not far from Nynee Tal. 153. Much inconvenience having been felt from the tardy system which had been followed in the posting of Cadets, rules were laid down for expediting the posting. Ai the same time measures were adopted for ensuring the speedy conveyance of all such young Officers to the Regiments to which they had severally been posted. 154. Encouragement was held out to all Officers of the Army to acquire a high knowledge of the Native languages, by the grant of pecuniary rewards to those who should pass examinations of a certain specified standard. In order to ensure that at least a competent knowledge of the Native languages should be possessed by those appointed to Staff Office or to any detached charge, every Officer was required to pass a prescribed examination in Hindoostanee. All Officers already holding such appointments who did not pass the examination by a certain date were remanded to their Regiments. To correct the uncertainty which prevailed in the application of this rule, a fixed standard of proficiency was laid down, and the qualifications of candidates are no longer decided by Station Committees, but by Examiners at Calcutta. 155. The evils inseparable from a seniority system had long been felt, in the advanced age and consequently the frequent incapacity of Officers who succeeded in their turn to Commands of Divisions and .

·( 67 ) Brigades in the Indian Army: the Government of India at length found it necessary to interfere. The Government declared, that while the claims of seniority in the appointment of Officers to Divisional and Brigade Commands should always be allowed due weight, they should bo less deferred to than heretofore. The Government further declared, that, in making such appointments, the governing principle should not be the rejection of no man unless he were notoriously and scandalously incapable, but rather the selection of no man, whatever his standing, unless he was confessedly capable and efficient. The Supreme Government has done its utmost to act up to this principle in all appointments made since the time at which it was promulgated. 156. The more recent Regulations which have been laid down by the IIome Authorities havo tended materially to promote the wholesome end of placing bigh Commands in the hands of such Officers only as are still in the full vigour of their mental and bodily powers. Thosc Regulations are a fit subject of congratulation for all who feel an interest in the welfare and efficiency of the Indian Army. 157. The Indian Army, however, has still higher cause for congratulating itself, on the gracious favor which the Sovereign has lately shown towards it, in raising its Officers from the derogatory position in which they have hitherto stood, and in granting to them the recognition, which until now has been denied to thenı, of their military rank in every part of the British Dominions and throughout the world. 158. The recital of what the Government of the Hon'ble Company has done during the last cight years for the Officers and Soldiors of the Asmy who serve in India, cannot be more appropriately closed than by making mention of the care it has shown for the Orphan Children of those who have been attached to its Service, In the belief that the climate of Bengal was enervating and injurious to the health of the children of the Military Orphan School, who have hitherto been collected in an Institution at Calcutta, the Government resolved to move the Lower Orphan School to the climate of the Hills, and to attach it there to the Lawrence Asylum. This benevolent resolution has been carried into effect, with what benefit to the health and vigor of the children can be fully appreciated only by those who have seen the aspect of the European children in Bengal, and have been able to contrast it with the ruddy, stout, English ·( 68 ) appearance of those who from an carly age have had the Lawrence Asylum and its mountain climate as their constant home. ; 159. Since the year 1848, nearly every department connected with the Military branch of the Service has been revised and amended. At the commencement of the period above-mentioned, and long previously, the control over these several Departments had been committed chiefly to the Military Board. The constitution of the Board itself was faulty, and the duties which had been imposed upon it were more onerous than could have been well performed by any Board, even if its organization had been good. The Department of Public Works, the Commissariat Department, the Stud Department, the Ordnance Department, with many other duties, all were managed by the Military Board ; and all were managed badly. The withdrawal of the Department of Public Works from the control of the Military Board, and the reasons for the measure, have already been narrated in a preceding paragraph. 160. A Commission was appointed to enquire into the system of Army Commissariat in Bengal. The result of the enquiry led to the immediate withdrawal of the Commissariat Department also from the control of the Military Board. Effect was again given to the principle of individual responsibility and individual authority, and the control of the Commissariat Department was entrusted to the Officer at its head, the Commissary General of the Army. Various amendments of detail were introduced. Great care has been taken in the selection of Officers for the Department, and a rule has been laid down that no Officer shall be confirmed in his appointment until he shall have proved his fitness by passing a searching examination, after a due period of probation. The Account branch of the Department, which was its weakest point, has been strengthened and completely reformed, by the appointment of a separate Officer of Audit. Anether vital change has been effected by requiring the abolition of Persian Accoents, and by insisting on the rendering of all Accounts at once in English. The success of this change has been complete, and its effects are already strikingly apparent in the prompt rendering of every Monthly Statement, followed by an equally prompt audit.

·( 69 ) The substitution of hired cattle for the use of the Government in lieu of animals bred and maintained by the Government itself was a change hardly less important than that which has just before been noted. Though the measuro is described in a single sentence, it has given a large financial saving to the Government, while it has preserved full efficiency in the public carriage of the Army. The effect of these several changes has been, I sincerely believe, to render the Commissariat Department of the Army as effective, for peace or war, as that of the best organized among the Armies of Europe. 161. The efficacy of the principle of unity of authority and unity of responsibility having thus been recognized, it was speedily extended to other Departments. At the suggestion of the Hon'ble Court itself, the Stud Department was withdrawn from the control of the Military Board, and was placed under a single head, the Superintendent of Studs. This department was also subjected to the scrutiny of a Commission. Various changes were suggested in the Report, some of which have already been effected, while others must, of necessity, be gradually introduced. 162. Lastly, the Ordnance Commissariat Department, with Powder Manufactories, Gun Foundry, and Gun Carriage Agency, was taken from the control of the Military Board, and was placed under the chargo of a single Officer, the Inspector General of Ordnance. 163. These great changes having been completed, the Military Board of the Bengal Army was abolished. Tho same measure will carried to effect in the other Presideucies, doubtless, without undue delay. *164. Two other measures connected with military affairs still remain to be noticed. It had long been known that the punishment of transportation was not vicwed with apprehension by the European Soldiers serving in India. On the contrary, it has seemed in many instances to be regarded rather as an advantage to a convict who should be sent from India. The risk of transportation, therefore, had ceased to deter men from crime. In order to correct this great evil, the Government, at the recommendation of the Military Authorities, has resolved to build a General ·( 70 ) . Military Prison, where Soldiers, now usually condemned to transportation, may be imprisoned for the long terms to which they may be sentenced. It is hoped that this measure will check the grave and growing evil which has already been noticed. 165. A great military reform has been effected in the re-organization of the Clothing Department of the Indian Army. Proceeding on the Report of a Commission appointed to enquire into the working of the former system, the Government of India, with the sanction of the Hon'ble Court, wholly abolished the Off-reckoning Fund. From the 1st January 1855, the Clothing of the Army has been provided by the State. A fixed sum, calculated on the average of the offreckoning shares of the preceding twenty-one years, will be paid to Colonels of Regiments, instead of their former shares of the Off-reckoning Fund. The Clothing Board has been dissolved, and the Department has been placed under a Superintendent of Army Clothing alone. By this measure the system of clothing the Army was freed from many influences calculated to prove injurious to it; great and mischievous delays have been avoided ; and the Senior Officers of the Army have been relieved from a position which was frequently and plausibly made a matter of reproach against them. In effecting this reform, the Government of the Hon'ble Company anticipated the act of the Imperial Government, by whom a similar reform in regard to the Clothing of the Royal Army was determined upon, not long after it had been adopted in India. . 166. The Ecclesiastical and the Medical Establishments of the Go- . vernment being technically attached to the Military Branch of the Public Service, they have not been referred to until now. The Ecclesiastical Establishment has been largely increased during the last eight years, to meet the additional call for religious instruction which has been created by the formation of many new stations in the several Provinces which have been added to the Empiro. The Court has also given its sanction to the occasional employment of other Tiergymen, not being in the Service of the Hon'ble Company, when Chaplainstɔn the Establishment may not be available. ·167. The proper provision of places of worship for the servants and soldiers of the Government has been established on a liberal and sure ·( 71 ) footing. In every case, in which a place of Protestant worship is required, the Government undertakes to provide one, properly adapted to the purpose, but of the plainest and simplest form. The Government at the same time expects that the community which is to worship, therein shall recognize its own obligations, by contributing such sums as shall suffice to meet the charge of giving to the building the ornament and architectural form which befit its sacred character. Under this Rule, churches have been sanctioned at Peshawur, Rawul Pindee, Murree, Sealkoto, Moean Meer, Lahore, Simla, Rangoon, Thayetmyo, Tounghoo, Hyderabad in Sinde, and other places. 168. For the servants of the Government belonging to the Roman Catholic Church most liberal provision has likewise been made. The Government has lately recognized their claim to obtain from the Government fitting places of Worship, on the same conditions as their Protestant brethren. 169. Salaries have been granted to three Roman Catholic Bishops, one in each Presidency, by whom certain duties connected with the business of the Government are performed. The salaries of the priests have been revised and augmented. Separate Burial Grounds have been ordered to be set apart for mombers of the Roman Catholic Church, and every care has been taken by the Government to ensure that the Clergy of that persuasion shall have no just cause to complain of want of due consideration or of inequality of treatment. 170. In the Medical Department, additional advantages have been granted by the Hon'ble Court to Natives who apply themselves to the study of the medical profession, by the allotment of higher allowances 'th before to the class of Sub-Assistant Surgcons. 171. The establishment of Dispensaries has, probably, been productive of a larger amount of material benefit to the population of India than any other institution which we have introduced among them. It is therefore satisfactory to be able to state, that during these years the number of Dispensaries has been largely increased. 172. The subjeot of Vaccination, and the question of the best mode of defending the population against the dreadful scourge of smalll-pox, which commits such havoc among its dense masses, has ocupied much of the attention of the Government. Some progress has been already made, and it is believed that general and effectual measures for checking, if not for wholly counteracting, this great evil will yet be devised.

·( 72 ) 173. In 1853, admission to the Medical Service was thrown open to competition by all classes. Already one Native of India, Dr. Chuckerbutty, who had been educated in England some years before, has taken advantage of the opening created by Parliament, and has won for himself a Commission as Assistant Surgeon in the Service of the Hon'ble Company. 174. Before resigning the Government of India, I submittod for the consideration of the Council proposals for the enlargement and the improvement of the Medical Service. The proposals met with the entire concurrence of the Council, and have been transmitted to England. If they should receive the approval of the Hon'ble Court, and should be carried into effect, the Medical Service of the East India Company will then be second to none in the world. 175. During the years that have passed since 1848, the Legislation of the Government of India has embraced a great variety of subjects, and has effected many amendments of the Law. Some of theso may be mentioned. 176. Under the head of Criminal Justice and Police, Acts havo been passed for the more certain punishment of persons guilty of the crimes of Thuggee and Poisoning, of tampering with the Army or Navy, and of Kidnapping and Crimping. Acts have also been passed for the punishment of Ministerial and Police Officers guilty of corruption and of public Accountants guilty of default. Counsel has been allowed by Law ta prisoners. The branding of convicts has been abolished. Provision has been made for the custody of criminal lunatics. Batter provision has been made for the trial of charges of misconduct brought against public Officers. On the other hand, protection has been given by Law to public Officers when acting in good faith. Measures have been taken for the improvement of the administration of Criminal Justice, by defining the powers of the Nizamut Adawlut, by the appointment of Deputy Magistrates in Bombay, and by other minor alterations in all the Presidencies, especially by the concession of criminal powers to Moonsiffs.

·( 73 ) Lastly, the power of the Government to grant pardons in all cases has been established by Law. 177. Under the head of Civil Justice and Procedure, Acts have been passed for extending the jurisdiction of Moonsiffs, and for improying the procedure in their Courts. The mode of procedure in regular and special appeals has been largely amended, and the jurisdiction of the Sudder Courts generally has been defined and improved, A vast improvement has been made in the Law of Evidence, and in the mode of examining witnesses. All judicial Officers have been required to write their judgments at once in their own vernacular language. Administrators General have been appointed at all the Presidencies. Lastly, Small Cause Courts of extended jurisdiction have been established. 178. The miscellaneous Legislation of the Government of India during this period has been very extensive and various. Anong the principal Acts that may be mentioned, are the new Post Odlice Act; the Railway Act; the Electric Telegraph Act; the Law for the Regulation of Joint Stock Companies ; the Mofussil Municipal Act; the Municipal and Conservancy Act for the Presidency Towns; the Acts for the Regulation of Native Emigration; the Law empowering the Government to levy Tolls on Roads and Bridges; the Law for the Education of Minors; the Indian Marriage Act; the Law for the Naturalization of Alicns; the Law rendering British Subjects liable to all Duties and Obligations incident to the Occupation of Laud; the Apprentice Act; the Act for the Repeal of the Usury Laws. 179. Lastly, an Act, has been passed for securing liberty of conscience and for the protection of Converts, and especially of Christian Converts, against injury in respect of property or inheritance by reason of a change in their religious belief, 180. The review, which I proposed to take in this Minute, of the events of the last eight years, and of the fruits they have produced, has now been brought to a close. No attempt has been made to embellish the narrative. It is for the most part a simple fecital of what the Government of India has done. If the recital should seem dry in itself, it may be hoped that the results which it exhibits, will not be thought by the Hon'ble Court to be upprofitable or disappointing.

·( 74 ) One of the last, and not the least important, of those measures which have emanated from the Government of India during these past years, has been a resolution to require henceforth from the Government of every Prasidency, from each Lieutenant-Governor, and from the Chief Officer of every Province, an Annual Report ; narrating the incidents that may have occurred during the year within their several juisdictions, and stating the progress that may have been made, and all of moment that may have been done, in each principal Department of the Civil and Military Administration My parting hope and prayer for India is, that, in all time to como, these Reports from the Presidencies and Provinces under our rule lay form, in each successive year, a happy record of peace, prosperity, and progress. (Signel) DALIIOUSIE. 28th February 1856.

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