agreed
279
already that under certain conditions of security the money could be provided.
I sent for the Viceroy's Secretaries and discussed the matter at length with them, requesting them to lay my arguments before the Viceroy and inform him that I would visit him and talk over the matter. His answer, conveyed to me by one of the Secretaries, was that he did not consider the proposal practicable owing to the ignorance of the people who would not submit to foreign discipline. He feared that it might result in grave incidents.
Although there is no doubt a strong feeling among the natives of this province that the foreigner should be dispensed with altogether, in my opinion the alleged fears of the Viceroy are groundless. It is more than probable that the far-suffering population which has suffered so much at the hands of robbers and pirates during past years would welcome the relief given by an efficient police force, even if organized by foreigners. With the present Viceroy, however, it seems clear that nothing short of the strongest pressure will induce him to employ any foreigner in this service. He can, I think, do so...