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singularly perfect. Tithes were then due in law, to the Government from all produce, but in practice, directly levied from paddy only. Tolls and transit duties taxed indirectly but imperfectly what otherwise escaped. In 1837, it was resolved by Lord Auckland's Govern- ment to substitute for this system, if possible, money payments by the holding, fixed for a term of years on each, and calculated as the fair commutation of what had been previously paid, directly or indirectly. A special commis- sioner, Mr. Young, with independent and exten- sive powers, began the undertaking in the same year. The work has been going on ever since in the face of a perpetual controversy with the cultivators; and the most recent accounts esti- mate that one-third of it still remains to be accomplished. So great have been the dif- ficulties in a district of no size--it is only 250 square miles--under every advantage of acces- sibility to Government authority, but under the same disadvantages of local European counter- influence and adverse native prejudice, as we may lay to our account în Ceylon.

April 29, 1847.

W. S.

Th

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

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Reference -

TTIIN C.O. 882

سنسنسالسا

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHICA COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT 15

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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE