THE FRIEND OF CHINA AND HONGKONG GAZETTE.“
and the State claiment and took away its portion, which the government and the people are one, viz.
The tract of country from whence we at pro varying from 10 to 174 per cent in different places to fix a land rent, not on each provines, district, or sent derive our largest supply of India cotton is and in different ages. The Mahomedans increased country, nor on each estate or farm, but on every Guzerat, and the article is called Surat, after the this demand to 25 and even to 334 per cent. The separate field in their dominions. In support of this capital of the province, and its principal sen part. Mineple of the nestament, however, was to take supposed improvement, we find them unintention There seems good reason for bakering los, that pation of the produce; it was then put into all dissolving the ancient ties which united the re- this province is on the whole less heavily taxed granatics for the soldiers, or converted into money public of each Hindoo village, and, by a kind of than any other of the cotton-growing districts; yet
best suited the government."
agragrian law, newly assessing and parcelling our
we have the following statement of evidence from The British Government at the time, cortainty the lands, which from time immemorial belonged the very best authoray, Francis Warden,
to the village community collectively, not only imorant of the reality of the Indian tenores, com-
wha for more than 20 years filled the offices of od great sigbruch in assuming that the land be among the individual members of privileged orders, Chief Secretary and Member of Council of Bom. broged in the State, and greater still when they hand but even among the inferior tenantry; we observe bay, and is now an East India Director. His fer the lauded property of the three great polishing, private property in the land; resuming what
them ignorantly denying, and by their denial abo-testimony is as follows: vinces of Bengal, Behar, and Orissa, containing a
"Cotton. - Appendia to Report of Select Committee. 1832. pulation of more than (birty millions, in perpetui. belonged to a public body (the rental to all the pro- prietors), and conferring, in lieu of is a stipend in money to an individual: professing to limit their de such limit an unattainable maximum, assessing the mand on each field; and, in fact, by establishing for yol at discretion; and, like the Mussitman govern ment which preceded him, binding the cultivator by force to the plough, compelling him to till hand acknowledged to be over assessed; dragging him back, if he absconded: deferring their demand apon him, until his crop came to maturity; then taking from him all that could be obtained, and leaving to him nothing but his bullocks and seed grain; nay, perhaps, obliged to supply him even with these, in order to enable him to resume his melancholy task of toiling for others."
the tender mercies of Zemindars, in most cases ely the hereditary collectors of revenue, and in use the real proprietore; and limiling the demands If the State upon them, without fixing the amoont payable to these farmers of the revenue by the real
The effect of this has been threefold. In the first place, the true proprietors have, la many instances, Been displaced, and their lands appropriated by those trady created. In the second place, vast tracts of ads, hitherto lying uncutivated, have been brought if the plough, at a lower rate or rent than the Government ever would have been satisfied with as St. Thirdly, the newly-created landlords having a permanent interest in their properties, the tax on which is fixed for ever, have become wealthy. Be is this, the population has increased in propor ven to the general prosperity of the country around, and an opening has been afforded for the profitable employment of European capital, which he ren- derad that portion of our dominions the garden of todis, and has created a substantial body of opulent antive landlords and merchants which are foto be found elsewhere. But the Government, erroneous- y conceiving the State to be the eule proprietor of the land, bas imagined that, by fixing its demand, ilas, in effect, given in a prodigies bouts of the new proprietors. In this, however, lies a great fal- hy. The lands which had been abandoned and suffered to lie waste, from over taxation, never would fave been reclaimed but for some such measure; fr two reasons --Orst, hecause Government has Giled to produce similar effects in other parts of In- Oh, in the supervision of details, as it everywhere das; and, secondly, because it never would have Kursented to fax the lands so low as the new pro
lars could hijord to do, seeing that they had no aus tax to pay on them, and the small ront they Titel was clear profit.
up source of
much for the condition of the land-tax in the fertile provinces of Beagal,
is this part of our In Behar, and Orissa.
!!
empire alone that es my te, and are, ferted and even bought by dis, and where the facility of water-carriage
theimerior to Calcutta has rendered profitable, lotery great extent, the culture of the costly pro coctions of indigo, silk, and. sugar Unfortunately firerciton question, these articles yield so much guns than cotton, that it has not been cul- died wit, success even by the natives. The sail, is a well calculated for the growth of the in-
uge sous article, though the cohous of the West
beverywhere surced where they have been Dad Here, indeed, is a field for speculation; but, zuki po šave more knowledge than we yet possess, be calmot expect the experiment to be carried out
le the province of the north-west of Calcutta, DANIE Ken the Ganges and the Tamna, & allment of to land tax has been made with whole
This bold reproof of the system, since we believe it to be strictly true, is alike creditable to the public officers who ventured to warn the Government in such language, and to the Government which cherished and encouraged them. We shall now proceed to show what was the effect of this system on the cotton trade,
maaf "It requires fourteen hangsha of land fabout seven acroa) to produce a kandy of 746 be of] (Gazerat) cotton, on which the government assess. ment (land tax) therefore is rupesa 58, or at Is. 93. the rupee. 41. 17s, averaging 11. por lb. In the Surat division it avenges 1.554 per Ib, in Katrs 1.134. in Ahmedabad 1 531., in the Southern † Mahratta country 1.144. Ia Katty war the assez- ment exceeds 51 a kandv.
Dr Lush saya a kandy of cotton in the Southern Mahratta country (Dharwar) may be purchased at 42 rupes, which at 18. O per rodeo, is 31. 184. The assessment in Hauswar, al the same price, would exceed the value of the crop about 23 per cent,"
Again we quote from General Briggs, who, in sumning up these facts, observes...
"It has been seen, that in Bellary a landuak of 38. 2d, per acre, assuming the produce of coun to be what the collector represented it to be, left
175
Under the most favourable circumstances, the thes for effecting all this is, from the nature of le climate, necheerily very short
Auy delay in fixing the assessment, still Irrber curtate the very short period the autosið duruk, and is leat as a very great hardship.
Is it better in the British districts in the Deccan, lying within 100 miles of the cost? Not a wat Though the whole extent (of about 30,000 overe miles) is one great cotton beld, not enough is grown to cover the bekalness of the hors population, and this is ascribed to the wretched mode in which the and tax is imposed and exacted There, ss in Me dras, the neighbouring country of the Niram, with a much worse governmeet but with a lower land- tax, co400 ks grown in roffiesol quantition not only for the consumption of the Daccas population, esti:
malol at skout ten millions, ata o fer exportstion on the north towers the Gustee, me the sath Cowards Madras, ce se lase sese beach the con pany's territory, but also to the ritem cost. through thevame Bracon territory, to en les roar to fods market in Bombay in Eng951. To carck this, however, mother one in nocere in luule of roads, win which subject weshal here to desi
another number, The
PLANOS
JUST RECEIVED AND FOR SALES
perior Grand Aglico Plenge, with latet on
On day st provements.
DRINKER, HETL & CA Victoria, 31st May, 1847.
FOR BALE.
LLSO
only & balance of fid, an aere in a favourable ONE of Blisset'e Heiratigger Rifles, season, and in the Korpah district, where labour was dearer, a tax of-3s. 9.1. per acre, according te the native reporter, caused a loss of 25. per acre. In Guzeral, according to Mr Warday, conventing his rupees into pounds, shillings, and pence, his begas into acres, (st 2 por acre) and his rupees of the made between 1809 into at the following conclu
Genor) Briggs states, that the greater portion of the soil in the districts ceded by the Nizam to the British Government in 1900, was the rich blank land termed cotton ground.
On the oc.
A double barreled shot Gen, with cose com plete. Apply 10,
Ma. RUTHERFURD, Quest's Road. Victoria, 1st June, 1847,
FANTED OFFICE COMPRADORE
there where entered in one district only (Bellary) in 2 shilings, we affire as ca fon may be rated Willing to las to a Chitramur from the
1,460,993 acres fit for producing cotton, of which 911.203 vero in actual cultivation, and which, no- cording to Dr Wright's table of produce. in that part of India should have yielded 98,474,724 lbs; but in 1814-15, we find 710,845 acres had been abandoned, and that the produco of the whole dia. trict did not exceed 5.278,000 lbs., instead of 92,174,724 lbs, a few years before; and strange to say, that the same public report shows that more cotton passed into and through the district in the same year from the remote districts of the Nizale than was produced in the d strict alluded to, cause of the falling off of the cous culture under our government, is but fou apparent, for we had on the same authority, namely, the public reports of the revenue collector in 1814-15. that the profit cotton, according to his own estimate, did not per acre, while, according to the native col lector, whose account is more likely to be correct, thero was a dead loss in ordinary seasons of 5d. an acre.
The
on seven acres of land giving 106 lbs. per acre, thu the land tax on the same is 65 rupees, or Si. 198 being 16s por more. The cotton estimated at 231. per lb. which is 40 per cam more than its value at Dharwar, will sell for 11 1s.. from which, if we deduct 16s. For tax, we have scarcely more than 25 per cent of the sale proizze to pay the expenses of cultivation, and to the return of interest on ca- pital, while the government reveives 75 per cent of The whole produce, as the ox. The merchants of England, it is clear, cannot look to either of the ahore presidencies in which is grow cotton pr fiably, while such imposs prevail. Bauer would it be for them to go and reside dader the govern. ment of the Nizam, in the midst of the great cotton sold of India, and trade the indigenous article. than attempt the growth of American colleas | under such a government as OUTS. We have accoį in p. 61 that those provinces can afford to import and under the home-grown cotton at Ballary and at enterprising nativo merchant of Bombay, It is clear, therefore, we must not go to Madras
has been residing for the last five or six years st to grow or purchase cotton. Mr Hughes, of Tinfydrabad, purchasing and transporting de exen's nevelly, long tried the experiment: he sent bone backs to the sea coast, the cotton grams in Berat. as fine cotton of the kind as the world could pro
cannot be produced at a proft. dune; and while it brought him is a B. ie could rough our more contiguous districts, where it afford to raise it, but as the prices fell he was com pelied to abandon it. It is in the same part of the country one of the government experimental forms has been conducted under Dr Wright (a skilful botanist) for the last six years, and we have occa. sionally seen specimens of most desirable cotton, but we cannot get at the price. Dr Wright hopes to obtain a very large produce per acre, which will offer price considerably; but six years have past, and still little has been effected.
We shall now pass on to Bombay, and see what prospect we have of obtaining cotton from that quarter. The Barat cotton, and that lately pro, duced in that quarter from the Bourbon seed, ac- clinated for the last thirty years, are both articles which, when properly cleaned, would answer well our markets here. We cannot do better than ex- tract again from General Briggs :--
What a redeation is this on an Europesa administration denominated enlightened !!!!
Again we introduce the remonstrance of the merchants of Bambar on the same subject:-- The Braby Chamber of Commeres to the Chief Secretary to Government.
Bombay, March 4, 1837. SIR,- am requested by the Chamber of Com meros most respectfully to bring to the noise of the Right Honourable the Governor in Council the situation to which the cats desters in the Broach Collectorate are now placed, owing to the annual assessment (land-tax) on the cotton for the revenge not having been yet fixed.---
Until this assessment has been made, the colony cannot be shipped for Bombay, nor, unless onder certain restrictions, not available to all the dealere, can the cotton be cleaned and prepared for shipment.
ving commulling, for 20 or 30 years, from 1833, with a view, no doubt, to reassess at the end of that petal, but this involves the dilemma of a lease of Judd everywhere; sich, as it approaches its ter- minste, lavariably snds the soil in a worse condi- e than at first. With this limited tenure, Euro- praus have scaronly ventured to embark their en- jast in land, and purchasers of the crop must take it in the condition they can get it. Neither is this tract productive of native cotton, In the provinces under the Madras government, embracing a vast area of indigenous cotton soil, and a population of thirteen millions. (as much nearly as England, ex case of Scotland and Wales,) another system of rbing the land-tax prevails, where, regardless of
prior rights of the people, and the different te LANERCOST,-LIVERPOOL, for Hongkong, sailed 22 February, 1847, Fluchet, Alex & Co. nares of freehold, copyhold, and tenant-at-will, the government, claiming the sole proprietorship in the soil, has levélfed all distinctions, and having com-
Clearances:-
Shippers.
jelled the copyhold tenant to pay half the gross A. Swainson
duce, including both tax and rent, direct to the
MANIFESTS
OF VESSELS CLEARED FOR CHINA
sate, has recognised him as the tenant of the go. G. Armstrong vernment, and defrauded the real proprietor of the ARIEL-LIVERPOOL, for Canton, sailed 231 Ret'y, 1847, 34 Clearance:
sesll portion of rent which was formerly paid to i
Pan. The proprietor himself, thus defrauded, is J. Kennedy, complled, for the first time in the history of India,
Do,
10 pay the same portion to the British Government
Do.
S & TAshou Fletcher, Alex & Co. Rawson & Co
Ramon & Co.
PLAIN COTTONS. Marks
56 bales 127,000 yds 21400 Diamond WC
COTTON YARN.
6 bales 2.400 lb. Heart MAGO
Quantifies,
Fal in St.
ST
COTTON YARN.
M. Kenwortby
Fletcher, Alex & Co.
De. R. J. Farbridge & Co. Fischer, Alex, & Co.
D'ble Diamond KKMC a bales
1,600 lbs.
60
Do.
do.
do.
7
2,300
105 Rawson & Co.
do.
do.
4,000
**
13
5,200
947 Matheson & Son't
10,000
3501 M. Kenonby
Reiss Brothers
last employer. Apple at this Office,
OficePriend of Chice,"
Te Jose. 1847.
FOR SALE.
N_lovoice of splendid Hanging and Table
A Lamps, from Messrs Hancock, Rison & Dust, est received per Murtain, and now on new ai Messrs JARDINE, Mitanson & Cala Gedvene, Best Point.
A. HOWER.
Victoria, 27th May, 1947.
TO CAPTAINS AND SHIP OWNERS.
N
Sole at the Gadawns of the Eaders goed, Queen's Road, the following Ship Stores, vizu Flour in Barrels, Ship Biscuit let And Bod gra. Hay, Manda Biscuits, Mands Coffee, Mania Che. coate, Manila Cigars.
An extensive ssscriment of Ollman's Stores com.
pricing-Assorted Pickles and Sauces, Tam Proti, Jams, Jellies, Vinegar, Zante Currants, Bloom Raisins, Prunes. Buner. Cheese, Hems, Bacon, Tongues, Mes Beef, Preserved Meals and Fish. Wices and Splaka, Ale and Porter.
Cesia si por
100/
EDWARD HALL N B-Stips Biscuit is any geantity made to order by giving a few days notice.
UST Attired and For Sale at the Commission
and Sale Room of the undersigned - White and Black Bearer Hats of superior quek. is a new invoice of superior Boots and Shoes; and also for Ladies, Patear Tuk-stands, Bath and Post Papers, Manifeld Writers, &c., c. Bear, Port Wine, and Claret, all of the bent quality. Or. ders will be attended to at any time,
A. LA DE ENCARNAÇÃO, Higkong, 28th May, 1847. TUST reterved and bar eslo by the Undersigned, Selizer Water, Charel, (Medce) and Syrup of three gostatos
A. L. DE ENCARNAÇAÒ. Victoris, 18th May, 1947.
Bell Diamond HCM
WOOLLENS. Damond DRM,
Demand W&F But Diamond JMD Han BVC
9
w
740
PRINTED AND DYED JOFTONS.
RN
Sbores
SMH
10 cases
Fear RCH
94 pcs. 20.000 yds,
8,000
940 410
150
SMB
4,000
200
EA
20 bores 39,200
5 beles
7. bales
980
1
5.000
190
250 pcs
630
800
*
..$4
413
30
130
・注
1160.
*
Heart SXEW
150 Rathbone,Brih'rs & Co., Diamond RB.
600 cods 2.450
0
Diamond CBPE
SIRUS
SLAGS
SLRHS
600
Fletcher, Alex & Co Diamond VC
Heart STR Rameson & Co. At Kenwarer
10
11.500
MISCELLANARUUS
65
Darpan & Co
haxes 4 preserved provs. 40
8 cests
4,300
1916
10
90 bales 171,000
240 pcs 1,100
4020 1.150
633 mes 3,630
js.
970 530
Do.
V
Diamond CM
S do,
WOOLLEN STUFFS.
880 pcs. 1,000 D'ble Heart B J. Bibby & Sons CONFUCIUS, LIVERPOOL, for Shanghai, sailed 25th February, 1847
PLAIN CÔTTONS,
48,000 yds. 20 bales Rathbone, Brs & Co. Diamond M Matheson & Scott Circle F.
401 Diamond S
£63,000 Cross MMSJ
es the copyhold tenant holding of him formerly did, A. Hood, and is reduced by law to the very same condition. The assessment in the Madrus territory, made fly-aix years ago, at a valuation at the time of one- half of the crop, fixed in money, has since been re duced by one-third. As so heavy a charge on the land, though nominally fixed, presses harder or Ighter, according to the value and u ampant of the produce, it neither is nor over was realised and an Annual assessment, dependent on the condition of the cops, under the mild term of REMISSION of what is beyond the power of human industry to R. J. Farbridge & Co. AHEG real, takes place, and the amount exacted is sola y and wholly left to the discretion of the collector, win situation mainly depends on the amount he can exact from the unhappy cultivators.
Do. Do
Do
J. M. & Co.
F. Robinson Diamond HWAS 21 bis 1 box Fletcher, Alex, & Co GDC
Diamond WBS
Rawson & Co.
This system was much reprobated at the time of making it, by the board of revenue of Madras, which remonstrated in the following strong an M. Kenworthy Page with the Government, but without effect J. Warrington The extract is quoted by General Briggs in the col R. Henderson & Sons
pamphlet, from his work on the Land tax of
Matheson & Sept
do PA bales cases Dble Diamond RBRC S
25 bales
Cross SWOH FH 137
Damond T
"ignorant of the true resources of the newlync quired countries, us of the precise nature of the landed tenures, we find a small band of foreign on
erors no sooner obtaining possession of a Yual ex- at of territory, peopled by various nations, differ- ing from each other in language, customs, and bathon You & MAN BEIREL
Diamond DPAL
R. J. Farbing & 106 AT M Kenwort Fleder. Als & Co.
Li, than they attempt what would be deemed at San
Herculean task, or, father, a visionary project, even Fahrdre & 60. AFGCU in the raput cuvilised counties of Europe, of which
very statistical information is possessed, and of Recon & Co
630000
re Law & Co. Daned 69
Dick Diamond RBCP UE
50
35
10
53
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