accomplishment of it. The people rejoiced, return- | go on vigorously in the cultivation. Last year ed from their emigration to their own country, set many promises were made to them, but never fulabout the cultivation with a wonderful ardor, filled. Those given by the late Rajah before his though it was very late in the season, so that many decease, are totally disregarded. Before the inhawere afraid of a famine; and by their cheerful ex-bitants reap, they are obliged to pay a part of their ertions, were blessed with a very rich crop.

The following is the plan for the administration of justice in the fort and country of Tanjore, which was proposed by Mr. Swartz; and though the state of this important branch of civil policy has been long since improved in that as well as in other parts of India, it will serve to point out the abuses and defects which then existed, as well as to ilustrate the sagacity, and the practical wisdom of the excellent missionary.

"To prove the necessity of administering justice in order to promote the welfare of a country, is quite needless. It is so clear, and well understood, that no one disputes it. That justice is unknown in Tanjore, is equally acknowledged and lamented by all the inhabitants. In order to establish its due administration,

"1st. His excellency the Rajah should give a general, full, and positive order to the judges, to decide all complaints according to justice; and this order is to be deemed a sufficient authority, without further communication from any one; without such an authority, the whole will be rendered of no utility.

"2nd. A proper place, (not a corner in the palace, where nothing but bribery and corruption has hitherto prevailed,) but a spacious and open place, accessible to all, should be chosen and adapted to

the business, where every one concerned in a suit | wanted. But if they should interfere, then the may have free admittance to see and hear every country people ought to be permitted to appeal to step that is taken in his cause. The palace people the court of justice at Tanjore. (who are mortal enemies to equity and justice) will say, nay; they have said, that boys and idle persons will run into such an open place; but one or two sentries would be sufficient to prevent all irregularities of that kind.

"3rd. People of knowledge and probity should be chosen to be judges. A knowledge of the customs of this country and its laws, is absolutely necessary, that all decisions may be agreeable thereto; even an honest man, without such knowledge of their laws, would be a very improper person to decide in their disputes.

"4th. These judges should be strictly ordered not to receive any present from the contending parties; consequently they should have a proper salary regularly paid them.

"5th. Judges found guilty of receiving any bribe, should be punished, and that in an exemplary manner, and rendered incapable of acting as such in future, that others may be deterred from the like guilt.

"15th. Strict orders should be given to the judges not to make any unreasonable delay in hearing and deciding any suit. Many people have hitherto been kept in suspense for one, two, or three years; by which they and their families have been ruined.

"16th. As the taking high interest and premiums has ruined many families, the interest that may lawfully be taken in the country ought to be regulated; and those who presume to transgress the regulation, ought to be punished. At the same time the lenders ought to be assisted in recovering their property.

17th. All the money which guilty persons are condemned to pay, ought to be put in a chest, with three locks; the keys to be kept by three different persons, to prevent embezzlement.

"18th. The whole plan, after it has been digested and corrected, ought to be published; and translations of it, in the principal_languages, should be affixed to the gates of the Fort, so that none may plead ignorance."

"6th. Two writers should be kept to record every petition which the contending parties may deliver The wisdom and expediency of such an adminisin to the judges; those petitions should be number-tration of justice as Mr. Swartz thus recommended, ed, and the day set down on which they were de- could not be doubted. It was cordially approved livered. Some peons ought to be kept and paid by the resident, who declared his conviction that, for the summoning of witnesses, or of any of the were it carried into effect, it would prove "an incontending parties. expressible benefit to the country;" but it was unhappily so opposed to the corrupt views and practices of the Rajah's ministers, and of those who, having supplied him with money, had obtained undue influence over him, that it was found impracticable to accomplish it.

"7th. When any complaint is presented, in writing, the injury complained of should be specified, and the witnesses to prove it should be mentioned by name. This method would shorten the altercation and facilitate the decision.

"8th. A proper time should be appointed for receiving petitions and hearing suits.

"9th. Nothing but the subject of the petition, which the injured persons give in, and the answer of the opposite party, which should likewise be in writing, should, in any way, influence the judges. All intercessions from the palace, from the women of the palace, from dubashes, &c. should be totally discontinued; for this practice has hitherto obstructed justice. No person whatever should be allowed to hinder the course of justice, and every one should be mulcted in a proper fine, that would dare to screen or conceal a guilty person.

"10th. His excellency will be pleased once a month to appear in public, giving notice to the resident, and other respectable persons, that they may attend, whilst the judges gave in an account of their decisions of the last month before that assembly, that it may be known whether any, even the poorest person, has been neglected.

"11th. When any of the contending parties are fined, the money should be set aside for the public use; for instance, to pay the peons, &c. who are employed about the court.

Ameer Sing had, in fact, consigned the management of the country to five or six of these rapacious agents; the consequences of which were most oppressive to the people, and detrimental to his own interests, by lessening his revenue, and rendering him incapable of fulfilling his engagements with the Company. Mr. Swartz having, under these circumstances, been requested by the Madras government to give his advice, thus expressed his sentiments, in a letter to the resident at Tanjore, dated May 8th, 1790.

"Not being able to bear such oppression," (alluding to the conduct of the Rajah's managers,) "the inhabitants have often quitted their houses.Even a few days since, many of the principal people addressed you, imploring the Company's protection. "The present sirkeel, Shevarow, has neither intellect nor integrity to manage the country. "The revenue is spent, or squandered away, so that, at the least, they can give no account of it.

"As the Rajah is not versed in reading or arithmetic, he knows nothing but what his servants or minions are pleased to tell him.

"How often has he been entreated to bless his 12th. No person ought to be hindered or de- country with the introduction of justice, of which 1 barred from giving in his complaint. This circum-drew up a plan at Sir Archibald Campbell's desire, stance alone shows the necessity of having an open place, with a spacious spandal before it, under which people who are related to the contending parties may be allowed to hear the discussion and decision of their suits.

"13th. As the merchants in this place are often forced to part with their goods without receiving ready money, which is not paid, perhaps, in six, seven, or eight months, these merchants ought more especially to be assisted by the court, for the better encouragement of trade.

"14th. Disputes in the country are commonly decided by arbitrators; and as long as arbitrators are permitted to act without being influenced by those about the palace, no other judges will be

which was offered to the Rajah; but though he allows the utility, nay necessity of it, he has not firmness of mind to put it into execution, because he knows that his servants are against it.

"Could he be persuaded to introduce justice, and consequently encourage industry, his revenue would be augmented wonderfully. But when the people lose all their labor, they become desponding and indolent.

"As this is the true, but melancholy state of the country, I cannot think that the Rajah will be able to make good his stipulated payment to the honorable Company.

"But should he really pay it by the help of the above-mentioned dubashes, and their friends,

Mr. Swartz then mentions the ineffectual admonition of Sir Archibald Campbell to the Rajah, and his own repeated entreaties upon this subject; and Mr. Swartz was, in consequence, desired to as- finally details the proceedings consequent upon the certain the facts. He accordingly sent a confiden- order of Governor Holland, by which Serfojee was tial hircarrah, who reported that the principal in- rescued. In this part of his narrative, the followhabitants had left the place, and were gone into the ing passage occurs, which illustrates his calm fearnabob's country; that Chinnia Moodely had recall-lessness in the fulfilment of what he conceived to ed a polygar, who had been expelled by Baba for be his duty, and the inviolable integrity of this exrobberies; and that this man had been again let cellent man. loose on the district, and was committing depredations on the inhabitants; that a Portuguese, with an armed force, had been employed in the work of oppression; that there was then no sign of cultiva

เ

these few days, since you heard of Baba having been recommended to the honorable board, then you were seeking something against him. When he was confined, you sought evidence against him, but found none. You desired him to pay fifty thousand rupees, promising to release him out of his grave (for his prison was a hole of six feet long, four broad, and four high, just like a small monument over a grave.) He sold his houses, and borrowed money to get his liberty.' Chinnia replied,

and Negapatam.' I said, "Fie upon you, Chinnia!' These are the very words of our conversation. His excellency's letter says that they convinced me of Baba's having embezzled money. If saying so, and convincing me, become synonymous terms, Í admit it, but not otherwise."

The Rajah at last said, 'Mr. Swartz, stay you here with the boy this night, that the sepoys may not be called into this interior part of the palace!' I asked Mr. Ram and the colonel what I should do. They said, that it depended upon me; but that they were content with my staying with the boy!' I accordingly consented to stay. Mr. Ram and the colonel went away. The Rajah, Shevarow, and myself, were alone. I then said, This uneasiness his excellency oweth to you, Shevarow. You intended to ingratiate yourself by those cruel severi-'Oh, he has two lacs of chuckerams at Karikal ties which you made the boy to suffer. How often have I begged you to desist; how often have I told you, that the honorable Company, and the English nation, to whose protection the boy was delivered by the late Rajah, in the presence of Mr. Hudleston, Colonel Stuart, and me, would not suffer those severities?' Shevarow said, 'You have told us all this, but,' &c. The Rajah then observed, 'As you are our friend, why did you not this very morning send me word that such an order had been sent to Mr. Ram? I replied, 'Ten days ago I entreated you to prevent the present uneasiness; and that was an act of friendship. But to give you notice of government's letter, after it had been confidentially communicated to the colonel and me, would have been treachery, which your excellency must never expect from me.'

"The Rajah and Shevarow then told me, I might go home. Astonished at this proposition, What!' said I, 'to become guilty of a breach of faith? Even my father should not be permitted to make such a proposal!' Upon this declaration, they left me with precipitation; and I remained with the poor boy that night, who, as I observed, walked as if he was lame. I inquired the reason of it. 'I have not,' said he, 'been able to sleep, but have been sitting clasping my hands about my knees, on account of the innumerable insects in my room. My sinews are a little contracted, but I hope I shall soon recover.' The next day he was conducted to his new apartment by Colonel Stuart and Mr. Ram, The indignities which were then offered to him I will not minutely relate: but they all showed the high degree of the Rajah's jealousy.

"A Brahmin, who formerly taught Mr. Burke, and afterwards Mr. Blackburne, the Mahratta language, was appointed (by my recommendation) to teach him reading and writing. His excellency's letter says, that my servants were employed for that purpose. But the writer of that letter knew that the Brahmin had never been my servant. The boy has made a good use of the opportunity given to him. He reads and writes the Mahratta language, and is very willing to learn English. The letter says that Mr. Ram visited the boy, and that I accompanied him; which is true. I inquired how he improved in learning, and admonished the Brahmin not to be remiss in teaching him; which I thought was quite agreeable to the late Rajah's desire."

Mr. Swartz then defends his recommendation of Baba in a very satisfactory and characteristic

manner.

In September, Mr. Swartz appears to have been the active intermediate agent between the government and the Rajah, relative to the adjustment of the revenue accounts.

In this month, it was considered to be necessary, for the security of the Company's interests, to assume the management of the revenues of Tanjore; against which the Rajah protested, and appealed to the Court of Directors. It appears that, in the whole of the proceedings, Mr. Swartz was consulted, as noticed by Messrs. Ram and Fallofield, the resident and collector, in the following paragraph of a letter, dated the 28th of September, 1790.

"The Rev. Mr. Swartz was consulted agreeably to the board's orders, upon every material step we have hitherto taken; a line of conduct we shall continue invariably to pursue."

It is important to add, that the Rajah himself, in his correspondence with the government, expressed a decided preference to Mr. Swartz as the medium of communication between them.

On the 24th of the same month, the government directed Messrs. Ram and Fallofield to transmit their sentiments as to the provision which should be made for Serfojee, and for the mother and widows of the late Rajah, in order that steps might be taken to establish a liberal and permanent allowance for their support; adding,

"You are, upon this and upon all occasions, te avail yourselves of the knowledge and experience of Mr. Swartz, and to consult with him freely; as his known probity and love of justice entitle him to every attention on the part of government."

An establishment was accordingly formed pursuant to his recommendation, amounting to one thousand and seventy-seven star pagodas monthly for Serfojee and his relatives, and one thousand star pagodas each to the three widows of the deceased Rajah.

In November, 1790, Mr. Swartz addressed the government of Madras on the system which should be adopted in the administration of the revenue of Tanjore, deprecating the management by renters, in two letters, which, though relating to a state of things long since corrected and improved, are so illustrative of his wisdom and ability, that they ought not to be omitted.

sident, and Governor in Council.

"HONORABLE SIR:

"Fully convinced of your indulgence, I take the liberty to address you, hoping that if my observations do not meet with your approbation, they will at least be pardoned.

"Concerning Baba, his excellency asked me whe-"To the Honorable Sir Charles Oakley, Bart., Prether I had recommended him to the honorable board. 'Yes' said I; 'not to be sirkeel, but inspector of the accounts of the country, for which he is well qualified. However, if Baba should ever be employed, he must be under control. His excellency, and particularly Chinnia, said, 'that they could prove that Baba had embezzled money, and that the inhabitants would give evidence, and had given it.' I said, 'Not during the last two years; for then you could prove nothing. But within

"A rumor has been spread here, that you intend to give the management of Tanjore to renters. If this should be the case, I am afraid that this poor country would be still more impoverished. Before

the honorable Company took possession of it, I en- |sary authority by the honorable board, would be a treated the Rajah to accede to any, even mortifying blessing to this country. These judges ought to be terms, rather than suffer it to be taken out of his responsible for their conduct. Having formerly rehands. Whether my uneasiness proceeded from commended a proper attention to the introduction prejudice or love of justice, I will not determine. of justice, I cannot but repeat my request in the But I confess that, when the Rajah lost the country, name of all the people. (at least for some time,) I felt sincerely for him. And what was the true cause of the Rajah's ruin ? It was particularly his depending upon rapacious dubashes, who managed the country, and were, in fact, renters. When they, by enriching themselves, had impoverished it, and ruined the Rajah, they abandoned him. Surely they might have extricated him, if the least principle of honesty had been in their hearts.

"Whether the Rajah ever thought that they would act so treacherous a part, I cannot say; but he feels it now. This very day he is in great distress, being, as it were, besieged by his servants, who have had no pay for seven months, and are now very clamorous.

"Having been called by his excellency more than once to give him some advice in his present distress, I have been at a loss what to say. To upbraid him now for his past misconduct, would be cruel, and altogether useless.

"Instead of blaming him, I have told him that the honorable Company would do that which he ought to have done; that they would manage all things so wisely, that they would introduce justice, encourage industry and trade, and consequently, instead of diminishing the revenue, would increase it; so that when the country should be restored, he might find it improved, and his subjects happy people. But when I heard that the country might, perhaps, be given to renters, and very likely to Madras dubashes, who are all well able to make supplements to Machiavel's iniquitous scheme, my hopes vanished.

"Give me leave, honorable sir, to make a few observations on the scheme of giving the country to renters.

"It is well known that the Tanjore country is not yet fully cultivated. The third part of it lies waste, though capable of the highest cultivation. This year it has been shamefully neglected; for at the time when the rivers were full of water, the puttekdars were here confined by the dubashes, whom I before called renters. They sagaciously foresaw what would happen; therefore they pressed the people for the payment of the money they had lent them, and the high interest on it; the consequence was, that instead of advancing money for cultivation, as is usual, the inhabitants were obliged to pay off their just and unjust debts, to those plunderers. Being deprived of the little money which they had, they found it difficult to carry on the cultivation with vigor; by this means more than ten lacs of kollam have been lost this year.

"But should the land be properly cultivated, (which is hardly to be expected if renters manage it,) it would soon, instead of ten lacs, produce twelve, nay, fifteen, and that without any oppres sion of the inhabitants. Surely a fair trial ought to be made. Lastly, I would observe, that as the Tanjore country is already parcelled out to above two hundred puttekdars, who have ten or more villages, and are responsible for a certain quantity of grain, the collection is made easy by it. These are, in fact, petty renters, who may be kept in some good order with more ease than a general renter.

"I would humbly propose to the honorable board, that Messrs. Ram and Fallofield might not be entirely separated in their operations. If they acted, at least in the principal points, jointly, that would check their servants, against whom otherwise hardly any complaint could be made.

Nay, they ought to agree in the fundamental "It is acknowledged by all people, that the ad-regulation of the country, viz., how much the inministration of justice is the basis of the true wel- habitants are to pay per cent.; whether it is to be fare of a country; but is that blessing to be ex-paid by them in grain or money; if in money, is pected from renters? I think it morally impossi-the market price to be demanded or something ble; but it may be said, that proper people should be employed to attend to the administration of justice. However, if they did their duty faithfully, frequent complaints would be raised by the renter of having suffered a great loss by the dispensers of justice; and that on that account, an abatement ought to be made in respect of their stipulated payments.

"The management of this country has hitherto, in fact, been that of renters; for what else were those dubashes to whom whole districts were mortgaged? When these people and their friends were in power, their intention was to get as many villages as they could. As soon as the poor inhabitants failed in their payments, they proposed to pay off their arrears to the circar, and to appropriate the village to themselves and their friends, promising to give to the owners some allowance per year. Many complaints of the inhabitants are now in my hands, which prove this deceitful method beyond any doubt. Some of those dubashes have got two, four, six villages by this artful management; nay, it is said that they have made use even of force to gain their point. An inquiry into that base oppression is wished for by the inhabitants; a renter will hinder such an inquiry, and discourage the inhabitants in their endeavors to get their property restored. In the nabob's country there is hardly any thing of this nature, for plain reasons. To rectify all these abuses, a court of justice ought to be established. Four or five respectable persons, if they were well chosen, and endowed with neces

more? is every little tax for the maintenance of the subadars and other officers, to be paid as formerly? is all service called vassalage to be destroyed? and many more considerations of that nature ought to be agreed upon by both, that there may be no party spirit. Though the business of cultivation has been much impeded this year, still something may be done to encourage it. Whoever of the merchants will lend money for that purpose, he ought to be assured of being repaid; and in case of the inhabitants' reluctance to pay off their debt, the merchant ought to be assisted: to facilitate that business, it would be very good to fix the lawful interest.

"These few observations I beg leave to offer, and humbly submit to your mature consideration. "I have the honor to be, &c.

"C. F. SWARTZ."

"To the Hon. Sir Charles Oakley, Bart. "The letter which you have honored me with, together with the one enclosed for his excellency the Rajah, I have received and delivered to his excellency.

"The letter was read in my presence; it would be needless to mention what his excellency said to me in private. I requested a written answer, which he promised to give, and send to me, only he desired some days to consider the affair, as it appeared to him of great moment to come forth with a full answer to the proposed question, and to make