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 reached its height, observed — 'I considet that in fact our Government is at the head of the system composed of Native States, and I would avoid what are called rightful occasions of appropriating those territories. On the contrary, I should be disposed as far as I could to maintain the Native States, and I am satisfied that their maintenance and the giving the subjects of these States the conviction that they are considered permanent parts of the general Government of India would naturally strengthen our authorit5^' Sir Charles Wood (Lord Halifax), on 26th. February 1863^ referred to the Native States in the House of Commons in the following terms— The House may dismiss at once all question of the annexation of territory. There are many reasons why I think v/e should :iot annex the Native States. It is for our -advantage that such States should be left in India.' And Lord Cranborne, on 12th July 1866, speaking at Stainford, said — 'Thirty years ago, the predominant ide-a