Page:The Marquess Cornwallis and the Consolidation of British Rule.djvu/70

64 improved, not only his general comfort and wealth are increasing, but the very tax itself is rendered more light by bearing a smaller proportion to the increased value and produce. Nor is Government excluded from sharing in these advantages, though in a less immediate way, for the immediate consequence of an increase of produce is an increase of the population of the country, whose industry returns again to the fields, or overflows into the manufactories which work upon their productions.

'Such are the effects which must result from the humane and wise principles announced by this proclamation, which opens a new era in the history of our Government in the East, and must be considered by the natives as the greatest blessing conferred on them for many ages.

'During the period of the Muhammadan Government, the assessment on land was subject to numerous and arbitrary impositions; that assessment, since the English have been in possession of these Provinces, has been variously levied and frequently augmented; the evil effects of this desultory system were severely felt; they will now have been completely remedied; the Decennial Settlement placed the revenue on the equitable footing of a fixed unalterable assessment provisionally, until the Court of Directors should give their approbation to it. That Settlement is now confirmed for ever.

'With regard to the amount of the jamma, its moderation is sufficiently proved by the complete payment of the revenue last year to Government, except in two Zamíndárís, not only without a balance, but with the additional collection of former suspensions.

'By these measures a permanent revenue is secured to Government, property to individuals, and a prospect of wealth and happiness is opened to the natives co-extensive