A History of the Mahrattas v2.c59.24

v2.c59.24

A.D. 1819.—The progress of the settlement went forward as rapidly as the conquest. After the first instructions were in train, the next object was to obtain full information respecting individuals, that their claims to consideration might be fully understood. Inquiries were also circulated by the Commissioner to his agents and by them to their subordinate agents, on the usages and laws of the country, in which all the intelligent part of the community were called upon for their opinions. A mass of valuable information was thus speedily collected, and from the judicious nature of the queries, so far from alarming the inhabitants, an inconvenience to which such interrogatories are particularly liable in India, these, on the contrary, being committed to men who knew the natives, tended to gain their confidence, and were in this respect useful to the new Government. To keep down insurrection; to settle claims and rewards consequent upon such a revolution; to make some provision for all who suffered, and to better the condition of those whom the voice of the community pointed out as fit objects of bounty, were a part of the duties which devolved upon the Commissioner.