Civil Disobedience in Indian Tradition, with Some Early Nineteenth Century Documents c6.s3.15

c6.s3.15

50. The timely submission of the people has happily rendered it unnecessary actually to resort to the last mentioned measure; but when we reflect on the spirit which appears to have actuated the people and to the very serious consequences which might have arisen had the troops been actually employed on this occasion, we are irresistibly led to the conclusion, that no branch of the administration requires more prudence and circumspection, and above all, a more accurate knowledge of the real temper and character of the people of this country than the imposition of new taxes. It is scarcely necessary to add that we shall uniformly keep these principles in view in deciding on any arrangements of this nature, which may in future fall under our consideration, and we can not suppress the expression of our hopes that they may be equally attended to by succeeding governments, or any other authority on whom the delicate duty of imposing new taxes may devolve.