Civil Disobedience in Indian Tradition, with Some Early Nineteenth Century Documents c6.s3.40

c6.s3.40

9. Neither the Committee nor yourselves have adverted to two material distinctions between the old and the new tax. *1st* that the tax on Calcutta is levied not for the increase of the revenues of Government but solely for a municipal purpose. That the sum raised by it is disbursed upon the town and the inhabitants derive a benefit in the improvement, of the streets and general healthiness of the place. As an endeavour to conciliate the natives to that tax the Government ordered the monthly accounts of the Commissioners to be published thereby not only showing the people that the money was wholly expended on the purposes for which it was raised but also giving them the means of knowing that it was faithfully and judiciously expended, a point in which it is probable some question had been started. *2nd* that Calcutta is a town governed by British laws and in many respects differing from any other place in Bengal or the contiguous provinces. It is the seat of our chief Government; the inhabitants of the greatest authority and consequence are Europeans: most of the principal houses belong to or are rented by Europeans, all the natives of consideration and property are either immediately or relatively connected with our Government or with Europeans or are descended from persons who at no very distant period have been so connected. With the exception of the persons of the above descriptions the natives of consequence and property are from physical and moral consideration averse to reside in Calcutta. That under European example and influence a tax like the one in question was certainly more likely to be submitted to, in Calcutta, than in any other place.