Civil Disobedience in Indian Tradition, with Some Early Nineteenth Century Documents c6.s3.58

c6.s3.58

24. The realisation of an increased revenue from the above mentioned articles, either by a monopoly or the imposition of a duty, is a subject to which we particularly called the attention of the presidency of Fort St. George in our Revenue Despatches to that Government of the 28th August 1804 and 23rd July 1806. We have also more recently conveyed to the Madras Government in a letter in the same department of date the 24th April 1811 our sentiments on this subject on the occasion of taking into our consideration their proceedings since the year 1806 with reference to the object in question. We are desirous that you should apply to the Government of Fort St. George for a copy of the correspondence here referred to as well as for a copy of their proceedings connected therewith, as they may prove useful to you, more particularly the reports of the Collectors on any measures which you may deem it expedient to adopt for adding to the public resources by an extended system of taxation with respect to betel and tobacco. We are perfectly aware that difficulties may exist under your presidency, as well as in the territories on the coast as to the general application of any uniform measure with a view to that object throughout the possessions subject to your immediate authority. A modification of principle and in some cases a complete difference of system may be necessary in order to adapt and accommodate itself to local circumstances and peculiarities from a due attention to which we might hope that in the course of time you may be enabled to exempt from the town duties not only rice, wheat and barley upon which article you have very properly abstained from enforcing that duty but that in the event of the proposed duty on betel and tobacco being generally established you may be able to exempt those articles also from the operation of the town duties.