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Fuilure of the Quinquennial Lease.
vesort to the value of 1060 rupees, but under appeal
to the Court of Sudder Duanee Adaulut at Calcutta,
in all cases which exceeded that amount. Even this
scheme was declared to be only intermediate, and
preparatory to an ultimate measure, according to
which, while the local management, except in those
districts which might be let entire to the Zemindars
or responsible farmers, should be performed by a duan,
or aumil, a committee of revenue, sitting at the
Presidency, should form a grand revenue office, and
superintend the whole collections of the country.’
Such were the alterations adopted in 1773.
At an early period, under the five years’ settlement,
it was perceived, that the farmers of the revenue had
contracted for more than they were able to pay.
The collections fell short of the engagements even for
the first year; and the farms had been let upon a pro-
gressive rent. The Governor-General was now ac-
cused by his colleagues of having deceived his ho-
nourable masters by holding up to their hopes a re-
venue which could not be obtamed. He defended
himself by a plea which had, it cannot be denied,
considerable weight ; It was natural to suppose, that
MER EESS eee eeger erences csecernenenn esas. SADT PRI EE
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BOOK: V:
Cuap. 3.
1775.
the natives were acquainted with the value of
the lands, and other sources of the revenue; and
that a regard to their own interests would prevent
them from engaging for more than those sources
would afford. It was contended with no less justice
on_the other side, that there was a class of persons
who had nothing to lose; to whom the handling: of
the revenues, and power over those who paid them,
though for a single year, was an object of desire; and
whom, as they had no intention to pay what they
promised, the extent of the promise could not restrain.
\ Sixth Report of the Select Committee, 1781, Appendix, No. 4.
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