inundation has ruined him, or that his country is a desert through
want of rain. An aumeen is sent to examine the complaint. He
returns with an exaggerated account of losses, proved in volumes of
intricate accounts, which the Committee have no time to read, and
for which the aumeen is well paid. Possibly, however, the whole
account is false. Suppose no aumeen is employed, and the renter is
held to the tenor of his engagement, the loss, if real, must
occasion his ruin, unless his assessment is very moderate indeed.

"I may venture to pronounce that the real state of the districts is
now less known, and the revenue less understood, than in the year
1774. Since the natives have had the disposal of accounts, since
they have been introduced as agents and trusted with authority,
intricacy and confusion have taken place. The records and accounts
which have been compiled are numerous, yet, when any particular
account is wanted, it cannot be found. It is the business of all,
from the ryots to the dewan, to conceal and deceive. The simplest
matters of fact are designedly covered with a veil through which no
human understanding can penetrate.

"With respect to the present Committee of Revenue, it is morally
impossible for them to execute the business they are intrusted
with. They are invested with a general control, and they have an
executive authority larger than ever was before given to any board
or body of men. They may and must get through the business; but to
pretend to assert that they really execute it would be folly and
falsehood.

"The grand object of the native dewannies was to acquire
independent control, and for many years they have pursued this
with wonderful art. The farmers and zemindars under the Committee
prosecute the same plan, and have already objections to anything
that has the least appearance of restriction. All control removed,
they can plunder as they please.

"The Committee must have a dewan, or executive officer, call him by
what name you please. This man, in fact, has all the revenues paid
at the Presidency at his disposal, and can, if he has any
abilities, bring all the renters under contribution. It is of
little advantage to restrain the Committee themselves from bribery
or corruption, when their executive officer has th