| Description | William has just finished reading his mother's letter of 22 October for the second time and he answers questions enclosed there first. He comments on clothing for India, including nightwear and uniforms. He has succeeded in making a friend of [Arthur] Pigou. The indigo planter Mr Hedger is nearby and William has attempted a reconcilation with him, but he is morose, and William's friends do not wish to act in the matter. The case itself has been dropped, and it has had one good effect in putting a stop to the practice of seizing and imprisoning free men. It has made William 'dreaded' among the Indians as being capable of anything, having taken steps against a European. He has not exaggerated his description of indigo planters but he is far from joining in the attempt by the missionaries 'to them down as a set of selfish tyrants'. On the whole William stands up for them, but not in their oppression of their dependents which he descibes as the ruthless acts of the few. Most deserve respect and are useful to the Government. He is sure that his mother will be anxious to have a continuation of his last letter: his wounds are healing and those who inflicted them are all under arrest and committed to the Sessions. He encloses a small selection from the Nizamut reports, to show what these hired fighting men will do. Messrs Watson referred to are the greatest indigo planters in Bengal, held in awe as little less than autocrats. William was officiating in Rajshahaye when that case was investigated, lecturing the Deputy Magistrate of Nattore on his dilatory proceedings. It was their bad luck to be convicted but they will likely be acquitted next time. There seems to be no means of punishing the principals; Mr Watson's agent Mr Jaffray was the moving spirit and he had lately been employed to terrorise the place. He has received condolences from several people and he had thought to write to Halliday to explain his [examination] failure but he thought better of it and will proceed by his actions not words. The educational appointment is in abeyance and he thinks he will stand little chance against [William] Waterfield who is the fittest man for the job. He is on his cold weather tour with Spencer, the Magistrate; he is a good companion but not a good magistrate so William is learning little. He has leased horses from Stewart. William received a visit from an Indian whom [Hay Tweeddale] Stewart hated, and upon passing, Stewart asked what such a rascal was doing in his house. William describes Stewart's fit of anger and a later incident when William had corrected an error of a few rupees at the post office in a lower room of the house. Stewart could not be persuaded that the 'Dak Moonshee' in charge had not tried to injure him and following another violent scene, William left the house to take rooms elsewhere. |