| Description | He hopes his last letter was in time to catch outgoing mail; it was written in some apprehension. William had faced a good deal of uproar from those who make every question one between Europeans and Indians. He mentioned his stern front with regard to the ryotts, which made him assailed by Indians and lauded by Europeans. The [indigo] planters considered him an able Magistrate who had checked a rebellion. Now that he has refused to arrest every village head man and insisted on evidence, they characterise him as inexperienced and weak. He is being pressured, but has less violence now than is experienced in other zillars. The ryotts can see that he has no desire to put them down. However, he was concerned that his superiors doubted him and might send a Magistrate of higher standing. [John Peter] Grant decided to stick to the law on both sides, with the result that the ryotts refused to plant indigo. He issued proclamations telling pickers that they must work if they had been paid, then issued another threatening them if they did not comply. William called out the military police and thinks he may have done this too late, but [Arthur] Grote had already issued orders to the same effect. When a bill was brought forward in Council, Sir Bartle Frere defended William, which has given him great encouragement. He thinks that sometimes he tells parties their faults too plainly. The two days of crisis were very trying, with Grant's proclamation being reasonable, but satisfying neither side. He faced planters for two days begging his help, and although his sympathy was with them, his course was defined by the Government. The new law should enable him to assist planters and he hopes that both parties will see that he wishes them well. It was desperate for a time, and William had news of a neighbouring Magistrate being abused and an attempted rescue of prisoners, just as he was taking petitions from a crowd of up to 2,000 ryotts. He had to send a party of planters away for their protection. He thinks the crisis is now over and there is to be a commission of enquiry to sift the whole question and they will see if Government will dare to expose the state of the provinces. |