| Description | William went to the 'hottest' part of the district to find his assistant Maclean overwhelmed with work, with events were moving too fast for a settlement. He was close to the boundaries of Jessore, where the Magistrate has restored peace by crushing all complaints. William discussed the new law with him and the Magistrate favoured a coercive approach to the ryotts. The main point of the law is to ensure that ryotts who have taken an advance to sow indigo may be compelled to do so. The intention is to prevent the perpetual slavery of the ryott by debt from which he cannot clear himself. If ryotts did not take an advance, they are not compelled to clear old debt, but must be sued in civil court. William discusses this further, before noting his reorganisation of the Damoorhoodah office, Maclean's subdivision, and his return to Kishnagar for Easter Sunday. In looking back, William feared he was not practical enough, but although the struggle was deadly, he had gained a victory. His cutchery on Monday was with cases between planters and ryotts. There were cases of destroying indigo, which is a crime under the new law, despite land and crops belonging to the ryotts. While in court, the post arrived, including a letter from the Government transferring him to Furreedpore [Faridpur] as substantive Magistrate and Collector. His nerve was near snapping and he worked with a heavy heart. He wrote to [Arthur] Grote when he could collect himself, then cried in his room. He ruminates on how he felt the injustice, noting that the new post would be better by only 100 rupees of salary, but worse by 250 rupees on the position he now has. The true meaning broke upon him, and after consulting his bible, he recognised the new appointment as a marked promotion which he could not have expected before May. He will be a Magistrate and Collector on 1,000 rupees. |