| Description | He has all but collapsed this month due to pressure of work. Because the sowing season was over, both sides in the indigo dispute flooded the court with complaints. He feels he has overtaxed his brain and although he is master of his work, the effort of compressing detail into shape is crushing him. He sent to Johnny [John Herschel] enough material for two letters, which his father will receive, but William sends a copy. He is working longer hours, but has done less work than he should, although he values the congratulations he has received. The Commission has called on him for further evidence. The district is quiet, but the ryotts are demanding to be paid, rather than the crop being offset against previous debts. He doubts whether as single ryott has been paid more than one rupee per bigah per annum for his indigo leaf. The planters are holding out, hoping for government assistance, and William is helping them to a slight extent. However he thinks the planters are 'cutting their own throats' by insisting on having leaf for nothing but paper money; it will mean that it will be more difficult to sow indigo the next year. The ryotts swear they will not sow next year, but William thinks the power of the planter zamindar is too great to refuse any fair arrangement. They will refuse an unfair one and the planters are not doing much to convince them any offer will be honoured. William thanks his father for the Chevalier's invaluable letter, showing that there is nothing like indigo planting in France but he wonders if cochineal is farmed similarly. He breaks off, as two railwaymen are charged with imprisoning a subcontractor. |