| Description | The last time he wrote he was on a tossing boat, this time on a rocking house, blown by wind. William describes the rains, and a new Sessions judge, Pigou, 'who is pitching it into me gloriously', not only deciding his own cases, but keeping his subordinates in strict order, which William admires. He describes how he is pacifying the judge. The other magistrates 'hate the sound of his name in court' as he 'knocks their decisions about right and left without scruple'. William explains that all cases are first decided by the magistrate, who can punish, but the case may be referrred to Sessions if the imprisonment is not deemed harsh enough and the judge may send papers up to the Nizamat Adalat court, which is supreme in the Company's territories for Indian subjects, but not Europeans. He describes its workings, Pigou's luck in rising to the position of judge, and his severe schooling. He has also offered some praise to William, who has committed himself seriously in a case of false imprisonment, involving the indigo planter Hedger. The planters attempted to terrify villagers into submission by ploughing up their crops of rice to sew indigo, and by plundering their cattle. Hedger imprisoned two men of the village, bringing him into conflict with William, who nevertheless 'thinks very little the worse of him as a gentlemen in society'. Others have followed similar plans and William outlines the questions relevant in determining the case. In answer, he thinks that Hedger treated his prisoners well and would have returned the cattle once he had his way, doing only what dozens of planters have done before him. William relates what steps he took in the matter, earning a 'wigging' from the Lieutenant Governor. He describes their exchange of letters, and his eventual discovery of the prisoners, gathering evidence against Hedger, who evaded William's summons. A warrant for his arrest was issued, but in attempting to serve it, an Indian officer was threatened with a gun to the head. Hedger was followed and eventually had to surrender to a magistrate. He protested at no bail being specified in the warrant and the case went to Pigou. who reported that William's proceedings exceeded his authority. In a separate case, William decided in Hedger's favour, but this verdict was overturned too. William thinks that he has found several errors in law in the judge's report, and if not corrected, he will have grounds to prove that his own acts were legal. William sends requests to his father and mother relating to the Waterfields. Alfred Waterfield is looking for an appointment and he asks for help with this from his father. Mary Waterfield is going to Maidstone and he asks his mother of she may visit Collingwood. |