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RefNoHSF/3/8/21
Previous numbers32.2.23 and 32.2.23A
LevelItem
TitleLetter from William James Herschel, Kishnaghar, to 'Dearest Father' [Sir John Frederick William Herschel]
CreatorHerschel; Sir William James; second baronet (1833-1917); British developer of fingerprinting and judge
Date7 October 1860
DescriptionWilliam has been vegetating and the Bengal rains have brought on a fit of ague and feverishness. The cold weather has returned and appointments for Income Tax have been made. The Commission has reported and there is little to add to the verdict of 'Guilty with a strong recommendation to mercy'. From the moment the ryotts learned in August 1859 that they were not bound to sow indigo, opposition to it has grown. There is little chance of indigo being sown this year in the district. The growing of indigo has been a source of profit for planters for the past twenty years, at a dead loss to the ryotts. The system has been one of plunder which could not have carried on for so long without the connivance of the civil service. The bitterness has been greater than that caused by the Mutiny, William believes, as civil servants have felt themselves to be personally accused and factionalism over this has been fomented by the planters. However, William thinks that good will come of the changes, including to the police system and to small courts, but eventually the Indians 'must soon be made unpaid instruments of government'. The district is quiet and he takes satisfaction in great changes coming peacefully over the past eight months. There are troops in the district in response to protests while Grant was passing through, although William was used to such things. The planters have complained about Grant to the Supreme Government; Lord Canning has given him support but the planters are going to Parliament. Lushington's notification, which William objected to, is being made a central feature of their case. William has now been raised to substantive second class rank, drawing 1,500 rupees per month and this does not change him from the district. In a postscript, William enquires about a package sent to him which he has not seen, hoping it was nothing valuable.
Extent8p.
FormatManuscript
PhysicalDescriptionInk on paper
AccessStatusOpen
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