Moshin.—Of course we must not run any risk. But I never saw an attorney’s letter which had more the look of being written in support of an idle vamped up claim. We had better ask the visitors whether they know anything about the business. In the mean time, of course, we must do nothing.—[Book L. page 139.] 2nd August, 1837.
About the purchase of General Perron’s house for the college of Mahomed Moshin.—I am very little acquainted with these matters. I should have thought that the conveyance ought to be to the Government, which is the representative of the founder, and from whose authority ours is derived. But I submit my judgment to that of more experienced people.—[Book L. page 154.] 11th August, 1837.
Russel’s Modern Europe.—Russel’s is one of those bad books which keep their ground for want of a better. I have no objection to what Mr. Sutherland proposes. What he says of the Poetical Miscellany reminds me of a proposition respecting a Prose Miscellany which I shall take an early opportunity of submitting to the Committee.—[Page 150.] 26th August, 1837.
Prankissen Seal’s house at Chinsurah.—Certainly against an opinion so well entitled to consideration as Mr. Sutherland’s, I cannot venture to recommend the purchase. I wish that we could procure a copy of the petition, and also that we could learn when the case is likely to be disposed of by the Sudder Dewany Adawlut.—[Page 159.] 4th October, 1837.
Minute by Mr. Macaulay.
As it seems to be the opinion of some of the gentlemen who compose the Committee of Public Instruction, that the course which they have hitherto pursued was strictly prescribed by the British Parliament in 1813, and as, if that opinion be correct, a legislative act will be necessary to warrant a change, I have thought it right to refrain from taking any part in the preparation of the adverse statements which are now before us, and to reserve what I had to say on the subject till it should come before me as a member of the Council of India.
It does not appear to me that the Act of Parliament can, by any art of construction, be made to bear the meaning which has been assigned to it. It contains nothing about the particular languages or sciences which are to be studied. A sum is set apart ‘for the revival and promotion of literature and the encouragement of the learned natives of India, and for the introduction and promotion of a knowledge of the sciences among the inhabitants of the British territories.’ It is argued,
