C. Smith, R. J. H. Birch, Dr. Grant, S. Sutherland and Col. Young. Mr. Bushby voted for the payment of the second part and against the payment for the third part. H. W.]
Excess over estimates in printing Oriental books.—I would pay no more than we contracted for. Though it may be impossible to predetermine the exact number of pages which Oriental manuscripts will occupy, a mistake of very nearly a third is quite unpardonable.—[Book G. page 84.] 20th July, 1835.
The Committee’s system of making contracts.—This is the Bishop’s College case in miniature. We agree to an estimate. The estimate is exceeded, we object to paying the excess. The answer is, that we have been in the habit of doing business so carelessly that no body ever troubled himself about the terms of his contracts with us. Our facility has been carried so far that it would be dishonest in us to stand upon our rights. We have made a kind of implied contract with all the world that they are to cheat us and that we are to submit to be cheated. I am quite unable to comprehend this doctrine. As to the particular plea of the Moulvi that it is impossible accurately to calculate the number of pages which Oriental printing will occupy, I am quite ready to allow all that can be fairly claimed on this ground. The estimate was for 600 pages, the work occupies 774 pages. If Mr. Sutherland or any other eminent orientalist will assure us that it is impossible to calculate within one-fourth the number of pages which the printing of Oriental manuscript will occupy, I will withdraw my objections. But I cannot admit that, because we have never held people strictly to their engagements before, we commit a breach of faith if we begin to do so now.—[Book G. page 109.] 13th September, 1835.
Expensiveness of European Shops.—We must take care not to fall into such an error again. The difference in the prices of European and Native shops is so well known even to new comers like myself, that I can hardly understand how persons so well acquainted with India as Mr. Clift and Mr. Ridge can have made such a mistake.—[Book G. page 82.] 18th July, 1835.
Transfer of the Committee’s Oriental Publications to the Asiatic Society.—I am truly glad to find from Sir E. Ryan’s minute that the course proposed is likely to be gratifying to the Asiatic Society. In the hope that it may be so, I readily assent to what is proposed.—[Book G. page 104.] 27th August, 1835.
I think that Government meant that all the stock and all the good will, so to speak, of the Committee, in its publishing capacity are to be transferred to the Asiatic Society.—[Book G. page 105.] 3rd September, 1835.
