fourteen per cent. in 1823. More supplies were sent to England; for while during the twenty years preceding 1813, an average of not quite half a million had been sent home, during the eight years beginning with 1814 the average was a little over a million sterling, and during the five years 1814-18, inclusive, it had been a much larger amount. The public debt had certainly increased by about five millions and a half; but the cash balances in the various treasuries in 1821 exceeded the sum in hand in 1814, by six millions and a quarter. The additional debt, raised during Lord Hastings' administration, might have been easily paid off, but the Governor-General 'deemed it highly impolitic to break a tie which so obviously secures the attachment of the monied class to our government, in a country where that class has peculiar influence.' He observed, moreover, that the native princes were investing their money in Indian securities, 'a motive the more for them to abstain from intrigues against us.' These advantages were gained without the imposition of any new tax, 'while several teasing demands were abolished, as well in the old provinces as in the acquired territories,' and without curtailing the expenditure devoted to public works for the development of the country[1].
'The government of India,' says Mr. Wilson, 'overcame all its financial difficulties, and upon the restoration of peace was provided with ample means to meet every demand. At no
- ↑ Summary, &c, p. 29, &c.; Marshman, ii. 364.
