few days, many of the
principal personages among you in private Durbar, where I have had the
opportunity of communicating my views on matters of interest and
importance, I need not detain you on this occasion by many words.

Before taking leave of you, however, I desire to address to you
collectively a few general remarks upon the present state of affairs
in India, and upon the duties which that state of affairs imposes upon
us all.

Peace, I need hardly remind you of the fact, now happily prevails
throughout the whole extent of this vast empire; domestic treason has
been crushed; and foreign enemies have been taught to respect the
power of the arms of England.

The British Government is desirous to take advantage of this
favourable opportunity, not to extend the bounds of its dominions, but
to develop the resources and draw forth the natural wealth of India,
and thus to promote the well-being and happiness both of rulers and of
the people.

With this view many measures of improvement and progress have already
been introduced, and among them, I may name, as most conspicuous, the
railway and electric telegraph, those great discoveries of this age
which have so largely increased the wealth and power of the mightiest
nations of the West.

By diffusing education among your vassals and dependents, establishing
schools, promoting the construction of good roads, and suppressing,
with the whole weight of your authority and influence, barbarous
usages and crimes, such as infanticide, suttee, thuggee, and dacoitee,
you may, Princes and Chiefs, effectually second these endeavours of
the British Government, and secure for yourselves and your people a
full share of the benefits which the measures to which I have alluded
are calculated to confer upon you. I have observed with satisfaction
the steps which many of you have already taken in this direction, and
more especially the enlightened policy which has induced some of you
to remove transit and other duties which obstructed the free course of
commerce through your States.

As representing the Paramount power, it is my duty to keep the peace
in India. For this purpose Her Majesty the Queen has placed at my
disposal a large and gallant army, which, if the necessity should
arise, I shall not hesitate to employ for the repression of