hing which can be brought against us, we should find it a
difficult task to maintain our authority in India by the sword alone;
and that they justify a very jealous scrutiny of all schemes of
expenditure for military objects which render necessary the imposition
or maintenance of taxes which occasion general discontent, or deprive
the Government of the funds requisite for carrying on works of
improvement that have the double advantage of stimulating the growth
of wealth in the country, and increasing the efficiency of the means
of self-defence which we possess.

* * * * *

_To a Friend in Scotland, interested in the Cultivation of Cotton._

Calcutta, May 21st, 1862.

[Sidenote: Cultivation of cotton.]

I beg to assure you that I do not yield to yourself in my desire to
promote the extension of cotton cultivation in India, and, above all,
improvement in the quality of the staple. I consider that the
interests of India are involved in this improvement to a greater
degree even than those of Great Britain; for, no doubt, if the quality
of the Indian product were so far raised as to admit of its competing
on terms approaching to equality with that of America, it would obtain
a permanent footing in the great market to which it has access now
only at moments of extraordinary dearth.

Moreover, I do not scruple to confess to you that I am not so bigoted
in my adhesion to the dogmas of political economy, as to be unwilling,
at a season of crisis like the present, to entertain proposals for
accelerating this result, merely because they contravene the
principles of that science. On the contrary, I receive thankfully
suggestions for accomplishing an object which I have so much at heart,
more especially when they emanate from persons deeply interested and
thoroughly conversant with the subject, like yourself--even when they
fall within the category of what you style 'extraordinary measures.'

But you will surely allow that the _onus probandi_ lies very heavily
on a Government which adopts measures of this class; and that if, by
abnormal interference, it checks the natural and healthy operation of
the laws of demand on capitalists and cultivators, it incurs a weighty
responsibility.

Even as regards the specific recommendation which you have made, and
which