" Here having been a Famine in the Country for this severall months, so that severall thousands have famished for want of rice and the poor people of this place complaining that they are not able to pay their monthly rents Agreed that we forbear taking it from them till such time as Grain becomes [Page 16] cheaper, otherwise if oppression should be used they will leave the place. "Agreed also that 500 Maunds of Rice be distributed amongst some poor inhabitants of this place who are just ready to famish to make good this expence Agreed that the Mary Buoyer be sent to Ballasore to bring up her loading of Rice, the proffit of which when sold will countervail the same."

The Council receive a letter from Madras in which "They advise us that for want of Rain in due Season they are in great danger of a Famine, their Grain being all burnt up, and desire to be Supply'd from us, with what Grain Procurable."

"Rice already being very Scarce and dear, and to all Appearance this Ensuing Season threatens us with a famine, for want of grain wherefore Agreed that we Allow the Poor Tenants of this Place the Liberty of our Dusticks for Rice only, and that the Jamidar register all Dusticks So given, and that Care be taken that every Person lands his Rice in this Place to whom dusticks are given.

"Ordered the Buxie do Send and Provide what Rice Procurable from the Properest Places where it may be had at the most Reasonable Rates."

The Council receive a letter from Madras, with news of Mr. Hastings and his people at Vizagapatam.

"They write that the Troubles at Vizagapatam from the Nabobs and Rajahs there daily Encrease, So that the People are prevented bringing in Grain from Ganjam as they Expected, and that the Crop with them is burnt up by the Sun for want of due rain and they being likewise Obliged to Supply Fort St. David who are still distressed. They are Apprehensive of having a Great famine unless greatly Supply'd by us, which they very Earnestly desire, wherefore Agreed that the Buxie do Imediately buy up what Grain Procurable and lade sufficient Quantity on board Ship Derby and Supply them further as Opportunity offers."

"The Supplication of John Russell who is as the Minutest Grain of Sand, and whose forehead is the Tip of his footstool, who is Absolute Monarch and Prop of the Universe, whose Throne may be Compared to that of Solomons, and whose Renown is Equall to that of Cyrus, the Conqueror of the world: the Hereditary Support of Justice, Eradicating Oppression.

We Englishmen having Traded hitherto in Bengall, Orixa and Beharr Custom free (Except in Surrat), are Your Majesties most Obedient Slaves, always Intent upon Your Commands. We have Readily observed Your most Sacred Orders, and have found favour, we have as becomes Your Servants a dilligent Regard to Your Part of the Sea; The Present designd your Majestie from the Company is at Callcutta near Hughly, We hope to Send it after the Rains, and likewise to Procure a Phyrmaund for Free Trade, We Crave Your Majestie's Protection to trade in the abovementioned Places as before, and follow our business without Molestation.

"The Consideration of Duties to be laid on Rice and other Grain having Severall times been talk'd of We now Agree and Resolve that one Seer and half in Specie be taken out of every maund that is three and three quarter Maunds out of every hundred Maunds or if the Buyer likes best of it He may pay three and three quarters per Cent. on the Value.

Rice Shipt off out of the Companys Bounds by any Person under their Protection to pay the like Duty of 3 3/4 per cent.

On Batavia arrack two Rupees four annaes on a Leaguer to be paid on all by whomsoever Imported.

Three and three quarters per Cent. on the Value of Goa Arrack Imported. Ordered That it be the Jemendars care to collect those Dutys."

5thly fortifications Buildings and Revenues.

73. on Shaw Allum's death laid in 25000 maund of Rice & othr grain to prevent scarcity thro' war it is now cheaper than half wch. occation'd a Loss thrin shall lay in stores suffict. for Fort Wm. and St. George—last salt provisions sent thither provd. good.

74. refer to Jemidar's accot. to prove the Encrease of Revenues—will take care to do it more but must do in the present method wch. is wt. the Jemidars round them do or will hinder rice and provisions coming to their markets—no Eng: import rice for sale there—but for exportation & most brt. down the River—so misinform'd about the inequality of 21 seer on a Rupee's worth of Rice considering difference of price.