Circular N. 4142 of the Territorial Department Revenue from the Officiating Secretary to the Government at Bombay Castle, Charles Edward Fraser Tytler, to the Resident in the Persian Gulf [‎27v] (44/44)

' ///
[ 6 ]
to the retail venders, not by what the opium may have cost us, but by that at which opium
of similar quality can he obtained in the neighbouring markots. I would not compel the
retailers to take high-priced foreign opium, but would furnish them with that of the country,
pr ocured either from our own villages, or from those of neighbouring foreign States. This
may entail some pecuniary loss upon the Government; but if by this measure we can guard
our pass revenue, it will be well to'bear it. .If, on the other hand, it is considered, that by
continuing the present system of retail in our hands, our pass revenue is not rendered more
secure, it would be better to rescind the existing law, and leave the retail sale unfettered,
except by the exaction of a fee on licenses, such as is now taken from retailers of poisonous
drugs.
36. The increased growth of opium beyond the province of Malwa in Berar, and other
parts of the Nizam's territory, has raised the question whether the pass system might not be
made to extend to such opium, as well as to that of Malwa. Should it consist with the views
of the Supreme Government, in reference to the Bengal monopoly, to accede to this-sugges
tion, it will be a further question whether the privilege accorded to opium the growth of
foreign territory should not be conceded to that the growth of our own ; whether, in fact,
the pass system now in force should not be superseded by the exaction of a duty on all
opium whatever on its export.
37. This would be effectual only if we could secure that no opium should be exported
except from the port of Bombay. In that case it would be needless to concern ourselves
with the cultivation or the retail sale within our provinces. Opium fitted for the China
market would be raised wherever the nature of the soil, or the skill of the manufacturer,
could produce it. If unfit for that market, it would be grown only to such extent as to
sufBcfivfcii: theJnteriial consumption.
3B. It is, however, an important question, whether the absolute freedom thus afforded to
the production and transit of the drug, even though we might be able to levy our duty on
every chest exported, might not give rise to unlimited production, which would interfere
with the large revenue now derived from the monopoly in Bengal.
(Signed) L. R. REID.
Om]'-
21s^ September 1848.
' V C- ^
^ v\ J X S'