Indian Antiquary Vol 32

Author(s): Richard Carnac Temple
Publisher: Swati Publications

Page 49

JANUARY, 1903.)
THE ANDAMANS IN THE XVIIITH CENTURY.
considered as a lamentable inconvenience, as there is little hope that even in a very long period of Years, our communication with them would produce much change in the manners of any, excepting those in the neighbourhood of the Settlement.
The abovementioned Severity of the Weather points out the Necessity of having all the buildings of Masonry, even the habitations of the nearest [? meanest] labourers, mere temporary Houses (such as are in common use in Bengal) yielding but an insufficient protection against the Violence of the Rainy Months.
The whole Settlement must for a time be supplied with Provisions from Bengal or some foreign Port, for except the raising of a few Culinary Vegetables, it cannot be expected that ground will be cleared to much extent in several Years, even for the purpose of converting it into Pasture, for the support of the necessary live Stock, much less for the Culture of grain in Quantity, equal to the Subsistance of the Settlement.
The Establishment of Vessels therefore to keep up a constant and certain supply, were extensive Works to be carried on, and a consequent encrease to the Establishment of Labourers to take place, would be a very heavy expence, every work must be done by labourers from Bengal, upon encreased pay, with Provisions gratis ; and As, even with those indulgences, it is found difficult to induce them to go, there is not much hope that we shall be able to strike them off and when to this is added that, for above half of the year, very little work, without doors can be done, labour becomes exorbitantly high indeed ; and the completion of Fortifications, or other buildings must be proportionably slow, tedious and barthensome.
No assistance is to be expected from Voluntary Settlers (i. e. Adventurers) either Europeans or Natives of Bengal, or other parts of India, Men whose dependance for a livelihood, is on their own Industry, and who seek it in a foreign country, are usually induced, by one or other of the following causes existing in it; Natural productions more plentiful or more valuable than in other places - Superior excellence of the Inhabitants in the useful Arts, or valuable Manufacturers, or peouliar Advantages from its situation as a European [? mart] of Traffick with other countries. Unfortunately the Andamans do not hold out any of these incitements in the smallest degree.
Prince of Wales Island Comparatively.
I have now, I think stated all the various circumstances, relative to the two situations, as Harbours for our Navies that may enable you Honble Sir to draw a Comparison and Establish a preference upon solid grounds, with all the accuracy, and impartiality in my power, and this on the idea that it will not answer the end of Government to retain both, from the enormous expence that the keeping up two such Establishments would create. In forming this Judgement which will depend upon the weight that is put upon the several Advantages or defects as stated, which the enlarged views of Government can alone estimate.
I hope, however that I shall not be thought to go too far when I declare that, in my own restricted scope of the subject, I have a full conviction that Prince of Wales Island, all circumstances considered, is infinitely preferable to the Andamans, and that, in fact it provides every thing that Government can want for a Port of Refitment and Refreshment for the Navies of Great Britain, to the Eastward of Cape Comorin. To this conclusion I have been led by a long and tedious investigation and much personal labour and exposure to the inclemency of the Weather, during a series of Years. The facts as stated are all from my own observation, and if I have erred it has been alone from want of capacity or Judgement as I have had every opportunity of information that could be afforded me on the subject.