All had, in appearance, been done by the King's officers, but in reality by ours, under his Majesty's sanction, for it was clear that nothing would be done unless we supervised and guided their proceedings.

The district is now held in contract by a very respectable man, Mahommed Uskaree, who has taken it for four years.
The district of Safeepoor, in which we are now encamped, has been held in contract for five years by Budreenath, a merchant of Lucknow, who had given security for the former contractor.

He could not fulfil his engagements to Government, and the contract was made over to him as surety, on condition that he paid the balance.

He has held it ever since, while his younger brother, Kiddernath, has conducted their mercantile affairs at Lucknow.

Budreenath has always considered the affair as a mercantile speculation, and thought of nothing but the amount he has to pay to Government and that which he can squeeze out of the landholders and cultivators.