to Government of 1,66,744 13 3.* He holds, at the same time, a small estate in our district of Goruckpoor, where he resides and keeps his family, till he obtains solemn written pledges, confirmed on oath, for their security, not only from the local authority of the day, but from all the commandants of corps and establishments, comprising the military force employed under him.  These pledges include all his clients, who may have occasion to visit or travel with him, as the Rajah of Bulrampoor is now doing.  These pledges require to be renewed on every change in the local authorities and in the military officers employed under them.  He is one of the most substantial and respectable of the agricultural capitalists of Oude, and the highest of his rank and class in this district.  He every year stands security for the punctual payment of the revenues due, according to existing engagements, by the principal landholders of the district, to the extent of from six to eight lacs of rupees; and for this he gets a certain per centage, varying with the character and capability of the landholders.  Some are of doubtful ability, others of doubtful character, and he rates his risks and per centage accordingly.  He does much good, and is more generally esteemed than any other man in the district; but he has, no doubt, enlarged his own landed possessions occasionally, by taking advantage of the necessities of his clients, and his influence over the local authorities of government The lands he does get, however, he improves by protecting and aiding his tenants, and inviting and fostering a better class of cultivators, He is looked up to with respect and confidence by almost all the large landholders of the district, for his pledge for the punctual payment of the revenues saves their estates from the terrible effects of a visit from the Nazim and his disorderly and licentious troops; and this pledge they can always obtain, when necessary, by a fair assurance of adherence to their engagements.

[* The estate of Ramdut Pandee, for this year, 1849, comprises—­
     Sirgha, Chunda, &c. . . . 1,20,729 11 0
     Akberpoor, &c. . . . . . 46,015 2 3
                     Total . . 1,66,744 13 3 ]

On the 8th of November 1850, Ramdut Pandee lent the Nazim eighty thousand rupees on his bond, after paying all that was due to the State for the season, by him and all his clients, and on the 16th of that month he went to Gonda, where the Nazim, Mahommed Hussan, was encamped with his force, to take leave preparatory to his going to bathe at Ajoodheea, on the last day of the month of Kartick, as was his invariable custom.  He was accompanied by the Rajah of Bulrampoor, and they encamped separately in two mango-groves near to each other, and about a mile and a half from the Nazim’s camp.  About nine at night the Nazim sent two messengers, with silver sticks, to invite and escort them to his tent.  They set out immediately, leaving