"حياة ومراسلات اللواء السير جون مالكوم، قائد فرسان وسام الطُهر، المبعوث السابق إلى بلاد فارس وحاكم بومباي؛ من رسائل ومذكرات غير منشورة. في مجلّدين. المجلد II." [‎٥‎٢‎٦] (٦٥٤/٥٤٣)

526
THE BOMBAY GOVEKNMENT.
to any such compromise. An answer was sent back, re
ferring Sir John Grant to the letter of the 3rd of October,
and stating that there was no intention to swerve from
the resolution therein expressed, except under the orders
of the superior authorities to whom the question had been
referred.
But as Sir John Malcolm was resolute, so also was
Sir John Grant. On the 1st of April, being the first
day of the second session of 1829, the Judge, in a long
speech, announced his resolution to close the Court.
And for a time the Court was closed. It was an extreme
measure—a public scandal pregnant with evil—calcu
lated to have the worst possible effect upon the native
mind. But it did not intimidate Malcolm. It was a
proceeding, indeed, for which he was prepared. It had
been hinted at in an earlier stage of the conflict, and he
knew that at any time it might be resorted to, as a last
despairing effort on the part of the incensed Judge.
A measure of such public significance as this called for
a counter-movement on the part of Government equally
demonstrative and notorious. On the 7th of April,*
therefore, Malcolm issued a proclamation, stating the
regret of the Governor in Council that the Judge had
thought it necessary to suspend the functions of the
Court, and pledging the Government to use its utmost
endeavours to protect the persons and property of the
TVMr^ tlie documents which will be sent by our
Ma colm was at the Mahabuleshur Secretary. . . . This last measure
Lord' WHH am B 4th to of Sir J .Grant's is so far
Lord William Bentinck: I came to must compel the home authorities
S!f i * 0 c . sca P e P ie llot sea - however reluctantly, to come to some
son, and was enjoying a temperature decision. . . . But I will nlao-ue
bkXtfS • n ?/ 50 >: and 11 re 1 q [ liring y our Lordship no more about judges;
cdlca^ P <f to^ln h C n my . end with an assurance that, under
colleagues to Bombay on the strange all circumstances, I shall preserve my
tTd»r/lSM Il? ?^ SSll, ; tti,, 8 ^walk^th an undeWating
Z 118 Majesty s Court—on and firm step in the open, plain path of
what grounds your Lordship will see public duty."
by the public papers, and by those