Carey found one of the greatest obstacles to agricultural progress
to be the fact that not one European owned a single foot of the
soil, "a singular fact in the history of nations," removed only
about the time of his own death. His remarks on this have a present
significance:--

"It doubtless originated in a laudable care to preserve our Indian
fellow-subjects from insult and violence, which it was feared could
scarcely be done if natives of Britain, wholly unacquainted with the
laws and customs of the people, were permitted to settle
indiscriminately in India. While the wisdom of this regulation at
that time is not impugned, however, it may not be improper to
inquire whether at the present time a permission to hold landed
property, to be granted by Government to British subjects in India,
according to their own discretion, might not be of the highest
benefit to the country, and in some degree advantageous to the
Government itself.

"The objections which have been urged against any measure of this
nature are chiefly that the indiscriminate admission of Europeans
into the country might tend to alienate the minds of the inhabitants
from Britain, or possibly lead to its disruption from Britain in a
way similar to that of America. Respecting this latter
circumstance, it is certain that, in the common course of events, a
greater evil could scarcely befall India. On the continuance of her
connection with Britain is suspended her every hope relative to
improvement, security, and happiness. The moment India falls again
under the dominion of any one or any number of native princes, all
hope of mental improvement, or even of security for person or