The Letter Copy Books of the Resident at the Durbar at Murshidabad 1769-1770. Edited by Firminger WK. Calcutta 1919

P62 From Dacca to Murshidabad, 20^th June 1770

Rajah Hamet Sing and the Naib Jefseraut Cawn have both strongly urged me to the expediency of having a currency of Arcot rupees in these parts, which they alledge is necessary not only in the more important business of the revenues but for the conveniency of trade in general.

The remittances of private merchants have at all times furnished ample supplies to this province but that source now failing by reason of a stagnation in our cloth business there seems no other means by which we can be supplied than a permission from the Durbar to coin Arcots in our mint; and I am induced by the pressing instances of the officers of the Collection to join in a request that we may have permission granted us.

Hamet Sing and Jefseraut Cawn both write at this time to the Nabob Mahomed Reza Cawn on the subject; and have further to request, in case there is no objection to coining Arcots in the Dacca mint, that we may be furnished with a set of stamps for that purpose from the mint at Moorshedabad.

P100 From the Resident (at the Durbar, Richard Becher) to Dacca, 26^th June 1770

I am favoured with your letter of the 20^th and am sorry I cannot acquiesce in your proposals for coining Arcot rupees in the Dacca mint; It is very probable this measure might be of service in the particular district of Dacca, but I am obliged to attend to the general system, which I think would be much prejudiced by such a privilege being granted – the good effects from the regulations that has lately taken place to have rupees exactly the same coined in the four mints would in a great degree be frustrated; this regulation was after the most mature consideration recommended by ministers and me to the President & Council as a measure that would tend much to the general good, and in some degree pave the way for having a standard fixed rupee – thro’ the provinces; an object the Court of Directors seem to have much at heart. Thus circumstanced sir, you will perceive the impropriety there would be for Reza Cawn or me to grant our sanction to the proposed coinage; indeed it has always been my opinion that coining Arcot rupees in Bengal was wrong and never should have been practiced – we do not coin any here except two or three laacs yearly on the Company’s account for the supply of their Chittagong factory, but even this is a measure I never approved and would wish to have Arcots and all foreign rupees on the footing of bullion or merchandize.