. 46

presidency of Bengal had not, however, been
divided as provided by the statute of 1833, the
statute having given power to the Company to
suspend such action if considered necessary, and
this power having been exercised. The statute of
1853 provided that this suspension should continue,
 the Bengal presidency being controlled by
the Governor-General with a Lieutenant-Governor
at Agra and another at Calcutta. Power was given
to the Company to create new provinces under
Lieutenant-Governors as might become necessary.

The period now under review is marked by a
feature of great importance, both the statutes of
1833 and 1853 appointed persons as Indian Law
Commissioners to inquire into the jurisdiction,
powers, and rules of the existing courts of justice,
and police establishments, and all existing forms
of judicial procedure; and into the nature and
operation of all laws, whether civil or criminal,
written or customary, prevailing in the country ;
and to make reports and recommendations for
legislation with due regard to caste distinctions,
religious usages, and the manners and customs of
the people. As will be seen, we are now governed
by laws which were originally drafted by these
Law Commissioners ; although their deliberations
did not bear fruit to any considerable extent until
after the extinction of the Government of the East
India Company.