Minute by Marquess of Dalhousie, April 1, 1850

Minute by the Marquess of Dalhousie, dated 1st April 1850.

        Native Female Education. The Honourable Mr. Bethune has placed in my hands the accompanying letter regarding the establishment of Native Female Schools in India.

        In circulating this letter I am glad to place on record my full and unreserved approval of the main object which my Honourable Colleague has had in view in his labours for the foundation of a Female School in Calcutta.

        His determination to make the experiment as an individual and not at first to engage the Government in it seemed to me to be most judicious, when he did me the honor of referring to me during the last year.

        The event has fully confirmed the prudence of the resolution he then formed. And the success which has been accomplished in so short a time-far exceeding any expectations the most sanguine supporters would have been justified in entertaining at the commencement, receives a double value from the consideration, that it has been achieved by the exertions of a private individual, and cannot be attributed to the influence of the power of Government.

        Mr. Bethune has, in my humble opinion, done a great work in the first successful introduction of Native Female Education in India, on a sound and solid foundation; and has earned a right not only to the gratitude of the Governmet but to its frank and cordial support.

        I therefore fully assent to the requests he has made in the letter now before me and if my colleagues should take the same view. I recommend that the communications to the Council of Education and to the Court of Directors shall be made forthwith.

DALHOUSIE

From: Bureau of Education. Selections from Educational Records, Part II (1840-1859). Edited by J. A. Richey. Calcutta: Superintendent Government Printing, 1922. Reprint. Delhi: National Archives of India, 1965, 56-57.