Passed by the Governor General of India in Council, on the 4th February, 1853.
Whereas by virtue of Act No. IV of 1937, it is lawful for any subject of Her Majesty to acquire and hold in perpetuity, or for any term of years, property in land, or in any emoluments issuing out of land, in any are of the Territories under the Government of the East India Company; and whereas doubts have arisen whether all subjects of Her Majesty acquiring or holding property in land, or in any emoluments issuing out of land, or acting as local Agents or Managers of such property, are subject to the same jurisdictions as Natives for enforcing the discharge of public and Police duties incident to the holding of such property, or for the enforcement of public charges and assessments upon or in respect thereof; and whereas it is just and reasonable that all persons who may think fit to hold such property, or to be the local Agents or Managers thereof, should he liable to the public burthens and duties incident thereto, and in case of neglect or refusal to discharge the same, should be subject to the same jurisdictions as Natives. It is therefore declared and enacted as follows:
1. No person whatever, being the owner, holder, or farmer of any property in land, or in any emoluments issuing out of land, in any part of the said Territories, whether in perpetuity or for a term, or being a local Agent or Manager of any such property, is, by reason of his place of birth, or by reason of his descent, exempt from any public charge or assessment, or from any duty connected with the Police, or with the Salt of Opium revenue, or from any duty whatsoever of a public nature, to which he would otherwise be subject, as the owner or holder of such property, or as a local Agent or Manager thereof.
2. For the non-payment of any such public charge or assessment, or for the breach of any such duty as aforesaid, or for any neglect or misconduct in the discharge thereof, every person, whatever may have been his place of birth, or his descent, shall be subject to the same laws, regulations, and procedure, and to the same jurisdictions as if he were a Native of the said Territories.