Star. — London, England, 1820-01-13 00:00:00

. . . A . : ‘., •~,, • there could be a difference of opinion upon the ques , - Con before therm Ile since understood that an amendment 'was to he proposed ; he should therefore reserve !liras& for any observations which might be urged against the motion. He had only to add, that he never seconded a motion on which his heart and feelicip,s went more decidedly with his vote than they did upon this oecasion—( .Ipplort.se). M... S. Dixox hoped that there would not be a second opinion as to the vote to be given on this oc casion. But he hoped he would not be considered a word -catcher, if he observed that he objected to the'. words last testimony." It should appear from this as it the Court had previously conferred various tes-s, tiinonials of its favour upon Mr. Hastings. He thought it would he better to say .‘ as a testimony" or " as a lasting testimony," &c. Nlr.lluou entered his protest against the proceed in.; of the Court, as being irregular, and totally in o f p-sition to the By-laws, which said that the Court of Directors should lay before the Court the docu r.ents upon which they founded their Resolution.— It was but justice that the Proprietors 4hould have an equal ground with the Directors upon which to give their vote. Mi. R. JAC K SON moved, that the Resolutions of the Court, on the Sth May, 1776, on the 29th May, 1782, on the 2'2d October, 1782, and on the 25th May, 1814, should be read. They were read accordingly. The first Resolution was in substance, that Warren Hastings and R. Barlow, having acted improperly in their several offices, should be removed. The next Resolution contained also a Resolution of the House of Commons, in which it was stated, that Warren Haaings and Hornby, having acted to the injury of the interests of the Company, ought to be removed from their offices. The third Resolution stated r that the Court having ordered its servants not to extend their dominion, or incur new debts, and this order having been violated, new wars entered into, and new debts contracted, which were danger ous to the safety of the Company's Possessions in India, it was necessary to remove Warren Hastings from the Government of India. The Resolution of May, 1814, was, that a sum of 1:4,G00 per annum, which had been granted to Warren Hastings, but which had expired in 1813, be further continued to him during his natural life ; upon which an Amend ment was moved, that the new grant should be £5,000 per annum, with a sum of £19,000, being the difference between the pension enjoyed by Mr. Hastings for the last 19 years, and that now pro posed; and farther, that a Marble Statue be erected to him in that Court. This Amendment was nega tived, and the original motion for a pension of £4,000 was put and carried. The Resolutions having been read, Mr. JACKSON said, the Honourable Director (Mr. Robinson) had rightly supposed that an Amendment would be moved. He himself intended to move it. He never remembered having been placed in a more painful situation than that in which he then stood.— He had been balancing whether it would not have been better to absent himself - from this discussion, or, if he attended, to do so without voting ? bet his duty prevailed, and, however unpopular his conduct might be deemed, he was determined to fulfil that duty, which he owed equally to himself and his fallow Pro prietors. In considering the question before them, he was bound to admit that the character of Mr. Hastings consisted of much light, but it had also many shades. It was, therefore, the duty of the Court to inquire which predominated ? But how could this be done, when the necessary documents were not before them ? The present motion called upon them to perform an awful duty. It called upon them to erect a statue to, and thereby point out Mr. Hastings to future Governors, and to an admir ing world, as a pure and upright example of inte grity and virtue. But how would this accord with the votes of censure, of condemnation, which had been passed upon Mr. Hastings at several previous Courts? It would give them an appearance of great vacillation and indecibion, which would be very unworthy of them. At one time there would appear a censure, at another time an approbation of the same individual, the circumstances under which both were passed being decidedly the same.— Besides, it would be paying a sorry compliment to the House of Commons, upon whose good will to them the welfare of the Company so mainly depend ed.—Were they aware of the consequences of voting in opposition to a Resolution of the House of Com mons ? On. a former occasion they voted in a similar manner ; they opposed themselves to the will of Go vernment, and the dissatisfaction at such vote was forcibly expressed in a letter from the then Secretary. of State. This was in the year 178:I. The Secretary of State, on that occasion, using the name of .his Majesty, notified his intention of commanding that all the papers of the Company should be laid before the house in the next Session. The consequence was, that, in 1781, the proudest privilege of the Company, that of having a voice in the choice of a Governor, was taken from them for ever. The worthy Proprie wr proceeded into a detail of the conduct of Warren Hastings, while in India. He admitted, that, on , many occasions, he had acted in a manner to deserve the praise and gratitude of the Company. But he condemned his invasion of the Rohilla country, at the instigation of Sirjah Dowlah, who was to pay 40 lams of rupees (£400,000), for the assistance of the British troops. The Honourable Gentleman entered at length into the cruelties committed •by Sujah Dowlah, in the Rohilla country. Colonel Cham pion, who commanded the British forces, after having in vain applied to this savage Chief to ab stain from such cruelties, applied to the Gvwernor, bat was answered, that it was always desirable to in terfere in the cause of humanity, but that in this case nothing could be done without risking the sum pro -11.i..e.1 by Sujah Dowlah, when the business was over. Shortly after this, the Council, Messrs. Monson, 1 - raucis, and Clavei ing, resigned; but they went out v. nth clean hands. Indeed it was impossible that any charge could be made against 'them. After a few ob,ervations on the reasons which Warren Hastings st...igned for his conduct qu this occasion, Mr. Jackson :adverted to the execution of Nundcornar, the Minis ter of Meer Jaireir, whose death Wright, he observed, Lave at least been delayed by Mr. Hastings, until smug further inquiry was made ; and the more par• titularly so, its it was the opinion of Sir It. Cham bers, riiie-of the Judges, that the punishment of the crime of forge' of which Ntuidcomar was ac- , ' cused, did not extend to India. He next alluded to the second Mahratta War and here he gave Mr. Hastings every credit for having put an end to one of the most dangerous confederacies that had been formed in that country. The Worthy Gentleman, after stating that the servi:ts of Warren Hastings were amply rewarded, by ehe sums paid to him by theindia Company, concluded by moving the fol ' lo‘k ing Amendment : . " That this Court regrets that it cannot agree with the re commendation of the Court of Directors, to place the Statue of the late Hight Hon. Warren Hastings, among those Statesmen and heroes, whose figures adorn their oort, because they think it highly impolitic, by so signal a distinction, to hold out, for the imitation of future Governors, a person, who, according to the recorded sentiments of the Court of Directors, involved the Company in unnecessary, bloody, and expensive Wars, and was guilty of oppression and wrong towards the Natife Princes, so as to have induced that Court to come to a Resolution on the Bth May, 1776, and to another on the 22d Oct. 1782, for recall ing the said Warren Hastings from the Government of Bengal; " And that this Court would feel It inconsistent with that re spect at all times due from this Court towards the House of Com mons to confer an honour, which necessarily implies the most distinguished merit, and greut and general satisfaction, upon a public servant, against whom that Honourable House came to a Itegolution of severe reprobation, advising the Directors to recal him from India; and whom, at a subsequent period, the said House did, namely, on the 25th April, 1787, resolve, by considerable majorities, and after great and solemn debates on each separate charge, to impeach before the House of Lords for high crimes and misdemeanours. " That this Court are, nevertheless, duly sensible of the great merit which belonged to the said Warren Hastings, for having, by his skill and address, dissolved the most dangerous confede racy among the Powers of India which ever threatened the Bri tisk possessions; and, by his activity, vigilance, and firmness, baffled the designs and operations of our European enemies, and thereby maintained and preserved the strength and authority of the East India Company. " That this Court reflect with satisfaction that they have en deavoured to show their sense of these services by having pre sented to the said Warren Hastings, at different times, since his return to this country, upwards of £168,008 sterling, exclusive of all engagements as to the payment . of interest on any part of the same." Mr. HUME seconded the Amendment. Mr. IMPEY did not, when he entered. the Court, expect that such a speech as that he had just heard could have been uttered. Indeed, he thought that the cautious wording of the Resolution would have prevented any discussion upon it. Let them look at the early history of Mr. Hastings—let them recol lect, that when he was made Governor-General, he was represented as the only uncorrupt flesh and blood in India—(A laugh).—He could venture to assert, that the greater part, if not all, of what had been urged against that great man, were calumnies. He was alone, without family or friends; and yet he bore the whole attack made upon him by the House of Commons, relying solely on his integrity and cha racter—(Applause).—lt was unfair, now that the man was no more, to rake up the odious calumnies that failed to injure hint while living, in order to cast a stigma on his memory. His friend (Mr. Jack son) did not do so willingly, brit he was guided by these publications which were got up for party pur poses, and which teemed with falsehoods. After some statements in answer to what had been said en the Rohilla war, he observed, That the Minister who was said to have written to the Company relative to their proceedings, in favour of Mr. Hasangs, had, on another occasion, inscribed the words Ingrata Adria upon his (Mr. Hastings's) bust. Thus he was compared to Scipio. But their characters differed. Scipio tied from the ingratitude of his country, while Mr. Hastings, by facing the storm, overcame it— (Applause).—Mr. Irnpey concluded by observing, that Mr. Hastings's triends would agree with him in using the quotation of Shakspeare-- _ " Take him for all in all. We shall not look upon his like again."—( Loud applause). Mr. JACKSON and Mr. Iswzr mutually explained. Mr. Hoax strenuously supported the Amendment. Mr. ROBINSON (the Deputy Chairman) said there was not much difficulty in answering the arguments of the mover of the Amendment, as they lay in two words. He proposed the Amendment, first, because Mr. Hastings had been engaged in three acts in which the House of Commons could find no crimi nality; and, secondly, because he had been im peached on twenty acts, of all of which he was ac quitted. Now hi begged to enter his protest at once against being bound by any decision of any former Court or set of Directors. He was responsible for his own acts only. In looking to the character of Mr. Hastings, they were not to take him upon any one act of his, but upon his whole administration. It was said, that it was sufficient for the argu ment on the other side, that the House of Commons thought Mr. Hastings ought to be impeached.-- Now it was sufficient for his argument, that though he was impeached, the House of Lords had acquitted him, But it was urged, that the adoption of this motion would be an affront to the House of Com mons. Did not the Court know, that the highest authority in the country had, not long before Mr. Hastings's death, conferred upou him the - highest ho nour which could be conferred upon a commoner? Did the Prince Re;ent then mean to affront the House of Commons ? And yet the Court, in passing this :notion, was only following the example of the Prince Regent. The cruelties committed in the Ro hilla country, however to be regretted, could not be ascribed to Mr. Hastings, he was at a distance, and could not have prevented them. The Hon. Director concluded, by supporting the original Motion. Mr. GRANT regretted that the motion had been brought before the Court. Mr. GAITM.iAN supported the original motion. The Motion and Amendment having been read, The CHAIRMAN then moved, that the original word stand part of the Bill:—Carried. The origin,al Motion was then put and carried.—. There were only five hands opposed to it. The CHAIRMAN then stated to the Court, that in the present state of the country, it was under the consideration of the Court of Directors to raise a Corps of Volunteers, to be placed at the disposal of Government. • Mr. Dlx•N suggested the propriety of postponing a question of such importance, and upon which there was likely to be such a difference of opinion, to another day. The CHAIRMAN acquiesced in this observation. On the motion of Mr.DIXON the Court adjourned. Yesterday a Court of Directors was held at the East India House, when Captain Thomas SANDERS was sworn into the command of the ship Orwell, consigned to China direct. THE EVENING STAR. LONDON. THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, ISSO. THE FUNDS. PRICE OF STOCKS THIS DAY A r ON& O'CLOCK I • flank Stock 2201 3 per Cent. Reduced 68i 3 per Cent. Consols 67i ex. div. 3i per Cent. 77 4 1 - ,er Cent. 661 5 per Cent. Navy 1021 1 ex. div. India Stock 205-1 ex. div. India Bonds Ss. 9s. pr. South-Sea Stock 744 ex. div.' Exchequer Bills (21) Is. 2s. dis. India for Acct. 2111 Consols for Acct. 69/i. The distresses of the Poor are highly aggravated, at the present moment, by the dreadful severity of the weather, which exposes the homeless,—yes, the homeless ! for, unhappily, we have but too many of this description, to miseries not to be conceived by those who have not paid practical attention to the subject. There are, however, some such characters ..we hope many ; and, we cannot doubt, a much greater number, who are always willing to lend their aid, for the relief of the destitute and afflicted, could they find proper conduits for their liberality. The latter have now an opportunity to exercise their benevolence, without the danger of having it mis conducted ; and, we are convinced, will hasten to lend their support to the object to which we wish to call their attention—in aid of the efforts of a most respectable Journal, which has strongly advocated the measure. A few days ago, The Times made a powerful ap peal to the Public, in favour of the wretched indi •iduals, who, having no home, are absolutely obli ged to sleep in the streets in this inclement weather: suggesting that houses should be opened, to yield them, at least shelter through the night. In con sequence of this appeal, the following Letter was addressed— " TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIME& " Sta—A, a beginning must be made where any good Is in tended, and feeling the full force of your observations this day, relative to the poor out-casts, who have not a place of shelter at so inclement a season, and many cases of extreme misery and distress having come under my observation, I am induced, as I once did before, to offer the use of a large unoccupied warehouse in London-wall, for the purpose to which you allude; and I think, if you were to recommend a Public Meeting on the occa sion, it would be well attended; and that there would be found many, who, having more time on their hands, would devote part of it to the relief of these poor sufferers, and in the way pro posed ; at which Meeting I will attend, and you have my autho rity to say, that the house is ready. The warehouse is 150 feet long, 50 wide, and there are four floors ; so that, with the aid of clean straw, numbers might be accommodated; and the Soup So ciety might be made useful in distributing that article each night. " I do not want my name put in the Papers, should you think it right to proceed in this praise-worthy object. _ . . " I am, Sir, your's, dice. " Cheapside, Jan. 1 1. " C. W. IL" This has been followed by the most active exer tions in a quarter calculated to give it efficacy. The LORD MAven, highly to his credit, and with a promptitude suited to the urgency of the case, pre sides at a Meeting this day, in the Warehouses so ge nerously offered by C. W. IL—and the Society for the Suppression of Mendicity has undertaken to lend its aid in this work of humanity. The nature of this So ciety, and its labours, deserve the attention of the Public. Already the Metropolis is greatly indebted to them, and nothing but funds is wanted to extend the benefits which result from their labours. Every object that goes voluntarily, or is carried to the So ci?ty, is first fed with a wholesome meal ; and then proper inquiries are made into their circumstances, and employment provided, if possible, or the means of returning them to their Parish. This Society has un dertaken to take charge, every morning, of the house less lodgers that may be admitted into the above premises duting the night.—Let Rot the means be withheld from the Society that are required for the furtherance of their useful labours. We are sure they will not. The Paris Papers of Sunday and Monday arrived this forenoon, but furnish so news of importance.— Som.?, who has been included among those recently recalled from exile, was, on Sunday, introduced, by the Minister of War, to the KING, when his Majesty was graciously pleased to present him with the baton of Marshal of France, and the General took the oaths in that capacity. The health of M. DE CAZY is con siderably amended ; but to the list of distinguished invalids, the Journals now add Prince TALLEICHAND, and the Ex-Director, BARRAI, who is said to be on the point of death. Five per Cuts.—Saturday, 72 francs, 30 cents. We extract the following Decree of the Republic of Venezuela, confiscating the hides of all black cat tle for the use of the &ate, from the Correo de Ori noco (Angostura) of the 2d October. If cattle in South America were slaughtered, as with us, more for the sake of the flesh than the hides, the tax here imposed might be productive enough, but when the ease is so notoriously the reverse, it is an ignorant conceit to trust to such an expedient for replenishing the exhausted coffers of the Republic, Peo r 4e not be expected to hunt and slay cattle merely that the Government may have the produce:- , DECREE—REPUBLIC OF rtyEztintA. " John Baptist Arismendi, rice-President of the fuse., charged with the government during the absence of the rre sident, Captain-Oeneral of the Armies, Ste. cousi4erirs S h e exhausted state of the '.rational Treasury, the increased and necessary expenses of the war, sustained by Venezuela. for do establishment of her Independence, and the immense pay mop she has to ntake, not only te meet her principal debts., bnt alss► to satisfy those arising from the different contraan entered into .with foreigners, for the religious fulnlment whereof the honour aid glory of the Republic are pledged. In virtue of the ex traordinary powers conferred ou me b:• :be sovereign Congress, I have Decreed, and do Decree as fo!:uwet • " A RTICLIC 1. Immediately after the F rorma g iaiect of this Lle eree, all Hides of Black ('attic, whoever insy be their owners" are declared to belong to the State, without reserve or -estop tiou, and it alone shall have the power id disposing thereof. " 2. This Impost shall exist as long as the urgent necessities of the State may require it, and shall cease as soon as thePublin Treasury shall be relieved from its present engagements, and shall have made some collections. " 3. The Officers of the principal OMees of this City ars charged with the Collection and Storage of the Older, naming, for this purpose, such Agents as they may think proper, and shall furnish the Minister */ War with a monthly account of such am may be in their possession. " 4. In the towns and cities, except Solcdad and Barrancas, and in those divisions of the army acting in the exterior, the re— spective Authorities, Commanders, or Chiefs, will take upon themselves the execution of this Decree, also naming, for that purpose, Agents, who shall collect the Hides, and place them immediately at the dispo ition of the Government, with an ac count thereof. " 5. In the ports of Barransas and Soledad the respective administrators of the National Customs will be charged with the collection, storage, and remittance of the hides to Govern ment, with a corresponding account, without forgetting to re soire a note of such as were collected previous to the publication of this Decree, which they shall transmit to the Was-Office so speedily as possible. " 6. The actual holders of hides in this city shall pass to the War-Office, within two days. a correct account of such as they have received up to the date of the Decree. " 7. The same shall be done by the holders in other parte et the Provinces, delivering the LULL account to the competent am. thority, for its prompt remittance to Government " a. It shall be the duty of every owner of hides to delivee them to the State, as soot' as they shall be well dried. " 9.. Any violation of this Decree shall be punished by the es. action of double the value of what may be concealed. " 10. The Minister of the Interior and of War. pre tempo% is charged with the execution of this Decree, which shalt rse printed, published, and circulated. " Done in the Palace of the Government, In the capital of Gaayane, on the 31st September, 1919. "JOHN BAPTIST AIIiShiRNDI. " Minister of the Interior and cf War, pro tempos." We inserted, on Tuesday, Cardinal FONTA RA'S Let ter, recommending that the Roman Catholic Clergy of Ireland should obstruct the circulation of the Scriptures, as translated for Protestant Churcheh, On a subject of this nature, it might be expected that the Catholic Prelacy and Priesthood would entertain a difference of opinion, and although the Roman Catholic Archbishop of TUAI4 has followed up,tire recommendatory letter from the Prefect of the3Pro paganda, by a rescript to the Clergy of his Mica,. in accordance with the sentiments of FownertA, yet we are happy to learn that this document is more than counterbalanced by a Pastoral Letter film Dr. WALSH, the Bishop of WATER/ MD, enjoining the perusal of the Scriptures, and observing, that the Douay and Protestant translations contain no sulk. stantial difference in matters of fact. The enlightened views of Dr. Wst.srs correspond with the spirit of the age ; and the diffusion of the . Scriptures, through any of the acknowledged ver sions, must tend to the improvement and happiness of men. The great point is to instruct the People of Ireland, first in the art of reading, and then to . place good books in their hands. Their natural sa gacity will induce them to reflect, to digest what they have read ; and the result must be a just con clusion in regard to Religion and Morals. All that Society requires, for its perfect organization, may be learned from the Hely Scriptures, and this vast , fountain of light and salvation ought to be rendered Accessible to every man, Much has been done to' spread the Scriptures among Heathen Nations, while, at the same time, they have been widely diffused at home. But it is said that the Catholics of Ireland have not been fully supplied with the Sacred Rook, in their accredited translation. To obviate difficulties in this respect, a Society of Gentlemen in Dublin, consisting of both Protestants and Catholics, have opened a Subscription to defray the expense of printing 20,000 copies of the Davy Testament, to be sold at a cheap rate to the poet of the Roman Catholic persuasion, in Ireland. • Yesterday, at three o'clock, the Putwcz RgninT held a Court at Carlton-house, which was ittended by The First Lord of the Treasury, the Secretary of &ass Ihr Foreign Affairs, the Chancellor of the Excheque: the klastes- General of the Ordnance, the President of t h e eciard of Can troul, the Earl of Mulgrave, the Lord Chamberlain, the Mawr of the Horse, itc l _ _ _ _ His ROYAL Hionnass also held a Privy Council, which broke up about sii o'clock. The Duke and Duchess of KENT have new fre quently small select evening' parties at their resiatice of Woolbrook Cottage, at Sidmouth, at which music forms the principal amusement. The Earl of LAUDERDALE has left town on a visit to the Duke and Duchess of YORK, at Oatlands. The Hon. Mr. VERNON, who was accidentally' • wounded in the knee, when out in a shooting party round Lord DAitm.Ey's seat, at Cobham Hall, with Prince LEORDLD, the Duke of WELIANGTON, and other distinguished characters, a .few days sines, is now in a fair way of doing well. YI v poe the An boo . ; were "crera dirt Letts then PUT termi very soon and menc Street them of th hesita calcu of th able the st objet' publil Mr temp be ap ceptai rende siren: tricts and c, Mr temp( from i juke( would 'who h hlacec eie lent. greats and si looked treme. a fact, deuce. the di censidi It w pari . sh) try mi, their trates nff the the Pc offer t by tho from tl Mr. of talc' would °nett damfi had co him tiergb, they tv, the dij Sorge Ma.asic very si . She lia and ca leer de: duties he pot glace hink e pa' odgus) wander .y a hi in the not las days al of victi to dear characi and it of the and wa ins het by that tioned was in less, ui that th The sitatiot rnity, a niencei felt arr ment F Sir I most r Sevi It w Mayor jectThis mired Mr. wards TR: for the unday, M Ol Tuesdal Wed Pari eatht o fall , tsp • - the) CIO as fal icink ra ve l' re ii