The Express.
London, England, 1855-03-21 00:00:00

EAST INDIA HOUSE.

Yesterday a quarterly general court of proprietors
was held at the East India Company's house in Ldenhall-
street, JAMBS OLIPRANT, Esq., the chairman of the com-
pany, presidiog.
In answer to a question by Mr. Law's,
The CHAIRMAN said that it was probable that " Thorn-
ton's Oassteer of India" would appear in a cheap form,
and he hoped the court would be able to present a copy to
every proprietor.
Mr. Ba.,wn then brought forward the following motion,
of which he had given notice:—'' That the important ser-
vices performed by the Calcutta Steam Company is 1842
should be compensated by the payment of 10,0001." The
hon. proprietor said that the Calcutta Company had afforded
an immediate means of communication at the time the
AA/ban war was raging. The steam vessel India had per-
formed four voyages in 1842, most satisfactorily and ono-
sessfolly ; the company could not have performed a single
voyage to Rangoon for less than 8,0001. ; the loss the Calcutta
Company had sustained amounted to at least 20,0001. ; and,
therefore, he felt that the sum of 10,0001. was only a fair
and equitable sum to be awarded as compensation; he there-
fore moved that that sum be granted.
Mr. ARBUTHNOT seconded the motion.

Ths ZHAIRILAN said, that when this matter was under
discussion on former occasions, it was understood that the
court should wait until they received further information
from Calcutta; that information had not, up to the present
time, been received, and he, therefore, hoped that the
honourable proprietor would think this was not the proper
time to press I is motion.
Bir J. WEIR HOOO, M.P., asked the bon. proprietor
whether it was his intention to press his motion to a division.
Mr. BROWN esid he had fully considered the matter, and
certainly should go to a division.
Bir J. WEIR Moon mid, that being the ease, he could not
unaent to give a silent vote ; the Peninsular and Oriental
Company had requested to buy this steamer, toe Indio, in
1842, seeing the necessity of its being put on the line of com-
munication ; the ruse' was not, however, purchased, and the
owners of the India had put the steamer on the line at their
own risk, end on their own account, and at coosiderable
loss to themselves. The India performed tour
Tomes, but the government had required only two, there-
fore they were not entitled to compensation for the loss
they had sustained by this unfortunate ship. These gen-
tlemen, the owners of the ship, must have known that
the voyages of the ship must be unproductive. No doubt
these parties had done great public service, and incurred
a loss of 56,0001. ; but it was urged that did not show
that these gentlemen were to come to that court for com-
pensation ; they might have gone to the Court of Queen's
Bench. The bon. baronet and director proceeded at length
to recapitulate the proceedings that had taken place on
this subject, both in parliament and in that court, to show
that at ore time government was disposed to have pur.
cbased the vessel. The hon. director concluded by im-
, pressing upon the proprieton the necessity of the court
granting a full and lair compensation to the owners of
the India, and which, in his opinion, would be fully met
, by the payment of a sum of 5,0001. in full of all claims
upon the company. He then moved, by way of amend-
ment, that the proposed vote of 10,0001. be reduced_to
I 6,0001.
Mr. LIWIN to tended the amendment.
Mr. biasoLca said at the time the services were per.
formed by the India, for which compensation was asked,
those now *eking compensation were not the proprietors of
the vessel, and after reviewing the facts as connected with
the case, be did not thiek any case bad been made out for

. .
eompeasation.
Atter some farther disenuios, the Tote of 10,0001. was

negatived.
A division took place on the amendment for the =bait%
tion 01 5,0001., when the numbers were—
For the amendment 26
Against 23

Majority for the amendment
The ennouncement was received with cheers. Sir J. W.
Hogg war the only director who voted for the amendment.
The ClittlkDMN then atcounced that he had received •
requisition from nine proprietors that • ballot be taken on
the math question; the ballot to take place on Friday and
Saturday.
It was remarked that the requisition for the ballot was
signed by direetcre alone.
Mr. Litwin pot.thoned until neat general court his motion
respectieg the Sepoye of the 6th Light Cavalry.
The Curt then adjourned.

MAIL ANTONIA BAILWAL—TeaI for the week
esslias Maga 8, 11166, 111 W.; 1864, 17W.