The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-03-04 00:00:00

EAST INDIA HOUSE.

THE MARQUIS OF HASTINGS.
A General Court of Proprietors of East India Stock was held
yestertiay, on the reqeisition of nine Pro • fur the purpose
of taking into consideration the services o the late Governor-Gene-
ral, the -:llarquis of Hastings.
The Court was crowded with a fuller attendance of Proprietors
than we ever before witnessed. In the course of the day ser,ral
applications were made, by letter, to the Chairman, from Pro-
pnetors, who, in consequence of the state of the Court, were un.
able to obtain admission. The body of the Court and the gallery
were literally filled to excess. Among the persons of distinction
protein we observed Generals Sir David Baird and Sir 'John Doyle.
The minutes of the Lot Court having been read,
The Ciiat it MAX (W.Wigrsm, Esq.) stated the object for which
the present General roan had been converted.
The Hon. 1). Kier nal n then rose to open the question. He
said, that in presuming to introduce this subject to the Court, he
would nut waste their valuable time by offering any apology for
having undertaken a task of such importance; but he would at
once plunge in n.r. Ile would found his motion on
ground from which lie could not be removed. He should refer to
documents on record which would admit of no doubt or dispute.
In the first place he would draw the attention of the Court to their
vote of thanks unanimously passed on the taith of November, 11116,
to the Noble Marquis, then Earl Moira. About the same time a
similar vote was passed by both Houses of Parliament. These
flattering mark* of approbation were bestowed on the Noble
Marquis for the great skill and ability he had manifested in the
management of the campaign in India, which had put an end to
the sepaul war, raised the military character of the country, and
extended the territorial possesaions of the Company. The Court
of Proprietors, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons,
severally restricted their votes to the conduct of the General, without
specifically entering upon the policy of the war, the ropriety of 'I
which, however, was nevertheless distinctly acknowledged; for
while these vote* related solely to the Noble Marquia's military
services, and while the Court had cautiously abstained front touch-
ing on the policy of the war, it was stated by the Chairman, with-
out contradiction or observation from any one Proprietor, that there
could be no doubt of the necessity and policy of the war itself. On
this Occasion a similar vote was also pane i in the Houses of Lords and
Common's and the Earl of Liverpool, in moving the vote of thanks
in the House of Lords, said, " With respect to the justice and ne-
meaty of commencing hestilitica, there certainly was no difference
of opinion in India, and'' also had been the opinion of the Govern-
ment of this country that, in order to check the encroachment's and
aggressions cf the Nepaul wider, no other remedy remained but an
appeal to the sword. A series of encroachments had taken place
which no Government, valuing its character, could have over.
looked. These aggressions, which it was necessary to check, in-
flicted an evil not only on the British dominions in India, but on
those of our allies. Ile begged leave to repeat, that neither by
wha. he now said, nor by the vote which he should move, did he
wish to call for any opinion from their Lordships on the transac-
tions to which he had- alluded." In the House of Commons, on
the same occasion, Mr. Canning praised the firmness and modera-
tion with which :he Govemer-General had terminated a war which
had not been commenced until every mode of remonstrance aril ne-
gociation had been exhausted. On the 3d of February, 17119, the
Court of Proprietors again passed an unanimous vote of thanks to
the Noble Marquis for his able conduct in bringing the Malwatta
war too conclusion. On that occasion a restitution even stronger in
its laeguage than that of the Court of Proprietors, was passed in
the Court of Directors. 'thanks were also given by both Houses
of Parliament. Li the House of Lords, the Earl of Liverpool, on
moving the vote, said, " Their Lordships would see from the cur-
reapotaleace that the late hostilities in India originated in necessary
measures of self-defence, adopted by the Government of India,
against the aggresaions Of the Pindarries. tomcod of being hasty
in repelling them, it would have been justifiable to have
taken measures against them at a much earlier period. But
the peace policy adopted by this country, and a strong mn.
tintent that if hostilities once broke out in any part of India,
it weuld be impossible to prevent them front being carried
to a great extent, induced the Govemor-General to avoid,
ea tong as possible, anything like hostile measures." His L
.d ord-
ahly proc"ed. " lie had shewn that the war had been one of self-
de.ence, and it was nut necessary foe Min to do this by remote in-
ference or argument. The Let appeared directly from the papers
on the table. The wee had been undertaken on no grounds of
doubtful policy." The Marquis of Lartadown on that occasion
sail, " 11 hatever might lie the charateer of the policy which had
been adopted with ITIIP2C: to India, the Governor-General had on
thi. occasion been placed in a situation which rendered hostilities
on his part unavoidable. The Pindarries so far differed front the
other powers in India, that they were essentially predatory; and it
was evident that, while they were allowed to continue in force,
there could be no safety for the British possessions. Their Lord-
ships and the cothery woad therefore doubtless join with the Noble
E }earl in applauding the measures which had been adopted by the
GovemoTa ;enteral, who had displayed the most consummate ability
on a field on operations more extensive than it had ever fallen
to the lot of alit one Commander to direct, and who, in
terminatieg the war, had placed the British power ir. India
on a mote secure foundaion than that on which it heretofore
Termed." An amendment moved respecting the execution of the
Radar et Talnier, was withdrawn : but though that amendment
constituted a particular reason why Sir Thomas Ifislop was not
ircluded in the vote of thanks, all the House united in resitt-
ing the Marquis of Hastings. On both sides the consideration of
the policy of the war was carefully avoided. In this manner, in
17th), votes of thanks were passed in unison by the Court of three-
tors, for the military conduct of the Noble 3larquis, and by the
blouses of Lords and Commons for his general conduct, and all
:he official authorities proclaimed loudly their opinions of the able
management of the war, the justice sad necessity of which no man
denied. These general assertions were calculated to satisfy his
friend., who had no doubt the time would come ultimately, when
approbation would as specifically be accorded to the merits of his
policy. In alluding to the pmeeolings in the House of Commons,
he could not refer to that beautiful record of oratory, the speech df
Mr. Canning, upon that occasion, without feeling that one line of
quotation would be more acceptable to the Court, than volumes of
reference to an argument upon it. Thu Right Hon. Gentleman,
on moving the vote, said—
" This vote I wish the House to understand, is intended merely
as a tribute to the military conduct of the campaign, and not in
any wise as a sanction of the policy of the war. I feel it necea.
sary to state this reservation the more emphatically, lest,. from my
having deterred my proposition until the papers which the Prince
Regent was graciously pleaard to direct to be laid before us, had
been for souse time in the hands of the .Members of this House, any
apprehension should be entertained that I wished the policy of the
measures adopted in India to be discussed on this occasion, with the
view of conveying in the vote of thanks an implicit general appro-
bation. I assure you, Sir, that I have no such object in view. The
political character of Lord Hastings's late measures forms no part
of the question upon which I shall ask the House to decide. My
object in the present motion is to acknowledge, with due praise and
gratitude, the splendid services of the Indian army. I was, indeed,
anxious to have the papers upon the table, because souse statement
of the political relations of the different parties in the late hostilities
—in the way, not of argument but of narrative--seems necessary,
to render intelligible the origin and operations of the war. From
these papers I will describe u succinctly as I can, the situation in
which the British Government found itself placed towards rte dif- j
intent native pet ens of India ; and if, in performing thus task, I
should let slip any expression of my own opinions as to the policy
of the (;overnor-General t old it may be hardly possible to avoid
doing so, whatever caution I endeavour to observe), I beg to be
understood as by no means calling upon the House to adopt those
opinions. In agreeing to the vote to which I trust they will agree
this evening, they will dismiss altogether from their consideration
the preliminary ebservations with which I introduce it.
" I approach the subject, ha, with the greater caution and de-
licacy, because I know with how much jealousy the House and the
I country are in the habit of appreciating the triumphs of our arms
in India. I know well that, almost uniffirmly successful as our
military operations in that part of the world have been, they have
eltnost as uniformly been considered as questionable in point of
justice. hence thetennination of a war in ladia, however glorious,
is seldom contemplated with unmixed satisfaction. Thuscmi-
ment generally receives some modification from a no:ion, in most
cases perhaps rather assumed than defined, that the war is likely to
! have been provoked on our part, with motives very different from
those of self-defence. Notions of this sort have undoubtedly taken
deep root in the public mind ; but I am confident that in the present
instance (and I verily believe on former occasions which are gone
by, and with which it is no business of mine to meddle at present) a
case is to be made out as clear for the justice of the British cause as
fur the rowesa of the British arms.
p " I have thus, Sr, endeavoured to bring before the House a
review of the late campaign ; a:td imperfect as I am aware that
review most necessarily be, Ido not know that I have omitted any
material part of tile grounds on which I found my ion upon the House
• for a rote of dtanks to the Marquis of Hastings. I h4ve said enough
to chew the providence with which he called forth, and the skill with
which he arrayed the forces of the great enquire committed to his
charge; the wisdom :th which he laid his plans,and the vigour with
which he corned them into execution. I conclude a till proposing
j the vote to land Ilestinies as the Centinader under whose au,
piecs these sue:came have been achieved; bat I think it due to hint
as a atatesmar, at the same time, to assure tae Ileum that iris most
anxious wish is to improve by the arts of peace the province* acquired
by war ; extending the protection of British justice to every part
of cur widelyopreed dominions ; but leaving as he may find them
the harmless prejudices of nations; and conforming our govern-
ment to nectar habits and inatittition., wherever those habits and
institution. are not at variance with equity and reason ; convinced
that the Pritish rule will be stable throughout India, in proportion
as it is beneficent and beloved."

The Right lion. Gentleman concluded with moving his first
Resobition, vi?.—
`• That the thanks of this llonse given to General the !Slat-
(lids of flastini.;‘, Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Gayle:,
and Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Military Order
of the ISath, Governor-General of the Billfish possessions in the
East Inches, and Conimander-in-Chief of the Forces there, fur the
promptitude and vigour displayed by hint in the overthrow and sup-
pression of the Pindarries ; and for those ealinently.skilful and
judicious military arrangements which enabled him to defeat the
hostile aggressios:s of the Mahratta Princes, in a campaign tuArked
by a senes of brilliant and decisive successes highly honourable to
the British

Ile (31r.Kinnaird) recommended the perusal of the whole speech
to the Court. In the debate that followed, no one questioned the
propriety of the war, though sonic difference of opinion .nok place as
to the conduct of Sir TAlislop, in executing thd Killethtr of Talneir.
Very shnrtly after the passing of these votes, on the 210. h of A pril,
11112, the Court of Itircctors summoned a General Court of I'ru.
prietura, for the purpose of submitting to them a vote that bad
pass..ll, of granting the sum of 1;0,00111 to the Noble Marquis. To

• Ilaosord's PorLamentary Dotates, vol. 39, page 853.

1 .
W ,*Court I the of Proprietors emend oft the 11th of June
following. (These resolutions and votes ware read by the elerk.)—
On diet ocenaion, he Legged to rewind the Court, the same ob-
servations were repeated as to the poke and civil adminhasation of
the Noble Marquis. The Court, orals tly with Its boner pro-
reeding, would not suffer those questions to farm part of its con-
sideranon. The reward then granted was given few two specific
I services of a military nature, for which the Noble Marquis had
been twice formally thanked. The friends of the Noble Mar-
quis did not with to ateal a general vote in his favour. They 'I
preferred to leave it to the Court of Proprietors to pursue apron-'
taneously the open and straightforward path, no more tearing the
discussion of his policy than of his military achievements So
anxious was the Court to conlire its vote to the military services of
the Marquis of Hastings, that he (Mr. Kim aird) rememberad the
present Deputy Chsimian (Mr. Astell) tell an lion. Proprietor
(..sir Janice Graham) that he was quit. mistaken in supposing the
Court pronounced any opinion on the political services of the Noble
.Marquis. The lion. Proprietor referred to a report of the observa-
tions then made in support of the principle for which he was con-
tending. The Court were now assembled, therefore, after having
thrice voted its thanks to the General the Marquis of Hastings,
without even having come to a resolution expressive of their appro.
bation of the general policy pursued by him in India, as their
Governor-General. On the 29th of Mar. 1822. the Court of Di-
rectors laid before a General Court of Proprietors, • resolution
voted by them to the same Noble Marquis. for the great ability
displayed by the Governor General during the many years he had
presided over their immense territory. The admirable conduct
pursued by this esteemed Nobleman was best exemplified by the
improved state of the Company's finances, and the extended in-
fluence of its Councils in India. To this vote of the Court of 'di-
rectors, that of the Proprietors concurred in an unanimous resolu-
finn, expressive of their regret that domestic circumstances should
withdraw him from the Government of their Asiatic territory.
Through the same midium the t'ourt also conveyed their un-
feigned admiration of his exemplary conduct throughout the long
period he had en officiated. Ile could not but recur to the
debate on the motion of thanks in 1819, to recal the attention
of the Court to the magnanimous conduct of the Noble Marquis i
in refusing to receive any share of prize money, directing his pro. '
portion to be distrihated among. the subordinate members of the
army in India. Colonel Allen, in relating this highly honourable
anecdote, had raised a monument to the virtues of the Noble Mar.
quit, even more to his glory than the repeated acknowledgments of
his services by the Company and the country. The Noble Marquis,
declared that he held it to be fitting in him to decline receiving
his share for his own private advantage ; and, therefore, after it was
separated from the general stock, he ordered it to be thrown back
into the mass that was allotted for the benefit of the lower ranks of
the army, because, as he said, no considerations ought to be sup-
exist which could operate to induce an officer uniting the
posed to
functions of Governor-(central and Commander-in. Chief, to em-
bark in hostilities unnecessarily ; and It was his opinion that it
would be right, by law, to bar a Commander-in-Chicf, who should
also be Governor. General, from any participation in the prize-money,
that he might thus be free front any imputation of acting with a
view to his private advantage. It was true that the Noble Marquis
having been called on by the officers and soldiers to assert their
right to share in the prize-money gained by the army under Sir
Thomas Hislop, felt it his duty to prefer that claim which the
Privy Council, no doubt for legal reasons, had decided to be un-
founded. The resolution of the l'ourt of Proprietors in 1822 was
agreed to unanimously. The usual forms were not observed. It
was pissed without pa tens, on the spur of a melancholy occasion—
an occasion which he believed had made a deep and honourable
impression on many individuals who were seated within the bar.
The time was come when they were about to lose the services of
those distinguished talents and that great experience, the full benefit
of which they had not enjoyed for want cf that previous confidence,
linstead of which they had substituted as continuing jealousy,greater,
he believed. than had been ever manifested on the part of any con-
' fiding body towards any public servant, since this Company or this
country had existed. (Hear, hear.) This jealousy, however, con-
tinued up to the latest moment of the Noble 3larquis's services.
Suddenly the Court of Directors was informed that it was about to
lose them. Then the Court began to perceive the enormous bene-
fits it had derived from hi, services, and felt that it could not too
soon call upon the General Court of Proprietors to join in a unani-
mous expression of regret. Tne old adage was again verified, and
the Company, like thereat of the world, did not seem to know it
hail a friend till it had lost him. A resolution of regret for his re-
signation, and of thanks for his services, was passed. Ie sincerely be-
lieved that the Court of Directors then deeply felt the loss they were
about to sustain, in th tir separation from the noble Governor-Gene-
ral. under whose administration their financial and other prospects
had improved beyond all former precedent, and exceeding the most
sanguine anticipations. Ile believed also that it was their anxious
wish that the Marquis of II ratings should witress the effect of that
vote before he lett India. The Court knew the influence it would
have on public opinion, and the great moral effect it would pro-
duce among the people of India; and, he was happy to add, that it
did reach that country before the Noble Marquis left it; and since
that time, he would challenge the Court of Directors, at least he
appealed with confidence te those he hadthen the pleasure of seeing
behind the bar, whether, since that period every day had not ac-
cumulated the proofs of the highly satisfactory result of the measures
of the Noble 31arquis. We:e nut these services worth a just and
fair portion of the benefits resulting from the conduct that had been I
purstied ? It was now a question of justice, and the decision of
the Court was l':oked on upon the present occasion by all Europe
(Hear.) lie did not speak figuratively when lie used the tern.
`• all Europe," for he really believed that every thinking man in
Europe was folly sensible of the great value of their late',
Governor-General, aril the very great importance of the Asiatic'
Territory forced the conduct of the Government of India upon I
the consideration of all who thought at all upon the great politics!
questions of the present day. He stated distinctly and fearlessly I
that the public of Lorene viewed with astonishment that services
of which the Company was in the substantial enjoyment had never
been specifically rewarded and more completely acknowledged.
The friends °tithe Noble Alarquis, knowing tluit time must vindi-
cate him every day more fully, had waited patiently till now, but
now they felt it their duty to call upon the Court of Proprietors to
' do that act of justice which the Court of Directors had not thought
Iproper to recommend. These three motives he could conceive why
the Court of Directors had refrained. The first was, that after I
mature deliberation, and feeling the great responsibility of propos- '
ing a grant of the Company's money, t..ey had conic to the con-
clusion that the Marquis of Hastings had, in a pecuniary way,
been already sufficiently rewarded. If that was their impression,
they had naturally waited till the motion had been originated in the
Court of Proprietors, who in questie as of money owed no respon-
sibility but to publi: opinion. Secondly, ft might be that the Court
of IX:et-tors, in the spirit of harness, would not precipitate the
vote; because, the longer they waited the more obvtous every day
appeared the full measure of the Noble Msrquis's merits, and
therefore the latest perial to which the question could be safely
postponed would be that which would innst completely display the
amount of the benefits he had conferred upon the Company.
Thirdly, the Court of Directors might confine their approbation to
so ne parts of the Noble Marquis s conduct and disapprove the
rest. They might consider the parts they did approve not to be
such as entitled the Noble Marquis to any great reward. If so, it
became a fair master of account: but the Court of Proprietors was
the body to whom that account should be rendered. (Hear, hear.) I
In the eyes of all Europe, the Noble Marquis stood as the most
eminently successful Governor-General the Company had ever had.
He occupied so conspicuous a station, that it was impossible he
could reside much longer in Europe without compelling the Com-
pany
to do him justice. If he (3lr. Kinnaird) understood the
question, it was one of calm justice, and, in his opinion, it was
not less the duty than the interest of the Court to reward their
public servants liberally fur important benefits conferred upon
them. lie trusted lie had no impatient interference, no desire to
take out of the hands of the Court of Directors what would more
properly remain in them. lie should regret if he induced the Pro-
prietors to take a step which they would afterwards repent, or for
which at the time they could not stew a sufficient reason. Ile was
sure, if the subject were referred to the Marquis of Hastings him-
self, he would riy—" Wait till I have stink into the grave, then I
record my merits and reward my family." But the Court had an
interest, for their own sake, to reward their Doverrior-Generals
while they were living. lie had drawn the attention of the Court
to the point where they had 'stopped, viz.—in a hasty vote °l:thanks '
Vassed in the fulness of their regret on losing the :Coble Marquis.
ie had given those who differed front him an opportunity of stating
their reasons. Ile did not anticipate the opposition of ar.y of the
Gentlemen behind the bar to his present motion, because he could
not imagine any circumstance out of which such opposition could
in any manner originate. It were affixtation in hint to omit re-
ference to what had occurred in this Court a short time since. He
had never used an unnecessarily harsh expression but he sincerely
regretted it, and he declared solemnly he should feel ill at ease if
he supposed he was on bad terms with any member of the Court.
Ile bore malice to no man, to help hint God ! De trusted, there-
fore, that the Chairman and the Court of Directors would forgive !
him for any trespass he might have committed on the rules of pro-
riety ; but at the same time he avowed, that he should despise;
(himself it: he could renounce the principles and feelings whi:a I
I prompted their expression in languuge, which, he:Omitted, could
not but be improper, becae:e uhneeessardy 1:a0. Ile was us
sincere lien as he was hones; now, and whilst he regretted front his :
I soul what had passed on that occasion., he we.s sure it could never
b. foremten by the ('ourt. In asking at their bawls an we: of justice.
which was indeed an imperative duty upon them, he, in the name of
the Marquis of Hastings could say with sincerity and confidence,
that if any charge coon be brotight against that distinhruislied
Nobleman, the consideration of this vote should be adjourned '
until such charge or allegation had been investigated and refut d.
(Cheers.) Mr. Cannine psi spoken of the laudable anxiety of the
Noble 3largitis to leave tiatouclud the •• harmless prejudices of the ,
nations" of India, and of the great ability with which he had ad-
ministered the aditirs of that it:intense empire, under the atithori:y
of an Act -.hie)) was passed whet'. the Ilritish Empire in !slits a as I
no more like what it WAS 1110 W, than England now resembied what
it wits in the d..ys of !%irg .tielinr. The No'ale Marquis had given
a dignified reproof to the Lord Chancellor, and the Speaker of the
Clouse of Commons, when, in ac!,nowled;,iment of the votes passed
after sot-eche% in which the policy by which he had tranquillized
India had been so highly praised, he told them that he thanked
them for what they had thanked him for. (!lear, hear.) It had
been said, the Noble Marquis had treated the Cot.et of Proprietors
with disrespect. Itched treated them with the same candour as he
had treated ParlMment ; and he trusted. therefore, that the Propri-
etors would (same to the consideration of the question with persona!
and party feelings entirely laid aside. The Honourable Proprietor
then proposed the motion with which he cm:chided. Ile said he
was quite aware that he wanted experience in framing a measure
calculated to meet every possible objection. He would not enter
into any details of a pecuniary nature, but he pledged himself to
the fact that the Marquis of [lasting% had not been rewarded to
one half of the extent of the Marquis 11'ellesley. (their, hear.)
i And he had experienced this comparative neglect after an admi-
litistration of nine years. which had raised the value of India stock
f lop per cent, higher than it found it. In common justice it be,

dune the Proprietors to follow up their votes of thanks with ,
grant of money. They ought, as a facetious friend of his would
say, to gleesome solid pudding as well as empty praise. The,
had it in their power to contribute substantially to the comfort, 4
the Noble Marquis during the short period of the remainder
of his life, who had enabled them all to enrich their fami.
lies. (Hear, hear, hear.) The Court was so situated by the
wisdom and virtue of the Alatquis of tiastirgs, that .t Might
challenge the government or legislature to revise their opinion al
to the exercise of its soverei:oity in India. It might cap upon
them to disavow the jud),noents they had put on reeonl forty year,
ago. There never was an occasion with which the preseta mashie;
and situation of the ('ompany's power in India eotthl staid the
test of comparison. The accessions of territory had been enlv the
means of additional protection fur our Indial subjects. thew,
hear.) The powers in alliance with us were now defended trot:
the predatory powers that had aurmurded them. (Hear, hear.)
Fifty years ago the Company could not conic into enetnct with
them, but now it was render.d intelligible to them that our objects
were not objects of conquest but of tranquillity : that tb,tr prone.
city and tranquillity were our interest ; that we desired nr!., Cu.
Irisning commerce, and not the extraction of an iinnieese revenue.
(Ileac, hear.) Ile weld not forget the influence extrused fey
years ago by the great talents of Mr. liturke, devoted its they were
to misrepresent the purposes end objects of the Csm.pnity. lie
could nut forget, that, mhen the Court of Directors, by a ino;orliy
of one, had, to compliance with public prriodix, resolved to meal
Mr. Warren Hastings, the Coen of Proprietors, by a tosinritv of
tin over a minority of 75, directed him to remain in his gm:em-
inent. (Ilear.) Let the Court of I)irectors, row that they had a
strong ease to warrant them, act with vigour, and dd them not fear
the support of the Court of Pmprietoro The Marquis o. if:wings
had acted in the dreadful peril of being wrong in the issue. llarirg
been successful, it was the duty of the Court to come fora:aid al
reward his great and daring merits. %Vas not intha in a state of
permanent tranquillity ? %rats not its financial prosperty greater
than ever? IVho could have anticipated that India, Ft ho
time, could have arrived at such a state of prosperity ? 1)5 theme
questions he put his case. The Coert nosh: to fei I too happy to
wash out, in the same name of pasting., th.• stain that sill tested
upon it fur us treatment of his injured namesake. His iioo..tie.
Friend (Mr. Hume) had reminded him, that be had not nilvened
to the title conferred upon the Noble by the Crown. who
in that act had said, in plain laoguage, " ice have given the
honours—do you give the endowments." (('heers.) lie begged to re-
mind the Court that the first notice for the gran: of 1,0001. a year is
Sir I). Dehterlony was on his being made a It:leaflet for his I alian
services. Ile trusted the Court would printed i 6 iverptu,
and maintain the high character it prowess:ll for duly appretiating
merit in its servants. And he hoped Cott for the future the exeem.
the body would not withhold its costlitler.ce from the territorial
government. Ile could not sit down without expressing his tech.
trigs, that the Court of Directors ought to have originated this too-
tioo, and he trusted that some one among them would condescend
to expirdn to the Court of Proprietors why they had ton done so.
If it was in consequence of the rumoured charge which had baffled
all attempt to trace it to its source, he should then NI:, that the
rectors themselves ought to be pot upon their trial fur having been
in possession of such a charge, without bringing it, in some ;hope,
before a General Court. The lion. Proprietor concluded by read.
ing the following motion :
" Resnlved, 'That that this Court, recurring with undiminished
pride and gratification to the repeated occasions on which tint tbs.
tinguialied services rendered to the East India Conipany by the
Most Noble the Marquis of flastir.g., have been under its consi-
deration, and more especially to the 20th day of December,
and to the 3tl day of tiebruaty, 110, when the unanimous thanks
of this Court were successively voted to his Lordship for the plan.
ning, conduct, and conclusion of two splendid nitlitary achieve.
*items: sod which were again more especially acknowledged and
rewarded by a grant of sixty thousand pounds, unanimously
voted to the Marquis of Hastings and his fantily, on :he
sth oh May, 1819; and further adverting to the noontime,
expression on the 211th of May, 1812, of this Court's high aloe
of the political and military talents displayed by the tiovern.c.
rleneral during nine years administration of the supreme
le p.-er in India, as well of its deep regret at having then learnt ho
determination to return to Europe, is of opinion that the hate is at
length arrived when the splendid and glorious results of the Mar-
quis of fisstings's government, to the financial prosperity. aiid to
the permanent tranquillity of India, ought to he adequate v re-
warded, as they are folly appreciated by the I'mptiettirs at I:.r.e,
in common midi their applauding countrymen, both in Europe at.d
in Asia.

" That it be therefore referred to the Court of Directors forth.
with, to take into their consideration, and to eel Kt 1(1 ibis (our.,
the means and the measure of such a pecuniary I, tint, for the ap-
penal of this Court, as may be at once wertity of uur gratitude for
the benefits received, a id ot the illustrietet personage. who has se
mainly zontributed to the reigning tranealltity of deer empire, Rai
the financial prosperity of the Company."
Mr. It. Jec K soft seconded the motion.
Mr. J. S )11 T *mid , that, admittieg all that had been el >Timely
urged by the Hon. mover, he wits still at a leas to knew what
circumstances called for the motion, and he Inbreed the Pre• ne.
tort generally were in the same difficulty as himself. Ile w;ell '
not follow the lion. Gentleman through the lung detail of the see.
vices of the Marrjuie of Hastinge: he had no doubt they merited, •
as they had received. the high 'probation of thee Court and .
country; but in the course of the Hen. Mover's speech. he led
adverted to smite points of great importance, as connected salt the
character of the English nation, which be (Mr. smith) wished to •
one always maintained in its highest purity: he alluded to the po-
licy of the wars in which the Noble Marquis hal been sit erne:rely
successfuL Ile (Mr. S.) confessed, that as he connected there
were some duties which ought to be held paramount to our inte-
rest, he did look with jealousy on the were that hid tal.en elate is
India; and he could not retrain from thinking that the extraeret-
nary man (Doti:mane), whose power Europe had witnessed. ;Mee
have defended his conquests on the smite principle. The areurrete
wen, that the natives of the conquered countries were benefited by
participating in the blessings which he believed it was the lot of
our subjec is in India to enjoy. Hut his objection to the motion
rested mainly on this coneitieration: the Compar.y had a number
of gentlemen (the Board of Directors) in whom they reposed their
coteidence for the management of their affairs. (Hear, hear.) It
was new to him that that body had done anything to forfeit the
confidence of the Proprietors, and in hie opinion they were the best
judges of the conduct of the Marquis of Hastings. They had
taken it into consideration, and they held that it was neither m roe
expedient to propose any grant. How then could the General
Court of Proprietors vote for the motion % The lion. Mover had
said that he hoped the ('our( of Directors would state broadly and
roundly the reasons why they did not agree to the motion. That,
to be sure, was one way, but perhaps not the most convenient, to
arrive at the truth. It would be idle for hint (Mr. Smith) to say
that he did not concur in the high eulogiums passed upon the
Noble Marquis (hear, hear, hear,) but previous to a grant
of money, loom? Iloilo:treble Proprietor ought to have moved
for papers, to elucidate the conduct of the noble person in
question. The General Court might then see whether his Moe
Friend (Mr. D. Kinnaird) or the Court of l'ireetoes were neer.
This course was so clearly and eridently correct, that he was stir-
wised that nobody had suggested it. The Court of Directors mart
be in possession of all the correspondence that would be necessary.
It was obvious they had formed sonic opinion, not favourable to
the Noble Marquis. There were, no doubt, a variety of armies is
circulation respecting the Noble Marquis ; he Ole Smith) had
never heard any of thou, nor aeetetained any report that rt netted 7
on the personal honour of that Nobleman. k Hear, hear. Several jl
of the lerectors bowed assert.) The Honourable Movtr had re-
ferred to the inratittele of the Court to an individual (the late
Mr. Warren Ilastirg9, whose figure stood benne them. He
hoped his Honourable Friend would excuse hint, but he did not
I see how this reference applied to the case of the Metquis of Has'.
ings. It was true that that individual (31r. AVarren !lasting%)
had saved ledia, and was therefore entitled to the gratitude of the
Company; hut lie (Mr. Smith) could net fuer t, that to his merits
there were great set-offs. (Hear, hear, beer.) He had risen only
to state his own view of this question ; but before he sat down, he ).
would, if he might he permitted, say a word or two relative to his •
Honourable Friend himself. lie had been extremely gratified at e
the observations thet had fallen from his Honourable Prten,l, with
regard to the language he had stedie.n in a motile tt of irritation,
• but which he had :hat day, in so handsome and gentlemanlike
ineener, explair.ed. If his Eon. Friend would allow him to make
the remark, he would assure him that lie had %undis character
enough, from which he could well afihrd to correct the involuntary •
and sudden errors he might commit, anti that so far from degrading
himself by the court? hr had that day followed, he had added con-
siderably to his ehoreeter. (Hear, hear.) Ile (Mr. S.) was sure
the Court would fed disposed to listen to him in inure with addi-
tional attention. %Vitt] respect to the motion he hail sugeested the
papers, he was not prepared to nreke it himself. but he hoped •
some other Propnetor would move, elm e there be laid before the
('our. all such paper, aid docaments as might mettle the Court to
form tat opinian till' merits ami serviceot the Marquis of Hest-
, ings." Ile WHY desirous that tee recent reentrant should be cleared
up respecting the Hyde:it:tad made, which were cerwinlet eetretwely
I disgraceful to the India.) Gieentment. He had heard fret a
' foreigner of the hieliest respeeteblity, and whom he would no tar-
! titer characterise than as oat: of the 'met i theme well-informed and
enlightened of his friends, that the whole was a delesion. lie haul
no apprehensioa that on examittatioe the reports in eirculatiee
would appear to be utterly without Guirelation. )n lookine at I
conduct of the l'oert of lira-cum,. it was clear they differed in
front the statement of his Non. Frirree He heped therefore ti.
the General Court of Proprietors might he enabled to deter
which of the parties was currece If no other Preerictor wes
des-
posed to make the nereen he would himself. ((ties of " Move,
move.") The lion. Proprietor care:hided wl:11 moving, as an
amendment—

Tilsit there b: I.l'o before this Court, all titirli papers and do-
cuments respecting the loots wade by Messrs. Palmer and Co., of
Hydrahaal, to his High tens the Nitam, as shall enable thin Court
to decide what claim niay Vii,t on the part el the .Marquis of Hast-
ings, on the further liberality of this Company.'"
Pov DI: R seconded the atnendivent. He conceived that it
wan necessary the Court should he better iiii,rmed before they
proceeded to such an concise of their prerogative u this, front
which would he inevitably inferrej, a direct, if not an implied
censure upon the Court of Directors. lle concurred entirely in
the sentiments so well eNprensed be the lion. licnt. who had moved
' the amendment. The rumours abroad he would not even advert
to. Ile agreed that the :either.* of the lion. Mover IVai most
becoming. lie joined more especially with the Hon. Proprietor
(Mr. J. Smith) in all the cam mendations he had bestowed on the
partiettlsr part taken by the Hon. Mover, in circumstances fresh in
the recollection of eeery gentleman present, but which lie was sure
every gentleman winhed forvt. Tht Honourable Mover had,
however, not brought the ease fairly before the Court. Ile 113.
fear from imputing to the Hon. Gentleman that he was :nadir et
I the a.:.:)Prorlio Teri, a ii:NTC which lather trenched upon the ,),..-
gruti The Hon. Gentleman had certainly not merle
CAW ifijt could witrrard that Court in acting as he desirld. Thor;
pas doubt that thank, hid been repeatedly at7a-ded as the'