The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-05-20 00:00:00

MR. WILKINSON'S CLAIM.

A Getiersl Coon of Proprietors of F. Ist India
Stock was this day held at the Cottipsit)'s Howie
in Leadenhull-stieet, at the desire of nine Pro-
prietors, in order to t.ke into consideration the fol-
lowing proposition, viz.—

" That a HIM Or mom, equal to S:rca Empees one hum-
ilrerl and eighty thousand (Sc. Rs. 150,000) he paid to Mex
James Wilkitisou, at the Exchange of 2s. 0.1. per Sires Its.
pee, in COOStIOPIOT of the lois., sustained by him from the
eneetnient of • monopoly of Saltpetre by the Bengal Go.
eeruinent in the year 1812."

The CHAIRMAN (Campbell Marjoribanks, E.q )
having stated the business which the Court was
assembled to transact—

M►. FORBES rose anal olisrried, that though he
lamented the course which the proceedings on this
subject had taken at a former Court, as it tended
to disappoint Mr. Wilkiiison's just expectations,
t•et it was accompritied with this consolatory re-
fiction, that it afforded the Proprietors nit oppor-
tunist• of more fully considering the nit tits of this
Gentleman's claim ; and he wits satisfied, that, the
more it was investigated, the more it would he
found worthy general support. He now, for the
thii al time, eppeuled to the Court, us the rolvorate
of 51r. Wilk Maori, to exercise their feelings of jus-
tice and of laterality in granting a proper compe
Who) to that Gentleman fur the losses lie had sus-
tuined, in consequence of the inottopoly of the salt-
petre trade by the Bengal Government, in 1812.
After all he had heard Oil the subject, be conies•rd
that his opiwouremained unchanged. Considering
that the sum of 180,000 ropers was awarded by
the Bengal Committre, as the lowest remuneration
to which Mr. Wliklll6oll was twilled, par should
more, that thiit sum, to lw defrayed out of the com-
mercial teatime of the Company, be paid to Mr.
kVilkiliseni, on account of losses sustained by him
in consequence of the enurtint•ut of a monopoly of
sultpetre, l:y the Bengal Government, in 1812.
The CHAINXIAN I.:lid, of there was a specific
motion now below the Court on this *object, be
would take that opportunity In state tlw opinion ire
entertained respecting it. I,Vbatever might hove
been the case at first, there was tit present it very
great difficulty iu sealing the main pcita, that of
upportioiting the autottut of remantriation. Ile
conceived that some of those Gentlemen who sup.
ported Mr. Wilkinonolo claim, hurried the subject
beyond its proper bounds, when they spoke of a
monopoly beieg laid aside and a monopoly having
been suddenly reiteard. Such eatpressions sheep'
had a very strong a tract on the itublic mind in this
country. Ile considered the act cf the Ilesigal
Govettimetit as one lovely of indulgence to the
tinders in general, as a matter of great conve-
nience to them. After ■ twelvetnutiffes
the measure was found tat injudicious one. The
Company were at that time, 1812, booed to fur-
nish the Government of this country with a goons
lily of suit pette annually. The Court must recol-
lect that England was then engaged in a war CS6CII.
lid! to her interest. What, node/ these circuin-
stances, would have been said of the East India
Company—or what would they have said tat their
Government shroud, if they were unable to procure
the necessary quantity of saltpetre ? This being the
fact, he could not think, fur a inomeirt, that the
Indian' Government had directed a monopoly for
mere commercial views. Ulm thought the Gas ern-
meld abroad could be capable of such a line rilcon-
duct, he would advise t heir initueditor areal.—(llear.
Near.)—lle denied that the Committee to oloon
the case was referred iii luaus, had acted as they
were hound to al. 'they were unit appointed to
act finally, it was for them only to collet; iul•arnta-
tion on the subject. Ile looked upon the. question
entirely as row of principle, quite uut•otnaected with
lle considered that an itoillialoal 100 l hero
disappointed in prra;iec•ts of a very flattet tuts
tore, but lie never conld admit that, directly or
indirectly, lie had lost any 'AMA of money. On
aceottot of the iitcotivenieoce Mr. Wilkinson laud
suffered, lie was wilting to give him a suns of
money, viz. 10,000/, and, uuder all the circum-
stances, lie looked upon that to be a very large
stmt. To that extent lie was disposed to go—bet
he would resist, in the most determined inaiiiser,
the proposition for a gram of 160,000 rupees, or
22,000/. sterling.
Mr. Low:toss argued that Mr. 'Wilkinson was
entitled to a proper remuneration, on the saute
ground that sulcage of 20 per cent. was granted to
persons who saved vessels at sea.
Mr. S. DIXON had considered the question :at-
tentively, mid conceived that Alt. M'ilkiosou had
not one tittle of claim on the Company, for losses
either real or imaginary. Still, ass their agents
abroad, by their act, had, iu tome degree coin.
niitted the Company, lie would epee ! • ate.h
against his better judgment), to the sum proposed
by the Court of Directors.
3h. llcrat: contended that Mr. I\•ilkinsou laud
an equitable claim. Ile had minutely extradited
the documents on the subject, trod with of upiuiwi
that Mr. \V►lkiusou's losses, for the two best years
of his contract, amounted, on his own showing, to
67,500 rupees, to which if they added the penal-
ties for three years, being 60.0n0 ropers, it would
form a gross sum of 127,5.00 rupees to which he
was entitled, and he begged to move, us an amend-
ment, that that sum be inserted Matted of 180,000
rupees.
Mr. 'f wittlNG seconded the amendment.

Mr. Ei.mittistoNE denied that Mr. Wilkinmsu
had any claim whatever on theCumpuny. Govern-
ment 'had a right to resume the monoimly when
they pleased—anti if Mr. Wilkinson clime to enter
Tutu • untrncts for five )ears, it was at his own peril.
Mr. lan Lis defended the conduct of the C -
mittee of Warehouses in revositinendicg that H grunt
of 75,000 rupees should he allotted to Mr.
Wilkinson.
Sir C. COCK EREJ.I. argued streuuousb• in slip-
port of the motion, and Mr. Intps:v stir-1%4 'Ail,

swell it—observii.g, that, Its far as he could
uusler-
statxl the OOP, he never saw a claim presented to
any body of then that had less ground to stand
upon.
?dr. MONEY contended that the t'ompaity were
bound to remunerate Mr. NVilkinson, ht t.,k-
lug off the monopoly, to the list they had
encouraged persons to embark in !tic trade who
were alietastrls iiiinred by its iesoinption.
31r. H. JACKsON supported the 'notion iii au
eloquent speech. This (loration was not to be de-
ruled on personal feeling. Unless, alearactt•d front
tvtry titivate consideration, they were convinced
that a bum was due to Mr. Wilkiiison, hr had DO
claim on their purse; on the other howl, if he had
such a claim, they would cover thrnl.•rives with in-
famy if they slit! not entertaiii it Wily.
Alr. Nlooft E took the saute tine of argument.

„..._ _
Mr. ASTEI.I. sild Mr. BEAU expressed theuowlves
in hivnui of the sum oregomily proposed by the
Court of Directurs, if any part were agreed to.

. .
Mr. Fmtnes replied.
The Court then 'divided, when there oplieAred—

• For the motion.
Noes so

Majority 9

Tile CHAIRMAN 111;u read a reqmslion from
uutuber of INoprictors, demanding a ballot uu th:o
quelstion, and Wodnelali appuititral
fur the ballot.
GRANT TO SIR DI. MAXWELL.
The CHAIRM AN then moved—
— -

" That in eonectinestee of the 1311WeAdril 1111C1111011 paid by
Cnpl. Sir Murray Maxwell,(7timmiiiiiiter 0'614 Mitiesl)....hip
A Itcate, In hit Excellency Lunt Ainlicrkt, the other
Officers of the Entlisiniy to China, and rot Inn cool and iiiire.
pid c luet after the lota of that ; and us avnsulrcaUua
of the wilder, lie has rendered to the Cuitipauy, the twin of
AM. he granted lu
Mr. lILNE conceived it would be better to grant
the sum nit account slosit of the services performed
by S.r M, Abillkfli, uluo hoeing Mvrd the lives of
• Member of seamen, deserved well of liiwcouutry.
Mr. GRANT concurred in this opinion.
Aber some conversation between Mr. P. Moony,
Mr. S. DIXON, N,.1" Mr. LOWNOVS, the suggestion
was adopted, sod the grout was canted anent,.
mousiy.—Adjourned.