Star.
London, England, 1813-01-29 00:00:00

.
EAST-INDIA HOUSE, the 26th JANUARY, 1819.
AT a GENERAL COURT of tbe UNITED
COMPANY of MERCHANTS of ENGLAND Trad-
ing to the EAST-INDIES, held this day :
Restnved, Tk.st this Court perceives with deep regret, that
after a long correspondence and discussion, conducted with ex-
emplary firmness, 'temper, and ability on the part of the Court
al IJirectors, and with much difference of opinion among the
aeveral Ministers who have represented his Majesty's Govern-
ment in the discussion, and closed on the part of his Majesty',
present Ministers with a reference to the petitions lately pre-
served to Parliament, as a ground of their new determination,'
the parties have at length arrived at a point, when decision is ab .I
solutely required, between the ruin of the Company and the
disappointment of the petitioners against their Charter.
Resolved, That on former discussions relative to the renewal
of the Company's Charter, and particularly in 1785, his Majesty's-
Government were prepared, at the outset, to state the precis,
exteut of concession which could safely .be allowed to the peti-
tioners against the Company's Chatter: and their mature con-
vietioit aepeareti then to be, that the regulated monopoly of the
Company wee essential to the interest* of the country, and that
chi* consideration alone was a sufficient answer to all pretences
fee interference with that monopoly.
That the territorial possessions of' the Company in India are.
theii certain right, and that the system provided for the 'adieu I,
Government by the wisdom of Parliament, together with the
disinterested spirit in which it has been administered by the
Company, have extended and consolidated the British Empire in
the East, and added to the strength and glory of the British Engel
pire at Home.
Tint the trade of the Company has long ceased to bear the
character of a strict monopoly; and that,by some further mos
di,ficrions, if thought indispensible, in Widen to the arra .
oscine of 1793 and of 1802, it may be rendered as mucli'an o
Vide, as will be consistent with the security of revenue and the-
- ISMeperity and safety of the Indian Empire.
• ,
' 'That it is the opinion of the ablest Indian statesmen, as well
es of the generality of persons acquainted with India, that we
large or sudden addition can be made to the amount of British '
exports to that country or China. That this opinion is confirmed
by the practice of,-the Americans, who export chiefly bullion,
end by the overloaded state of the Indian markets. That the
habits and religion of the natives are hostile to any such ex-
tension; and that the Company actually suffer a lose in this
department of their concerns, with the view of employing
the capital, and encouraging the industry of their countrymen
fit home.
, That ao far as relates to the ordinary produce of India, the
Import trade is now carried to the full extent of the demand, as
appears by the value of two millions and a half sterling of private
property at this moment remaining in the Company's Ware-
houses; and that to open the outposts to that trade, would be
it. other than a ruinous transfer of it into new channels, to the
duo tic, icn of !nimense and costly establishments, and the beg•
pry of many thousands of industrious Individuals:
'That an extension of the trade in other products, the supposed
Was; of opening the out ports, could be realized nly by a large
transfer of capital to India, and its consequent colonization.—
'that, it realized, it might fatally interfere with the manufactures
of England, or with her commerce to countries where similar
products are already ii.sed by British capital, imported in British
shipping, and paid for by British manufacturers, and that, thus,
such extension would deeply injure those very persons who are
most impatiently petitionit.g for it.
That any unrestrained intercourse of Europeans with stir In-
dian Empire is highly to be depteceted. 'that the unlimited
competition of commercial agents would, from the peculiar cir-
eutunances of the century, produce " a boundless scene of con-
fusion and treed, and uhiniately the ruin of the manufacturers
themselves:" anti that tempting opportunities would be held out
to the agents to maintain illicit intercourse with the Native
Power , and to conduit a dangerouesystem of COUIRMI4IIOII
with• China front the Eastern Islands.
That this Court do most highly approve the conduct of the
Directors upon the vital _question of admitting the out-poris to
the import trade from India; and that the confusion and hazard
from irregular sales. *the outposts, the loss to the revenue trom
smuggling, and the elkisequent ruin of the Company's China
trade, arc decisive obstacles to the policy of such a measure.
That are therefore firmly of opinion, that the Court of Directors
should, on no consideration whatever, cede this point in the dis-
cussion. That It also appears, from numerous petitions pre-
sented to the last Parliament, that on the faith of approved and
long establshed practice, an immense capital has beet* invested
in establishments, peculiarly adapted to the export trade between
India and China; and that many heavy engagements have been
entered into by persons in the City of Loudon, and on both
banks of the '1 banes, front London-lotidge to Gravesend, the
very subsistence of many of whom depends upon the continuance
to the port of London of the export trade to India and Chios ;
and that nearly 10,000 industrious attifisers, together with their
families, would be in danger of beggary, in proportion as they
would be thrown out of employment, by the removal of the ex- i
port trade from its accustomed channel. This Court therefore
conceives, that it is of vital importance to the City and Port of '
London, that the export trade to India and China should continue '
to be carried en as heretofore.
That since the high duties on articles imported would still re-
main, the abatement in the price of freight, expected by Pett•
tioners to ensue from the subversion of the present system, would
be productive of trifling relief to the consumer; and that this
relief would be purchased at the extreme hazard of the revetito
of Customs and Excise, now collected easily by the Company,
es well as imminent danger to all the solaces of their wealth
is India.
That there is no foundation, in fact, for the statement which
ascribes to the Company's Charter the advantages enjoyed by
neutral toreignet s over British Merchants, in tee admission of
the former to a trade from which the latter are excluded; for •
that the profit with which that trade has been carried on by
those foreigners, has been entirely owing to the facilities neces-
sarily belougir.g to their neutral character, and which, of course,
cannot belong to the merchants of a belligerent state.
That the discharge of. the pehtical functions of the Company
depends ott the continuance of its commercial privileges. but
the propoeitions of his Majesty's Government, by giving a fatal
blow to the cononeicial interests of the Company, will, it in-
sisted on, eventually terminate in its political dissolution; and
that politic*; advantages, of the highest importance, will thus be
lo;t to the .country, among which the following deserve to be
di einctly noticed, as much too valuable to be sacrificed for a
trifling redaction in the freight of Indian goods to Europe.
is A marine of 100 large 'hips, containing a tonnage of
10;333 tone, employing 1460 officers and 100:00 seamen, of ac-
knowledged skill and bravery, and which bat been found ready
and able, at all times, to minister to the stational Convenience and
o augment the national glory.
U. An extensive establishment of yards, which bas often ren-
. - ed large and seasonable assistance to the Royal Navy, and
'ght, in cases of necessity, be made available to the national
fence.
..e.

S. The remittance of the fortunes accumulated by above 3000
dficers of the Company's military service, and some hundreds of
ivil servants, which are transferred to the capital, and stimulate
he industry of Brita n.
That, in addition to these considerations, the liberal disburse-
neon. f the Company for national enterprises, and the merito-
ious contribution of their service to the batioual Fund of strength
ad glory, are entitled to a just and honourably rememberatice,
a the preparation of any measure which may vitally affect their
,terests.

That connected with this department of the subject, is the
Mane danger to which, in case of the Company's dissolution,
ie balance of the. Constitution would be exposed, by the transfer
F the Indian Patronage to the Crown, and the enormous burden
Phi c h would be entailed on the public, in satisfying the claims of
ompensation on behalf of the Company, and of all the comph-
ated interests which would be involved in its fate.
That, by the destruction of the Company, a vast number o;
hose Proprietors, amongst wham its capital of twelve milliot.s
terltng is divided, would Le reduced to entente Out' eb3 ; a,.
;early 40,000 persons, directly employed by the Lo.upany, watt
nany others hultrectly concerned in its prosperity, .viro4 're
lougtit to a state of absolute beggary.
That, from the tenor of the preceding considerations, it ap-
mars to this Court, that nu case of political or commercial de-
inqueucy has been established against the Company, to justif,
e ruin with which they are threatened, or to forten their slain.
VII a continuance of their Charter. That, oil the contrary, then
u amtrcial management has been trequently deranged and it.-
scrupted by costly ent,rpri‘es, to which they were compelle..
t grouttds of imperial policy, and which no temporary posse,
Loa could have 'minced them to execute.
That their remonstrances against these undertakings wee.
Aunt recompense, in the
revenue, and commerce,

11. net o by referenie to tut ur; add di,
proved prospect of pera4auent peace,