Star.
London, England, 1813-04-03 00:00:00

EAST•INDIA COSIMITTEE.

The House having resolved itself into a Committees
Mr. GRAHAM was again called in, and examined
for a very considerable time, on the subject of at-
tempting, even by persuasion, to convert the native
Indians from the religion instilled into them by their
forefathers. To a variety of questions put to him by
Mr. Stephen and others on this subject, the general
tendency of his answers was, that even by persuasion
there would be very considerable danger.
Mr. L USHINGTON (the Chairman of the Com-
mittee) thought it his duty to interfere. He submit.
ted to the Committee how far it was proper to con.
tinue in a course of investigation that was neither
warranted by the Resolution of the House for going
into the Committee, nor by any of the Resolutions
proposed by the Noble Lord as the object of the pro-
ceeding. The last Resolution of the Noble Lord,
which at all bore on Religion, was, that there should
be two Bishops and three Sub-Deans as anEstablish-
ment in India. Gentlemen ought to have confined
themselves to this subject only.
The witness having been ordered to withdraw,
Mr. STEPHEN, in explanation, said, that many of
the questions he had put had arisen out of questions
that had preceded, and were dictated by the answers
given to them.
Sir H. MONTGOMERY also explained his reasons for
putting some of the leading questions.
Mr. T,HOMPSON asked if they did not consider
the Christian Religion superior to all others i and if
so, ought they not to ascertain the obstacles to its
propagation among the Flindoos ? It was on this
principle that he had cross-examined the witness on
the subject; and declared, that so long as questions
were put in favour of heathenism; to the discredit of

that shet hive a result in favonr of Christianity.
Mr. OCKHART thought the question at ism
an unfortunate one. The subject, on the whole, was
respecting an establishment in India; and surelythey
'did not mean to say, that such an establishment should
be for the benefit of Europeans alone residing in In.
ilia, but also of the population at large.
Lord CASTLEREAGH stated, that in framing
his Resolution he had really had no design of altering
the religious rate of India, but had a view only to
the European population. He conceived, with the
Chairman, that the subject had been snfficiently ex.
hanged, and that they ought not to proceed too far
into detail. He did not conceive that every person
who thought he might do good in a religious views
should, for that reason, be allowed to go out without
any limitation or controul, nor would he wish to have
any Legislative measure amoupting to a total prohi.
bition. The present protracted examination, in its
present aspect, was not likely to lead the Committee
to any thing connected with the question.
Mr. WILBERFORCE did not think that at the
beginning of an inquiry, they could, with any pro-
priety, fiz to it a definitive bound. From .a general
question, answers would arise that might lead te
questions more in detail. The obligation of farther
inquiry arose from the broad general question. They
'must either abstain from the subject altogether, or be
allowed to satisfy themselves with respect to the whole
of the sabirt:
Sir MARK WOOD submitted to the Chair, if it
might not use its discretion in preventing any clues.
tion that might be thought improper, or n-t to beat
OR the subject ?
Mr. WILBERFORCE declared his determina-
tion not to be prevented from patting any question
that might arise out of the answers, or that might
lead to a better understanding of the subject. Why
were the Hindoos, if practicable, not to h pm a parts.
cipation of the happiness we enjoy both in this life
and in that which is to come ?

Sir HENRY MONTGOMERY declared himself
hostile to any proceeding that would introduce these
sort of people into India.
Lord CASTLEREAGH did not see that the mere
opinions of any person at the bar could have any
great weight in determining the question as to its
practicability or policy.
Sir HENRY MONTGOMERY contended, that
such opinions might be necessary to support the views
that any Member might entertain on the subject.--
He was against interfering at all with the Hindoos
in their religion, and rather than do so, he should
bring forward himself Resolutions to secure to the
Hindoos the exercise of their religion.--( d largh).
Mr. P. MOORE said, he was very glad to find
this discussion of the subject of religion had taken
place, because (from a long residence in India) he
knew it to be of the most vital consequence to the
interests of the East India Company, and to those of
the British empire, that it should be considered with
the greatest care and caution. He, for his own part.
was well convinced, there would be great and immi-
nent danger, in any attempt to interfere or tamper
with the religion of the native Indians. Perhaps
there were no people on the face of the earth more
strongly attached to, or more deeply rooted in, their
religious prejudices, than those of whom he was
speaking. He remembered when he was young. in
India, having a conversation with a Bramin, who
said to him, " Gentlemen may take what they please
from this country, only let poor Bramin gp to GOD
his own way." If it was eves attempted to force
the Christian religion on them, there would be no
safety for any Europeans in that country. Should
the natives unfortunately imbibe the idea, that it was
intended, by force, to make them change their reli-
gion, he verily believed there would be a general
massacre of the Europeans.
Lord CASTLEREAGH then moved, that the
witness should be called in, when
Mr. THOMPSON moved, that all the questions
and answers already taken down respecting the pro.
pagation of Christianity in India, should be erased
from the minutes of evidence.

Mr. TIERNEY did not think that what had al.
ready been taken down should be erased, but was of
opinion they should not proceed farther on this sub.
,sect r and therefore moved that Mr. Graham be called
in, and discharged from any farther attendance at
1 the Bar.

Sir. H. MONTGOMERY wished to know in this
case, what would become of the last Resolution pro-
posed by the Noble Lord ? and therefore moved, that
Mr. Graham be rather called in, in order to answer
what would be the political effects hi India, if such
an Establishment as that proposed were to take place.
(Cries of No, no.)
Mr. CANNING admitted that they bad already
been too particular in the examination ; but if no
question, however general, such as this now proposed.
was allowed to be put, be could not see what would
become of the last Resolution. Either defer the
question to a future discussion, or allow questions to
be put, and the discretion of Gentlemen, he trusted,
would prevent any improper deviation from the ge-
neral subject.
Mr. WILBERFORCE stated, that having re.
ceived a Petition from the Society of Scotland for the
Propagation of Christianity, which he had presented
to the House, he felt himself under an obligation to
do the most to meet their views.

Mr. CANNING thought his Honourable Friend
might reserve the Petition for a future period, or move
that the Petition be referred to the Committee.

After some farther conversation, the question pro.
' posed by Sir Henry Montgomery was withdrawn,
progress to be reported, and leave obtained to sit
again on Wednesday next.
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER
moved, that the Minutes of Evidence taken before
the House this day, be kid before the House and
printed, which was ordered accordingly.
Mt. R. THORNTON moved, That certain ac-
counts of the regulations and forms of Government,
under the Bengal Establishment in India, that now
exist, or may have existed, be laid before the House.
Ordered.
MOTION FOR A SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE SINKING

FUND.

Mr. TIERNEY said, the subject to which he wish•
ed to call the attention of the House was highly iA•
teresting. He admitted the relief from new taxes for
four years to come to be in itself a benefit ; but he
was extremely anxious to impreu upon the House