Star.
London, England, 1824-03-25 00:00:00

EAST INDIA HOUSE.

Yesterday, a Quarterly General Coost *as held at the
East India House, when the CriAseris laid before the
Court several papers relating to the allowances, compen-
sations, and superannuations, granted under the by-laws.
TheCH A I RatAN having put the queition of adjournment,
Mr. DOUGLAS KINNAIRD rose, and asked what pro-
gress had been made by the Court of Directors, in the
selection of the papers ordered by the COtut of Proprie-
tors, respecting the Marquis of Hastings's administra-
tion of India? He was aware that some time was ne-
cessary to select such voluminous papers, and that it
was advisable they should not be distributed until the
whole were printed in a collected form: but he thought
that it would be very desirable, pending the prngi ess of
selection, that some general information should be com-
municated respecting their tenour, as it might be deemed
necessary to call for other papers than those which were
deemed sufficient by the Court of Directors. He of
course supposed that the selection would comprise a
general view of the military, political, and financial ad-
ministration of the Noble Marquis. lie begged also to ask
if it were intended to print, among the others, an expos
drawn up by Lord Hastings himself upon this subject ?
These were likewise some other papers which had, he
understood, been transmitted to the Court of Directors,
and he was anxious to know whether they would be in-
cluded ?mong the papers intended to be printed ?
The CHAIRMAN, in answer to the questions k% hiCh had
been put, said, that progross had been made in the se-
lection of the pipers alluded to, and arrangements en-
tered into for having them printed; but it was not in-
ter.ded to deliver any part until the whole were com•
pleted. The paper or expos(' of the Marquis of Hastings
would most undoubtedly be printed with the rest, as
well as the other papers alluded to, if he understood the
Honourable Proprietor to refer to certain papers sent in
to the Court of Directors by an Honourable Baronet-.
The papers respecting Messrs. Palmer's house would be
also torthcoming—ot course those relating to the Nepali],
Maliratta, and Pindarree wars, with political docu-
ments connected with those events, would be included
among the others. The military part of the selection
was nearly completed, and no doubt every facility
would be afforded to the Honourable Mover and his
fritnds, to consider whether •aey other papers besides
those selected by the Court of Directors were necessary
for his view of the subject.
Mr. DOUGLAS KINNAIRD.,asked whether any idea.
could be formed of the time when the papers would be,
ready for deliveiy ?
The CHAIRMAN was sorry to sly that 'he could not
define the time, as the political selection had not been
yet determined upon; for some of the papers were in
the possession of the Secret Committee, and an appli•
cation had been made to the Board of Controul for
permission to produce them. Until the answer was
known, lie could not say when these papers would be
ready ; but he could assure the Honourable Proprietor
that the Court of Directors would lose no time in com-
pleting the necessary selection.
Mr. DOUGLAS KINNAIRD said that it was very de-
sirable to know, as soon as possible, how far the Board
of Controul n.eant to comply with the requisition
transmitted respecting the secret documents; for if they
were not forthcoming, the Court of Proprietors might
be placed in an embarrassing situation when they came
to discuss the general question.
TheCtsitiam AN wished it to be distinctly understood,
that he did not say these papers Would be withhed;
but he could give no positive answer until the opinion
applied for was given.
Mr. TRANT said, that as financial papers were al-
luded to, he thought it would be desirable that a state-
ment should be made, sliming the revenues of the
ceded territories under the Bengal Administration, at
the time when the Marquis Wellesley was at the head
of the Indian Government, and when the Marquis of
Hastings was there. These papers might become ma-
terial, although at first view their connection was not
so apparent.
The CHAIRMAN replied, that every paper would be
produced which was calculated to elucidate the Marquis
of Hastings's Administration in India.
On the question of adjournment being again put,
General THORNTON rose to submit a motion.
The CHAIRMAN informed him that he might put a
question; but that no motion could supersede-the one
for adjournment, according to the, practice of the Court.
General Tuottirroe persisted in pressing upon the
consideration of the Court the following Resolution; his
object being, he said, to have it put on record, to stand
as a suggestion to the Court of Directors :
" Resolved, That it be recommended to the Court of Directors
to take into immediate consideration the propriety of giving the ne-
cessary notice for the purpose of a reduction of the present annual
iiitoest of aa per cent. paid on India Bonds; a measure which, it
appears to this Court, would not only be beneficial to the Pro-
pt ietors, but likewise advantageous to the Public ; the present pre-
mium per centum paid for India Bonds being about 80s. rendering
it manifest that the existing interest is unnecessarily high, and there-
lore injurious to the Proprietors, whilst the Public is deprived of
that accommodation which India Bonds, at a moderate premium,
are so well calculated to afford."

A long conversation then took place between the
CHAIRMAN, Deputy CHAIRMAN, Mr. 1). K INNAIRD,
and General THORNTON, upon the point of order, when
at length the Hou: General permitted his motion to
stand as a notice for the next Court.