Star.
London, England, 1812-03-26 00:00:00

Viscount Melville forbears to go into say argument on dill sub-
ject of extoodsog the Ind.a trade, b. cause he could give no %apes
that Goyerstnetit would agree to pi charter founded on the syse
Utn..of exclusion. At to ti‘e cession of the Company's Army,
many prom of consideration had palmed out ihn propriety ell'
it, and circumstances had occurred, since the former communion-
. tion, which bore very par ocularly on that question. If the Com-
pany thought fit to accede to the propositions, means would be
immediately concerted for the liquidatiou of their India debt NA
the renewal oldie Charter.
No. 9—Was the Minute of a Secret Court of Directors, hfld'
on the 2d of March, 1312, which appointed the Chairman, De-
puty Chairman, the Hon. William Elphinstone, Mr. Mills, and
Mr. Parry to wait on his Majesty's Government: At Cris meet•
ing the proposition for the cession of the army was abandoned by
Government.
No. 10—A letter to Viscount Melville, dated March 4, 1812,
in which the Directors reluctantly agree to lay before the Coen
of Proprietors the proposition for opening the trade; at the ante
time expressing their firm opinion that no benefit would follow
from the alteration, but rather mischief, as It would jitterfe..e
with the navigation laws if India-built ships, manned with Indian
sailors, were permitted to navigate to and from this country. it
also contained a long defence of the conduct of the East-India
Company against various charges made in the House of Commons,
and pointed out the great benefits derived by this country from
the trade, u at present carried on. •
_ _

`period equal to that allowed in 1/91. He wOoldbougwr, 10'
tend to any iuggestion that might be offered on tilbeuisjailt. ' He
then proceeded to make some general observations.. In tp; first
place, he stated *that lii4 Mejesty's 'Ministers would net make t
any .proposition to Parliament as to the Charter, to long as the
Conspinyinsisted on the exclusion of individuals, navigating prie
vats ships,frons the trade to India, as was at present the ease.—
herfavosild,*however, still permit them to prevent Europeans
from aettliog in their Indian territory. unless furnished with a
t't
licence from the Company, or allowed so to do by the respec- .
tin Governments. They expected the Company's army to be ,
placed under his Majesty's controul. The principle they meant
to act on was the same as that on which the arrangements of
1784 and 1793 were founded—by which the trade of India
should be preserved--a Government established, suited to the
customs and manners of the inhabitants, and the security of the
Empire—without importing any great degree of power to the
Executive Government at home, or increasing, to any dangerous
extent, the influence of the Crown. p
No. 5.—A letter from the Cl.air man and Deputy Chairman to
the Right Honourable Robert Dundas, dated January 13,1809,
in answer to the foregoing. The letter commenced with the ob-
servation, that the writers would abstain from any discussion of
minor points, as their attention was forcibly called to the two
great propositions with which Mr. Dundas's communication
concluded. The first suggesting an enlargement of the trade to
British India—and the second the transfer of the Indian army to

_. tne Indian army e
Hs Majesty. If those propositions were laid down as what Go- No. 11—A litter to Lord Melville, dated March 18,1814, re-
I
vernment positively intended to carry into execution, the Corn- questing that the new charter might be extended to a hewer pc-
pany would feel the greatest alarm. But, as it was stated, that rind than that of 1795, which was called for by the increase of
lit was their earnest wish to form the new arrangement on the 1 their Indian debt.
bask of those of 1784 and 1793, the Company were satisfied diet No. 12—Was a long series of hints suggested to Lord Melville
they understood the proper made of Government for India—and 1 duties the consideration of the subject, and his observations on
that they conceived those propositions were either on a level them. Amongst the hints, the must prominent, with the an-
with the principle on which the former arrangements proceeded, swens, were—
or were reducible to it. But they were convinced, that if those That ail the private India Trade should be brought to the port
two propositions were acted on by Government in the sense in of London, and the goods so'd at the Company's sales.—Refused.
which they seemed to have been conceived, it would not only • That no private ship should sail for India, except from London.
occasion the destruction of the East India Company's rights, but —Refused.
would utterly over urn the %system of 1784 and 1793. With That silk of a certain quallty should only be exported by the
respect et their opposition to the extension of the private Company.—Refused.
trade, the Company were rot actuated by any selfish motives That no private ship should be allowed to trade under 400 tons
of commercial jealousy.—Of late years the Indian trade, from burthen.—Refused.
the influx of European manufaCtures, the constant wars, and va: Lascar and Chinese sailors to betaken care of wimp brought to
rious other causes, had decreased very much in value. To the this country.—Some regulation necessary on that head.
Company, therefore, the object was not so great as had been ge-s That the unrestricted intercourseof individuah with India should
nerally stated. 'Their opposition arose from a firm conviction, be prevented.—The existing restrictions shall be retained, with
that the evils which the extension of the trade would create both necessary modifications.
to our Etiropean and Indian Empire, were infinitely greater than The number of the King's troops to be maintained by the
the benefits, which even the most sanguine person could expect Company to be now fized.—lt may be done, but a considerable
to derive from it—benefits, however, which, they were sure, addition must be made.
Would never he realized. Before such an alteration was made, The Proprie:ors shall be secured the ten and a half per cent. on
national advantages should be proved as likely to proceed from it, the faith of which the Charter of 1793 was founded.—They shall
and they ought to be contrasted with national dangers. The ex- be secured.
tension, as was evident, could not be of much service to the The surplus revenue to be appropriated to the payment of
manufacturing interest, since the records of the Company, for theirs till they are -reduced to ten miltions.—Agreed to, till the
two centuries, were filled with accounts of their attempts to in- foreign debt is £10,000,000, and the domestic debt 03,000,000.
troduce English manufactures, and their failure. The Dutch The sum becoming due in 1812 end IS to be funded by the hit-
and French had tried the sante experiment, with similar success. nhter, the Company paying the interest.—A proposition to that
The Americans carried out scarcely any manufactures—they effect will be submitted to Parliament.
traded almost wholly with, silver. This appeared to have been No. 13 is a letter from Lord Melville to the Chairman, dated
the case since the time of the Romans---for the articles of prime 17th December, 1811. He adverts to the proposition for renew-
necessity to the natives of India were to be procured so much fug the Charter with the exclusive trade and territorial posses.
cheaper in their own country than they could be imported from signs, and the views of Government as expressed on the subject
any other, that no encouragement was given In manufacturing in 1808 ; but does not feel it requisite to enter minutely into the
speculations. Their wants were extremely few—living princi. arguments and on behalf of the Company. He touches con two
pally on rice, and contented with a cloth round their bodies, points of importance; the first is the transfer of the Company's
they had no use for our manufactures. There were a number of army to the Crown, which, though strongly recounnensed by
persona residing on various parts of the Indian coast, termed many, lie considers as a matter for future arrangement: the se-
coasthig merchants, who were in the habit of dealing at different cond is the plan for transterring the India debt to this country, to
Imarts—at these marts it was also attempted, but in vain, to isle enable them to meet their expected demands. He hopes the
troduce European manufactures. It should be recollected, in ad. time is come, since uncertainty as to the amount of the demands
dition to this, that by the arrangement of 1793, provision was is removed, for providing out of the Company's own resources,
made for appropriating a certain quantity of tonnage borate expor- without public aid, the means of satisfying their Indian creditors.
tatun of British manufactures to India—but it was remarkable, If the Company are willing that the discussions on the charter
that the freight thus provided was very rarely made use of for thou shall proceed as relating to the trade on the principle be pro-
export of woollens or metals, but was chiefly appropriated to poses, he is willing to receive farther suggestions as to the mode
wines, which were shipped out for the use of the British retie to he-pursued.
dents, and certainly could not be considered .s the manufacture Nos. 14, 15, and 16, are merely Minutes of the Secret Court.
of this country. 1 his was a pretty clear proof thet life opening No. 17 is a letter to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman to
would not produce the beneficial elects which were expected.— Lord Melville, dated the 4th of March, 1814. It states that as
But it might be imagined that adventurers would find out new to the trade of India, they conceive themselves precluded tram
!markets in India, which had hitherto been neglected. When, any farther observations by the answers already received to all
I however, it was recollected, that for teree centuries, the Portu- the arguments which they could urge upon that subject. If this
guese had been exploring that country—when it was considered alteration should be with his Majesty's Ministers an indispend-
that the Dutch, Danes, French, and Thighs!), had travelled over ble condition to proposing in Parliament the renewal of 'be Cum.
that immense empire, and some of theta had penetrated even to pany's privileges, the Court would, though reluctantly. offer this
"Upper India—suds a speculation must be considered visionary. measure to the consideration of the Proprietors. They felt them-
For many countries, supposed nut much known, because not vi- selves, however, obliged to state their conviction, that although
sited by European ships, were supplied by private or inland trade this change might be attended with serious inconveniences to the
The letter then stated the different articles which the Company whole frame of their Government. ft would not give to the mice
imported from India, spices, sign &c. and it was inferred that the those commercial advantages which many penults are in the habit
quantity imported by them was fully sufficient even for the con- of contemplating.
sumptien of Europe—and that no increased consumption could be The Court, without meaning to contend that monopoly was
expected in proportion to the number of ships employed In the always advantageous in cases of distant commerce, were oom
private trade. The only question was with respect to cotton, in vinced that an exclusive trade to India was the only one ap.
its raw state ; but that of the East Indies could not be placed in plicable to its peculiar circumstances, and to the preservation of
competition with that of the Braztls or of Geortna, and the our possessions there, and for the truth of this opinion they is-
country would certainly be supplied with the latter, if we re- (erred to the general accounts of the trade of that country.
mained at peace, with America. Vessels, however, could not . The Court, however, hoped that it would be understood that
cake in a lading of cotton only, la it be ever so profitable, some- such military powers as are now vested in the Company would
thing more ponderous must be put on board, as a dead weight ; remain unimpaired, which could alone induce them to expect to
and, if East India sugar were employed for that purpose, it would be able, satisfactorily either for the Company or the public, to
occasion a great loss. Where would a vent be found for it when perform the part which had hitherto been assigned to the Coin-
our warehouses were already full? If the trade were opened in pany in the government of a distant empire; and also that such
the manner proposed, it would lead to the entire subversion of regulations would be adopted as to prevent the dangerous inter-
the Company, both in its political and cdmmercial capacity; and course of Europeans with the East; and that such arrangements
such speculations would take place in consequence, as must lead would be made, wile respect to pecuniary matters, as would ems.
to the ruin of numbers. This was the case when the trade was ble the Company to meet with confidence the present state of
opened by Oliver Cromwell, and also when the competition of their affain. .
the Old and the New Company existed in the beginning of the The Company had 'been accused of having made repeated calls
last century. But these were not the worst consequences—under upon the public for money for the prosecution of ruinous cone
the present system, a vessel wiling from any of the Presidencies cerns, as if they had dissipated large sums in useless undertakings.
was amenable to the laws of that Presidency. This,, however, They were ready, however, to shew, that their commercial affairs
would no longer be the case, if pris a e individuals were allowed (to which alone their management had been restricted) was in-
to proceed from port to port—they might commit frauds and de- variably successful. Ihe disbursements of the Company for
predations on the natives, almost in security, being at too great commerce, for stores, and fur nuns expended in the acquirement
a distance from Europe to be brought to justice, and derid.ng the of territory, with forts, &c. amounted to f 51,182,147, whereas
power of the Company. by this means the eonfidence at pro- the capital of the Company, including bonds at home and other
rent entertained in the British character would be destroyed, and contingent credits at borne and abroad, amounted only to
the subversion of their Indian enipire might be the coosequence. .e2n,567,993, leaving a balance of more than tvrentreight mile
It must also have a powerful effect on the shipping interest lions and an half, which now constituted a permanent debt in
of the country—tor many from those fine vessels which the Come India and in Europe.
patty at present employed, and which were so useful in ear. It was really a matter of astonishment, that from such a capital
rying • oat troops and ammunition, would lie unemployed.— they should be able to make such an expenditure. In every war
Besices, as many of those private merchants Would find it conve- which had taken place since the Company became possessed of
nient to sell at periods different to those fixed on by the Cum- territorial acquis!tions large sums had been expended In capturing
pany, sales of the latter would be very much impaired, and thus the settlements of the French, Dutch, and Danes, and in keep-
their resources for paying bills drawn on them Irons India would ing the same until the political views of the public required them
be greatly lessened. For all these reasons they could not to be restored for other objects in which the Company had no
agree ton ptlpositiou . which deprived them of all their Wei- interest. They had incurred pan of the expence of capturing
leges, but they would willingly enter into a serious inquiry of Ceylon for the Crown, and even of the Egyptian espedition, which
what coneeuipus could be made, without treuching on the prin. the Company always thought ought to have been borne by the
ciple of the arrangement in i 793. The letter next adverted to State. In the second place, ft had often been urged that tee
the proposition for placing the Indian army under his Majesty. Company had been favoured with an exclusive trade. It might,
This the Company resisted, on the ground that it would produce however, be fairly asked, if it were not for this exclusive trade,
dissatisfaction among the Sepoy Officers (to form whom a long would India have now belonged to Great Britain ? Whether the
residence in Ineia was necessary) when they saw young men who'trade would have been of greater magnitude in the hands of fis-
hed I.u:cleated their commissions promoted over their heads— dividuals, yet remained to be proved. This trade had last year
which would tnevhably be the case if the Commander in Chief produced to the public a rev'enue.of £4.213,425, which was colt
under the Crown were vested with the power sought to be ob- le cted with a facility unknown to other concerns. It must also
tained. To penitent such a sycem, the military plan of Marquis be particularly observed, that for the protection of this great
Cornwallis was produced In 1794 When they coneeMplated the I trade, the public were not called upon for any direct centribo-
immense influence which the addition of I ee,ooo men, manned don, while the posseeions of the Crown in every quarter of the
by %d 0 European Officers, each of them likely to be biassed by I globe hay. drawn from them large sums for the maintenance of
the nettle of his an, ointment, must give to the Crown. they could , troops. What had thus been saved to the State, the Company
not advise their constituents to agree to such a proposal, which, : conceived was gamed by the public. Having oored those cur-
however, they hot ed would not 'se insisted on. ; sory observations, he should refer to the amounts subjoined to
No, 6--Wide the Minute of whet passed at an interview he. . this letter.
116. R. Punches and the Chairman and Deputy Chairman, on the . Nes. 18 and 19, are merely minutes of the Secret Court 4
I Februery,46o9, in which the fare ser expressed his wish Directors.
Hints approved by the CommitteeLof C
that the ;impost:ion to Par lament should be put off till the fol.and sub.
hair g Session, as the Company did not want financial assistance mined to the consideration of the Bight Hon. Lord Attlville. .
UV January, 1210, which won 0 rive the Committee of the House . That the renewal of the Chace; shall proceed upon the bailie
I o(Cornmetis, the n iovestigaties the Conipeny'e affairs, an opour-
of ;he Act of 1793, and that no greater extepuon of the trade
I tunity of' laying their Report before the 1:01:5e. Ihe Cbairrnan shall be granted than what was allowed by that Act : but the
I and Deputy Chairmen expr.wed their earnest wish for the Sub- Deputation are ready to recommend to the Court of Directors,
Jett, it possible, to bc inunedlately entertained, and if not, early and uenna,,,ll, to the Court of eroprietora, to admit such nledi-
la the near Sesame. fications as may be deemed necessery to give greats, facilities to
'No. 7—A letter from the Chairman and Deputy Chairman to the private trader.
Mr. Duneas, dated Llee. 5, 1 tio9, expressing the desire of the lac. No Briiala or Indian ship to sail, directly nr terenitesualy,
Company that the subject of the renewal of the Charter should front ' a British port in Europa to Chi
he brought on early io the Sesaion,;s the state of the Indian debt Yd. - • . - Chin.
tendered public aaistance necessary. No mouth subject to be perntheed to reside In ;boa,
without the Cosupeay's 'imam
No. B—A letter irons Viscount Melville to the Channels and sd. Po goods, the. growth or of Chins, to be import,
Deputy Chairmau, dated Dec. Ig, I git, which edited the earn- A into any of the pats of the puling poideop eior by the
inuoication of the Company o the 13th Jan. ;IM m i 15111422. Eaatelndia COUlanp. . •
.. .