Star.
London, England, 1813-06-22 00:00:00

ruff

licenses, the most liable of all instruments to be
abused, as some late instances (without meaning any
blame to any of his Majesty's Ministers) had abun-
dantly shewn. It was not of them, but of the system
that he complained. As to the monopoly itself,
there was no reason why its existence should warrant
its continuance. The trade carried on by foreigners
was subject to none of those inconveniences of which
the British merchant complained. Neither could he
tee why China and Canton should be shut out from
open trade:. If monopoly was to be abolished in In-
dia, why not in China too, where trade is wholly un-
connected with the political gaveynment ? From a
desire to preserve a balance between the Company and
the free trader, it had been deemed expedient for the
Company to preserve a monopoly in China, and to
conduct a losing commerce with the free trader.—
Various inquiries it was incumbent on their Lordships
to make. Among others, the maintenance of troops
under the Company; to distinguish between the com-
mercial and the political interest of the Company
and of the empire. In short, the plan proposed
appeared to him a monstrous attempt to sustain a
monopoly and a free trade, and thereby laying a
foundation for perpetual conflict and disunion.—
It would give to the Government of India an interest
distinct from that of all other governments that ever
existed; a free trade to an arbitrary ruler, himself
a trader. One or ,the other must be destroyed in a
struggle that might be fatal to the Indian Empire.
—lt was like that ancient act of capricious tyranny,
the fastening of a living body to a dead one.
The former could not quicken the latter,"but must
inevitably be embarrassed by it. He should prefer a
much mere simple plan. Why, he would ask, should
the charter be extended to 20 years, when changes in
three or four might furnish reason for regret at such
extension ? There was no one who considered the
magnitude of the objects in question but must see
the necessity of pause and circumspection. It was a
question which, in .its consequences, would fix upon
that House, and upon the nation, the character either
of lasting Lemour or eternal disgrace. He concluded
with moving that the Report of the Committee be
brought up that day three months.
L(lrd I\lE LVILLE defended the Resolutions, and
the system to be founded upon them, by the practical
efficiency of the measures in 1793, on which they
were formed ; and maintained, that no want of
formation could taiily be urged by any Noble Lord
on a subject that had so long been under their con-
templation.

The Earl of LAUDERDALE, notwithstanding
what had been said of ample time and deep consider-
ation on a subject by no means new, maintained that
the time for deliberation had not been sufficient, and
the subject was in substance and effect really new.—
Even if it had been literally copied from the Bill of
]793, it would virtually be new at present, when
within 20 years the extent both of territory and re-
venue in India had been doubled. The revenue being
at present twenty miilioas, and the amount of debts
four times what it was in 1793. The measures, so
far as they had been tried, had comeletely failed in
every par: of them ; and he would tell the Noble,
Lord opposite ( Lord Melville) and his noble father,
were he niiw living, that the free made about to be
opened was a pet feet chimera—a complete delusion.
They were, however, unqualified to cone to a deci-
sion, for on every point information was wanting.—
Amongst other things, they had failed in making in• .
quiries respi-ctieg what ought to have occiipied their
first attention—the ieternal state and condition of the
people of India, with the view of ascertaining linw
they were affected by the present syi-tem, and whe-
ther the Cc nip:ivy was really fit to continue the
G veromerit of India, or whether a radical change
was riot wanting ? This had not been done—no such
inquiry had been made. With the intent of throwing
light on many of these points, he had on some occa-
sions, moved for many papers; but he had met with
that sort of systematic opposition from the Noble
Lords on the other side, which soon cooled his ardour
and made him abandon a course of proceeding from
Which tie was so likely to gain so little benefit. ''Of
the present Parliament, however, he had hoped better
things, He had hoped that even Ministers would
have gone into something liko decent inquiry. The
Noble Lord (Buckinghamshire) to be sure had given
hem all his information on the subject—and he had
welled some time in India, and therefore must know
good deal ; and the servants of the Company too,
all honourable men," very honourable, men had
• yen their information .on the subject ; but after
•II this splendid display, what real light had been
hrown on thedifficulties and doubts which surrounded
he question ? With respect to the Government of
ndia, he should like some of the Noble Lords oppo-
ite to tell him that it could be carried on with some
2 or 24-Directors—that they could govern 60,000,000
if people. Ir they were to say any thing of the kind,
hey would assert what was belied by the experience
f all ages and by all the best theories of good govern-
ent. Who would, who could have the boldness to
- y that 21 Directors could govern such an immense
opulation at such a distance from them ? To make
ch an asstrtion, or, that the government of India
stild not be carried on without die Directors, would
a libel on that excellent Constitution which they
11 professed so mncli to admire. In 1793 they had
eard a good deal about a surplus revenue—but on
fat head the Ministers were now silent. To continue
to Government in its present form, or in its sug-
ested form, would be a robbery—would be impove-
siting the country by a constant drain without any
!turn. In conclusion, lie told their Lordships, that
; renew the Charter would be the grossest breach of
ith, and the grossest act of injustice, that could be
terrnined on by any set Of Ministers.
The Fail of BUCKINGHAMSHIRE shortly
died to Lord Lauderdale.

The Earl of Itot.,,,LYN and the Zerl of BuotiNcioem-
RE explained as to the ononwr in which the lour
onti sLoidel be nt: t.

.ord CLANCAItTY was of Ppinion, that the
intents of the Noble L rds opposite in favour of
advantages that ruig!.t result to the private
lcr were extrcniel) ta.lacious, and c,iicoisto d
mach injury. Shacked as the private trade hi-
qo had gren, much Littera resulted !runt it ; anu
:otifidently looked fi.r,vard to the realization o
•eased ben, fi. s to to pict C traJur, provide, the
'ate tra.le was kept ‘sit:uit hounds 01 a chili accei
had heretofore anarkd the teatrictions. The

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