Delaware journal., 1827-11-09

knowledge. We would have them evince the inter.
es they feel in this subject, by lurlhering the views
and aiding the Efforts Of those individuals, who have
time and abilities to devote to its advancement.
From the press, the pulpit and the forum. appeals
are occasionally made to the good sense OF the peo-
Pile IN favour of the dissemination of knowledge,
and these are not, cannot be made in vain. BY the
exertlons already made, our country has profted
signaly, and the moral and intellectual mprove-
ment evident to the observer, is an earnest of what
may be effected by continued and we'll directed ef.
forts. 1t is the general intelligence of the people,
as we'll as facility with which knowledge is actiuir-
ed, that distinguishes our happy country from the
less favored nations of Europe, whose yopth have
within their reach fewer of the advantages which are
free and common to the American youth.
BRITISH EAST INDIA coMPANY.---This singular
corporation,-. Mrs. Company" as the native Hin.
docs call it's of the anomalies Of which the
British Government presents us with good many
eXampes.-What subtracons it makes from the
commerce. of England, not to speak of its effects
India itself, may be guessed from few particulars
which we find in the Oriental Herald, in regard to
the resources ofthe Company. These consist, first
of all, in the profits of the exclusive trade with Chi
na which notwithstanding that trade is conducted in
the most eXtravagant manner, must necessarily be-
extremely productive TO the Company, from being
thus entirely in their hands and from the circum-
stance that Tea, the principal commodity brought
from that country, is an article used by nearly eve
ry individual in Great Brtain.--lts price in Eng
land, from this monopoly, is four times greater than
on the continent of Europe, or in America, or than
it could be obtained for in England ifthe trade
free. second source of profit is the revenue
arising in India itself from two monopolies,-one of
opium, the other Of salt on the first of which they
make profit of 700 or 800 per cent and on the
second, Of $50 per cent. By the one they destroy
the health well the morals of the people, over
China and the Malay islands as to the second they
force its manufacture by the greatest cruetes exer
cised on the natyes and then lay hisenormous tax
on the only condmen by which they can render pal
atable their miserable meal of boiled rice. The re-
naming revenue is from taxes justice, in the
shape of stamps, and from tax on land. This last
is not tenth OF its produce, which is considered
i'll England so undue portion for the support ofthe
Clergy,but OF eaths the other tenth being left
to the miserable cultivaor to subsst on, and turn-
Ish seed and materials for sowing and reaping an
other harvest This is really verifying the wits
saying, that :. the people in this world may be diyi
ded into hammers and anvils, those who are made
to smte, and those who are created 10 be smitten.
As the legislature will not permit the Company to
divide more than lOa per cent, it might be thought
at first sight, that this would have the happy effect
Of making them remit the taxes in India. But this
they never do. Though they cannot divide the
enormous revenue among themselves, they Can spend
il to enrich their relatives dependents and they
continue to drain the country to the lowest ebb, re-
paying the starving and oppressed natives by Civ
ing them the Trial by Jury The trade with India
mot including that with China.) involves an immense
annual loss their ships actually sailing at an expense
OF EGO ton, while smaller traders perform the voy
age at is ton. They continue to trade however,
because they chartered to trade, and must do it
as condition of their existence. Bengal is obliged
to pay the deficiency of Madras and Bombay, those
two presidencies, Notwithstanding their vast acces-
sons ofterritory, being inadequate to pay their own
expenses. The Company, witha, actually requires
loans from time to time, to pay its fixed dividend Of
l0a per cent. 1t is difficult to imagine mtre gi-
gantic system Of mischievous government, ruinous
monopoly, and bad economy, than this of sMrs.
Company which must one day justify the appella-
Ion bestowed on it, by expiring after too long life
of mixed decrepitude and mischievousness.
-n:oo:p-
AMERICAN SYSTEM