New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-10-07
REMONSTRANCE OF CALCUTTA MERCHANTS
AGAINST THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.

Ats meeting of merchants and others al Calsutts,
held on the "a Of August, Sir A. ID. H. Larpent Bart
in the chair the annexed petition to the Home Legs
Petition Of The british Inhabitants Of Calcutta {, TIE Loyd
and Commons Of Cyea: B''tai" and ITeasd il P1a@eat
"The humble petition of the undersigned British in
habitsnts of Calcutta most humbly showeth;
"That your petitioners view with daily increasing
anxiety and alarm the condition and prospects of Brit
ish ILdia.
"They do not despair Of its speedy recoaluest by
the forces Of her Meiesty, but it Is undenisoe that
with the exception of three or fou places OF strength
the whole Of the ncrth-wes' provinces az well az TIE
newly acquired kingdom of Dude, is lost for the
presept. In addition 10 which Iirhoot, Behar aud
Cbota Nagpore are in danger:
~ Throughout India the native belief IL the prestige
of British power has been destroyed, and where the
Asiatic has no dread OF ply force he has no re-
spect for moral influence.
Over thousands Of square miles, where three
months aimee Enclishmen travelled in security
armed at this moment European women for them
selves and their children court speedy death SIS a
blessiDg ,.,...o. 49,, ,,,.;,.,
ed remains Of our countrywomen and their children,
and the bodies Of British soldiers and unsrmed mon
" The government. OF the East India Company, TO
whose care the interests of Great Britain In the East
have been confded, possess from their constitution
absolute power. They have perpetual majority IL
the Legislative Council, which is composed entirely OF
official persons. . 49, ..
Tley have the cole appointment to all Offices with
the exception only of those Of the Governor
the Commander. in Chief and the judges OF the So
| prene Court.
There are no private or corporate rights that can
be eec.uay opposed to them, nor IS there any rspe
| sentation Of public opinion.
"In the country desolated by the rebels there are
hundreds Of civil servants, judges magistrates, ana
collectors village chow kedars, and policemen II tens
of thousands and more than 600 commissioned mil
| itary officers European and native and yet, II we
may believe the Government, there was not In all TINS
vast establishment TO be found one person to acquant
the auihO mites OF the existence OF conspiracy spreau
over countries many tunes larger than the area oi the
british Isles, and in which upward OF hundred thou
| sand soldiers have joined
"The rebellion broke ont, aud found tbs Gove!n'
| ment totally unprepared. No efficient commIssarat,
| no organized means Of procuring intelligence, ana,
| with few brilliant exceptions, no men OF suihcienl
| capacity for the emergency. AT the commencement
of the outbreak Delhi the largest arsenal OF ordnance
| in the northwest OF India, the important military
depot Of Caynpoye aud the fortress and arsenal OF
| Aiahabad. the kew of the Lower Provinces, were
without single European soldier = deiend thom'
The two former fell into the hands OF the insurgents.
ION the 18th of May last when NUMBER of regi-
ments were in open revolt, when many treasures had
be.n puLdered and various important stations fallen
into the hands of the rebels, the Secretary 10 the
| Home Department officially informed the inhabitants
Of Calcutta in answer 10 loyal addresses rendering
aid and personal service, that the mischief caused
by passing and groundess panic had already been
arrested ana that there was every reason 70 hope
that in the course OF few days tranquility end
'corSdence would be restored throughout the 'Pses
'dency.'
"Ffom that hour 10 the present the policy of Gov
ernment hiss not undergone the slightest change. In
the teeth ct events the most startling IN defiance o.
warnings the most emphatic they steadily persisted
Ignoring the fact OF dagger for which they ha>made
| DO preparation.
"on The 18th of june they passed a Law which de-
sircyed the liberty of the press, and placed every
lounI IN India at the absolute feet OF the executive
| authority.
| Your petitioners refrain from here commenting OF
this act Of the COYoTnsaent, uncRled for 5y the
SOD pugn9nt 10 lii.ish feeling and suby,rsve OF
the pit" les of Tie British Constitution This wa.
done al time when The Government were Ieceiv 90
uuyerssi support from The English portion OF he prsss
Your petitioners fell themselves bitterly acsrevei
by the attempted imposition Of wha: Is known as tht
Black Act but then feelings in that respect never hin
deied .heln Tor moment in coming forward 10 asst
| the Government; with heart and hand. Their offer.
were colby declined thoush ultimately accepted wien
eaDger was too apparent! Al the preseH. iuJne1. oo
only does Calcutta owe Its chief security Eiropea.
volunteers. but Government have Invited the enroll
rent Of psid corps for service in the interior
L" The whole trade Of the Presidency has suffered
or le; mary branches oft ars ruined entirely
The sale Of imports Is almost nominal The cotton good
of England are ret to be disposed Of even at gre /,
sacrifices. The export OF slk, indigo ard sugar and
other articles of export viii sEiiur ccnsi1erabls DIM
mutton for seasons to in conscq lence Of the
destruction OF many factories and the loss of much
capiia; .tn. ,. ;...,,
,lst faure, with all is Indian horrors, will follow
To remedy all these evils, and 20 FIX on q frmev
basis the British power in the Ea, your petitioner.
| can alone appeal 20 'hc British naion.
Your petitioners can look for TO redress 20 the
nowgrs 10 whom the government. of hs grea. couiry
Is delegated they have shown themselves uaequa K
the task.
neither men. rrcrey For credit; VIA. credit they hsi
vas destroyed ty ilsI conduct IN toe i"te tninclA
| Cpefat Vns