Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

court, I request your attention for a few minutes. My opinion, Sir, upon that important subject upon which I lately had the honour of addressing you, has undergone no change. I still think, and, until all recollection of India, and of the peculiar opinions and habits of the natives of India, be obliterated from my mind, I must, Sir, continue to think, that any offence to the immense population of India, by violent or indiscreet interference in those opinions, which, however absurd, the natives do hold most dear, will be productive of consequences, which every friend to humanity, every friend to the East India company, every friend to the dearest interests of Great Britain would sincerely lament. But, Sir, though I am convinced of this, I am also convinced that the public discussion in a general court, of a subject so delicate, and so exposed to unfair misconstruction, may also be attended with very serious consequences. In a debate heated, as such a debate would now be, with the religious feelings of men, nay, I believe, I may now say with the religious feelings of the country at large, many things must be said, which ought not, on any account, to reach the ears of the natives of India. There is also another consideration, which, as a personal consideration, ought not, perhaps, to influence my conduct upon a public measure, but, Sir, I cannot envy the sentiments or sensibility of the man who could not feel, in some degree, the influence of the impression I allude to. This question which, as originally agitated by me, was, in my opinion, and, I think, was properly and strictly, a political

question, has now become a religious one, and I certainly do not feel very desirous of appearing to this court, and to the country, as if I really were an enemy to that religion, which I value infinitely more than my existence. Under these circumstanstances, I am willing-nay, Sir, I am most anxious, before a general court is declared, to try whether such a step cannot yet be avoided. If therefore, Sir, you will, in this public manner, and under the authority of the gentlemen behind the bar, assure me that the court of directors is really disposed to pay every attention to the religious opinions of the natives of India, and if you will, moreover, assure me, that measures either have been, or shall be adopted, tending to restore and to preserve to the natives, that perfect and happy tranquillity in their religious concerns, which they have hitherto enjoyed, then you will, Sir, in my opinion, and, I believe, in the opinion of every gentleman concurring with me on this occasion, remove the necessity of farther proceedings. In candour to the hon. gentleman on your right hand, (Mr. C. Grant) and in justice to myself, I think it proper to take this opportunity of noticing the illiberal and unjust imputations, that I have been influenced by personal hostility towards the gentleman.---When I disclaim motives so unworthy and dishonourable, I am sure I shall be believed by every gentleman who has the slightest knowledge of my character and disposition, and I trust by the honourable gentleman himself. There is, indeed, one allusion to the honourable deputy,

which

which I now find incorrect, but it is so very trifling, that I am sure the honourable gentleman has too much liberality to infer any sentiment of personal hostility from such a circumstance.

The Rev. Mr. Owen was proceeding to enter into a discussion of the question, when he was called to order by

Mr. T. Twining, who was very sorry to interrupt the Rev. gentleman, but if that gentieman should really proceed to enter into a discussion of the general subject, it must be obvious that the object of his moderate and conciliatory reference to the chair would be completely defeated; in which case, it would be as well to determine at once to call a general court, for the special consideration of the question.

The Chairman concurred in the propriety of the call to order. In answer to the question put to the directors, by the worthy mover, he could assure him that the point to which he had alluded had not escaped the attention of the board. It was their object in every respect to discharge their duty; and he trusted the worthy proprietor, and the court in general, would not take it for granted that they had deserted it in this instance more than in any other.

Mr. Alderman Prinsep could not esteem what had fallen from the honourable chairiran a satisfactory answer to the question put by the worthy proprietor (Mr. Twining.) He was proceeding to enlarge on the subject, when

The Chairman said as one member had been already called to order for entering into an argument on the subject, it was impossible that any other member could be

heard. There was now no question before the court, and they had nothing to do but to adjourn. He immediately, therefore, put the question for adjournment, which was carried in the affirmative.

Mr. Alderman Prinsep and Mr. Twining both attempted still to be heard; but the chairman informed them, it could only be by a new notice.-Adjourned.

March 25. This day a quarterly meeting was held at the East India house, when the chairman communicated several resolutions, one of which was for the restoration to the service of that valuable servant, Mr. Pole. Mr. Lowndes, and other gentlemen, attended for the purpose of putting some questions as to the present state of India, but the court was adjourned so expeditiously, as to prevent Mr. Lowndes from stating his questions.

April 8. This day a meeting was held for the purpose of electing six new directors, to replace those that go out by rotation. A scrutiny was demanded, which closed on the ninth, at seven o'clock in the morning, when the scrutineers reported the number of votes that had been entered and accepted, which appeared as follow:

Cha es Grant, Esq.
Sweeney Toone, Esq.
William Thornton, Esq.

1523

1499

1307

George Smith, Esq.

1239

[blocks in formation]

stock holders had voted on this occasion;-a larger number than has been known to vote on any preceding occasion.

The court met on the 16th and 17th of June, third and seventh of July, and 27th of September, on routine business.

7

MISCELLANY.

Observations on the printed Draft of a proposed letter, marked No. 128, from the Court of Directors, under date 4th April, 1805, to the Government of Bengal, which was rejected by the Board of

Control.

PREVIOU LY to the discussion of the various points contained in the paper marked No. 128, it is expedient to state, that without a most minute examination of the records of the whole of Lord Wellesley's government, and without personal reference to the gentlemen who officiated as secretaries during Lord Wellesley's administration, it is extremely difficult to prepare a reply to charges, the greater part of which relate to matters of official detail, already decided in the usual course of official correspondence. The paper No. 128 was written nearly four months after the appointment of Lord Cornwallis to succeed Lord Wellesley in the government-general of India. From the voluminous nature of its conten's, and from the variety of topics which are discussed in it, embracing almost every branch of an administration of upwards of seven years in duration, it is evident, that a considerable period of time would elapse before the paper could pass through the official forms prescribed by the legislature, even s pposing that the board of control had considered it to be proper to sanction the transmission of the paper to India. At the same time, as far as the court of directors could form any judgment of Lord Wellesley's intentions with respect to his return to England, they had every reason to expect, from the tenor of Lord Wellesley's dispatch of the 14th March, 1804, that he would have embarked for Europe either in the months of December, 1804, or January, 1805. In fact, the St. Fiorenzo frigate had been prepared for Lord Wellesley's accommodation, and was for some time in the Hooghly river for the purpose of conveying him to England. The court of directors therefore must have known, that the paper No. 128 could not possibly reach India during Lord Wellesley's residence in that country; and as the paper refers in most points to Lord Wellesley's personal conduct, this proceeding appears to be inconsistent with the liberality and justice due from the honorable court to a person, who (however condemned in the present temper of the court) has received so many testimonies of the gratitude and approbation of the company, for his successful exertions in their service.

Had the paper No. 128 been permitted to reach India during the existence of Lord Wellesley's government, no difficulty would have occurred in transmitting a regular reply to the numerous charges which the court of directors has been pleased to accumulate in their proposed draft. It is evident that at this distance from India, without the means of obtaining the information which is necessary for the purpose of a minute examination of the grounds of complaint stated by the honourable court, any reply to the paper No. 128 must be defective. Under all these disadvantages, however, it is hoped, that sufficient evidence may be adduced to prove, that the charges contained in this paper are inaccurate and unjust, and that the conduct of Lord Wellesicy is utterly undeserving of the construction which has been given to it by the court, in the imputation of motives which never existed in his mind, and never influenced one act of his administration.

It is proposed to adopt the same plan which the court has followed in the draft No. 128, and to reply to that document, as far as may be practicable, paragraph by paragraph, in the same order which has been observed by the court.

VOL. 9.

* A

COURT'S

COURT'S DRAFT,

No. 128. Paragraph I. Refers toa former dispatch, in which the court signified their intention of delivering their sentiments on the measures of Lord Wellesley's government: the court has on several occasions been called upon to bestow their warmest commendation on the measures of the Marquis Wellesley. It is with the sincerest regret that the court have seen other proceedings, which it was impossible for them to contemplate with satisfaction. The court then proceed to state the grounds of their displea sure, and declare their intention of proceeding to state the transactions which are necessary to unfold, and substantiate the positions which they have advanced.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE COURT'S DRAFT,

No. 128.

Paragraph I. This severe censure of the court is stated to be grounded on the facts enumerated in the subsequent paragraphs: it is confidently hoped that the explanation which will be given of those facts will prove that the court's censure is at least unmerited.

2. With regard to the first point, viz. the separate correspondence, it may be observed, that although for reasons which will hereafter appear, various letters have been written and signed by the governor-general only; all these letters have uniformly been written not only with the knowledge, but with the concurrence of the members of council. The whole of this question has been fully discussed in the letter from the governor-general in council, under date the 20th May, 1805, an extract of which is given hereafter. The correspondence with the government at home also furnishe evidence, that letters bearing the signature of the governor-general only, have nevertheless been written with the knowledge and concurrence of the members of council. In the letter from the governor-general in council, dated 23d April, 1800, to the secret committee, paragraph 2d, it is stated: "This dispatch, although bearing only the signature of the governor-general, and for the reasons assigned in it, addressed individually to Lord Clive, was written with our knowledge and entire concurrence."

3. In the governor-general's minute in the secret de2d. Paragraph. Infrac- partment, dated Fort William, 12th June, 1800, on tion of the law, and the recording the Oude correspondence, it is observed, constitutional authority" These documents have been already from time to time communicated to the members in council." Other instances will be found by referring to the proceedings of government, which afford abundant evidence that no measure was adopted during Lord Wellesley's government without the entire concurrence of the members of council. In fact, so cordial was the intercourse between all the members of the government, that during the whole period of Lord Wellesley's adminis tration, no member of council has ever recorded a dissent to any proceeding, which took place during that long and eventful period.

and rights of the council, founded upon the 24th section of the act of the 33d of his present majesty, cap. 52, and act 13th George III. cap. 48. sec. 8. The instances adduced on this subject are, 1st. The separate correspondence with the subordinate governments. Paragraphs 2 and 3.

2d. The appointment of Mr. Henry Wellesley to conduct a negotiation at Lucknow; the circumstance of his instructions being signed by the governor-general only, and his appointment to be lieut.governor of Oude. Paragraph 4 and 5.

3d. The extraordinary powers granted to General's Lake and Wellesley. Paragraph 6.

4th. That the governorgeneral had recorded miMutes at councils at which

4. But the court of directors observes, that some part of the separate correspondence has never been recorded. The reason is, that much of the separate correspondence contained discussions upon measures in contemplation, and a mere communication of opinions between the parties concerned in the correspondence. It often happened that these measures were not carried into execution; on some occasions they were adopted in a different form, and upon these occasions, the sepa rate correspondence was not recorded. It was necessary to record it only when a measure was to be carried into execution according to the orders of the supreme autho ity, and then it served to strengthen the hands of the governor to whom it was addressed in his own council.

5. The public service could not proceed, especially in time of war, if all separate correspondence between the governors abroad should cease: "constant commu

nication

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »