221]

Petition from Mayo, &c.
turing towns, have for some time past ex-
perienced much inconvenience, and been
subjected to many and severe privations,
from the stagnation of trade; and that,
considering this stagnation to arise in a
great degree from the unprecedented mea-
sures resorted to by the government of
France, for excluding our commerce from
the continent of Europe, and believing the
war in which the country is engaged to
have been forced upon it, and that the
government of the United Kingdom has
no alternative but to persevere, and bring
it to an honourable conclusion, the Peti-
tioners have hitherto submitted, and will
continue cheerfully to submit, to those
privations; and that, whilst this is their
determination, and whilst they observe
that France is about to extend her anti-
commercial regulations, the Petitioners can-
not but consider it as a most fortunate oc-
currence that the existing charter of the
East India Company is about to expire,
because the legislature will thereby be
enabled to open up the trade to India, and
thus a ready channel will be found into
which the capital and enterprize of the
British merchant in general may be turn
ed with advantage, it is humbly conceived
to the kingdom at large; and that the
adoption of such a measure will afford
great relief to the manufacturing interest,
and counteract so far the designs of the
enemy, now peculiarly levelled against
our trade; and that the Petitioners feel it
would be improperly consuming the time
of the House, were they to enter into any
lengthened detail on the subject, the more
especially as the matter is very fully and
ably discussed in several applications from
the first commercial bodies, now lying on
the table; and praying the House to take
the subject into serious consideration, and
either to open up the trade to India and
China generally, by refusing to continue
the commercial monopoly of the East In-
dia Company, or to do so to such extent
at least as may afford some vent for a free
trade, which will have a most beneficial
effect, the Petitioners are convinced, on
the commercial concerns of the nation."

And the said Petitions were ordered to
He upon the table.

PETITION FROM MAYO RESPECTING THE ROMAN CATHOLICS OF IRELAND.] Colonel Dillon presented a Petition from the Freeholders of the county of Mayo, praying the extension of a constitutional privilege to their Roman Catholic fellow subjects.

He stated the Petition to have been resolv-
ed upon unanimously, by one of the
largest county meetings he ever remem-
bered to have taken place in that county.
This was no inadequate criterion of the
general sense of that county in favour of
the Catholic claims, the freeholders of
which exceed eleven thousand. He stated
also that the Sheriff who presided at the
meeting had signed the Petition. The
Petition was then read, setting forth,

"That, at the time of his present Majesty's
acession to the throne of these realms, the
laws in force against his Roman Catholic
subjects of Ireland deprived them of most
of the rights of Irishmen, and of several of
the common rights of mankind; that, by
the acts of 1778 of the Irish Parliament,
recommended by his Majesty, Roman
Catholics were empowered to vest the
fruits of their industry in landed property,
from which auspicious period the Petition-
ers observe the improvement of that coun-
try, in its agriculture, in its commerce,
and in all the enjoyments and improve-
ments of social life: immediately after
this repeal followed a war between Eng-
land and France, when, the whole army
being withdrawn from Ireland, its defence
was necessarily intrusted to its own people,
of which his Majesty's Roman Catholic
subjects form so considerable a proportion;
they, in common with their fellow subjects
of every other persuasion, stood forward a
volunteer army for its defence, at a time
when there was a French navy, and a
power of invading their country, and did
by so standing forward, as is known, pre-
vent an invasion of Ireland; some years
after, in the 32d and 33d years of his Ma-
jesty's reign, by the special recommend-
ation of his Majesty to his parliament of
Ireland, a further relaxation of those re-
strictive laws against Roman Catholics
took place; they were admitted by the
legislature to vote at elections for mem-
bers of parliament, and thereby to derive
political power and consequence from
that land which the former liberality and
good sense of the legislature had allowed
them to acquire; they were allowed to
hold most of the employments of the law
and the revenue; they were allowed to
hold commissions in the army and navy ;
most situations of honour and emolument
were opened to them; from which period
the Petitioners have seen talents added to
the war, and strength and efficiency to
the army; they have seen the triumph of
British armies officered by Roman Catho-

the British territories in India, together with their exclusive trade, under certain limitations, for establishing further regu

lics; they have seen the triumphs of the British navy increased: and they have seen as conscientious a discharge of all public duties performed by Roman Catho-lations for the government of the said terlics of Ireland, in all situations, as by any ritories, and the better administration of other classes of his Majesty's subjects: justice within the same, for appropriating those restrictive laws are to the present to certain uses the revenues and profits race of Protestants matter of history only, of the said Company, and for making pronone of them having been enacted during vision for the good order and government his present Majesty's reign, or by any Pro- of the towns of Calcutta, Madras, and testant now alive; with the progressive re- Bombay; reciting, that it was expedient peal of those laws they have seen the ener- that the exclusive trade of the Petitioners, gies of this empire raised to a pitch of glory within the limits of their charter, which, unequalled in the page of history; from by an act made in the 21st year of his this experience they see with concern any Majesty's reign, for establishing an agree remains of those laws making distinction ment with the Petitioners, and other pur-, between the Roman Catholics and Protes- poses, was continued to them for a term tants of Ireland; and they humbly pray that thereby limited, should be further contithe House will take into their considera- nued to them and their successors, under tion the wish and prayer of all classes and certain limitations and restrictions, for a religious descriptions of that country, that term of 20 years, to be computed from the a total repeal of every test, oath, declara- 1st day of March 1794, liable to be distion, or provision, which has the effect continued at or after the end of such peof subjecting Roman Catholics to any dis- riod, upon three years notice previously ability whatever on account of religious given by parliament for that purpose; persuasion, may be repealed, and that the and that during the said further term all genius talent and energy of the whole the territorial acquisitions obtained in the of this empire be called forward for its East Indies, which, by an Act made in safety in these times of unexampled diffi. the 7th year of his Majesty's reign, for culty; and that, in arranging this great establishing an agreement for the pay. and salutary measure, the Petitioners ment of a certain annual sum, for a limitleave it to the wisdom of parliament to ed time, by the Petitioners, in respect of connect with this final settlement and con- the said acquisitions and the revenues clusion of restrictive laws such adequate thereof, and by subsequent acts, were provisions for the maintenance of the civil continued in the possession of the said and religious establishments of that part Company, together with the territorial of the empire as may be deemed neces- acquisitions then lately obtained there, sary, convinced as they are that such may with the revenues of the same respectivebe done with the strictest adherence to ly, should remain in the possession of the the tenets and discipline of the Roman Petitioners, without prejudice to the claims Catholic religion; and that, on this basis of the public or of the Petitioners, subof mutual satisfaction and security, it is ject to such powers and authorities for the earnest prayer and advice of the the superintendence, direction, and confreeholders of the county of Mayo, that troul over all acts, operations, and conall the rights of the civil constitution of cerns which related to the civil or milithis country be extended to his majesty's tary government or revenues of the said Roman Catholic subjects of Ireland." territories, as had been then already made or provided, by any act or acts of parliament in that behalf, and to such further powers, and under and subject to such other rules, regulations, and restrictions relating to or concerning the said Civil Government, and the appropriation of the said revenues, as should be then made and provided by the authority of parliament; it was thereby enacted that the said territorial acquisitions in the said former acts mentioned, together with the territorial acquisitions then lately obtained in the East Indies, with the revenues

Ordered to lie upon the table.

PETITION FROM THE EAST INDIA COMPANY FOR LEAVE TO PRESENT A PETITION FOR THE RENEWAL OF THEIR CHARTER.] Mr. Mills presented a Petition from the united company of merchants of England trading to the East Indies, setting forth,

"That, by an act of parliament made and passed in the 33d year of the reign of his present Majesty, intituled, An Act for continuing in the East India Company for a further term the possession of

thereof respectively, should remain and pacities powers authorities rights remecontinue in the possession of the Peti dies methods of suits penalties forfeitioners for and during the further term by tures disabilities provisions matters and that Act granted to them in the said ex- things whatever, which by any former act clusive trade; subject nevertheless to the or acts of parliament, or by any charter or several regulations and provisions in that charters founded thereupon, or by any Act contained; and by the said Act his clause or clauses in the said acts or charters Majesty was empowered to nominate, con- contained, were enacted given granted stitute, and appoint, during his pleasure, provided limited established or declared, such members of the privy council, of to for touching or concerning the Peti-: whom the two principal secretaries of tioners, either by the name of The Gestate and the chancellor of the exchequer neral Society entitled to the advantages for the time being should always be given by an act of parliament for adthree, and such other two persons as his vancing a sum not exceeding two milMajesty should think fit to be, and who lions for the service of the crown of should accordingly be and be stiled, Com- England,' or the body politic and cormissioners for the Affairs of India; and porate called by the name of The Engthe said board of commissioners were by lish Company trading to the East Indies,' the said Act invested with such full power or the body politic and corporate called and authority, to superintend, direct, and by the name of The United Company of controul, all acts, operations, and con- Merchants of England trading to the cerns, which in any ways should relate East Indies; and not by that act, or to or concern the civil or military go-any other act then in force, repealed or vernment or revenues of the said territo-altered, according to the tenor and true ries and acquisitions in the East Indies; meaning of the said acts and charters, and subject nevertheless to such directions, of that act, freed and discharged from all rules, regulations, and restrictions, and to provisoes and conditions of redemption such appropriations of the said revenues and determination in any former act or as were by that Aet made, provided, and acts contained, and the same and every of established; and it was further enacted, them were and was thereby ratified and that the Petitioners and their successors confirmed, and to continue to be held and should have, use, and enjoy, and should enjoyed, and be practised and put in execontinue to have, use, and enjoy, the cution by the Petitioners and their sucwhole sole and exclusive trade and traffic, cessors, for the better or more effectually and the only liberty, use, and privilege of settling and securing to them and their trading, trafficking, and exercising the successors the whole sole and exclusive trade or business of merchandize into and trade to the East Indies and parts aforefrom the East Indies, and into and from said, and for the preventing trade thereto all the islands, ports, havens, coasts, cities, contrary to the true intent and meaning of towns, and places between the Cape of that act, and for securing also their posGood Hope and the Streights of Magel. sessions estates and effects, and governing lan, and limits in an Act made in the 9th their affairs and business in all respects as year of the reign of king William the fully and effectually as if the same profits third, or in a certain charter of the 5th benefits advantages trade privileges day of September, in the 10th year of the franchises abilities capacities powers ausame king, mentioned, in as ample and thorities rights remedies methods of suit beneficial manner as the Petitioners could penalties forfeitures disabilities provisions thereby or otherwise lawfully trade there- matters and things were severally repeated to, subject nevertheless to the several limi- and at large re-enacted in the body of that tations, conditions, and regulations, in that act, subject nevertheless to such restricAct contained, and also subject to the tions covenants and agreements as were proviso thereinafter contained for deter- contained in the said acts or charters then mining the same, any former act or acts, in force and not therein or thereby repealmatter or thing, to the contrary notwith-ed varied or altered, and subject also to standing; and it was further enacted, that the Petitioners should at all times thereafter (subject as aforesaid) have, hold, and enjoy, and be entitled unto all, and singular the profits benefits and advantages privileges franchises abilities ca(VOL. XXII.)

the several enactments conditions limitations and provisoes in that act contained; and it was thereby further enacted, that at any time, upon three years notice to be given by parliament after the 1st day of March which would be in the year of our (Q)

of the Petitioners, their bond debt always excepted, should be applied and disposed of in the manner therein mentioned as by the said act, relation being thereunto had, may more at large appear; and that the notice required by the said act of parliament hath been given by the Speaker of the House, for determining the exclusive trade of the Petitioners on the 10th day of April, 1814; and that, since the said act was passed, further territorial acquisitions,

Lord 1811, upon the expiration of the said three years, and upon payment made to the Petitioners of any sum or sums which, under the provisions of any act of that present session of parliament, should or might, upon the expiration of the said three years, become payable to the Petitioners by the public, according to the true intent and meaning of such act, then and from thenceforth and not before or sooner, the said right title and interest of the Petitioners to the whole sole and ex-yielding a large revenue, have been clusive trade to the said East Indies and obtained by the Petitioners, and such parts aforesaid should cease and deter- acquisitions have been annexed to the mine; and it was thereby further enact- several governments of the Petitioners ed, that nothing in the said proviso last in the East Indies, and sundry debts, thereinbefore contained, or in any proviso to a large extent, beyond what are in the said act of the 9th year of king mentioned in or referred to by the said William the third, or in the said charter of act, have been incurred by the Petitioners, the 5th day of September in the 10th year in the defence and protection of the of his reign, or in any other act or British possessions in India, and by reason charter contained, should extend or be of wars in which the British nation has construed to extend to determine the cor- been engaged with European powers; poration of the Petitioners, or to hinder that such debts bear interest, and some of prevent or preclude the Petitioners or their them are due in the East Indies, and others successors from carrying on, at all times of them have been discharged by the Peafter such determination of the right to titioners, by means of money raised on the sole whole and exclusive trade as their credit in this country, under the auaforesaid, a free trade to in and from the thority of parliament; and that, by virEast Indies and parts aforesaid with all or tue of the terms of the obligations for other any part of their joint stock in trade goods part of such India debt, further sums, to a merchandizes estate and effects, in com-large amount, will be payable shortly in mon with other the subjects of his majesty, his heirs and successors, trading to in and from the said parts or limits; and by the said act it is enacted, that for and during so long time as the Petitioners should be entitled to the whole sole and exclusive trade and traffic into and from the East Indies and other places within the limits of their charter, subject to the provisions regulations and limitations in that act contained, the clear profits arising from the said territorial acquisitions and revenues in India, after defraying the charges and expences of collecting the same, should be applied and disposed of to the uses and purposes therein mentioned and expressed; and also that, during the continuance of the exclusive trade to the Petitioners, the net proceeds of their sales of goods at home, with the duties and allowances arising by private trade and all other profits of the Petitioners in Great Britain, after providing for the payment of bills of exchange then already accepted by the Petitioners, as the same should become due, and for the current payment of other debts interest and other outgoings charges and expences

this country, for which purpose it will be necessary for the Petitioners to raise a fur ther sum of money here; and that the system established by the said act, for the government of the territorial acquisitions in the East Indies, for the management of the revenues thereof, and for the general conduct of the affairs of the Petitioners, hath been approved by experience; but the appropriations made by the said act of the profits arising from the territorial revenues in India, and of the profits of the Petitioners at home, appear to the Peti tioners to be inapplicable to the present state of the Indian debts and resources, and of the concerns of the Petitioners; and that the Petitioners believe that it is undeniable that the exclusive trade carried on by the Petitioners has been a great positive advantage to the nation; and although they do not presume to state, as an incontrovertible fact, that greater public benefit would accrue from its being continued in its present state than from its being any further opened, yet the Petitioners do venture humbly, but confidently, to assure the House, that the trade with China could not be opened in any degree

the right hon. gentleman had not given
pledges on these points, he should be
glad to hear him contradict what had
gone abroad; but if he had pledged him-
self, he could conceive nothing more disre-
spectful to the House, than thus to bind
himself to measures without previously
laying them before parliament.

229] for the Renewal of their Charter. without extreme danger; and that, if it should not be seen fit to enlarge the term now held by the Petitioners in the whole of the trade which they now enjoy without qualification, the Petitioners are ready to submit to such regulations as shall be just, and as parliament in its wisdom shall enact, for the conduct of the commercial intercourse of his majesty's subjects with those places which are within the exclusive limits granted to the Petitioners; and that, on account of the length and variety of the matters necessary to be considered and prepared in relation to the subject of this Petition, the Petitioners were unable to prepare a Petition, praying leave to bring in a Bill or Bills relative to the Indian territories and trade, until the time limited for presenting Petitions for private Bills was expired; and praying, that leave may be given to present a Petition to the House, for bringing in a Bill or Bills for continuing the possession government and management of the territorial acquisitions in the East Indies in the Petitioners, subject to regulation, and for altering the appropriations of the profits arising from the Indian revenues; and for enabling the Petitioners to raise such sums of money, or to contract such pecuniary obligations as their affairs may require, in respect of the payment in this country of debts originally contracted in India; and for settling the trade to the East Indies and China, and other places, from the Cape of Bona Esperanza to the Streights of Magellan, or that the Petitioners may have such other relief as their case may quire."

Ordered to lie upon the table.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer thought that nothing that had passed at the East India House, or between himself and the directors, could at all fetter the proceedings of parliament. He had thought it his duty, before he brought a subject of such importance before that House, to form his own opinion on it, and preparatory to submitting a measure to parliament, some correspondence with the directors of the East India Company had to him appeared necessary. Before a Bill was brought in on the subject, he had thought it proper to communicate to them what was the bearing of his mind on certain propositions involved in the question. That he had done so he thought was no mark of disrepect to the House, and no breach of his public duty. With respect to any par ticular opinion that he might have expressed, if it should appear that he had taken an erroneous view of the subject, the sanction of the House could be withheld, and the propositions he might submit to them, it would be for them to reject; but at present he did not conceive he had a right to be called upon by the noble lord, or by the House, to state what those opinions were, or at all to discuss the subre-ject, when they could not go on with the discussion, so as to make it lead to any practical result. He hoped the House would not call for his opinion on this subject, and that the noble lord would think it no disrespect to him that at present he declined to reply to the question he had put. He would now only state that he had taken a most erroneous view of the subject, if it was a breach of duty on his part to communicate with the directors of the East India Company, or if it was disręspectful to parliament to endeavour to form an opinion himself on the merits of the question, before he brought it under their consideration.

On the Motion that leave be given to present a Petition as desired,

Lord A. Hamilton rose, not to oppose the motion, but to ask a few questions of the right hon. the Chancellor of the Exchequer with respect to transactions of public notoriety, which had taken place since the House last met. At a meeting of the proprietors of East India stock, it was asserted, that the right hon. gentleman had been understood to have pledged himself to four points-first, an exclusive trade to China: secondly, the supply of whatever monies might be wanted for the service of the company, for two years; thirdly, the confining all Asiatic importations to the port of London; and lastly, the giving up to the Company the controul of the army in India. If

Lord A. Hamilton complained of having been misrepresented by the right hon. gentleman. He did not say that he was wrong in forming any opinion he pleased, or communicating with the East India Company on the extension of their charter; he merely wanted to know, whether he,