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248 HISTORICAL CHRONICLE

otherwise than by their own consent, does not appear warranted, even by the largest pretensions that have ever been formed against them; that the resolution respecting the one fourth part, as above set forth, appears to be so subversive of all their rights and privileges, by denying them the disposal of their own property, after all their creditors shall be fully secured, according to law, that, rather than submit to such conditions, they desire that any claims against the possessions of the said Company, that can be supposed to give rise to such restrictions, may receive a legal decision; from which, whatever may be the event, they will, at least, have the satisfaction of knowing what they may call their own.

Tuesday 4.

Lord North presented to the House a petition, signed by most of the eminent Bankers in this metropolis, praying, —

"That a bill may be brought in to render the estates of bankers liable to the payment of their debts;" and

"That some punishment may be devised to be inflicted on such bankers as should, in case of failure, be found to have embezzled, or appropriated to their own uses, cash deposited in their hands in the course of trade."

Mr. Prescott observed, that Merchants had as great an opportunity as Bankers of carrying credit to an unwarrantable extent; he thought it but reasonable, therefore, that their estates should in like manner be made liable to the payment of their debts. And the House seemed perfectly to coincide with Mr. Prescott's opinion.

Mr. T. Townshend presented the cabinet-makers petition, setting forth, that great quantities of household furniture had lately and were daily imported into this kingdom, under the sanction of certain foreign Ambassadors; in consequence of which illegal importation, the petitioners were deprived of employment, and reduced, with their wives and families, to the most complicated distress.

It was observed on this occasion, that illegal importations were not confined to cabinet ware; but that upon enquiry it would be found, that the distresses of our weavers originated from a similar cause; and that the houses of some foreign Ambassadors, instead of being respectable for the high characters of the occupiers, were converted into shops for the sale of foreign manufactures.

Mr. T. Townshend said, he had in charge from the petitioners to vindicate the characters of the Ambassadors from France, Spain, and the States General, from every suspicion of that kind.

Lord North declared, that he had not the least objection to a full enquiry into the merits of the petition; but at the same time hoped, when it came before the House, that the characters of foreign Ambassadors might be treated with becoming respect. And Mr. Townshend, in answer, declared himself desirous of paying every honour due to their high rand as a body; but that, if the flagrant misconduct of any particular Ambassador should be found to deserve censure, he hoped such a man would meet with no lenity from a Parliament anxious to save the trade of England from decay, and its manufacturers from destruction.

A Committee was then nominated to enquire into the facts alledged in the tetition, and to report the same to the House.

This day, at a meeting of the creditors of Sir George Colebrooke, the trustees, who at a former meeting were appointed to enquire into the estate and effects of that gentleman, made their report, by which it appeared, that the balance in favour of Sir George was 315,000l. that from that balance the trustees had thought proper to write of 120,000l. on account of Sir George's engagements for his brother in law, Mr. Gilbert; and 80,000l. which had been settled on Lady Colebrooke and her family, which reduced the balance to 106,000l. besides the eventual chance of the Chilham estate in Kent; that, notwithstanding this balance, by reason of the diffuse state of Sir George's effects, it must be near two years and a half before the creditors could be fully paid their principal and interest; but that 7s. in the pound should be advanced within the space of two months. With this promising state of Sir George's affairs the creditors seemed well satisfied; and it was proposed by some gentlemen present, that Sir George should again resume the banking business with his old partners; but others were of opinion, that it would be proper to associate a new partner, who would have an interest in keeping the old debts distinct.

This day there was a General Court of the Proprietors of East-India Stock, when the Chairman acquainted them, that he had delivered their petition; that it was read, and ordered, as usual, to lie upon the table; that Lord Notth seemed to express some doubts about the meaning of it; and that he had afterward proposed a plan of regulation for the government of the Company's affairs at home and abroad, which he intended to bring in as a bill. The substance of these regulations being afterward reported by Mr. Dempster, some of the Proprietors declared, they would sooner give up the whole of their property in East-India stock, than contribute to such proceedings.

The Duke of Richmond made a motion, that lord North be requested to communicate in writing his plan of an intended bill for the regulation of the Company's affairs, and likewise acquaint them with what parts of their petition he doubted the meaning. Another motion was made by Mr. Kirkman, that all the charters, together with the


HISTORICAL CHRONICLE 249

the treaties between the Company and the Indian Chiefs, be printed for the use of the Proprietors. And Mr. Dempster moved, that a list of the Proprietors possessing 1000l. stock be likewise printed for the same use; all which motions  were agreed to.

The Duke of Richmond's motion was carried into execution, and produced an answer from Lord North, that having with others received the commands of the House to prepare a bill for the purposes mentioned, he did not think it proper to communicate the plan of it to the Proprietary; and that the part in the petition which he did not think expressed with sufficient clearness, was, whether the Company meant only to signify their dislike of some part of the resolutions, or whether they meant to refuse both the loan and the agreement together. — The Company took time to consider, and Wednesday the 12th was the day fixed to return and answer.

Thursday 6.

His Majesty's proclamation was issued for discontinuing the bounty offered in the proclamation of the 24th past for the encouragement of able seamen, &c. to enter themselves on board his Majesty's ships of war.

Saturday 8.

Hensham Hall, in Suffolk, the seat of Sir John Rouse, Bart. was burnt to the ground. It is said that it was not insured, and that the loss amounts to 30,000l.

Monday 10.

The following bills received the royal assent by commission — the bill for allowing the drawback on teas exported to America — the bill to regulate the importation and exportation of corn — to two navigation bills — to the bill for enabling Mr. Cox to dispose of his Museum — and to several road, enclosure, and private bills.

General Burgoyne, who bought up the report of the Select Committee appointed to enquire into the fate of Eaft-Indis af. fairs, after explaining the disagreeable situation in which he food, declared, that there were accounts of crimes contained in "the report shocking to human nature, He recapitulated all that related to the deposition of Surajah Dowlah, and the placing of Meer Jamier on the Mufnud; the double treaty in which Omichund was concerned; and the infamous transactions that were carried into execution by perfidy and murder. He concluded by proposing the following resolutions:

I. That all acquisitions made under the influence of a military force, or by treaty with foreign powers, do of right be-long to the state.

II. That to appropriate acquisitions ac- quired under the influence of a military force, or by treaty with foreign powers, to private use, is illegal.

III. That great sums of money have been ordained by such means from the fo- sovereign Princes in India.

GENT. MAG. May, 1773.

Sir William Meredith seconded their resolutions, and declaimed against the trick put upon Omichund, and the fetting Admi- ral Watfon's name to countenance the fraud.

Mr. Wedderburne, the solicitor general, opposed the resolutions; and Mr. Thurloe, the attorney-general, supported them. Mr. Dyfan thought the terms of the resolutions might be softened, but rather than lofe fight of the object at which they aimed, consented to receive them as they were. Lord North acquiesced in his opinion, and Col. Barré treated it facetiously. He told a story of a governor of Gibraltar, who never refused presents but when they were offered by those who knew not what they were about. A body of Jews, he said, came to make their annual present; and tendered, as usual!, 1000 the- kins. The governor would have nothing to do with the crucifiers of Christ. They came again, and presented 2000 check-ins. He received the poor men; they could not help what their forefathers had done; they were born too late to have any hand in the crucifixion.

The resolutions were put and carried.
Wednesday 12,

At a General Court of the East India Company the answer to be returned to Lord North was read, and agreed to be balloted for on Friday. It was in substance, that they meant to declare, in the most respectful manner to the House, their purpose of refusing both the loan and the agreement, respecting the teritorial acquisitions and revenues, rather than accept them upon the whole of the terms proposed.

At this meeting the Deputy Chairman acquainted the Court, that advice had been received, over land, from Bengal, that the Narcot of Goreech, having failed in the performance of his treaty, had been attacked by the Company's troops, under Brigadier General Wedderburne [brother to the Solicitor-General]; his principal fort taken, with little loss, except that of the life of the General, who was killed in reconnoitering; and that a lack of rupees had been found, and a much greater fum expected. These advices add, that the accounts there from Bengal mentioned everything being in peace.

While these contentions subsist between the Minister and the Company, there is certain advice, that a new East Intis Com- pany is forming in France, countenanced by the Nobles, and supported by the Court. It is remarkable, that the downfal of every great empire has been owing to the dissentions among the rulers.

The fame day a proposal for railing the fum of 1,500,000l, for the use of the Exft- India Company, by subscription, was distributed at the India-Houfe; and a bounty of a percent offered to such proprietors as should subscribe all, or any part of their stock,
towards

Transcription Notes:
Pre-decimalized English monetary notation: XXX,XXXl. = pounds Sterling, XXs. = shillings, XXd. = pence ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-12 12:38:27 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-05-13 23:52:40