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With the exception of the China Trade, the functions of the Board are almost paramount over all the affairs of the Company, and Mr. Courtenay says, the Board has had "a large share in the government of India."*

The evidence of the right honourable gentleman in which the foregoing passage is given, having the appearance of stating that the Court of Directors were mere ciphers in the hands of the Board, Mr. Courtenay at his next examination said, on being questioned, that " he thought nine-tenths of the most important business connected with India had originated with the Court of Directors."

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Again the right honourable gentleman observes, — very important despatches on political subjects have originated with the Court of Directors, founded upon an extent and accuracy of information perhaps not possessed by the Board, and it is extremely probable that in these instances the Board have not interfered with the Court's due." Moreover," the Court of Directors, comprising within themselves all the functions of all the Boards which conduct the business of a great state, must have, and have, the larger share in the administration." The clear and judicious evidence of Mr. Auber confirms this; for out of 7,978 drafts of despatches sent up to the Board from the India House, from 1814 to 1831, the Board only altered 690, and even consented to modify seventy-six out of the latter number.

Business at the India Board was performed in a very unsatisfactory manner prior to 1807; it was then modelled after the manner of the India House ;-There are six departments:

1. Accounts.

2. Revenue.

3. Judicial.

Evidence before Parliament in February 1832.

4. Military.

5. Secret and Political.

6. Foreign and Public.

The duties of each are defined by their names; the latter embraces ecclesiastical and commercial subjects. The head of each department makes himself acquainted with all matters connected therewith, and reports upon every paragraph sent from the India House. The departmental reports are made to the secretary, and from him to the commissioner, who undertakes the particular branch of business to which they refer.

It is in evidence before Parliament that an extraordinary degree of harmony exists between the Court of Directors and Board of Control, although "the Court have never scrupled to state in the most manly and energetic terms, their opinions when opposed to those of the Board;" but they have offered no opposition for opposition sake. Communications are made between both parties previous to any draft of a despatch being drawn up, which it is truly stated have for their object free discussion; and are used as amicable propositions to further propositions, affording the Board an opportunity to state objections if existing; to offer amendments and additions without assuming a dictatorial air, and enabling each party to become acquainted with each others sentiments, without being committed in point of dignity or consistency. These preliminany communications being over, the official draft is prepared, and in fact, every precaution is used to prevent direct collision between the two powers.

The preceding details are sufficient to shew the nature of the Home Indian government; it may be said to consist of a triple power, combining in practice as well as in theory the requisite or the necessary qualifications of number, intelligence, property, local as well as general experience, and official responsibility; with nearly-co-ordinate powers

co-operating for the general good; the Court of Proprietors acting as a check on the Court of Directors in money and commercial matters; the Board of Control on the Court of Directors in political, judicial, financial, and military affairs; and the two houses of Parliament on all. But it is between the Board of Control and the Court of Directors that the antagonist force principally rests; the preponderance is, however, much in favour of the crown. The Court may originate measures, but the Board may effectually put a veto thereon, and frame totally opposite measures in their stead, which if the Court of Directors object to, there remains no other resort than a remonstrance, followed by an appeal to the King in Council (against the King's Ministers); and when it is recollected that the Board of Control is backed by the whole weight and influence of his Majesty's government, of which it forms a component part, the absolute and extensive authority over the Indian empire now vested in the Cabinet will be appreciated by those who wisely prefer a constitution so regulated that the balance shall vibrate more frequently in favour of the commonalty than of the

crown.

The good sense and attachment to liberty of the British nation made them averse to Mr. Fox's India bill; and the intention of Mr. Pitt in devising the Board of Control,* evidently was that it should operate as a wholesome check on the East-India Company, by whom it was naturally expected the impulse would first be given in all matters relating to the good government of India; but should they, any unforeseen manner, neglect the duty imposed on them, an extreme power devolved on the Board of Control. I proceed, however, in the next section, to shew what other power rests with the crown and its ministers respecting

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• The biographer of Mr. Pitt says, he desired it to be " a Board of Control interfering upon points only."

the Indian empire, leaving my readers to draw their own conclusions on the facts developed in the preceding pages.

THE HOME PATRONAGE OF INDIA.

The "Westminster Review" for July 1832 asserts, that the Directors of the East-India Company "share between them a patronage worth from half a million to £600,000 per annum."* An allegation like this, coming from a journal deservedly possessing a high reputation, which it has earned by its unflinching advocacy of the cause of the poor and enslaved, as well by its profound talent as its luculent observations, well merits consideration. Before saying any thing on the subject of the value of the Directors' patronage, let us first see in what it consists. The patronage of individual Directors is confined to nominating the writers, cadets, and assistant-surgeons in England, who are to be sent out to India. This is their reward+ for devoting their whole time, talent, and experience to the conducting of the affairs of an immense empire, and a most valuable portion of the commerce of Great Britain.‡

Acccording to a parliamentary return, the number of writers, cadets, and assistant-surgeons sent out to the three Presidencies during five years have been as follows:

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* Page 100-" Constitution and Government of India."

+ There is a salary of £300 a year attached to the office.

The tea-trade, for instance, which yields annually nearly three millions and a half sterling to the British exchequer, is only one branch of commerce for which the public are indebted to the Company.

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This civil patronage is lessening in number and nominal value, and will continue to lessen every year, from the greater employment of the natives in official situations, and the diminishing pay of the European functionaries. The yearly average of appointments for the last five years, has been as follows:

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