§ Lord Bexleypresented a Petition from the Ministers of the Presidency of Bombay, praying for an alteration in the administration of the Hindoo and Mohammedan laws of property and inheritance; the prayer of which, he considered particularly deserving the attention of their Lordships. He was aware that notice had been already drawn to this subject, inasmuch as the matter had been brought before the Committee which sat upon the affairs of India about two years ago; and in consequence of the report which emanated from that Committee, a representation was 586 made to the Court of Directors, and instructions were sent out by them to the government of India, recommending the abolition of these laws. He had no doubt, therefore, that due attention would be paid to the subject by the present Governor-general. Should, however, the object for which the petitioners prayed, not be attained in consequence of what had already passed upon the subject, the question might be brought before their Lordships when the great question respecting the renewal of the Company's Charter came under their consideration.
Lord Ellenboroughdid not rise to oppose the prayer of the petition; but he thought it was within the power of the local government of India to do all that the petitioners required. It was particularly desirable, in his opinion, that every question which it might be necessary to discuss, with reference to the production of ultimate benefit to India, should be considered separately, and not be deferred until they came to consider the greater question of the Charter; as he was fully convinced, that in determining what should be the future system of government with regard to India, and the nature of our management respecting the China trade, their Lordships would have subjects, in themselves sufficiently important, to occupy their undivided attention.
§ Lord Bexleydid not wish to defer the consideration of this question until the subjects of the Charter and the China trade should come under the consideration of their Lordships; indeed, he had stated, that he understood orders had been already transmitted to the local government on this question. All he intended to say was, that in the event of the prayer of the petition not being attended to in the meantime, the subject might be brought forward on the occasion alluded to, should it be found necessary.
§ Petition to lie on the Table.