§ Mr. Prendergastcalled the attention of the 897 house to the state of the East India Private Trade, and contended that private merchants were very hardly treated by the directors of the company, who made these individuals keep pace with the prodigality with which the trade of the company was carried on. He further contended, that the directors had not fulfilled certain engagements which they had come under, to give facility to the private trade. To prove this, he moved for several papers of various dates, from 1797, to the present time, consisting of Calcutta gazettes; memorials to the directors; letters of marquis Wellesley; lord Melville, &c. &c.
§ Mr. C. Grantaffirmed, that every attention had been paid by the directors to the interest of the private merchant that was consistent with the privileges of the company. But the truth was, that nothing could satisfy these gentlemen short of having the trade thrown completely open. He had no objection to the production of the papers.
§ Mr. Creeveyobserved, that the mercantile transactions of the company would come to be considered when the East India committee, to which these papers had been referred, presented its Report. But he thought the hon. gent. who introduced the subject might have said something as to the political evils connected with India, such as the seizing of kingdoms, &c. In his opinion it was preposterous, after the conduct of marquis Wellesley had been so pointedly condemned by the directors, that no measures had been taken to prevent future governments from following a similar course.
§ Mr. Wallacethought the papers ought not to be granted.
§ After some observations from Mr. P. Moore, the Speaker stated an objection to the motion in point of form. It was therefore withdrawn for the present.