§ A Petition of the 271 merchants, manufacturers, and ship owners of the town of Dundee, was presented and read; setting forth,
§ "That they think it their duty to call the attention of the House to the approaching discussion on the renewal of the charter of the East India Company; and that, were the trade presently monopolized by that company laid open to the individual enterprize and capital of British merchants, it would, in a great measure, make up for the present exclusion from the continental markets; and that the policy which dictated the withholding charters from the former established companies, applies equally to the withholding that of the East India Company, and would, in like manner, be followed by an increase of maritime and commercial resources to the whole empire; and that, while it has been deemed expedient to restrict the commerce of neutrals, in order to counteract the anti-commercial decrees of the French government, yet the India trade is open to all the world except the British merchant, the monopoly thereby operating directly in favour of foreign nations; and that, as a proof of this, it is well known that the American merchants have carried away a great part of the China trade formerly enjoyed by the East India Company, and have been able to undersell them in many of the European markets, thereby shewing the superiority of individual industry, economy, and enterprize, when opposed to the negligence and prodigality of a joint stock company; and that although at the time of the original grant of the company's charter, it required the fostering hand of government to encourage the East India trade, yet this state of things has long since ceased, the wealth of the community was then comparatively small, and required the joint capital of a number of merchants to undertake any enterprize of magnitude; but, while the empire has increased in strength, in riches, and in importance, the eye of the British merchant is naturally turned to the East for the employment of his industry, his wealth, and capital; and that, while a free trade to India would not only turn the wealth acquired by the foreign merchant into the pockets of the subjects of this country, but would be the means of increasing our revenue and maritime resources, it would not be the least acquisition that the trade hitherto confined to the port of London would circulate through the whole empire, thereby opening a field for the capital 272 and enterprize of every merchant, in whatever part of the kingdom he may be situated; and that, finally, while the Petitioners would intreat that the trade from the Cape of Good Hope to the Straits of Magellan be no more excluded from the great body of the British merchants, yet they hereby disavow all interference with any rights, territorial or political, which may be enjoyed by the East India Company; and praying the House to adopt such measures as to them shall appear best adapted to promote the commerce and prosperity of the empire."
§ A Petition of the merchants manufacturers and shipowners of the burgh of Arbroath, county of Forfar, was also presented and read; setting forth,
§ "That the Petitioners feel themselves called upon at this time, in common with their fellow subjects, humbly to represent to the House their sentiments in regard to the charier granted to the East India Company, which expires in 1814; and that commercial monopolies are acknowledged to be unjust in their principle, and mischievous in their consequences, particularly such as that enjoyed by the East India Company, embracing an exclusive trade from the Cape of Good Hope eastward as far as the Straits of Magellan; and that, were a field so extensive laid open to the individual enterprize and capital of the British merchants, it is the Petitioners' humble opinion that it would be attended with the happiest consequences, particularly at present, when, by the rigorous adoption of the anti-commercial system, the commerce and manufactures of the country are unfortunately so limited; by withdrawing the charter, industry would receive an additional stimulus, bread would be procured to a great number of individuals who are at present reduced to idleness and poverty, the resources of the country would be materially improved, and a nursery established for seamen, on which depends our very existence as a nation; and that, although the individuals of these realms are excluded from the said trade, yet the benefit of it is extended to neutrals, who, it is well known, are able to compete with the company itself, both on the continent of Europe, and within the very countries included in their monopoly; this, therefore, is a measure degrading to the national character, and humiliating to individuals; and that, as every port in the kingdom ought to participate in the advantages of foreign trade, 273 it is contrary to the wise principles of a liberal policy, that the East India trade should be confined exclusively to the port of London; and praying the House to take the premises into serious consideration, and to grant the relief so much desired."
§ The said Petitions were ordered to lie upon the table.