§ Mr. Hume, adverting to the question of the Deccan Prize Money, begged to ask the right hon. the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, one' of the trustees for its distribution, in what state that property now was, as great anxiety existed on the part of many of the claimants to know when it was probable they would receive the remainder of their dividends.
Mr. Arbuthnotsaid, that after the appointment of the trustees, they were anxious to begin the payments at as early a period as possible. Not being able, however, to get the prize lists without a reference to India, the consequence was, that their progress was impeded; and the first payment was not made until September, 1826. The sum of 230,000l. was then drawn for and distributed to the actual captors, both in the army and navy; except about 8,000l., which was paid over to Chelsea Hospital. The whole question was subsequently again brought under the consideration of the proper authorities, and it was decided that the Marquis of Hastings and the grand army were entitled to share in the Deccan prize money. There being no lists in this country, a Committee of Officers was appointed to give the necessary information, and to verify it. It was understood that the whole of the sums amounted to about 800,000l., and the whole would have been paid, but for a communication from certain native bankers at Bombay, stating that a portion of the property belonged, not to the Peishwa, but to natives, subjects of this country. The Supreme Court of Judicature decided in favour of the natives. It was impossible, therefore, to draw the whole sum; 448,000l. however, was drawn, and distributed to the Marquis of Hastings and the grand army, with the exception of 20,000l., which was paid over to Chelsea Hospital. The disposition of the remainder was referred to the consideration of the Privy Council, and the question would probably be determined in two or three months. Should it be decided in favour of the army of India, the trustees would immediately proceed to the distribution of it. The exact amount could not be exactly stated at the present moment; for there were sums arising in India to be added to it; but he believed he might state, that before the termination of the summer the whole would be put in a train of payment. The money was in the Treasury at Calcutta, bearing an inte- 710 rest of 5 per cent. Originally it was at an interest of 6 per cent, and so it remained until an order came from this country for the distribution of a portion of it, when the interest of the remainder was fixed at 5 per cent. It would be doing great injustice to the East India Company if he were not to add, that they had evinced the greatest liberality throughout the whole transaction.