§ The Earl of Carlislepresented a Petition from the Christian inhabitants of Calcutta, who were born of European fathers and native mothers, complaining of various disqualifications to which they had been subject since the first settlement of the East India Company. They stated that they were excluded from privileges to which both natives and Europeans were indiscriminately admitted. They were incapacitated from serving in the civil, military, or marine service of the Company, as the preamble of every appointment was required to set forth that the person proposed was not the son of a native and European. The petitioners were likewise disqualified from holding the King's commission in India, nor could they hold offices of trust and emolument in any department whatever.
Lord Ellenboroughsaid, that the present was not a favourable opportunity for entering into a discussion on the subject of the Petition. This much, however, he might 963 observe, that he felt, as all who had any feeling must do, for the unfortunate situation of the class to which the petitioners belonged, and was desirous to ameliorate their condition as far as was possible, without violating a principle that was essential to the maintenance of British Government in India. With regard to some of the practical grievances described in the petition, for example, in cases of wills and succession, he saw no reason why they should not be remedied. It should, however, be borne in mind, that the petitioners did not require an equality of civil rights, but an admission to privileges to which the native population at large were not entitled, and this they demanded notwithstanding they were the offspring of Europeans by native women. He could only add, that their representations had received, and would continue to receive, the most attentive consideration from the Board of Control and the Directors of the East India Company. Their grievances should certainly be ameliorated as far as was consistent with the well-being of the people generally, and the observance of the principle to which he had already alluded.
§ The Earl of Carlisleinquired if there was any difference between the children of half-castes and the half-castes themselves?
Lord Ellenboroughsaid, the latter were considered as natives, and were eligible to all the offices in the Company's service to which the natives were eligible. The parties to the petition were illegitimate, being of half-caste, and were not eligible to those appointments.