§ The Marquess of Lansdown moved the Order of the Day for receiving the Report of the East-India Company's Charter Bill.
§ The Duke of Wellingtonwas of opinion, that, as some further Amendments had been made in the Bill, time should be given to the Court of Directors and Proprietors for their consideration. In the Resolution of the Court of Directors of the 7th of June last, which was subsequently approved of by the proprietors, the Company claimed the right of being made acquainted with every portion of any measure that might be introduced, before they consented to abandon, or place in abeyance, their commercial Charter. When the Bill was in another place, the Company wished to be heard by Counsel against parts of it, but their prayer was refused, on the ground that all the provisions of the Bill had been sufficiently discussed. That argument, however, could not apply in this case, because they could not be acquainted with the Amendments which had been made in their Lordships' House. Now, in order that the Company should have an opportunity of considering the whole measure before it finally passed, he thought that it would be proper to postpone the receiving of the Report until to- 433 morrow, and the third reading could be fixed for an early day next week.
The Marquess of Lansdownwould acquiesce in the proposition of the noble Duke. The Report might now be received pro formâ; and as the Amendments did not affect the principle of the Bill, he hoped the delay would not extend beyond two or three days.
§ The Report received pro formâ; to be taken into further consideration.