§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, his noble Friend (Earl Grey) had given notice that it was his intention to present a petition from the East India Company on Thursday next against the proposed measure for altering the government of India. It would be for the convenience of the House if his noble Friend would say whether it was still his intention to present the petition on that day, and whether he would 809 accompany it with any remarks that were likely to lead to a discussion? He was, no doubt, aware that notice had been given in another place that a Bill relating to Indian Government would be introduced on Friday, the day following that on which his noble Friend proposed to present the petition, and he thought that some inconvenience would be experienced if their Lordships were called on partially to discuss the question without any knowledge of that measure. He hoped, therefore, that his noble Friend would postpone the presentation of the petition for a few days further.
§ EARL GREYsaid, the petition was from so very important a body, and referred to so very important a subject, that in presenting it he would take occasion to state the substance of the petition, and its prayer.; and he should also consider it necessary to add a few remarks, setting forth how far he agreed or differed from the views expressed in it. Whether that would lead to a debate or not it was impossible for him to say; but he did not think it would be desirable to postpone the presentation of the petition till after the Bill referred to by his noble Friend had been introduced in the other House, and he was therefore disposed to adhere to the notice which he had given.