§ THE EARL OF SHAFTESBURYpresented a Petition of the East India Company, under their common seal, praying to be heard by counsel against the Government of India Bill. The noble Earl said, He did not agree with the prayer of the petition, but he thought it his duty, as the petition was most respectfully worded and came from so important a body, to lay it before their Lordships. He thought that a great body like the East India Company, which had filled so magnificent a page in the history of this country, and was entitled in so many respects to the gratitude of the country at large. should have an opportunity of putting upon record its final and solemn appeal to the Legislature.