and, in the end, it was productive of the dissolution of Mr. Fox's ministry.

Lyttleton, in the third volume of the History of England, details the consequent measures of government respecting the East India Company in a very illustrative and satisfactory manner.

Upon Mr. Pitt's accession to the administration of the country, the affairs of the East India Company formed one of the first objects of his attention. In the parliament of 1784, he introduced a "bill for the regulation of the India Company." By this bill, commissioners were to be appointed by his majesty from the members of the privy council, who were authorized to check, superintend, and controul all acts, operations, and concerns which in any wise relate to the civil or military government or revenues of the said India Company. It stipulated also, that they should have access to all papers or documents; that they should inspect all dispatches, and that the Court of Directors should be bound in all instances to obey the orders and directions of the said board. The nomination of commander in chief was vested in his majesty; also the power to remove at pleasure the governors and members of the councils, the vacancies of which were to be filled by the company only with the approbation of the king, who, in case of any neglect of nominating within a limited time, was himself empowered to make the appointment.

The principal feature in which this differs from the former bill, is, that in one the power was vested in commissioners appointed by parliament; in the latter, by commission under the controul of the crown. The rights of the company were however equally sacrificed. The court of directors, and the company themselves, were made the very instruments; in the latter instance, of enslaving themselves, by voluntarily surrendering those privileges in one. instance, which they had so strenuously contended for in another. Mr. Pitt's bill, though it was rejected on the present occasion, afterwards passed into a law; and thus, in a surprizing degree, was increased the influence of the

crown;

crown; and thus were rendered the commercial interests of the city of London dependent on those with whom her independence was of the utmost consequence.

In this state the company continued till the year 1793, when the acrimonious spirit of faction having abated its rancour, the concerns of this vast mercantile corporation again engaged the attention of government. The right honourable Mr. Dundas, the president of the Board of Controul, moved in the House of Commons for a renewal of the company's charter; and stated for his reasons, "that the company then employed eighty-one thousand tons of shipping, and seven thousand prime seamen, imported foreign commodities estimated at 700,000l. exported British goods to the amount of 1,000,000l. paid 1,000,000l. in revenue to government; and, if to the value of the imports through their capital were added the imports in consequence of fortunes remitted home by individuals, the aggregate would be 1,500,000/.; so that, upon the whole, the trade in every shape added annually 7,000,000l. to the circulation of the country."

The plan of the new charter was, that besides the president, two commissioners, not privy counsellors, and having a salary of 5000l. among the three, should be appointed; and to counterbalance this addition to the influence of the crown, that the appointment of the vice-treasurers of Ireland should be transferred to the Irish government; and the constitution of the Supreme Council to remain unaltered. He proposed, also, that the company should be obliged to provide shipping at a moderate rate of freight for all British adventurers, and to bring home the fortunes of individuals in raw materials, or in any other mode settled by the parties," By this plan," adds he, "the public and private interest will be consulted; without endangering the company's trade, or risking actual for imaginary good, the bill will be left open to hardy speculators for experiment to add to our exports and imports, to render London the grand emporium for the distribution of Indian commodi

ties to the rest of Europe, and to pour the riches of the Ganges into the river Thames."

Upon these principles the charter was renewed for twentyone years, and by which the East India Company is at present governed. The more immediate government, subject to the Board of Controul, consists of a chairman, his deputy, and twenty-two directors, who may be re-elected in turn, six each year, for four years successsively. The qualification for a director is 2000l. The chairman and directors have a yearly salary for their attendance, which must be at least once every week, or as occasion requires; the body thus assembled is denominated "The Court of Directors." Out of this body are chosen several committees, who have the peculiar inspection of certain branches. of the company's business, and are thus divided, a committee of correspondence, a committee of buying, a committee of treasury, a house committee, a committee of warehouses, a committee of shipping, a committee of accounts, a committee of lawsuits, and a committee to prevent the growth of private trade; who have under them a secretary, cashier, clerks, and warehouse keepers.

In this company a proprietor of stock, to the amount of 1000l. whether male or female, native or foreigner, has a right to be a manager, and to give a vote in the general council.

The amazing territorial acquisition of the East India Company, has been computed at two hundred and eightytwo thousand square miles, containing thirty millions of people, under the Indian government; added to this the late acquisitions from Tippoo, and the wonderful and extensive commerce with China; we may with great truth say that in antient or modern history, this mercantile fabric has no parallel!

It ought not to escape notice that in 1796, the company furnished, for the exigencies of the state, 3,000,000l.; and maintains, cloaths, and trains three regiments of soldiers for the national defence, from among the numerous servants it employs in the various warehouses.

EAST

EAST INDIA HOUSE.

Before we describe this magnificent fabric, we shall notice a few anecdotes concerning the structures which antiently occupied the ground on which it stands.

The first of these was called the Green Gate, belonging to Michael Pistoy, a Lombard, who held this tenement and nine shops in the reign of Richard II. It came afterwards into the possession of Philip Malpas, alderman and sheriff in 1439. This gentleman gave 120l. to poor prisoners; and every year, for five years, four hundred and three shirts and shifts, forty pair of sheets, and one hundred and fifty gowns of good frize to paupers; one hundred marks as marriage portions; one hundred marks for repairing highways; and to five hundred poor persons in London, 6s. 8d. each, beside other benefactions. But though so good and benevolent a magistrate, his house did not escape plunder to a considerable value, by Cade and his rebels. In the reign of Henry VII. it was seized by the king; but for what reason we are not informed. Henry VIII. granted it to John Mutas, a Frenchman, who harboured many of his countrymen to calender "Wolsteds," and committed many obnoxious acts to the detriment of the citizens. These caused the riot of Evil May Day in 1517, when the apprentices spoiled the house, and would have murdered Mutas, had they found him. The executions that followed this riot were as dreadful as the riot itself. Sir Philip Mutas, his son, afterwards sold the premises, part of which was lately standing.

To this adjoined the mansion built by Alderman Kirton, in the reign of Edward VI. It afterwards came into the possession of Sir Alderman Lee, lord mayor at the accession of Queen Elizabeth, who rebuilt it. Sir William Craven, lord mayor in 1610, having purchased the building, enlarged it in a handsome manner. This was the structure which Sir William's son, the great Lord Craven, let, or otherwise disposed of, to the first India company. The contrast between this hall, which was standing in 1726, and the present building, is very curious.

A house next to this was the antient residence of the noble family of Zouch, the branches of which distinguished themselves by their loyalty in the Barons' wars during the reign of Henry III. and by their prowess at the battle of Cressy. Edward, the last representative of this family, was appointed ambassador to Scotland by Queen Elizabeth, to palliate her conduct to the unfortunate Queen Mary. He was at that time lieutenant of North and South Wales, and the Marches; and in the reign of James I. was appointed constable of Dover Castle, and warden of the Cinque Ports.

The corner of Lime Street was a great messuage, called Benbridge's inn; most probably a corruption of Brembre, from Sir Nicholas Brembre, lord mayor, who was beheaded during the troublesome reign of Richard II. Nearly adjoining to which was another house in Lime Street, formerly belonging to the Nevils; but afterwards inhabited by Sir Simon de Burley, who was in such favour with Edward the Black Prince, for his valour, his wisdom, his loyalty, and his other amiable perfections, that the prince committed to him the government and education of his only son Richard II. who, on his accession to the crown, advanced Sir Simon to various high dignities; and took his advice in all matters of state; had the king followed that advice, the national concerns might have been prosperous. He was at the same time vice-chamberlain to the king, constable of Dover Castle, lord warden of the Cinque Ports, knight of the garter, &c. The obstinate conduct of his sovereign, together with the condemnable favoritism which he evinced towards Robert de Vere, earl of Oxford, and duke of Ireland, however, raised such jealousies among the disaffected nobility, as involved the country in anarchy and rebellion But Sir Simon continuing loyal to his sovereign, was sacrificed to Richard's folly and De Vere's oppressive measures, and incurred equal hatred from their opponents; the consequence to this gentleman was, an impeachment in parliament, condemnation for treason, and decapitation on Tower Hill. A martyr to the machinations of iniquitous times!

VOL. II. No. 34,

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