few remarks, he now stated that he would take an early occasion of presenting a regular notice, signed by nine proprietors, of a motion for taking into consideration the Oude Papers. He would wish, there fore, to know from the hon, director what day would be most convenient to him to have the subject brought forward, for he was anxious to observe the same delicacy to the hon. member now that he did on a former occasion. (No day was named by the hon. diretor to whom the question was put.)

a

The Chairman was again putting the question of adjournment, when

Mr. Hume expressed a wish that the court might be adjourned to an early day, in order to give him an opportunity of submitting a very important motion, on the subject connected with the Indian army

The Chairman thought that the next general court would be a good opportunity, unless it were thought proper, to name an earlier day.

Mr. Hume would wish to name that day week, or that day fortnight, or any day before the 2d of February (the day of the meeting of Parliament).

1

The Chairman said he would prefer a general court to a special one, as in the former proprietors had the privilege of introducing any question of alleged grievance or complaint, from which they were prevented in special courts, unless the subject had been noticed for discussion in those courts. He was not willing, by taking matters to special courts, to debar proprietors from the privilege of complaint.

Mr. Hume said that the question on which he was anxious to submit a motion was of the utmost importance, and he was anxious that as little delay as possible should intervene before its discussion. The court were now about to send out three or four hundred young men, as officers for our Indian army, and his motion would be to shew that that course was not the best which could be adopted. The principle of his motion would be admitted on all hands, but some difference might exist as to the best mode of carrying it into effect. The real question was, whether they were to send out qualified or unqualified officers.

After some short conversation between Mr. Hume, the Chairman, and one or two directors, as to the comparative advantage and convenience of general courts over special, it was at length agreed, that the court should meet on the first day of February, for the discussion of the hon. gentleman's motion; and the question of adjournment to that day was put, when a requisition, signed by nine proprietors, was handed to the Chairman, calling on the directors, to appoint a day for the dis

The usual routine business having been disposed of

F

The Hon. L. Stanhope said, Previously to entering on the important dis cussion, which is notified for this day, I wish to know whether the Marquess of Hastings or Lord Wellesley has been no>! minated to the government of British India, or whether Lord Amherst has been recalled? I will not take up more than two or three minutes of the time of this court, in stating my reasons for asking this question. If the question be satisfactorily answered, it will prevent me from making a specific motion on the subject. My reason for asking this question is, because Lord Amherst has plunged this country into a most unnecessary and destructive war. And when we hear of the calamitous events which are daily occurring in India when we hear that great numbers of my brother soldiers are perishing in the unwholesome swamps and under the uncongenial climate into which they are led; and when we recollect the enormous exa pense to which this Company is put, in carrying on this disastrous war, amounting, I believe, to a million of rupees per month."

Sir J. Sewell rose to order. The hon. proprietor had stated that he meant to put a question, and now he was giving the court, in detail, the reasons which induced him to ask that question. In doing so, hẹ, was going into matters that were not be fore the court, and which could not be en tertained, unless a specific motion were submitted to the court.

The Hon. L. Stanhope. "The learned gentleman is perfectly correct in his statément as to the course I mean to pursue. I wish to ask a question, and I am going into certain reasons on which that question is founded. In doing so, I will not ocs cupy more than two or three minutes; and, if I am not allowed to go on in my own way, I must bring forward a specific motion on this subject. I was proceeding to say, that this Company, was put sto an iminense

1

immense expense, a million of trupees a mouth, in the prosecution of the present war an expense so great, thas since I laste addressed the court on this subject three months ago, a sum had been laid out sufficient to have built a second St. Paul's, on to have formed the projected quay on the banks of the Thames, and to have made this the finest city in the world. Another reason which induces me to ask this question is, my firm conviction, that if Lord Amherst be allowed to remain at the head of the government of India, we shall inevitably lose that country, as we formerly lost America. It is extraordinary to me that a man like Mr. Canning-a man of undoubted talents a man who had conferred such extraordinary benefits on the country"-(Order, order !)

The Chairman thought that the hon. proprietor was certainly occupying the court unnecessarily by the course that he was at present pursuing, when no motion was before them."

.0 Mr. Hume begged of his hon, and gal lant friend to take the usual course, and to let the business of the day have precedence. No man felt more strongly than he (Mr. Hume) did, on the subject to which his hon, and gallant friend had alluded; but still he thought the better way would be not to introduce it at that period of the daydonn

The hon. L. Stanhope."It is usual, I believe, to ask questions in this court, and I mean to do nothing more than others have been in the habit of doing."

Mr. R. Jackson said, when questions were asked, or notice of motion given, and those questions or notices were accompanied by arguments, it was manifestly irregular. Such a course might in fact shut out the order of the day, for the discussion of which they were expressly met. He had proposed to ask some question this day, of very great importance to the Company; but, if he prefaced those ques. tions with an address, which could not regularly be answered, he felt that he should be acting contrary to the rules of order.

The hon. L. Stanhope. The learned gent., who complains of the course I am pursuing, is taking up a much greater portion of the time of the court, than I would have done if I had been allowed to proceed."

Mr. R. Jackson.The question must be direct. Put your question in a direct manner, and there can be no objection to it.

The hon. L. Stanhope. "My question then is, whether the Marquess Wellesly or the Marquess of Hastings, has been placed at the head of the government of British India or whether Lord Amherst is al lowed to remain there? If the be, them we are likely, as we lost America, to

lose our possessiens 'in that part of the world.& mois 50 vleg no 9xs) ¿The Chairman. If I understand the question of the gallant officer, Whether the Marquess of Hastings or the Marquess Wellesley has been proposed or appointed to the situation of GovernorGeneral of India? Now, I have i hesitation in saying, that I have proposed neither one nor the other and they have not been proposed to me. There is no question at present for the removal of Lord Amherst, and he is not removed."

"

1

QUDE PAPERS.

Mr. Hume rose and said "Perhaps before I address to the court what I have to offer on the motion which it is assembled to consider, I may be allowed, having in view the convenience of gentlemen who have come here to consider another subject, to ask whether you, sir, have not received a letter from Sir J. Doyle, on the subject to which I have alluded; and if so, I shall be glad to learn, whether there is atly objection to dispose of that question in the first instance ?"

The Chairman said, there was no objec2 tion to have the letter, which had been received from the worthy baronet yesterday, immediately read.

9

The clerk then read the letter, in which Sir John Doyle stated, that being confined by a severe cold and sore throat, it was not in his power to attend the court this day; he, therefore, requested the Court of Directors to postpone the motion till Wednesday se'nnight, or any other day they might think fit.

In answer to this, the Court of Direc tors wrote, that it was not competent for them to adjourn, to a given day, the con sideration of the subject on which the hon. Bart. had given notice. The direc tors would cause the letter of the hon. Bart. to be read in the general court tomorrow; when, perhaps, the most convenient course will be, for one of his friends to move for the postponement of the question to some specific day, or sine die.

Mr. Hume.-Now, sir, at the request of Sir John Doyle, I will move that the question be postponed till this day forts night.

The Chairman had no hesitationscin stating, that it would be more convenient, if the question were adjourned to the next quarterly general court. “ Parliament was about to meet, and that might afford occasion for calling a general courtinoAt any rate, the ordinary matter at the next quarterly general court would pro bably occupy a very short time, and the

remainder

remainder of the day might be devoted to Sir John Doyle's motiont over so blow

Mr. R. Jackson said, he felt the strongsest disposition to accede to any proposition that came from the chair, particularly if the suggestion was founded on the plea of convenience. There could be but one wish and feeling on that point; but he must be permitted to say, that, unless the pro

important motion to an unreasonable time, they could not agree to so distant a day as the hon, chairman had suggested in Doyle, on account of temporary indisposition, wished the motion to be postponed for a short time; but, if it were adjourned for seven or eight weeks, it would in fact be a denial of

If Wednesday fortnight were and quest. an inconvenient day, let another day be named; Thursday, or any other day, within a reasonable time. The Oude papers, did, in the opinion of the Marquess of Hastings friends, contain injurious reflections upon his conduct and character. It was on this ground, that the hon. bart, determined to bring them forward to the view of the proprietors. The hon. bart. considered, that the character of the noble marquess was attacked, and he meant to defend that character. Was it consistent with fairness, that this defence should be deferred until its noble object had left the shores of his country for his hon. exile, at Malta? Yet such must be the effect of postponing it for seven or eight weeks. The alternative, therefore, was, either to deny the application of the hon. bart., or to consent to entertain his motion while the noble marquess continued in this country.

The Chairman. I'beg leave to state, that I do not oppose the proposition; I merely threw out an idea. But I think the learned gentleman has taken the matter up, as if I wished to resist the bringing forward of the question on the day proposed. I harboured no such intention; although the learned gentleman's speech and argument went to that point. I repeat, that I only threw out a suggestion. Let it not, therefore, be understood that I meant to raise a single obstacle to prevent the motion being brought forward at the time proposed."

Sir J. Sewell understood the learned gentlemen to wish that the motion might not be postponed, because the character of the Marquess of Hastings had been attacked. The learned gentleman was, therefore, anxious that the discussion should not be put off until the noble marquess was some thousands of miles from this country. Now, to be sure, if it were quite clear, that the noble marquess was likely to be in England, when the motion was introduced, it would be advisable to bring it on as quickly as possible. But he understood, from pretty good authority,

have left this country six weeks ago. Now, that the Deccar prize-money question was settled, his fordship would

most probably sail he reasoning, of a week

Dr. Gilchrist wished the question to be brought forward as early as possible. They were all liable to death, and they knew not what might happen if this motion were put off to an indefinite period. His motto always had been, "Take time by the forelock," and he recommended it to be acted on in this case.

The Chairman." I have to move that the consideration of the Oude papers be adjournment to this day fortnight." 84 Carried in the affirmative, op

EDUCATION OF CADETS.

The Chairman."I have now to acquaint the Court, that it is met by adjournment from the 18th instant, and has been made special, in consequence of a letter signed by two proprietors, and addressed to the Court of Directors, which will be read."' ForThe clerk then read the following letter: red nod or madw has

To the Honourable the Court of Direcmrd tors of the East India Company. aldon ad "London, Dec. 6, 1825. PhSirs We, the undersigned Proprietors of East India Stock, duly qualified, request that the General Court of Proprietors, appointed to be held on the 21st instant may be made further special, to take into consideration the following proposition, which it is our intention to submit to the Court: 'R

"

That this Court, considering the great importance of a knowledge of the Hindoostanee language to European officers destined to act with and to command the native troops in India, recommend to the Court of Directors to take into their immediate consideration the propriety of making regulations, that no cadet shall henceforth be permitted to proceed to India unless he shall, upon examination, be found sufficiently grounded in the rudiments of the Hindoostanee language. "We have the honour to remain, your obedient humble servants, .14 "JOSEPH HUME,

"JOHN BORTHWICK GILCHRIST,
"Proprietors.'

Mr. Hume then rose. In order, he said, to obtain a favourable hearing of this ques tion, which was one of very great importance, and one, as the proprietors well knew, which had been introduced into that court several times during the two last years, he begged those whom he now addressed to understand, as he was sure they must, that this, the subject of education, to which he was anxious to call their attention, was one that could not in any way affect himself. It was a subject with respect to which he could not be supposed to be actuated by any view of personal convenience or interest; and if he did not consider it one of paramount importance to India-if he did not believe that it was Asiatic Journ. VOL. XXI. No. 122.

so viewed by every proprietor present, he would not have taken up so much of their time and his own as he had formerly done, and would again, one this occasion, be obliged to do. The observations he should lay before the court were forced from him by a conviction of the necessity which existed for giving their cadets a proper education-a conviction that the interests of this great company, with which they were all engaged, were intimately connected with the success of the proposition he should submit to them. Having an extensive empire under their control, it was essential to its well-being that it should be governed by persons who were qualified to perform their duties in the best possible way. It was with this impression on his mind that he had twice before submitted a motion to this court on the subject of education; and he was most anxious that the court should not think that he alone had forced this question on public attention. The name of the Marquis Wellesley had this day been mentioned, and he wished that he could be permitted to read August 1800, on the subject of the laover the minute of that noble lord, of mentable deficiency in a knowledge of the oriental languages which prevailed in India, and pointing out a remedy for amongst the civil servants of the company the evil. That very able minute was answered by the Court of Directors in a very satisfactory manner. They approved of the proposition for granting extensive instruction to the Company's civil servants, but they differed from Lord Wellesley as to the mode in which that object should be carried into effect. Now he would contend, that if the arguments in favour of education were applicable, as they manifestly were, to the civil service, they were equally applicable to the military in India. Indeed he was satisfied that it officers commanding the Company's troops would appear on reflection to every thinking mind, that men having arms in their hands, and being ready to perform military execution, should be so trained (it was a matter of infinite importance) as not to be likely to be led away by misapprehension or mistake. Such fatal mis takes might take place, and had indeed taken place, where men were called on to act in a country in utter ignorance of the language of those whom they commanded. He was therefore ready to maintain, that if the education of civil servants were considered a matter of great national im portance, the extension of proper instruc tion to their military officers was no less so. This subject was introduced into this court in 1805. He was much gratified by the resolution of the Court of Directors at that period, agreeing in essity of giving their servants the of instruction; he

strre the speech of his learned friend (Mr. R. Jackson) on that occasion; and he observed with the utmost satisfaction the concurrence of every person present as to the immense importance of the measure then contemplated, and the benefit which mist necessarily be derived from the continuance and extension of the system. Now, it was rather surprising, with that conviction so strong on the mind of every proprietor at that time in court, and, he would add, of every person whom he had conversed with on the subject, that the Company had suffered so many years to pass by, without placing their military officers, in this respect, in the same situation with their civil servants. Though great expense had been incurred for instruction, yet it was not of that description which he was most anxious to see afforded; and certainly the progress which the young men made in acquiring a knowledge of the oriental languages was not so great as could be wished. He hoped, however, that the present session of Parliament would not pass over without a remedy 'being applied to that defect, which ought not to be suffered to exist for a day longer. They would then have the ablest and most intelligent men to perform the duties allotted to them-men who would be free from that ignorance of the native language which at present tarnished the character of many otherwise eminent persons, who held distinguished situations in the Company's service. If a defect of this kind in the civil service were carefully guarded against, let the court consider how much more necessary it was to prevent its existence in the military department. If they looked at the subject with the eyes of reasoning men, they would not suffer the existence of such an evil for another day. No man could rise up and say, that mischiefs had not occurred in consequence of ignorance, on the part of officers, of the language through the medium of which their duties were to be performed. He recollected a very strong argument (at least it appeared to be so to the gentlemen behind the bar) which was urged against him when he first brought forward this subject. The argument was: "You have not the means in this country to afford that degree of instruction in the native languages which you yourself propose." It was very true that, at that period, the opportunities of obtaining this species of instruction were very few, compared with what they were at present; and they had to thank the zeal and perseverance of his hon. friend (Dr. Gilchrist) who, with himself, had signed the requisition which brought the proprietors together this day, for the facilities which were now afforded. (Hear!) The exertions of that gentleman in this country had produced the most beneficial effects; and if he were not present,

he would state, in other and in warmer language, the high sense which he entertained of the usefulness of Dr. Gilchrist's efforts. His conduct, he thought, was above all praise; and, when the subject was inquired into, it would be found that he had conferred great and lasting benefit on the Indian service. (Hear!) The difficulty, however, which impeded his (Mr. Hume's) course, seven years ago, no longer existed. There was at that time no establishment for instruction in the native language, except that formed by Dr. Gilchrist himself, and attended to by him. He had now, however, to state, that there were, at the present moment, nearly thirty-seven establishments, including Dr. Gilchrist's own; but, independent of those, there were thirty establishments, where young men might receive instruction in the Hindoostanee language, at very little expense. Many gentlemen in that court might not, perhaps, have considered what was the number of individuals who commanded the Company's numerous armies in India, and who were consequently placed in a situation of great importance and responsability. Perhaps he might say, that the Company had 150,000 men in arms, who were commanded by 5,CCO European officers. He could not make up the exact number at this moment; but, in 1819, when he mentioned this subject to the court, there were 3,467 European military officers in India; and, at present, he thought he under-rated the number if he said, that between 5 and 6,000 individuals composed the officers of the Indian army. It ought to be considered, that of this number a very large proportion were not confined to mere military duty; and he would prove, before he sat down, that scarcely any part of an officer's duty could be performed satisfactorily and properly, without a knowledge of the Hindoostanee language. If any gentleman were not convinced of the truth of his statement, he would call on him to peruse a pamphlet on this subject, published since he had given notice of this motion. It was written by a military officer who had been seventeen years in India, and who pointed out, in the clearest manner, the necessity of giving to military men a knowledge of the native language, to enable them to perform their functions properly. The detail contained in that pamphlet was quite conclusive on this subject; and if the directors, who were the governors and rulers of India, had not read that publication, he would strongly recommend it to their notice. It contained many very valuable remarks with respect to the inconvenience suffered by king's officers in India, in consequence of their ignorance of the language. He had been at the trouble of extracting from that publication some observations which

he