present connexions to a situation in which no political
convulsions, and no variations of power, might be able to destroy their
importance and terminate their ascendency." Other members resisted
the bill with similar arguments, and Fox was compelled to call all his
powers into action for its defence. After defending himself from the
charge of violating the company's charters, and observing that the
arguments of his opponents might have been adopted with great propriety
by King James the Second, he remarked:--"I am also charged with
increasing the influence, and giving an immense accession of power to
the crown. Certainly this bill as little augments the influence of the
crown, as any measure that can be devised for the government of India,
with the slightest promise of success. The very genius of influence
consists in hope or fear--fear of losing what we have, or hope of
gaining more. Make the commissioners removable at will, and you set all
the little passions of human nature afloat. Invest them with power upon
the same tenure as the British judges hold their station, removable
upon delinquency, punishable upon guilt, but fearless of danger if they
discharge their trust, and they will be liable to no seducement, and
will execute their functions with glory to themselves, and for
the common good of the country and mankind. This bill presumes the
possibility of mal-administration; for every word in it breathes
suspicion. It supposes that men are but men; it confides in no
integrity; it trusts to no character. It annexes responsibility, not
only to every action, but even to the inaction of the powers it has
created. I will risk my all upon the excellence of this bill. I will
risk upon it whatever is most dear to me--whatever men most value--the
character of integrity, of present reputation, and future fame; these
will I stake upon the constitutional safety, the enlarged policy, the
equity and wisdom of the measure. Whatever, therefore, may be the fate
of its authors, I have no fear that it will produce to this country
every blessing of commerce and revenue; and by extending a generous and
humane government over those millions whom the inscrutable dispensations
of Providence have placed under us, in the remotest regions of the
earth, it will consecrate the name of England among the noblest of the
nations." While this bill was pending in the commons, the East India
Company and the city of London presented strong petitions aga