mit
for the future government of India; no opinion of ministers to state as
to the renewal or modification of the charter. He proposed the committee
that the question in all its bearings might be examined; but the details
should be left for future consideration, when that committee should have
formed its opinion. He proposed it, he continued, with the plain and
honest view of having a full, perfect, and unreserved investigation into
the affairs of the East India Company. The house, he said, would feel
the importance of such an inquiry. It would bear in mind that higher
objects were involved than the mere extension of trade. They would
have to consider the whole character of the government, ruling over
an immense extent of territory, wielding a powerful force, and
administering an ample revenue. They were bound to consider the various
modes in which that government affected the people over whom it ruled,
and how far any alteration might affect the influence of the crown. The
present form of government extended over many millions of people, and
it had existed for a great number of years. Whether another form of
government might be devised from which equal benefits would flow, he was
not prepared to say; but sufficient was known of the present system to
induce them to pause before they rashly interfered with it. As regards
the company's commercial concerns, the documents which would be
presented to the committee would contain full information on that
subject; and at present he would only say that a reference to these
returns would convince any unprejudiced mind that the sanguine
expectations of great benefits, which some supposed would arise from
throwing the trade entirely open, ought not to be entertained. The
most interesting objects involved in the inquiry were the welfare and
happiness of the Indian population placed under a government. He had
seen a census, which made our native subjects in India amount to ninety
millions. Looking at the extent of territory which in that country
belonged to Great Britain, the vast population there subject to our
sway, the great revolution by which they had come under our dominion,
the immense distance at which they were removed from our shores, and the
difference existing between the languages and usages of the natives and
ours, the mind was almost lost in amazement. Whatever might be the wish
of a British parliament to enlarge the rights and foster the interests
of British citizens,