there could be but one feeling as to the moral
obligation which we had incurred to promote the improvement of these
distant subjects, so far as the feelings, the institutions, and the
prejudices of that country would allow. In the list of the committee
proposed by Mr. Peel there were the names of three or four East India
directors. Messrs. Hume and Baring objected to their being put on the
committee, although they expressed an opinion that they would not act
unfairly, and that there was a necessity of obtaining the information
which they possessed. Mr. Astell, one of the directors named, declared
that the company desired nothing more earnestly than the fullest
inquiry. What the directors complained of most, was the ignorance which
prevailed on this subject, and which, by deluding the country, was the
greatest enemy they had to contend with. He courted inquiry; for the
more the subject was investigated, the more likely would it be that the
directors would have justice done them. Let the committee obtain the
fullest evidence; let them examine all the documents that would be
brought before them; and then they would be able to decide whether
India could be better governed; whether justice could be more fairly
administered; and whether the happiness of the natives could be more
humanely consulted. He contended that the directors had done all they
could, and that they had never lost sight of the interests of their
country in the pursuit of their own. The committee was appointed as
proposed, retaining the members of the East India Company.

DEBATE ON A PROPOSAL TO ALTER THE CURRENCY.

During this session Mr. Attwood brought the subject of the currency
before the house, by proposing two resolutions; namely, to make silver
a legal tender as, he contended, it had been before the Bank Restriction
Act of 1797, and to restore small notes. This question underwent a full
discussion but the motion of a double standard seemed so objectionable,
and any scheme for depreciating the currency appeared pregnant with such
dangerous consequences, that the motion was withdrawn without dividing
the house. Several members, indeed, expressed an opinion that it was
far from being certain that the standard adopted was the best; but the
relief to be obtained by the double standard proposed was thought by
them to be neither so great, nor so certain, as to justify the making
of such an experiment. The motion was ably opposed by Mr. Herries, who
s