RENEWAL OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY’S CHARTER.
One of the most important questions which came before parliament during this session was the renewal of the East India Company’s charter. On the 22nd of May Lord Castlereagh observed that the term of the existing charter would expire in May, 1814, and his majesty’s ministers had to consider these three propositions.—“Whether the existing government in India should be allowed to continue in its present state;—whether an entire change should take place in the system;—or whether a middle course should be adopted.” Evidence was heard at the bar of the house in order to throw light upon this important subject; and the witnesses, chiefly persons who had occupied high stations in India, were generally against opening the trade, or allowing missionaries to repair to the East for the purpose of converting the natives to the Christian religion. Finally, a bill was enacted for the prolongation of the company’s territorial power to April, 1834. At the same time it was resolved that such measures ought to be adopted as might tend to the introduction of useful knowledge, and of religious and moral improvement among the natives. The church establishment of the British territories in India was now, indeed, placed under the direction of a bishop and three archdeacons, and missionaries were to be licensed for the propagation of the gospel among the natives.