from India to England. Indeed, when it is considered that this absorption of the precious metals in the East has been going on for a long course of years, it is most probable, even under ordinary circumstances, that India could not be expected to do more than to furnish, on a pressing emergency, two or three millious sterling for the relief of the home Treasury. But in the present situation of the Western world, it is to be apprehended, so far from India being able to afford bullion for the relief of England, that India itself will suffer some distress and embarrassment, from the failure of those annual supplies which have hitherto been furnished, through the commerce of the United States, and from the remittances through Old and New Spain, Portugal and foreign Europe.

It appearing then that India cannot transfer any considerable portion of its revenues to England, by annual supplies of bullion, so as to meet effectually the sums on account of India made payable in England, it would seem therefore to follow, that the mode for completing this necessary transfer in future years, must be the same which has obtained in former years-which is through the medium of a regular and well conducted commerce. But if the East-India Company, according to the supposed case, are not to become the channel for this most important commerce; on whom, it may be fairly asked, is this duty to devolve?

Is it to be presumed that Parliament would sanction so novel and extraordinary a procedure, as to allow the King's officers in India, to advance from the public revenues there, funds to resident merchants, or to the supra-cargoes of merchants residing in England, for the purchase of goods for the English markets? But were a measure of this sort to be adopted, the sums so advanced in India could only be returned into the King's Exchequer, on the sales of those cargoes in England. And in this case, how many difficulties must be overcome in India in the commencement of the plan; and how many more must be encountered in England to render such a plan efficient here! How many new offices must be instituted both in India and in England; and after all, where will be found the security for the money advanced, and for its repayment in England, so as to meet the charges for which those sums are appropriated in

India? Will the Crown take the risk of the seas,-are its officers to examine into the sea-worthiness of the ships--or to exercise any control, or judgment, respecting the loading or departure of the ships-Is the appropriation of the sums advanced in India to be left altogether to the discretion of the merchants or their supra-cargoes, applying for those advances? And is this large annual amount to be placed altogether beyond the reach or management of the servants of the Crown in India?

And again, in respect to management in England-the cargoes will be secured in bonded warehouses. In the case of home consumption, are the sales and deliveries to be left altogether to the discretion of the importers? And in the case of exportation, how is the amount advanced on such cargoes, or parts of cargoes, to be secured, and the advances returned? Will officers of the Crown be appointed to secure such a sale value of the cargoes sold, as will be sufficient to indemnify the Crown for the advances, and also to prevent the deliveries of the goods till such advances are repaid?

It is clear, that if some efficient checks, control, and regulations, are not established on all these points, both in India and in England, there will be no security whatever for the due return of the sums advanced in India. And if such efficient control is effected, what is to become of that liberty of trade, for which it appears so many are anxiously seeking?

It is indeed too probable, the trader, under such circumstances, would find himself more crippled in all his operations, than has been stated by those, who have complained of the vexations and difficulties, to which they have been exposed under the Company's present regulations.

These are some of the difficulties which present themselves, on a very cursory review of the consequences of that change, which is supposed to be meditated by those who are hostile to the Company's wish, to keep the import trade of India to the port of London alone. It is unnecessary to state the actual uncertainty of any real increase of the trade by the change sup. posed; indeed, some of the most strenuous advocates for the participation of the Outports argue their right to a share of the present trade, if it should be demonstrated that trade cannot be

increased in any degree whatever. It may be considered sufficient to request that a due attention be paid to the several points which have been very briefly stated. Considering, on the one

hand, the real advantages of the present system or of that to which the Company have assented, viz. giving the Port of London free import and export to all parts of India, through the Company's several establishments abroad and at home, together with a free export to India from the Outports, and leaving the private inerchant to employ his own tonnage and to regulate the sailing of his own ships according to his own discretion, and taking into account, on the other hand, the almost certain ruin of the Company and its various establishments, together with the addition of a large annual sum to the public taxes in England, as before stated.

It is therefore hoped, these plain and cursory hints will induce that serious reflection on the whole of this momentous subject, as to cause a patient reconsideration of all the points which have been brought into discussion, that at length the whole question may be finally settled, with the full concurrence of His Majesty's Ministers, the satisfaction of the just expectations of the East India Company, and to the real benefit of the merchants and manufacturers and the British public in general.

London, the 27th March, 1813,

J. T.

Subscriptions for the Association are received at Messrs. Coutts and Co.; Drummonds and Co.; Hammersley and Co.; Herries, Farquhar, and Co.; Hoares and Co.; Jones, Loyd, Hulme, and Co.; Morland, Ransom, and Co.; and Smith, Payne and Smith; subject to the Order of the Committee.

THE

SECOND REPORT, &c.

IN

N looking to their primary object of encouraging and promoting the supply of Fish, both fresh and corned, in the Metropolis and the other parts of the Island, the Committee are of opinion that, with the natural advantages which Great Britain enjoys in respect of the fisheries, it is of importance in the first place to ascertain the nature and extent of the impediments, which, in an Island where the coasts abound in inexhaustible shoals of that article of food, check the supply and the use of fish, at a time when an increasing population demands additional means of subsist

ence.

The ascertaining of those impediments, and the adopting of the most effectual and unexceptionable measures for their removal, appear to the Committee to constitute a great part of what will be to be done by the Fish Association: for whenever those impediments are removed, and private adventure is once put in action, they entertain no doubt of an ample supply to our markets, at prices which, without the interference of regulation, will be proportionable to the cost and labor of the enterprise, and to the extent of