28 SEPTEMBER 1839, Page 2

The proprietors of East India Stock assembled on "Wednesday in

a Quarterly General Court. Mr. Poy.nder called attention to the burn- ing of Runjeet Sleigh's wives on his funeral pile. Mr. Mills, a Director, said that the British Government in India had nothing to do with what passed in the dominious of Runic:et Singh. Mr. Poyndcer asked, whether the Government could not prevent Sutteeism in the territories of Run- jeet SinsTfi ? The Chairnian replied, " Most ewe:dilly not." Mr. Poy toter proceeded to address the Court on the encouragement given to idolotry by ordering British troops to attend religious ceremonies of the Ifindoos; and moved that a petition from the clergy of Bristol, pray- ing for information oil the subject, he entered on the minutes. Mujor Oliphant gave it as his opinion that the Hindoos would be better pleased if the Europeans did not in any way interkre in the performance of their relieious ceremonies ; and Sir James Bryant recommended perfect neutrelity. Sir Charles Fcrbes thanked the two gallant officers for the independent expression of their opinions.—Motion agreed to.

Another motion by Mr. Poy odor, for returns showing how far a despatch dated the 20th of Fehruary 1833, and which limited and re- gulated the attendance of' Britkh troops at Hindoo religious ceremonies, had been acted upon, was opposed by several proprietors ; and rejected, by 32 to 18.

Sir Charles Forbes said, it appeared from an item in the Company's accounts for the last half-year, that 53,000/. had been expended by the Secret Service Committee ; and he wished for an explanation of so enor- mous a charge— He had understood that the Government of this country were only allowed 10,000/. annually for that purpose, and even in that Court no grant to an indi- vidual could be made exceeding 600/. except with the consent of a Court of Proprietors. He should like to know who the Secret Committee consisted of? He believed the Chairman and Deputy Chairman were on it.

The Chairman—" And the Senior Director ; no one else."

Sir Charles Forbes—" Yes there is!"

"You are all of you compelled by a certain somebody in Cannon Row, sk would ask, had the disbursement any connexion with P. rsia—with the tear that was going on in India, the expense of which ought to be defrayed by the Government of this country ? Ought such a disbursement to be allowed, when the affairs of the Company were in such a state that a reduction of the die, dend might be looked for ?"

The Chairman could assure Sir Charles Forbes, that no part of the money had gone into the pockets of the Directors.

Sir Charles Forbes did not entertain such a thought for a minute; hut lie knew that they had voted money, under the direction of Sir John Hobliouse, whose orders they could not disobey. Sir Charles then gave notice of a motjon on the next Court-day for an inquiry into the (Es, bursements by the Secret Committee during the past year.

The Court then adjourned.