The following letter and memorandum, which are extracted from the
Glasgow Chronicle, contain information relative to the trade Ivith China, transmitted from the India Board on the 12th instant, by Mr. Charles Grant, in answer to queries submitted by Mr. Ewing, the Mem- ber for Glasgow.
At what time British ships will be allowed to clear and sail for Canton?— Not till after April '22d 1834. At what time teas will be permitted to be landed, warehoused, and sold, by the private trade in this country ?—Any time after April 1834, "from the Cape of Good Hope, and from places eastward of the same to the Straits of Magellan, and not from any other place." How is the stock of teas belonging to the East India Company, and supposed to be equal to two and a half years' consumption, to be realized ? Are any re- straints likely to be imposed on the mode in which the teas are to be brought to market, so as to prevent an unnecessary glut, and consequent depression of price? Is any arrangement in contemplation for an assumption of the stuck by Government ?—By sales under the superintendence of the Company and Board of Control ; which sales must be regulated according to the discretion of the Court and Board, with a view as well to the advantage of the Indian revenues as to that of the British pubfic and the free trader. Has any resolution now been formed, or it not, can any information be afforded, as to the probability of the mode in which the duties on teas are to be chargeab!e ?—The act of Parliament fixing rates on certain different classes of teas varying from Is. 6d. to 3s. per pound has passed. lathe silk raised in Bengal by the Company, to be sold in Calcutta? or how is it to be disposed of ? and under what regulations as to time, Scc., is the tran- sition of the Company's silk factories to private parties to talce place ?—The silk to be sold in Calcutta if possible; the filatures to be disposed of as speedily as practicable ; the particulars of the arrangement to be managed by the Indian Government.
Is the Company to cease after the 30th of April 1834, to act as warehouse. men and salesmen ; and what is to be done vvitia the warehouses?—The Com- pany will continue so to act till their commercial concerns are wound up ; pri. vate merchants to avail themselves of this arrangement as at present at their option. Due notice will be given of the Company ceasing to act in that capacity.
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