A special general meeting of the proprietors of East India
Stock was held on Wednesday, for the purpose of considering a resolution of the Court of Directors to grant a sum of 20,0001. to the Marquis Wellesley. The grounds on which the Directors proposed the grant were stated in a report read by the Chairman to the meeting_
"The Court having learnt with deep regret that the Marquis Wellesley is involved in pecuniary difficulties which greatly interrupt his personal comfort in the decline of life, have been led to view his Lordship's career in India, with the view of considering whether it would not become the Company to offer some further acknowledgment of the distinguished services of that illustrious individual.
"The Court observe, that upon the fall of Seringapatam an intention was entertained of appropriating from the value of the military stores captured there a sum of 100,0001. to the Marquis Wellesley; which intention was ahem. dosed, On his Lordship's own suggestion, from motives of delicacy towards the army ; and it was then determined by the Company to grant to the Marquis an annaity 5.000/. ; which is still paid, but in which there is too much reason to apprehend that his Lordship has very little if any beneficial interest. " After the fall of Seringapatate, Lord Wellesley continued to hold fur several years the erne° of Governor-General; and during that period, military operations were conducted upon an extensive scale, and with brilliant success, and diplomatic arrangements were concluded upon which the maintenance and consolidation of the British power in India have since essentially depended.
"The grounds upon which the said grant is recommended are the dim- tinguished and important services of the Marquis Wellesley while he held the office of Governor.General of India, and his Lordship's present circumstances."
In a discussion which followed, Sir James Carnac, the chairman, tho deputy chairman, Sir Harcourt Jones, Mr. Weeding, Mr. Richard Jenkins, Sir Charles Forbes, Sir Gore Ouseley, Mr. Astell, and Sir Robert Campbell, supported the grant Mr. Fielder, Mr. Alarjori- banks, and Mr. Marriott opposed it,—chiefly on the ground that the Marquis bad been sufficiently paid for his services, and that to vote him an additional sum on account of his distressed circumstances would establish a dangerous precedent. On the question being put to the vote, all the proprietors present except nine voted for the grant.
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