UNION OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. 95 consideration; and, on the 31st January, Mr. Pitt stated his plan to the house of commons in a series of resolutions. These were:-1. That the two islands should form one kingdom, under the title of the "United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland;" 2. That the succession to the crown, as at present settled, should be undisturbed; 3. That one common parliament should represent the United Kingdom; 4. That the churches of England and Ireland, as now established, remain undisturbed; 5. That the people of Ireland should have the same privileges, in point of trade and navigation, as the people of Great Britain; 6. That the charge for the payment of the interest of the debt of each kingdom before the union, should continue to be paid by Great Britain and Ireland separately; but that the future ordinary expenses of the United Kingdom should be defrayed by them jointly, according to proportions, to be established by the parliament of each kingdom, as agreed upon previously to the union; 7. That all laws in force at the time of the union, and all the courts, civil and ecclesiastical, in each kingdom, should remain as now established, subject only to such alterations as may seem requisite to the united parliament. These resolutions caused a warm debate; but were eventually carried, with some slight alterations, by one hundred and forty against fifteen. In the house of lords they caused also an animated discussion; but were at length agreed to, and with a joint address from the two houses presented to the king, in reply to his message. When transmitted to Ireland for consideration, simultaneously with its introduction to the English legislature, the scheme received at first the most determined opposition. Meetings were held in all the cities and towns, and strong expressions of disapprobation were uttered. In Dublin the matter created a complete storm, and the most violent language was used. The mass of the catholic party, however, kept aloof, and preserved a sullen neutrality. In the Irish house of commons, the address to the throne approving the suggestion, was fiercely debated, and carried by a majority of one only. This occurred in January 1799; but in January 1800, a resolution proposed in the same house, condemning the intended union, was 96 CONDITION OF ENGLAND. negatived by a majority of forty-two. Whether this change resulted from reflection, or from influence, it is impossible to determine accurately. Probably some were led, by calm consideration, to believe the scheme was wise and just; and probably, also, some found governmental influence stronger than their own convictions. Be this as it may, the bill enacting the union, after passing through its several stages in the respective parliaments with some slight variations, received the royal assent on the 2nd of July, and the kingdoms became one. Whatever may have been the means by which the success of this measure was secured, few, except those who may employ the cry of repeal for factious purposes, will doubt the value and importance of the union to both countries. England at this period was the scene of serious discontent. The arbitrary conduct of the government; the unparalleled scarcity of corn, which was so fearful that only few could obtain it; the immense amount of taxation caused by the war, produced distress among all classes; while the ministry continued to pursue the same extravagant course, subsidising large armies, and bearing the chief burden of a war, from which Britain could derive no substantial advantage, either by the extension of her territory or the increase of her commerce. The total amount of the supplies voted for the year 1800, was forty-seven millions, four hundred and ninety thousand, seven hundred and thirty-nine pounds. When this sum is contrasted with fourteen millions, which were thought sufficient in 1792, only eight years before, some idea may be formed of the fearfully oppressive burdens the people had to bear. This year witnessed another attempt on the life of the king. His majesty was just entering a box at Drurylane theatre, when a man of the name of Hatfield fired a pistol at him. The king advanced to the front, and, standing firm, showed himself to the people; the loyalty of the persons present immediately burst forth in loud cheers, while the performers were called upon for the national anthem. Hatfield, when examined, was found to be a confirmed lunatic, and was ordered to be confined for life. It is remarkable that this was the second escape the king had this day. While attending the field exercise THE THREATENED INVASION. 97 of a regiment of guards in the morning, a ball cartridge was fired during one of the volleys, and hit a person who was standing a few yards from the king. An examination of the cartouche-boxes of the men was immediately instituted, but it was never discovered whether the event was the result of accident or design. France was understood at this time to be meditating an invasion of England; and such was the patriotic feeling called forth, that thousands of volunteers enrolled themselves in defence of their country, and scarcely a village was to be found which had not a band of well-armed and well-trained defenders. Providence, however, mercifully averted the danger and preserved Britain in peace, while the rest of the nations of the world were rocking upon the waves of revolutionary violence. CHAPTER VIII. The Merchant Princes.-A. D. 1758-1813. - INDIA. RISE OF THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.-CHARTER GRANTED.-CESSION OF THE ISLAND OF BOMBAY.-INCORPORATION OF A NEW COMPANY. AMALGAMATION OF THE TWO. THE FORM OF CONSTITUTION. ARTICLES IMPORTED AND EXPORTED. POLITICAL ARRANGEMENTS OF THE NATIVE GOVERNMENT.-THE FRENCH COMPANY.-HOSTILITIES WITH FRANCE IN INDIA. ROBERT CLIVE.-INTRIGUES OF DUPLEIX.— CLIVE APPOINTED COMMISSARY. HIS CAPTURE OF ARCOT. DEFENCE OF THE PLACE. FURTHER SUCCESSES.THE BLACK HOLE OF CALCUTTA.-BATTLE OF PLASSEY.-TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE FRENCH POWER.-CLIVE'S RETURN TO ENGLAND.-OPPRESSION BY THE ENGLISH.-CLIVE AGAIN ARRIVES.-TREATIES AND SALUTARY REFORMS.-WARREN HASTINGS FIRST GOVERNOR-GENERAL.-IMPORTANT STRUGGLE IN THE ENORMITIES PRACTISED BY HASTINGS. HIS RESIG DECCAN. 66 HIS CONDUCT. INDIGNATION AGAINST OF SERINGAPATAM.-PEACE NEGOCIATED.-RENEWAL OF WAR.-SUCCESSES OF SIR ARTHUR WELLESLEY.DECLINE OF EASTERN POWER. IN our last chapter on India (Vol. VI., p. 487) we saw the throne at Delhi filled by Shah Alum, a mere puppet, who had but a nominal sovereignty. We then stated that the real power and dominion was passing into the hands of the British, who had for some time been located in India. To make the narrative clear and complete, it will now be necessary that we should briefly sketch the THE COMPANY'S CHARTER. 99 rise and progress of this exotic authority, previous to the date of the present chapter. In 1600, a charter was granted for fifteen years, with the probability of renewal, to a number of London merchants, who were desirous of establishing a regular commerce with India. "This charter," says Mr. Mill, "the origin of a power so anomalous and important as that which was afterwards accumulated in the hands of the East India Company, contained nothing which remarkably distinguished it from other charters of incorporation, so commonly in that age bestowed upon trading associations. It constituted the adventurers a body politic and corporate, by the name of the governor and company of merchants of London, trading to the East Indies,' and vested them with the usual privileges and powers. According to the principle of the times, the charter was exclusive, prohibiting the rest of the community from trading within the limits assigned to the company; that is the space of land and ocean lying beyond the Cape of Good Hope and the Straits of Magellan; but granting to the company the power, whenever they pleased, of bestowing licenses for that purpose." The company, either from fear of eastern sovereigns, or from imperfect acquaintance with the resources of the country, instead of establishing a direct trade with Hindostan, in the first instance sent their ships to Java, Sumatra, and other islands, bringing home calicoes, raw silk, indigo, and spices. But soon after they began to desire intercourse with the continent; and having made some arrangements with the native princes, they established factories at Surat, Ahmedabad, Cambay, and Cogo, on the western coast. Their character at that time was simply that of a few agents for a distant company of merchants, busily engaged in shipping and unshipping goods, and compelled to be most submissive to the native authorities. The charter, which at first was, as we have stated, limited to fifteen years, was renewed from time to time, notwithstanding the occasional opposition it met with at home. Factories were multiplied in various parts; and in 1640, permission was obtained from the native authorities to erect Fort St. George at |