Il classes of Her Majesty's subjects in the Mofussil be necessary to appoint a committee for the purpose of vited to co-operate by forming Branch Associations in managing the details of the measures necessary to be he several districts. adopted; and that the following gentlemen be appinted 3d-Proposed by Mr. P. Gomes, and seconed by Mr.to form such a committee, viz. Messrs. C. A. Fenwick, R. Hollow, and resolved, that as the objects of the W. F. Hair, F. D. Bellew, G. Chisholm, C. P Fisson, Association cannot be accomplished, without the aid of Wm. Reed, J. Rabbeth, B. L. Verboon, C. A. Verecuniary resources, each individeal joining the Associa-tannes,-Agabeg, A. Fenwick, C. Fordyce, and Baboos ion, contribute such aid, according to his means, whether Mothoornath Tagore and Isserchunder Gupto, with in the shape of donation or monthly subscription, and power to add to their number, that books be opened for the reception of the names of donors and subscribers. 5th-Proposed by Mr. C. A. Fenwick, and seconded by Mr. T. Smyth, resolved, that this association be designated the "United Indian Association." 4th-Proposed by Mr. Fordyce, and seconded by Mr T. E. Mullins, and resolved, that in order to carry the resolutions that have just been passed into effect, it is solved.-Hurkaru, February 12. Thanks being voted to the Chair, the meeting dis STEAM COMMUNICATION. The usual Half-yearly General Meeting of the Sub. scribers to the new Bengal Steam Fund, took place on Tuesday last, at four o'clock in the afternoon, at the Town Hull. On the motion of Mr. H. M. Parker, MR. JAMES PATTLE, IN THE CHAIR. 4. No doubt. Q. We might expect a subscription of £1,00,000? A. You must first let us know how much you have got here, and we would get a subscription in proportion. Q. We might expect hearty co-operation from the city of Bristol? The Secretary, MR. GREENLAW, read the following report: Report of the Committee of the New Bengal Steam Fund to the Subscribers to the Fund and to the A. Yes, and a great deal more. I think 80 or 90 of Petitions at the Eleventh Half-yearly General Meeting, our proprietors out of 140 in the Great Western steam convened under the 10th Regulation of the Original ship company, have petitioned us to take the thing in Meeting of the Subscribers to the Fund held on the hand. 22d day of June 1833. Q. To take it in hand as far as Alexandria ? Q. How would the people at Bristol propose to cooperate with this Company as a body or as individuals? The Committee of the New Bengal Steam Fund, have to report proceedings of an important character, which have transpired in India and at home, since the date of the last report, viz. the 17th, presented at the half yearlyMeeting held on the 18th August last With reference to the proceedings at home, the Committee communicated to the subscribers and the public, in the newspapers of A. I should say as individuals taking shares, that if the 28th ultimo, the appointment of a Committee of you made Bristol the port, that is all they would ask to "the Governor of the let them in as shareholders. which Mr. Timothy Curtis, Bank of England, is Chairman, in London, to investigate. certain propositions of Capt, Barber, as well as those of any other person having for their object the establish. ment of a comprehensive Steam Communication between England and India by way of the Red Sea," and that, from some portions of the evidence taken, it appeared that the investigation was of the most searching character. Q. Do you mean Alexandria or the whole line? man A. If the Bristol people come in they would be the same as you are; but I do not believe there is a at Bristol that would ask to have any thing to do with the direction if you would only make Bristol the Port. By the last Mail Capt. Barber has forwarded further Lord William Bentinck, had not on the departure of very interesting and inportant evidence given to the Com mittee by Capt. Claxton, the managing director of the the last mail, given in his plan, &c. but was to do so Bristol Great Western Company, and Mr. Joshua Field, on the next meeting of the Committee; nor has his of the firm of Maudslavs and Field. It is impossible Lord ship made any communcation to the Committee for the Committee, without swelling the report beyond touching the reply of the Hon'ble the Court of Directors bounds, to enter into anything like a detail of this evi- to his letter. The Committee are of opinion that His dence; one feature of which is that it goes far to establish Lordship purposely delays till the result of the sittings that a preference will be given to fron over wooden of the London Committee is known, which it is prevessels, and another, that there is a strong disposition on sumed, would be about the beginning of January. the part of the merchants at Bristol to unite with London in bringing the matter to bear. The Committee entertain little doubt that that result will be the immediate formation of a Company at home, The following are questions put to Capt. Claxton, and and they have every reason to trust that the prospectus will be such as to merit the support of the Indian the answers rendered by him to the Committee. public Q. If the departure took place from Bristol, the gentlemen there are so patriotic that we should derive assistance from that city? With respect to the proceedings in India, this Committee have had a correspondence with the Madras His Excellency the Governor of Ceylon, referring to the voyages of the Great Western, considers that the route by the Cape will eventually be established, but he adds: committee, consequent on a suggestion from the Cham- from no want of earnest desire for the success of the ber of Commerce at that place, to the effect that a project, if it should be necessary to attempt its exethe formation of a joint Stock Company to include cution, that His Houor in Conncil felt bound to suspend the communication between England and Alexandria the decision of Government, until the opportunity shall has from several causes proved of difficult arrangement, have been afforded to the home authorities to express it seems desirable now to limit the efforts on the part their opinions upon it. of subscribers to improving the Comunication between lodia and the Red Sea, which seems a practicable mensure, and would, in conjunction with the French and English Steamers already established, effect a complete and regular communication by Steam between England and India. The Calcutta Commitee considered that with reference to the state of matters at home, the time had not yet arrived for actually getting up a Com "If the voyage to Suez, from Calcutta, vià Madras, pany for the purpose of establishing the communication Galle, &c. &c. can be established (so far as regards from Calcutta, Madras and Galle to Suez only; but the capital required, for an adequate number of steam they thought very great advantage would arise from the vessels to carry on the Navigation constantly) so far suggestion being instantly acted on in this way, viz, that as regards, what I have written above, I shall feel immediate steps should be taken to obtain correct no difficulty in recommending to the home Governestimates of the cost of building a sufficient number of inent to permit this Government, to give a sum, towards steamers of the largest class, and of maintaining and running them between Calcutta, Madras, Galle and Suez, as also of the probable returns so as to be fully prepared in the event of measures not being carried into effect at home for the whole line, to come out at prospectus inviting subscription, not conditional but positive, to the plan suggested at Mad once with a ras. its establishment: so far as regarded myself, I should, in the event of the proposed trial being made, after full deliberation and wisely,-I should subscribe my mite; so FAR AS countenance goes, I need scarcely add, it would have all I could publicly or privately give it: though I fully expect that via the Cape Steam Navigation to India will ultimately and permanently be established. But I am far from saying, that that would prevent what your letter contemplates being also set on to foot; either would be good-both, if successful, best. To this end, the Committee wrote immediately Capt. Barber, directing him to report for what sum steamers of a proper description could be placed at Calcutta. "I shall be glad to be informed of the progress of your scheme, which has truly my best wishes. Nothing will make England ever. know what India and India's resources are," but more frequent and intimate intercourse and communication. On His Excellency's support, public and private, therefore, reliance may be placed. The Committee also addressed the Supreme Government, and His Excellency the Governor of Ceylon, requesting to be informed of the degree and mode of support which might be expected to be given to a Company formed for the purpose in question, and by the former authority whether a legislative act would he passed granting a charter restricting individual liabilties to the amount subscribed, and authorizing parties who now by Law cannot be members of a Joint The correspondence which Colonel Campbell and Stock Company, to becomeso in this case. The Com- Mr. Walne, the Vice Consul in Egypt, contains some mittee also addressed Lord William Bentinck for the important information; and, on the whole, when the purpose of endeavouring to ascertain how far such a Report of the London Committee shall be received, project would receive the support of her Majesty's if the result should not be the formation of a Com. Government, taking the opportunity to request His pany at home, the Committee will be prepared forth. Lordship to press earnestly on the authorities at home, with to enter into communication with the Madras the absolute expediency of some definite resolution Committee for the preparation of a plan and pros. being come to on the general question, seeing that pectus, which they will then submit for the consider. until it is finally settled, nothing but dissatisfaction willation of the people of India. prevail throughout India. The Committee have likewise addressed themselves to the communities of the Straits, China, and the Mauritius, with a view to obtain information of the extent to which support might be expected from each of those places respectively; and finally Her Majesty's Political Agent in Egypt, Col. P. Campbell, was requested to furnish all requisite information touching the arrangements necessary in that country. Replies have been received from the Supreme Government, from His Excellency the Governor of Ceylon, and from Col. Campbell; and a public Meeting has been held at Singapore, at which a Committee has been appointed to enquire and report on the subject as regards the Straits, and to correspond with the Madras and Calcutta Committees. The Committee regret that the reply from the Supreme Government, should of necessity be of an indefinite character; but they feel assured that the subscribers and the public will be satisfied that it was Referring to the communication made by the Committee at the last Meeting touching the number of despatches into which the English Mails for Calcutta where divided at Bombay, and the great length of time occupied in their transit from Bombay, the Committee regret to report that no improvement has taken place. The table marked A, in the appendix, shews the divisions made of the Calcutta Maiis, at Bombay during the last six months; three of them were divided into four and three into five portions; the least number of days between the arrival of the letters, &c. at Bombay and the receipt in Calcutta was fifteen days, and the longest eighteen. The paying letters were generally despatched during the first and second days with very few newspapers, these latter with the free and service letters being chiefly sent on the last days. The following table will shew the great and progressive increase which has taken place in the letters and newspapers received from Calcutta at England, taken every three months. The last mail brought the largest number of covers that has been received viz. 3737. The Statement marked B, again, shews the numbers of days between the advertised latest safe dates and the days on which the Calcutta letters left Bom bay for England during the last 12 months; and the comparative number of covers despatched from Calcutia, and all India during eleven of those months. The shortest period between the latest safe day and despatch from Bombay, was fourteen days; the longes thirty-three. a This occurred in July last, when Mail was made up in consequence of a notification from Bombay of its being intended to send a Steamer either to the Red Sea or Persian Gulph on the 25th July. The 8th of that month was advertised at Cal cutta, as the latest safe date, and a Mail was despatched accordingly; but on 14th July a fresh notification appeared, stating that a Steamer would be despatched to the Red Sea on or about 1st Augus, and the 16h July was advertised as the latest sale date. The vessel, the Atalanta, left on the 1st August, her destination being altered to the Persian Gulph; so that it is not only in the despatch of the letters to Calcutta, that delay occurs under the present arrangement, but also in the despatch of the letters from Calcutta, to Eng. land. On the previous occasion to this, the Mail was made up consequent on a notice given that the Atalanta was to leave on the 3d July for the Persian Gulph. Instead of this the letters were sent on the Semiramis viâ the Red Sea, and she did not leave till the 12th or nine days after the time originally fixed for the letters leaving Bombay. The Semiramis pu back on the 26th July, and the Mail did not finally leave Bombay till the 12th September, or 89 days from the latest sale date, as advertised. With respect to the comparative number of covers despatched from alcutta and all India, during eleven months, the follwing is the result. Total from Calcutta. Mofussil Calcutta. 27.762. 2.229, Total from all India. 29,991 86,957 1838. 1839. the As the last Mail from England brought more covers than were received on any former occasion, so Mail lately dispatched from Calcutta, has exceeded greatly any former one. The Committee cannot conclude their Report, without directing the attention of the subcribers and the public, to the continued zeal of Lord William Bentinck; to the active exertions of Sir Wilmot Horton and the disinterested devotion of time bestowed on the cause by Mr. Timothy Curtis, the Governor of the Bank of England, who, though he is commercially unconnected with India, voluntarily undertook the arduous duties of Chairman of the London Committee, of whose labours this Committee are able to form some judgment from the Extracts of Evidence taken by them, and forwarded by Capt. Barber. When the whole shall be published the public will learn the full extent of the debt of gratitude which they owe to that Committee, and its Chairman. It Nor can the Committee, avoid noticing how much détermination to convert that into a public meeting, is owing to Capt. Barber for his spirited and judicious which was originally intended for a private one. is owing to this that the merchants of London, in communication with those of Bristol, and, doubtless the other out ports, are at length taking the matter evident purpose ol into their consideration with an carrying out the communication in its most compref hensive form; provided, on enquiry, such a course shalbe deemed safe and practicable. In the Report published in the papers of the 28th Ultimo, the Committee adverted to attempts being, made at home to decry the route by the Red Sea altogether. These attempts even proceed so far as to declare, that the people of India no longer desire to So that from Calcutta, alone very nearly one-third have the communication established by that route. of all the covers was sent, and including the Mofussil The Committee have already expressed their sentiments more than one-third; and there ean be little doubt on this point; and they would submit to the meeting whethat, adding the Madras Presidency letters, more ther it is not expedient that an immediate reiterated and than one half the correspondence with India is sub-strong expression of the public desire for the immediate jected to the inconveniences and delays above noticed. establishment of the communication by that route should be made. It may not be uninteresting for the Subscribers also, to know the increase that bas taken place in the number of letters despatched from Calcutta, commencing with August 1837; the encrease every three months was as follows: The number under this head, must not be taken a covering single letters; the Merchants of Calcutta, and others, frequently putting as many as fifteen or twenty letters under one cover. The accounts are laid on the table, shewing a balance of C.'s Rs 39,595-21. The principal disbursement is on account of the agency in England, being a payment by Messrs. Cockerell and Co. of £31-0 7, to Captain Grindlay to make up the sum of £500 awarded to him by the late Home Committee. The Committee have to report the departure to England of Mr. James Prinsep, and to request the subscri bers to appoint a Member of the Committee, in his place By order of the Committee. Č. B. GREEN LAW, Secretary. Summary Statement of the Receipts and Disbursements on account of the New Bengal Steam Fund, from the 1st August 1838, to the 31st January 1839. Of the letter of Credit for 1000£ grauted by Messrs.C. and Co. of Calcutta in favor of the Home Committee, the sum of 3,47 1-15-3 Company's rupees has been drawn in England and liquidated here. For the balance of the letter of credit, the above sum of 39,595-2-1 is subject; as also to £317-3-2 being the balance of a Letter of credit for £500 in favor of Col, Campbell, Her Majesty's Political Agent at Cairo. C. B. GREENLAW, Secretary, N. B. S. F. |