acts of misconduct on the part of Mr. Paull, of which his Excellency is not apprized, should appear to your Excellency to merit that destruction to Mr. Paull's just and equitable prospects, which must be the consequence of his being prohibited from remaining at Lucknow in the prosecution of the beneficial objects of

commerce,

Copy of a Letter from Mr. Paull to the Marquis Wellesley, K. P. Governor General, &c. Dated Lucknow, Dec. 5th, 1802.

MY LORD;-Although incessantly engaged in the affairs of a most mighty empire, I am, however, well aware that the concerns of an humble individual are not beneath your Excellency's notice. I have, my lord, for many years carried on extensive concerns in Oude, and for the ensuing twelve months I reckon my exports from the Vizier's country will be at least fifteen lacks of rupees. On re-commencing my business, after à short absence in Europe, I find myself, however, reluctantly under the necessity of representing to the notice of your Excellency, a very vexatious and truly grievous hardship in the present mode of collecting the Company's Duties at their customhouses within the provinces.-By an express article of the commercial treaty, which I understand from the Vizier's government is still in force, the Nabob's Rowannah is therein laid down as the rule for the Company's custom-masters to levy the duties on exports from Oude: I am aware at the

same

same time, that in July last, government in its wisdom passed a regulation, which however has never been promulgated, empowering the custommasters to alter the old and to substitute a new mode of valuation. To this regulation it is my duty to yield submission; and it is the mode only of carrying the government regulations into execution of which I presume to complain to your Excellency. Notwithstanding that I accompany my dispatches with the actual and bonâ fide prices of my exports: to these the custom-masters will pay no attention: they stop the boats, unpack as many bales as they choose; they carry a number of pieces of cloth from the boats to a distance, and affix an exact and arbitrary undefined rate: in a word, my lord, it is left to the wisdom or caprice of their native servants to affix what duty they choose upon articles on which government have defined no express rate of duty for their guidance.-The hardship alone, my lord, of unpacking bales at three different custom-houses (and they are subject to it at Juanpore, Ghauzipore, and Patua) which are carefully made up in unfavourable weather, or, indeed, in any weather, is of itself a most serious evil: but the consequent delays that must inevitably attend the new system, and the heavy arbitrary undefined valuation put upon property, (and moreover, my lord, one transaction forms no guide for me to go by, to prevent recurrences of these evils, for each valuation of the same sort of goods differs froin another) are drawbacks and impediments that no commerce can thrive under,

and

and I humbly presume to say, totally incompatible with that excessive wise, liberal, and en lightened policy, that marks every act of the administration of your Excellency.-Permit me, my lord, with diffidence, to suggest that it would prove very beneficial to government, and would remedy at the same time the hardships of which I complain, were the duties in some manner defined and at all events, those on goods intended for Calcutta, collected at the first government custom-house at which the Oude exports apply for clearance. To this mode I believe no objection could be offered, whilst the present system is open to unanswerable ones; the reason for establishing custom-houses at Juanpore, Benares, Ghauzipore, and Patna, is sufficiently obvious; it was to prevent the passing of goods by the Ganges, Gograh, or Goomtie, without paying the regulated duties; but there seems to be no substantial reason for levying a duty of 5 per cent. at separate customhouses; and as the two custom-masters pay no attention to the valuation of each other, the rate of duties is no longer 5 per cent. The custommasters by this mode get a dividend, and sometimes a higher commission, but government is not benefited, and the public greatly injured.-I trust the great interest I have at stake, will plead my pardon for this address to your Excellency, to whom I with confidence leave my case, trusting if the provisions of the treaty are no longer in force, that some system will be adopted to render unnecessary the unpacking of goods. The con

sequent

sequent delays at the custom-houses, and the arbitrary, heavy, and capricious valuation of a native appraiser, are grievances that I am persuaded only require representation to ensure redress from your Excellency, to whom no man ever complained in vain, that complained with justice. With an indelible sense of past obligations, with great consideration, and the highest respect, I have the honour to be, my Lord, &c.

(Signed)

JAMES PAULL.

26

THIRTEENTH

THIRTEENTH DAY.

Monday, November 17.

At the close of the Poll, the numbers were as

On the close of the Poll, Mr. Sheridan announced a message to his friend, the broad-faced orator, who was at some distance in the crowd, that a number of respectable Electors who had attended the Hustings during the Election, had signed a letter to him, offering to petition the magistrates, in order to have the licence of Mr. Berridge (the broad-faced orator, who keeps a public-house in Swallow-street,) taken away, in consequence of his conduct during the Election; but that he (Mr. Sheridan) had decidedly resisted the proposal: And he desired that Mr. Berridge might entertain no apprehension on that head, as he would guarantee to him the renewal of his licence. On the numbers being announced,

Mr. SHERIDAN addressed the multitude--"Gentlemen, I am glad to see you all in such good humour -[clamours]-Gentlemen, it is your privilege to be as clamorous as you choose, and God forbid that I should wish to trench upon that valuable immunity! -Gentlemen, I have kept my word with you in shewing a triumphant majority at the close of