Dec 06, 2012 14:44
From a printed letter 'To the Proprietors of the East-India Stock', [1805]:
Ladies And Gentlemen,
Having found ourselves unable to approve the arrangement proposed by the Court of Directors in respect of Prince of Wales' Island, we have the honour to submit to you the reasons, that have induced us to demand, that this important question shall be finally decided by the ballot.
1stly. [...]
7thly. Because at a period when the Company's debts exceed 23 millions, and when financial embarrassments preclude the regular payment of the duties of custom; we cannot believe that an establishment of £.50,000 per annum, independent of all contingencies, can be necessary for the civil government of the Island, having no political relations to maintain, and containing a superficies no greater than 160 square miles, of which 53 only (an extent, equal to one fourth part of the Isle of Wight) are fitted for cultivation.
[...]
commonplace