Between 1766 and 1773 issues related to the East India Company were a dominant theme in British politics: in 1767 and 1772-3 there were major parliamentary inquiries into the affairs of the Company. This thesis is a study of why this was so. It is a study of the response of politicians and those within the Company to the changing nature of British activity in India. Attention is focussed upon two legislative bodies: Parliament and the General Court of the Company. Such an approach is necessary as much of the East Indian legislation enacted during this period originated in the General Court. The nature of this political proceHS is reflected in the organization of the thesis. Part one is devoted to a consideration of the political structure and decision-making machinery of the Company. Particular attention has been given to the factional struggle for control of the Company, and to the growth of a ministerial 'interest' in the executive body, the Court of Directors. Part two is a study of the intrusion of Company issues into parliamentary politics. It is argued that shortcomings in the Pratt-Yorke legal opinion of 1757 conditioned the nature of parliamentary intervent ions into the Company's affairs. The motives behind, and scope of, the first inquiry of 1767 are examined, as are the failures to reform the Company between 1768 and 1772. Finally, in the wake of the financial crisis of 1772, detailed consideration is given to the second parliamentary inquiry and the passage of Lord North's East Indian legislation in 1773.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:548079 |
| Date | January 1986 |
| Creators | Bowen, Huw Vaughan |
| Publisher | Aberystwyth University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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