250

HISTORY OP ENGLAND.

CHAP.

XVIII.

1691 .

bulses of diamonds and bags of guineas.* Of what the Dictator- expended no account was asked by his colleagues; and in truthhe seems to have deserved the confidence which they reposedin him. His bribes, distributed with judicious prodigality,speedily produced a large return. Just when the Court becameall powerful in the State, he became all powerful at the Court.Jeffreys pronounced a decision in favour of the monopoly, andof the strongest acts which had been done in defence of themonopoly. James ordered his seal to be put to a new charterwhich confirmed and extended all the privileges bestowed onthe Company by his predecessors. All captains of Indiamenreceived commissions from the Crown, and were permitted tohoist the royal ensigns.** John Child, brother of Sir Josiah,and Governor of Bombay, was created a baronet by the styleof Sir John Child of Surat: he was declared General of all theEnglish forces in the East; and he was authorised to assumethe title of Excellency. The Company, on the other hand,distinguished itself among many servile corporations byobsequious homage to the throne, and set to all themerchants of the kingdom the example of readily andeven eagerly paying those customs which James, at thecommencement of his reign, exacted without the authority ofParliament.***

It seemed that the private trade would now be utterlycrushed, and that the monopoly, protected by the wholestrength of the royal prerogative, would be more profitablethan ever. But unfortunately just at this moment a quarrelarose between the agents of the Company in India and the

* White’s Account of the East India Trade, 1691; Pierce Butler'sTale, 1691.

** White’s Account of the Trade to the East Indies, 1691; Hamilton’sNew Account of the East Indies; Sir John Wyborne to Pepys from Bombay,Jan. 7. 168$.

*** London Gazette, Feb. -£{j. IGSf.