Page:History of India Vol 6.djvu/308

 244 THE FIKST ENGLISH EAST INDIA COMPANY vided, the company bought the ships and goods for the voyage, drew up instructions for its conduct, and ob- tained the necessary powers from the crown for sending forth armed vessels, marines, and silver specie or coin from the realm. This complicated business was mainly conducted by the governor and committee-men, whose A PALATIAL INDIAN RESIDENCE. " Court of Committees " resembled the board of a joint stock company at the present day. As the arrange- ments advanced, they were laid before a general court of the company presided over by the governor and attended by the committee-men, " with the greatest [or greater] part of the generality." Very strict by-laws regulated these meetings. The beadle could be sent to summons any brother of the company (usually a defaulting subscriber), and the