Page:History of India Vol 8.djvu/97

Rh expansive power of this great branch of the national trade.

THE OLD EAST INDIA HOUSE (1796-1858).

The appearance in India of a second and rival Company created serious internal complications. Each association did its utmost to ruin the other; each hoisted the English flag and sent an embassy to contend for the Moghul emperor's patronage at his court; while the local governors played off one against the other, favouring each Company alternately, and taking bribes impartially from both. This discreditable and damaging contest was at last closed by the union of the two Companies, which was effected through Godolphin's inter-