Page:History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce (Volume 2).djvu/504



When the Company's commercial operations were brought to a close the commanders and officers of their "maritime service" memorialised the Court for compensation for loss of employment, and requested to be placed on a footing somewhat equivalent to what the officers and servants on their own ships would have been entitled to claim by law or usage, had they been discharged or otherwise deprived of employment. This memorial, which will be found in the Appendix, contains a good deal of information connected with the service worthy of perusal. Though drawn up in the form of a petition, it reads more like a demand, the memorialists resting their claims upon certain words in their agreements for servitude, and upon one of the sections of an Act of Parliament.

Although opposed to the demand, and furnishing very valid reasons for their opposition, the Directors, nevertheless, after reference to a meeting of share-*

from China, and only 7l. 12s. to 9l. 15s. to and from Bombay (Hardy, pp. 20-22); and although these rates were double what can now be obtained, they were unremunerative, considering the cost of construction of these vessels, their small capacity in proportion to their registered tonnage, and their large current expenses.]
 * [Footnote: Company in 1832-1833 ranged from 12l. 15s. to 14l. per ton to and