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other description of produce, and its import and export were perfectly free, unfettered by any restrictions. This state of things being changed by that Proclamation, the Deputation of Indian Merchants, admitted with myself to an interview with His Excellency, craved exemption from its provisions in favor of certain parcels of saltpetre, alleged to have been shipped at Calcutta prior to the date of the Proclamation. No further request was then made.
Such being the simple statement of facts, the Committee fail to perceive in what manner that would have been, not a concession passive, but "an active and very deliberate violation of Regulation sanctioned by Treaty"; how the Chamber has exposed itself to the charge of having "expected from this Government in what would be simply an act of illegality" "an active cooperation".
Having, I trust, thus placed the Chamber right with His Excellency as to the course pursued by it, I have to convey the Committee's thanks for the assurance of His Excellency that he will lose no time in giving information to the Chamber of any change in the Proclamation, under orders from Her Majesty's Government.
I have, &c.
(Signed) DUNCAN I. MACKENZIE
Chairman
J. W. COWIE
Acting Colonial Secretary