them to proceedings of vigor; and they ought to have a tenure in their office which precludes all fear, whilst they are acting up to the purposes of their trust,—­a tenure without which none will undertake plans that require a series and system of acts.  When they know that they cannot be whispered out of their duty, that their public conduct cannot be censured without a public discussion, that the schemes which they have begun will not be committed to those who will have an interest and credit in defeating and disgracing them, then we may entertain hopes.  The tenure is for four years, or during their good behavior.  That good behavior is as long as they are true to the principles of the bill; and the judgment is in either House of Parliament.  This is the tenure of your judges; and the valuable principle of the bill is to make a judicial administration for India.  It is to give confidence in the execution of a duty which requires as much perseverance and fortitude as can fall to the lot of any that is born of woman.

As to the gain by party from the right honorable gentleman’s bill, let it be shown that this supposed party advantage is pernicious to its object, and the objection is of weight; but until this is done, (and this has not been attempted,) I shall consider the sole objection from its tendency to promote the interest of a party as altogether contemptible.  The kingdom is divided into parties, and it ever has been so divided, and it ever will be so divided; and if no system for relieving the subjects of this kingdom from oppression, and snatching its affairs from ruin, can be adopted, until it is demonstrated that no party can derive an advantage from it, no good can ever be done in this country.  If party is to derive an advantage from the reform of India, (which is more than I know or believe,) it ought to be that party which alone in this kingdom has its reputation, nay, its very being, pledged to the protection and preservation of that part of the empire.  Great fear is expressed that the commissioners named in this bill will show some regard to a minister out of place.  To men made like the objectors this must appear criminal.  Let it, however, be remembered by others, that, if the commissioners should be his friends, they cannot be his slaves.  But dependants are not in a condition to adhere to friends, nor to principles, nor to any uniform line of conduct.  They may begin censors, and be obliged to end accomplices.  They may be even put under the direction of those whom they were appointed to punish.

The fourth and last objection is, that the bill will hurt public credit.  I do not know whether this requires an answer.  But if it does, look to your foundations.  The sinking fund is the pillar of credit in this country; and let it not be forgot, that the distresses, owing to the mismanagement, of the East India Company, have already taken a million from that fund by the non-payment of duties.  The bills drawn upon the Company, which are about four