But in 1677 the price had risen to two hundred and forty-five; in 1681 it was three hundred; it subsequently rose to three hundred and sixty; and it is said that some sales were effected at five hundred.
[159] The enormous gains of the Indian trade might perhaps have excited little murmuring if they had been distributed among numerous proprietors.
But while the value of the stock went on increasing, the number of stockholders went on diminishing.

At the time when the prosperity of the Company reached the highest point, the management was entirely in the hands of a few merchants of enormous wealth.

A proprietor then had a vote for every five hundred pounds of stock that stood in his name.

It is asserted in the pamphlets of that age that five persons had a sixth part, and fourteen persons a third part of the votes.

[160] More than one fortunate speculator was said to derive an annual income of ten thousand pounds from the monopoly; and one great man was pointed out on the Royal Exchange as having, by judicious or lucky purchases of stock, created in no long time an estate of twenty thousand a year.