The Company, on the other hand, distinguished itself among many servile corporations by obsequious homage to the throne, and set to all the merchants of the kingdom the example of readily and even eagerly paying those customs which James, at the commencement of his reign, exacted without the authority of Parliament.

[168] It seemed that the private trade would now be utterly crushed, and that the monopoly, protected by the whole strength of the royal prerogative, would be more profitable than ever.

But unfortunately just at this moment a quarrel arose between the agents of the Company in India and the Mogul Government.

Where the fault lay is a question which was vehemently disputed at the time, and which it is now impossible to decide.

The interlopers threw all the blame on the Company.