ABSTRACT

The Act of 1781 readjusted the judicial arrangements in Bengal. The Act established a Board of Commissioners for the Affairs of India, usually known as the Board of Control. The Act, so far as the powers of the government and Company were concerned, had been matured in consultation with the latter, and, though Fox insisted that it undermined the power of the directors, it is clear that they were left with a considerable possibility, which in practice was a reality, of control. The Act evoked much constitutional discussion. Pitt, for his part, insisted that armed forces should all be under the Crown, and that he would welcome any means of improving the control over armed forces which was so vaguely accorded by the Bill of Rights and the Mutiny Act. As regards the princes Cornwallis was as faithful as he could be to the policy of Parliament, but not unmindful of the obligations of honour and humanity.