ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on Edinburgh and Leith, but Evidence Can be found everywhere in Scotland of a veritable deluge of riches from the east. There is scarcely a field of endeavour then that was not influenced in some way by contact with India, South-East Asia and China through the portals of the East India Company (EIC). The East India Company had a monopoly over trade and shipping to India and the Far East, and the Chairmen and Directors controlled the patronage. This meant that apart from random adventurers, the only way to gain a position in any branch of the East India Company and its shipping – hence out to India – was through interest, recommendation and via the Directorate of the Company. The only other direct route for anyone contemplating EIC patronage demanded a link to someone in the headquarters of the Company itself, or an influential friend in The City or Parliament with influence at India House.
