He was asked whether he would venture to deny that the ship had really been fitted out for the Indian trade.

"It is no sin that I know of," he answered, "to trade with India; and I shall trade with India till I am restrained by Act of Parliament." Papillon reported that in the opinion of the Committee, the detention of the Redbridge was illegal.

The question was then put, that the House would agree with the Committee.

The friends of the Old Company ventured on a second division, and were defeated by a hundred and seventy-one votes to a hundred and twenty-five.

[496] The blow was quickly followed up.