Letter received by Banks from Sir Hugh Inglis of the Honourable East India Company, 25 March 1801 (Series 64.02) - No. 0004

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and Officers as are usually paid by the Company to Captains and Officers of His Majestys Ships employed in India, and it having been in the Contemplation of your Committee to make Captain Flinders some Compliment for his communications as beforementioned of the Discovery hitherto made; and as it is understood that an Establishment of Scientific Persons are appointed to proceed with Captain Flinders to examine into the nature and productions of the Country the result of which enquiry may hereafter extend to improve the Trade to the Eastward of the Cape of Good Hope and which Trade can only be carried on thro' the Medium of the East India Company and it likewise appearing to the Committee that any Discovery of a passage into the Eastern Seas (which it is apprehended does exist) may be of great advantage to the Companys Ships bound to China at unseasonable periods by avoiding an intricate Navigation amongst the Eastern Islands and that  certain benefits would accrue from the Spirit with which in all probability this Survey will be carried on if marked with some liberality on the part of the Company.  Your Committee recommends that Captain Flinders be paid the same Sums as are usually allowed by the Company, to Masters and Commanders in