The  early  opponents  of  the  company  had
been  overcome  ;  its  right  as  against  home  com-
petitors was  established  ;  a  settlement  in  India
obtained.  It  was  an  acknowledged  political
power  as  well  as  a  trading  company.
(2)  In  this  direction  it  had  to  progress,  for
the  animosities  aroused  by  its  dominion,  coupled
with  the  ambition  of  France,  made  it  impos-
sible for  it  to  exist  as  it  was,  one  power  among
many  others.  It  had  soon  to  choose  between
supremacy  or  political  extinction.
