On this part of the proceeding your Committee will only observe, that, if it were strictly true that the Nabob's understanding had been much improved _of late_ by an attention to his education, (which seems an extraordinary way of describing the qualifications of a man of six-and-twenty, the father of many children,) the merit of such improvement must be attributed to Mahomed Reza Khan, who was the only person of rank and character connected with him, or who could be supposed to have any influence over him. Mr. Hastings himself reproaches the Nabob with _raising mean men to be his companions_, and tells him plainly, _that some persons, both of bad character and base origin, had found the means of insinuating themselves into his company and constant fellowship_. In such society it is not likely that either the Nabob's morals or his understanding could have been _much improved_; nor could it be deemed prudent to leave him without any check upon his conduct. Mr. Hastings's opinion on this point may be collected from what he did, but by no means from what he said, on the occasion. The House will naturally expect to find that the Nabob's request was granted, and that the resolution of the board was conformable to the terms of Mr. Hastings's recommendation. Yet the fact is directly the reverse. Mr. Hastings, after advising _that the Nabob should be intrusted with the exclusive and entire receipts and disbursements of his stipend_, immediately corrects that advice, _being aware that so sudden and unlimited a disposal of a large revenue might at first encourage a spirit of dissipation in the Nabob_,--and reserves to _himself_ a power of establishing, _with the Nabob's consent_, such a plan for the regulation and equal distribution of the Nabob's expenses _as should be adapted to the dissimilar appearances of preserving his interests and his independence at the same time_. On the same complicated principles the subsequent resolution of the board professes to allow the Nabob the management of his stipend and expenses,--with _an hope_, however, (which, considering the relative situation of the parties, could be nothing less than an injunction,) that he would submit to such a plan _as should be agreed on between him_ and the Governor-General. The drift of these contradictions is sufficiently apparent. Mahomed Reza Khan was to be divested of his office at all events, and the management of the Nabob's stipend committed to other hands. To accomplish the first, the Nabob is said to be "now arrived at that time of life when a man may be supposed capable, _if ever_, of managing his own concerns." When this principle has answered the momentary purpose for which it was produced, we find it immediately discarded, and an opposite resolution formed on an opposite principle, viz., that he shall _not_ have the management of his own concerns, _in consideration of his want of experience_.