account of the actual value and produce of the jaghires, opposed to the nominal amount at which they stand rated on the books of the circar." XII. That the said Warren Hastings, instead of expressing any disapprobation of the proceedings aforesaid, in violation of the rights secured by treaty with the mother and grandmother of the reigning prince of Oude, and not less in violation of the sovereign rights of the Nabob himself, did by frequent messages stimulate the said Middleton to a perseverance in and to a rigorous execution of the same,--and in his letter from Benares of the 25th December, 1781, did "express doubts of his firmness and activity, and, above all, of his recollection of his instructions and their importance; and that, if he could not rely on his own [power] and the means he possessed for performing those services, he _would free him_ [the said Middleton] _from the charges_, and would proceed _himself_ to Lucknow, and would _himself_ undertake them." XIII. That very doubtful credit is to be given to any letters written by the said Middleton to the said Warren Hastings, when they answer the purposes which the said Warren Hastings had evidently in view: the said Middleton having written to him in the following manner from Lucknow, 30th December, 1781. XIV. "MY DEAR SIR,--I have this day answered your _public_ letter in the form _you seem to expect_. I hope there is nothing in it that may appear to you too pointed. _If you wish the matter to be otherwise understood than I have taken up and stated it, I need not say I shall be ready to conform to whatever you may prescribe, and to take upon myself any share of the blame of the (hitherto) non-performance of the stipulations made on behalf of the Nabob_: though I do assure you I myself represented to his Excellency and the ministers, (conceiving it to be your desire,) that _the apparent assumption of the reins of his government_, (for in that light he undoubtedly considered it at the first view,) as specified in the agreement executed by him, was not meant to be _fully_ and _literally_ enforced, but that it was necessary _you should have something to show on your side, as the Company were deprived of a benefit without a requital; and upon the faith of this assurance alone_, I believe I may safely affirm, his Excellency's objections to signing the treaty were given up. If I have understood the matter wrong, or misconceived your design, I am truly sorry for it: _however, it is not too late to correct the error; and I am ready to undertake, and, God willing, to carry through, whatever you may, on receipt of my public letter, tell me is your final resolve_."