The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 10 (of 12)Burke, Edmund
History
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 10 (of 12)
Burke, Edmund
Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1760-1820; Political science -- Early works to 1800
be no foundation for a bill of discovery; and he may defy the obloquy of
the world, because there can be nothing censurable in his conduct. In
short, if stability can be insured to such a government as this, where
riches have been acquired in abundance in a small space of time, by all
ways and means, and by men with or without capacities, it must be
effected by a Governor thus restricted,"--that is, a Governor restricted
from every emolument but that of his salary. I must remark, that this
salary and these emoluments were not settled upon the vague speculations
of men taking the measure of their necessities for India from the
manners of England; but it was fixed by the Council themselves,--fixed
in India,--fixed by those who knew and were in the situation of the
Governor-General, and who knew what was necessary to support his dignity
and to preserve him from the temptation of corruption: and they have
laid open to you such a body of advantages arising from it as would lead
any man, who had a regard to his honor or conscience, to think himself
happy in having such a provision made for him, and at the same time
every temptation to act corruptly removed far from him.
The emoluments of the office, though reduced from the original plan
which Lord Clive had proposed, may be computed at near 30,000_l._ a
year, when Mr. Hastings was President: 22,000_l._ in certain money, and
the rest in other advantages. Whatever it was, I have shown that it was
thought sufficient by those who were the best judges, and who, in
carving for others, were carving for themselves their own allowance at
the time. But, my Lords, I am to give a better opinion of the
sufficiency of that provision to guard against the temptation, out of
Mr. Hastings's own mouth. He says, in his letter to the Court of
Directors, "Although I disclaim the consideration of my own interest in
these speculations, and flatter myself that I proceed upon more liberal
grounds, yet I am proud to avow the feelings of an honest ambition that
stimulates me to aspire at the possession of my present station for
years to come. Those who know my natural turn of mind will not ascribe
this to sordid views. A very few years' possession of the government
would undoubtedly enable me to retire with a fortune amply fitted to the
measure of my desires, were I to consult only my ease: but in my present
situation I feel my mind expand to something greater; I have catched the
desire of applause in public life."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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