The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 11 (of 12)Burke, Edmund
History
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 11 (of 12)
Burke, Edmund
Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1760-1820; Political science -- Early works to 1800
Hastings for his services upon this
occasion, and the answer was, "Not one shilling." Not one shilling had
Mr. Hudson received from Mr. Hastings. The clerks of the Company
informed us that the Court of Directors had ordered that every paper
which Mr. Hastings wanted should be copied for him gratuitously,--and
that, if any additional clerks were wanting for the effectual execution
of his wishes, the expense would be defrayed by the Directors. Hearing
this account, I next inquired what _expedition money_ might have been
given to the clerks: for we know something of this kind is usually done.
In reply to this question, Mr. Hudson told me that at various times they
had received in little driblets to the amount of ninety-five pounds, or
thereabouts. In this way the account stood when I made this inquiry,
which was at least half a year after the petition had been presented to
your Lordships. Thus the whole story of the six thousand pounds was
absolutely false. At that time there was not one word of truth in it,
whatever be the amount of the sums which he has paid since. Your
Lordships will now judge whether you have been abused by false
allegations or not,--allegations which could scarcely admit of being
true, and which upon the best inquiry I found absolutely false; and I
appeal to the testimony of the noble lord, who is now living, for the
truth of the account he received from the worthy and respectable peer
whose loss the nation has to bewail.
There are many other circumstances of fraud and falsehood attending this
petition, (we must call things by their proper names, my Lords,)--there
are, I say, many circumstances of fraud and falsehood. We know it to
have been impossible, at the time of presenting this petition, that this
man should have expended thirty thousand pounds in the preparation of
materials for his defence; and your Lordships' justice, together with
the credit of the House of Commons, are concerned in the discovery of
the truth. There is, indeed, an ambiguous word in the petition. He
asserts that he is _engaged_ for the payment of that sum. We asked the
clerks of the India House whether he had given them any bond, note,
security, or promise of payment: they assured us that he had not: they
will be ready to make the same assurance to your Lordships, when you
come to inquire into this matter, which before you give judgment we
desire and claim that you will do. All is concealment and mystery on the
side of the prisoner; all is open and direct with us. We are desirous
that everything which is concealed may be brought to light.
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