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
At the head of one or other of these offices I could wish to see
the late Buckshee, Rogoober Dyall. His conduct in his former office, his
behavior on the revolt of Cheyt Sing, and particularly at the fall of
Bidjegur, together with his general character, prove him worthy of
employment, and of the notice of our government. It is possible that he
may have objections to holding an office under the present Rajah: offer
him one, however, and let him know that you do so by my directions." He
then goes on to say,--"Do not wholly neglect the Rajah; consult with him
in appearance, but in appearance only. His situation requires that you
should do that much; but his youth and inexperience forbid that you
should do more."
You see, my Lords, he has completely put the whole government into the
hands of a man who had no name, character, or official situation, but
that of the Company's Resident at that place. Let us now see what is the
office of a Resident. It is to reside at the court of the native prince,
to give the Council notice of the transactions that are going on there,
and to take care that the tribute be regularly paid, kist by kist. But
we have seen that Mr. Markham, the Resident at Benares, was invested by
Mr. Hastings with supreme authority in this unhappy country. He was to
name whoever he pleased to its government, with the exception of Ussaun
Sing, and to drive out the person who had possessed it under an
authority which could only be revoked by the Council. Thus Mr. Hastings
delegated to Mr. Markham an authority which he himself did not really
possess, and which could only be legally exercised through the medium of
the Council.
With respect to Durbege Sing, he adds,--"He has dishonored my choice of
him." _My_ choice of him! "It now only remains to guard against the ill
effects of his misconduct, to detect and punish it. To this end I desire
that the officers to be appointed in consequence of these instructions
do, with as much accuracy and expedition as possible, make out an
account of the receipts, disbursements, and transactions of Durbege
Sing, during the time he has acted as Naib of the zemindary of Benares;
and I desire you will, in my name, assure him, that, unless he pays at
the limited time every rupee of the revenue due to the Company, his life
shall answer for the default. I need not caution you to provide against
his flight, and the removal of his effects." He here says, my Lords,
that he will detect and punish him; but the first thing he does, without
any detection, even before the accounts he talks of are made up, and
without knowing whether he has got the money or not, he declares that he
will have every rupee paid at the time, or otherwise the Naib's life
shall pay for it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account