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
Your Lordships will next observe, that he tells the vakeel his reason
for turning him out was, that he had been patronized by other gentlemen.
This was true: but they had a right to patronize him; and they did not
patronize him from private motives, but in direct obedience to the order
of the Court of Directors. He then adds the assurance which he had
received from Mr. Bristow, that he would be perfectly obedient to him,
Mr. Hastings, in future; and he goes on to tell the vakeel that he knew
the Vizier was once well pleased with him, (Mr. Bristow,) and that his
formal complaints against him were written at the instigation of Mr.
Middleton.
Here is another discovery, my Lords. When he recalled Mr. Bristow, he
did it under the pretence of its being desired by the Nabob of Oude; and
that, consequently, he would not keep at the Nabob's court a man that
was disagreeable to him. Yet, when the thing comes to be opened, it
appears that Mr. Middleton had made the Nabob, unwillingly, write a
false letter. This subornation of falsehood appears also to have been
known to Mr. Hastings. Did he, either as the natural guardian and
protector of the reputation of his fellow-servants, or as the official
administrator of the laws of his country, or as a faithful servant of
the Company, ever call Mr. Middleton to an account for it? No, never. To
everybody, therefore, acquainted with the characters and circumstances
of the parties concerned, the conclusion will appear evident that he was
himself the author of it. But your Lordships will find there is no end
of his insolence and duplicity.
He next tells the vakeel, that the reason why he postponed the mission
of Mr. Bristow to Lucknow was lest the people of Lucknow should think he
had obtained his appointment in consequence of orders from Europe, and
contrary to the Governor's inclination. You see, my Lords, he would have
the people of the country believe that they are to receive the person
appointed Resident not as appointed by the Company, but in consequence
of his being under Mr. Hastings's particular patronage; and to remove
from them any suspicion that the Resident would obey the orders of the
Court of Directors, or any orders but his own, he proceeds in the manner
I have read to your Lordships.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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