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
You here see the whole machinery of the business. He removes Mr.
Bristow, contrary to the orders of the Court of Directors. Why? Because,
says he to the Court of Directors, the Nabob complained of him, and
desired it. He here says, that he knew the Nabob did not desire it, but
that the letter of complaint really and substantially was Mr.
Middleton's. Lastly, as he recalls Mr. Bristow, so he wishes him to be
called back in the same fictitious and fraudulent manner. This system of
fraud proves that there is not one letter from that country, not one act
of this Vizier, not one act of his ministers, not one act of his
ambassadors, but what is false and fraudulent. And now think, my Lords,
first, of the slavery of the Company's servants, subjected in this
manner to the arbitrary will and corrupt frauds of Mr. Hastings! Next
think of the situation of the princes of the country, obliged to
complain without matter of complaint, to approve without [ground?] of
satisfaction, and to have all their correspondence fabricated by Mr.
Hastings at Calcutta!
But, my Lords, it was not indignities of this kind alone that the native
princes suffered from this system of fraud and duplicity. Their more
essential interests, and those of the people, were involved in it; it
pervaded and poisoned the whole mass of their internal government.
Who was the instrument employed in all this double-dealing? Gobind Ram,
the Vizier's diplomatic minister at Calcutta. Suspicions perpetually
arise in his mind whether he is not cheated and imposed upon. He could
never tell when he had Mr. Hastings fixed upon any point. He now finds
him recommending Mr. Middleton, and then declaring that Mr. Middleton
neglects the duty of his office, and gives him, Gobind Ram, information
that is fraudulent and directly contrary to the truth. He is let into
various contradictory secrets, and becomes acquainted with innumerable
frauds, falsehoods, and prevarications. He knew that the whole pretended
government of Oude was from beginning to end a deception; that it was an
imposture for the purpose of corruption and peculation. Such was the
situation of the Nabob's vakeel. The Nabob himself was really at a loss
to know who had and who had not the Governor's confidence; whether he
was acting in obedience to the orders of the Court of Directors, or
whether their orders were not always to be disobeyed. He thus writes to
Gobind Ram, who was exactly in the same uncertainty.
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