The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 12 (of 12)Burke, Edmund
History
The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 12 (of 12)
Burke, Edmund
Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1760-1820; Political science -- Early works to 1800
The next letter, immediately following on the heels of the former, was
received by the Council on the 12th of February, 1778. In this letter he
desires that Mahomed Reza Khân may be removed from his office in the
government; and he expresses his hopes, that, as he himself is now come
to years of maturity, and by the blessing of God is not so devoid of
understanding as to be incapable of conducting his affairs, he says, "I
am therefore hopeful, from your favor and regard to justice, that you
will deliver me from the authority of the aforesaid Mahomed Reza Khân,
and give your permission that I take on myself the management of the
adawlut and foujdarry." There is no doubt of this latter application, in
contradiction to the former, having arisen from a suspicion that the
appointment of Munny Begum would be too gross, and would shock the
Council; and Mr. Hastings therefore orders the second letter to be
written from the Nabob, in which he claims the powers of government for
himself. Then follows a letter from the Governor-General, informing the
Nabob that it had been agreed, that, his Excellency being now arrived at
years of maturity, the control of his own household, and the courts
dependent on the nizamut and foujdarry, should be placed in his hands;
and Mahomed Reza Khân was directed at the same time to resign his
authority to the Nabob.
Here your Lordships see Munny Begum in effect completely invested with,
and you will see how she has used her power: for I suppose your
Lordships are sick of the name of Nabob, as a real actor in the
government. You now see the true parties in the transaction,--namely,
the lover, Warren Hastings, Esquire, and Munny Begum, the object of his
passion and flame, to which he sacrifices as much as Antony ever did to
Cleopatra. You see the object of his love and affection placed in the
administration of the viceroyalty; you see placed at her disposal the
administration of the civil judicature, and of the executory
justice,--together with the salary which was intended for Mahomed Reza
Khân.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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