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
two sentimental lovers,--the one consoling herself with brandy, the
other wheedling and whining; and, as Swift describes the progress of an
intrigue in some respects similar, which he calls "The Progress of
Love," whereas this is the Progress of Sentiment,
"They keep at Staines the Old Blue Boar,
Are cat and dog, and rogue and whore."
Here they set up the sign of the Old Blue Boar. Munny Begum monopolizes
the trade in spirits; and hence she and Mr. Hastings commence their
sentimental correspondence.--And now, having done with this progress of
love, we return to the progress of justice.
* * * * *
We have seen how Sudder ul Huk Khân, the chief-justice of Mr. Hastings's
own nomination, was treated. Now you shall see how justice was left to
shift for herself under Mahomed Reza Khân. In page 1280 of your
Lordships' Minutes you will see the progress of all these
enormities,--of Munny Begum's dealing in spirits, of her engrossing the
trade, of her evading duties,--and, lastly, the extinction of all order
in that country, and the funeral of justice itself. Mr. Shore's evidence
respecting this state of the country will admit of no doubt.
_Mr. Shore's Remarks accompanying the Governor-General's Minutes of
the 18th May, 1785._
"Foujdarry jurisdiction.--Of the foujdarry jurisdiction nothing has
yet been said. In this department criminal justice is administered,
and it is the only office left to the Nabob. I do not see any
particular reason for changing the system itself, and perhaps it
would on many accounts be improper; but some regulations are highly
necessary. Mahomed Reza is at the head of this department, and is
the only person I know in the country qualified for it. If he were
left to himself, I have not a doubt but he would conduct it well;
but he is so circumscribed by recommendations of particular
persons, and by the protection held out to his officers by
Europeans, that to my knowledge he has not been able to punish
them, even when they have been convicted of the greatest
enormities; and he has often on this account been blamed, where his
hands were tied up."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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