You see, my Lords, what a condition these unfortunate persons were in at that period; you see they were put in irons, in a place highly unhealthy; and from this you will judge of the treatment which followed the _few severities_. The first yielded a bond for 600,000_l._; the second, a bond for 60,000_l._; the third was intended to extort the payment of these bonds, and completed their series. I will now read a letter from Captain Jaques to Mr. Middleton, from the printed Minutes, dated _Palace, Fyzabad, May 18th, 1782_, consequently written nearly a month after the former. "Sir,--The prisoners Behar and Jewar Ali Khân, who seem to be very sickly, have requested their irons might be taken off for a few days, that they might take medicine, and walk about the garden of the place where they are confined, to assist the medicine in its operation. Now, as I am sure they would be equally as secure without their irons as with them, I think it my duty to inform you of this request, and desire to know your pleasure concerning it. (Signed) "LEONARD JAQUES." On the 22d May, 1782, Captain Jaques's humane proposal is thus replied to by Mr. Middleton. "I am sorry it is not in my power to comply with your proposal of easing the prisoners for a few days of their fetters. Much as my humanity may be touched by their sufferings, I should think it inexpedient to afford them any alleviation while they persist in a breach of their contract with me; and, indeed, no indulgence could be shown them without the authority of the Nabob, who, instead of consenting to moderate the rigors of their situation, would be most willing to multiply them. (Signed) "NATHANIEL MIDDLETON." I will now call your Lordships' attention to other letters connected with this transaction. _Letter from Major Gilpin to Mr. Middleton, June 5th, 1782._ "Sir,--Agreeably to your instructions, I went to the prisoners, Behar and Jewar Ali Khân, accompanied by Hoolas Roy, who read the papers respecting the balance now due, &c., &c. "In general terms they expressed concern at not being able to discharge the same without the assistance of the Begum, and requested indulgence to send a message to her on that subject, and in the evening they would give an answer. "I went at the time appointed for the answer, but did not receive a satisfactory one; in consequence of which I desired them to be ready, at the shortest notice, to proceed to Lucknow, and explained to them every particular contained in your letter of the 1st instant respecting them.