the troops used to commit are greatly decreased; they profess obedience; and, by the best intelligence I can obtain of their disposition, there seems to be little doubt that the example made by disbanding Bussunt’s corps has every good effect we could wish, which had crossed the river and voluntarily surrendered their arms the day before yesterday to the Nabob.”

His next letter is dated 13th June, 1776.

“Honorable Sir and Sirs,—­It is Elija Khan’s first object to regulate the Vizier’s revenue; and I must do him the justice to say, that the short time he has been in office he has been indefatigable, and already settled the greater part of the province of Oude, and fixed on the districts for the assignments of the army subsidy; Corah and Allahabad he has disposed of, and called for the Dooab and Rohilcund accounts, in order to adjust them as soon as possible.  This activity will, I hope, produce the most salutary effects,—­as, the present juncture being the commencement of the season for the cultivation, the aumils, by being thus early placed in their offices, have the opportunity of advancing tukavy, encouraging the ryots, and making their agreements in their several districts, in letting under-farms, or disposing of the lands in such a manner as they may judge most expedient.  If, though similar to the late minister’s conduct, a delay of two or three months should occur in the settlement of the lands, the people throughout the country would be disheartened, and inevitably a very heavy balance accrue on the revenue.  I have troubled the honorable board with this detail, in the first place, to show the propriety of Elija Khan’s conduct, and, in the next, the essential service that will be rendered to the Vizier by continuing Colonel Parker’s detachment during the whole rains in Corah, if required by the Vizier.”

My Lords, you have now had a view of the state of Oude, previous to the first period of our connection with it.  Your Lordships have seen and understand that part of the middle period, with which we do not mean to trouble you again.  You will now be pleased to attend to a letter from Fyzoola Khan to the Governor-General, received the 13th of February, 1778.

“This country of Cuttah, which formerly depended on the Rohilla States, and which I consider as now appertaining to the Company, was very populous and flourishing; but since the commencement of the Nabob Vizier’s government, the farmers appointed by his ministers have desolated the country.  Its situation is at present very ruinous; thousands of villages, formerly populous, are now utterly deserted, and no trace left of them.  I have already written to Roy Buckstowr Sing a full account of the tyranny and oppression exercised by the farmers, to be communicated to you:  the constant revenue of a country depends on the care of its rulers to preserve it in a flourishing state.  I have been induced to make the representation by my attachment to the interest