pleased to promise the Company such great things.  But when your Lordships know that he had left his dependant and minister, Hyder Beg Khan, there, whose character, as your Lordships will find by a reference to your minutes he has represented as black as hell, to be the real governor there, and to carry on private correspondence with him here, and that he had left Major Palmer, his private agent, for a considerable time in that country to carry on his affairs, your Lordships will easily see how it has come to pass that the Vizier, such a man as you have heard him described to be, was not alone able to restore prosperity to his country.

My Lords, you have now seen what was the situation of the country in Sujah Dowlah’s time, prior to Mr. Hastings’s interference with the government of it, what it was during his government, and what situation it was in when Lord Cornwallis left it.  Nothing now remains but to call your Lordships’ attention to perhaps the most extraordinary part of these transactions.  But before we proceed, we will beg leave to go back and read to your Lordships the Nabob’s letter of the 24th February, 1780.

“I have received your letter, and understand the contents.  I cannot describe the solidity of your friendship and brotherly affection which subsisted between you and my late father.  From the friendship of the Company he received numberless advantages; and I, notwithstanding I was left an orphan, from your favor and that of the Company was perfectly at ease, being satisfied that everything would be well, and that I should continue in the same security that I was during my father’s lifetime, from your protection.  I accordingly, from the day of his death, have never omitted to cultivate your favor, and the protection of the Company; and whatever was the desire and directions of the Council at that time I have ever since conformed to, and obeyed with readiness.  Thanks be given to God that I have never as yet been backward in performing the will of the English Company, of the Council, and of you, and have always been from my heart ready to obey them, and have never given you any trouble from my difficulties or wishes.  This I have done simply from my own knowledge of your favor towards me, and from my being certain that you would learn the particulars of my distresses and difficulties from other quarters, and would then show your friendship and good-will in whatever was for my advantage.  But when the knife had penetrated to the bone, and I was surrounded with such heavy distresses that I could no longer live in expectations, I then wrote an account of my difficulties.  The answer which I have received to it is such, that it has given me inexpressible grief and affliction.  I never had the least idea or expectation from you and the Council that you would ever have given your orders in so afflicting a manner, in which you never before wrote, and which I could not have imagined.  As I am resolved to obey your