from Rhohilcund, which paid at first 80 lacks of rupees a-year, and afterwards a crore, forty lacks cannot now be collected; and that four lacks only are receivIed from Goruckpore, which formerly yielded twelve; and that other metals are in a state of progressive decline. Does not this consideration alarm your excellency? Can any thing but ruin result from such circumstances? Are not these facts a decisive proof of tyranny, extortion, and mismanagement, in the aumils and what must be the situation of the ryots who are placed under such people? But your excellency knows that the prayers of the oppressed are attended 'to by the Almighty, and often call down his vengeance upon their oppressors. No truth is more certain than that justice is the foundation of the prosperity of states; and when the rulers are negligent in punishing those who oppress their sub'jects, they become partakers of their crimes, and may be deemed the subvert

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which lord Cornwallis was determined to prevent, was thus specifically expressed to be the interference of Europeans residing in Oude, whether with or without authority, yet it had been contended that these expressions were sufficient to restrain any future governor-general from interposing the power of the company for the security of the province, by augmenting the number of the British troops, and by insisting on the discharge of the nabob's mutinous rabble. The conduct of lord Cornwallis, as shewn in the same letter, completely falsified this construction; for the house would explicitly understand it to be his firm determination, that, the expence incurred by the company from their con'nection with Oude, and for the protection of the country,' should be defrayed by the nabob. The interference he deprecated was, that of lawless Europeans, who had, for their corrupt purposes, been too long engaged in pursuing usurious loans, in insisting upon exemptions from duties upon their merchandise, and in oppressingers of their own prosperity. History the inhabitants, by enforcing the payment of balances, on the equity of which such offenders had themselves decided. The result of lord Cornwallis's treaty was, therefore, in practice this :-That he mented the British troops as he thought necessary for the protection of Oude, although there was no prospect of attack on his excellency's territory;' and made the vizier pay for that augmentation: that he called upon the nabob to discharge his useless troops: and, though he very pro-mismanagement, which must have meritperly interdicted all interference in the ed the severest punishment: lenity and details of the vizier's government by Eu- good-nature are amiable virtues; but it ropeans resident at Oude, he not only did is at the same time to be remembered, not relinquish any of the sovereign rights that lenity towards oppressors is injusderived from his predecessors, and con- 'tice towards the oppressed.-The evils firmed by treaty, but even extended the flowing from this source would have interposition of his power to the protection been less felt, if in proportion as the of the vizier's minister, in opposition to ' revenues declined a diminution of exthe will of his master. And upon this " pences had taken place. But profusion, marked act of interference, in the detail of in fact, was the cause of the first evil; his highness's government, the court of and the continuance of it increased its directors expressed their decided approba-magnitude, without wars, without any bation. As demonstrative of the nature of material losses, uncommon accidents, or lord Cornwallis's interference, and of the court's approbation, Mr. Lushington here read and referred the house to-Lord Cornwallis's letter to the vizier, dated 12th Aug. 1793. • It is well known, not only ' throughout Hindostan, but to all Europe, that, notwithstanding the prevalence of peace during so many years, the revenues of your excellency's dominions are diminished beyond all conjecture; that

confirms the observation, by exhibiting ' innumerable examples of monarchies overturned, and families effaced from the earth, by a violation of justice in the sovereign, or neglect in him to enforce its laws. I have been informed, and your excellency knows how far it is true, that for many years past no aumil in your 'dominions has been punished for misde'meanors; yet the decline in the revenues 'could not have taken place without great

irregular demands. I learn from your 'ministers, that your debts exceed a crore ' and a half of rupees. I thank God that this accumulation of debt cannot be in any respect attributed to the interference of the English. In the detail of your excellency's affairs, in which for these 'seven years they have had no concern, your excellency must, I am afraid, confess that a total disregard of all economy on

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'your own part is the cause of those in- | pressed in the voice of wisdom and just aucumbrances. I wish I could as certainly thority, in the vigour of lord Cornwallis's point out the means of liquidating them. understanding, and in the unbroken firmBut it requires no wisdom to foresee the ness of his mind. It is upon these and the consequences of a decreasing income, and other records of that great and good man's increasing profusion, disorder, discredit, former long and prosperous administration ' and distress.-I am obliged to repre- in India, with many of which Mr. L. was insent, that all the oppressions and extor- timately acquainted, that every true friend tions, committed by the aumils on the of his memory must desire to rest the glory peasantry, take their source in the con- and humanity of his name; not upon the 'nivance and irregularities of the adminis- few and fearful dispatches, written in the 'tration at Lucknow; and though the last imperfect days of his existence, when company's subsidy is at present paid up his noble spirit was fast sinking beneath 'with regularity, I cannot risk my repu- the infirmities of nature. The treaty of 'tation nor neglect my duty by remain- sir John Shore, now lord Teignmouth, re'ing a silent spectator of evils which will mained to be considered, and any gent. in the end, and perhaps that end is not who had read his Idp.'s minute upon this very remote, render abortive even your subject, could not entertain a doubt that excellency's earnest desire that the sub- lord Teignmouth knew the sovereign power sidy should be punctually paid. As the over Oude was vested in the company. company have expressed their approba- His lordship had stated, that he acted upon ⚫tion of the choice which you have made of this conviction when he deposed vizier < Hussein Reza Cawn and Rajah Tiket Rai Ally from the musnud and placed Saadut to be ministers, I shall naturally con- Ally in that situation; and certainly this 'sider the political measures of your go- interposition was one of those extreme acts 'vernment to be dependent on them, as of sovereign power, which nothing but the ' well as the domestic. And, convinced of undoubted possession of that power, and the necessity that they should be sup- an irresistible necessity for using it, could ported in the execution of their duty, I justify.-Under this correct impression of have given and ever will give them that his power, and of his duty as governor⚫ countenance which the connection be- general, sir John Shore deposed vizier tween our governments enables me to do. Ally, and placed Saadut Ally on the musI feel this to be a duty incumbent on me, nud. The treaty formed on that occasion, for the credit of the company, as well as bound the company to defend the domi< your reputation; since the connection nions of Oude against all enemies; and to between us, the employment of the comenable them to perform this engagepany's troops in your dominions, and the ment in a better manner, the former subeffect reciprocally felt of a good or a bad sidy, of 56,77,638, was augmented to government in our respective territories, 76,00,000.-The first part of this treaty, equally affect both in the eyes of all Hin- which Mr. Lushington would particularly 'dostan.'-What did the court of direc- notice, was the last; because the noble lord tors say upon this letter of lord Corn- who had brought forward these accusawallis? To afford every possible coun- tions, had put a construction on it which, tenance and protection to the minister, in Mr. L.'s judgment, was not its correct even in his opposition to the will of his meaning. The words to which he alluded master, in his exertions to remedy the were these: The said nabob shall possess abuses complained of, is a line of inter- 'full authority over his household affairs, ⚫ference which the situation of affairs, and hereditary dominions, his troops, and the disinclination of the vizier to enter his subjects.' These words, considered upon any effectual reform, fully war- apart from the rest of the treaty, would reranted.'-The hon. gentlemen on the op- lease the nabob from all connection with posite side of the house smiled at this de- the company. If the nabob were really scription of the miseries of a mussulman to possess full authority over his heredigovernment! Did they think that this lan- tary dominions, what became of the seguage was not applicable to the misrule and cond article of this treaty, in which his anarchy of the vizier's territories? or did highness commits 'the defence of his domithey believe that lord Cornwallis exagger- 'nions, against all his enemies,' to the ated the calamities which distracted that company? If it were to possess full authoricountry? Mr. Lushington, considered this ty over his troops, as they then were in description to be perfectly true-to be ex- number, what force would then remain to

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the twelfth article of the treaty, in which frequent mutinies amongst his troops, they the nabob engages to consult with the were reduced, from the number of 65,000 company's government, and in concert men, to about 45,000 men. After a deliwith them devise the proper objects of reberate examination of the treaty, and of duction in his establishments? If he were the papers upon this subject, the convicto possess full authority over his subjects, tion of Mr. Lushington's mind was this, that he might employ them as diplomatic lord Wellesley, in the reduction of the agents to any foreign power or state, in troops, did too little, and not too much. violation of the thirteenth clause of this For the foundation of this impression he treaty, where the nabob engages not to referred to the twelfth article of the treaty, carry on such correspondence, without to the explanation given of it by lord the knowledge and concurrence of the Teignmouth and the nabob himself, from company.'-Mr. L. would not go more which it was clear, that the nabob's troops fully into the other clauses of the treaty, were to be reduced to 35,000 men at least, for he had said enough to convince the house or still lower if necessary, to secure the that this treaty must be construed by that payments under the treaty. Mr. Lushingrule of law and reason which taught them, ton here read to the house the article of in the interpretation of all public cove- the treaty, and the explanations of lord nants, to consider the whole of the stipu- Teignmouth and the vizier, to which he lations connected together; not to regard alluded. Whereas, by the engagement only some general expressions, that mili- now entered into between the nabobtate, under the construction put upon them, vizier, and the company, the amount of against the specific and most important the subsidy is considerably increased, articles of the covenant. For these ob- and many other permanent charges upon vious reasons, Mr. L. thought the house 'his excellency are incurred; on a comwould agree with him, that the nabob was 'parison of his disbursements with the to possess full authority over his house- 'assets of his country, it becomes nehold affairs, hereditary dominions, troops, cessary to make such reduction in the and subjects, as far as might be consist-superfluous charges of the establishent with the specific clauses of that treaty. 'ments of the public servants, &c. as -Of those clauses, the twelfth was that may be requisite, and are consistent with upon which lord Wellesley was first called his excellency's dignity and convenience. upon to take any particular measures. His To that end, the said nabob agrees to lordship knew, from all the communica- ⚫ consult with the company's government, tions, and directions received from the and, in concert with them, devise the court of directors, that the reduction of the proper objects of such reductions, and large, useless, and expensive military the best means of effecting them.' Lord establishment, within the Oude dominions, Teignmouth's evidence: I think there was one of their most earnest desires; and was a proposition made for the specific as the vizier was bound by treaty to con- 'purpose of reducing the nabob's milicert with the company's government the tary. The nabob was afraid that a speproper objects of these reductions, lord ⚫cific proposition of that kind might exWellesley required the vizier to carry this 'cite alarm; and on some discussion with intention into effect. During a period of the former minister, Tofassul Hassan war and menaced invasion, when reduction Khan, I think that article (the twelfth) was impracticable, the nabob had profes-was substituted for the plain article, stised a desire that the reform might be made; but when a season of peace presented a fit occasion, far from co-operating in this reform, he opposed the deepest artifices and most obstinate delays, until the season of produce and collection having arrived, the difficulties of this reform were greatly aggravated. To fulfil this indis-is in every respect desirous, that the pensible measure, and, at the same time, to protect the dominions of Oude from foreign invasion, lord Wellesley introduc.d an additional number of the company's troops into the province; and after a long struggle on the part of the nabob, and

pulating a reduction of the troops, and that it was perfectly understood the com. pany should interfere, for the purposes expressed in this article; so far as might 'be necessary for securing the payment under the treaty.'-From the nabobvizier, 19th Feb. 1800. • Your lordship

dignity, respectability, and outward state, of this government should be maintained. For this purpose it is necessary, that a suitable body of troops be maintained after my own manner. According ly, in the first draft of the treaty, sir John

gages and promises that he will then give such security to the company for the discharge of the existing arrears, and the future regular payment of the kists, as shall be deemed satisfactory.' The only security, which could be deemed satisfactory in a case of this description, was that which lord Cornwallis had suggested, and the court of directors had re

Shore, bart. proposed thirty-five thou- | lacks, and lord Wellesley put into execusand men, cavalry and infantry.'-Hav- tion the following article of the treaty :ing thus established the right and duty of If, contrary to the sincere intentions and the governor-general to compel this reduc-exertions of the said nabob, the paytion of the military, Mr. Lushington would ment of the kists should fall into arrear, not long detain the house upon the policy the said nabob Saadut Ally Khan enof that reduction. The noble lord, who had brought forward these charges, had himself affirmed, that the nabob's forces were composed of disorderly and irregular troops, unaccustomed to the rules of good discipline, and disaffected to his 'person.' This admission precludes the necessity of referring to the body of evidence, upon this subject, before the house, attesting that these troops were both use-peatedly approved, a territorial cession. less and dangerous. It needed neither Lord Wellesley demanded this security; argument nor language, to impress upon and, after a long struggle by the vizier to the house the extent of this danger; for avoid it, he at length ceded to the comit was self-evident, that one of the most pany a territory producing a gross revenue formidable perils to which any state can of 1,35,00,000, in payment of a net subsidy be exposed is, the disorder and disaffec- of 76,00,000. To persons who are not tion of its military power. And, here, acquainted with the enormous civil and Mr. L. reminded the house of the experi- military expenditure, in collecting the reence which the British government had venues under a Mussulman government, acquired of the services of similar troops, this amount of cession, in gross revenue, in their early wars against the French, in might appear exorbitant. It happened the Carnatic. He had the authority of however, that a statement upon the table that accurate and elegant historian, Orme, of this house casts considerable light upon for declaring, that they were an obstruc- this question.-From the statement, comtion, rather than an auxiliary, to that suc-piled by Mr. G. Johnstone, and entered at cess, which after an arduous struggle of fifteen years, finally crowned the British | arms. Without trespassing upon the time of the house, by referring to particular instances of their misconduct, it should never be forgotten, that at a moment of the utmost emergence in the company's affairs, when Trichinopoly was closely besieged by an immense confederated force, the troops of Mahomed Ally closed their career of service by going over to the enemy in mid-day, having previously stipulated with captain Cope, the commandant of Trichinopoly, that he would not fire upon them as they marched off. To this he readily consented, being heartily rejoiced to get rid of so dangerous an incumbrance.-Such were the services which might have been expected from the military of Oude, had Zemaun Shah invaded the province, or had the FrenchMahratta forces been let loose upon the country. Their reduction was demanded, not less by policy than by treaty, and the vizier was bound, by the seventh clause, to pay, the expence of the company's troops introduced into his country. But he failed to make good this payment; there occurred an arrear of twenty-two

the end of the minutes of evidence on the Oude charge, it appears that the gross revenues of Oude amounted to 2,21,70,000. From this gross revenue the vizier received into his treasury at Lucknow only 96,05,000. After discharging the company's subsidy of 76,00,000, there remained a balance from the whole of his dominions of 20,05,000: out of which he had to pay great part of his Oude civil establishment, a large portion of the Haggoory troops, repairs of forts, military stores, public buildings, besides contingent balances arising from talamities of season, or extraordinary disorders in the country. Mr. L. had no doubt, that these several items would completely absorb this balance, and leave the nabob without the means of defraying any additional force, even from the revenues of all his dominions.-By the cession of one half of his territories, in lieu of every possible claim on the part of the company, he retained the other half free from all incumbrance, and was therefore, pecuniarily in a better situation than he was before he made this cession. In confirmation of this reasoning, Mr. Lushington called the attention of the house to the evidence of