ty to
execute a total revolution in the form and the persons composing the
government of a great kingdom. Without any previous step, at one stroke,
the whole constitution, of Bengal, civil and criminal, was swept away.
The counsellors were recalled from their provinces; upwards of fifty of
the principal officers of government were turned out of employ, and
rendered dependent on Mr. Hastings for their immediate subsistence, and
for all hope of future provision. The chief of each council, and one
European collector of revenue, was left in each province.

But here, Sir, you may imagine a new government, of some permanent
description, was established in the place of that which had been thus
suddenly overturned. No such thing. Lest these chiefs, without councils,
should be conceived to form the ground-plan of some future government,
it was publicly declared that their continuance was only temporary and
permissive. The whole subordinate British administration of revenue was
then vested in a committee in Calcutta, all creatures of the
Governor-General; and the provincial management, under the permissive
chief, was delivered over to native officers.

But that the revolution and the purposes of the revolution might be
complete, to this committee were delegated, not only the functions of
all the inferior, but, what will surprise the House, those of the
supreme administration of revenue also. Hitherto the Governor-General
and Council had, in their revenue department, administered the finances
of those kingdoms. By the new scheme they are delegated to this
committee, who are only to report their proceedings for approbation.

The key to the whole transaction is given in one of the instructions to
the committee,--"that it is not necessary that they should enter
dissents." By this means the ancient plan of the Company's
administration was destroyed; but the plan of concealment was perfected.
To that moment the accounts of the revenues were tolerably clear,--or at
least means were furnished for inquiries, by which they might be
rendered satisfactory. In the obscure and silent gulf of this committee
everything is now buried. The thickest shades of night surround all
their transactions. No effectual means of detecting fraud,
mismanagement, or misrepresentation exist. The Directors, who have dared
to talk with such confidence on their revenues, know nothing about them.
What used to fill volumes is now comprised under a few dry heads on