the truth in its true colors, I have written
upon this sheet with truth and sincerity, to serve as an evidence,
and to represent real facts,--to serve also as information and
communication, that Mr. Hastings, from the commencement of his
administration until his departure for England, whether during the
lifetime of the deceased Nabob, of blessed memory, Vizier ul Moolk,
Sujah ul Dowlah Bahadur, my father, or during my government, did
not at any time transact contrary to justice any matter which took
place from the great friendship between me and the Company, nor in
any business depart from the path of truth and uprightness, but
cultivated friendship with integrity and sincerity, and in every
respect engaged himself in the duties of friendship with me, my
ministers and confidants. I am at all times, and in every way,
pleased with and thankful for his friendly manners and qualities;
and my ministers and confidants, who have always, every one of
them, been satisfied with his conduct, are forever grateful for his
friendship and thankful for his virtues. As these matters are real
facts, and according to truth, I have written these lines as an
evidence, and transmit this paper to England, through the
government of Calcutta, for the information of the gentlemen of
power and rank in England."

Observe, my Lords, the candor of the Commons. We produce this evidence,
which accuses us, as Mr. Hastings does, of uttering everything that is
false; we choose to bring our shame before the world, and to admit that
this man, on whose behalf and on the behalf of whose country we have
accused Mr. Hastings, has declared that this accusation (namely, this
impeachment) is destitute of uprightness and without truth. But, my
Lords, this is not only a direct contradiction to all he has ever said,
to all that has been proved to you by us, but a direct contradiction to
all the representations of Mr. Hastings himself. Your Lordships will
hence see what credit is to be given to these papers.

Your Lordships shall now hear what Hyder Beg Khan says: that Hyder Beg
Khan who stands recorded in your minutes as the worst of mankind; who is
represented as writing letters without the Nabob's consent, and in
defiance of him; the man of whom Mr. Hastings says, that the Nabob is
nothing but a tool in his hands, and that the Nabob is and ever must be
a tool of s