omebody or other. Now, as we have heard the tool speak, let
us hear how the workman employed to work with this tool speaks.

_Extract from Hyder Beg Khan's Letter to the Governor and Council._

"It is at this time learnt by the Nabob Vizier, and us, his
ministers, that the gentlemen of power in England are displeased
with Mr. Hastings, on the suspicion that during his administration
in this country, from motives of avidity, he committed oppressions
contrary to the rules of justice, took the properties of men by
deceit and force, injured the ryots and subjects, and rendered the
country destitute and ruined. As the true and upright disposition
of Mr. Hastings is in every respect free of this suspicion, we
therefore with truth and sincerity declare by these lines, written
according to fact, that Mr. Hastings, from the first of his
appointment to the government of this country until his departure
for Europe, during his authority in the management of the affairs
of the country, whether in the lifetime of the Nabob Sujah ul
Dowlah Bahadur, deceased, or whether during the present reign, did
not, in any matters which took place from the great friendship
between this government and the Company, act in any wise upon
motives of avidity, and, not having, in any respect, other than
justice and propriety in intention, did not swerve from their
rules. He kept his Excellency the Vizier always pleased and
satisfied" (you will remember, my Lords, the last expressions of
his pleasure and satisfaction) "by his friendship and attention in
every matter. He at all times showed favor and kindness towards us,
the ministers of this government; and under his protection having
enjoyed perfect happiness and comfort, we are from our hearts
satisfied with and grateful for his benevolence and goodness."

Here, my Lords, you have the character which Hyder Beg Khan gives of Mr.
Hastings,--of the man who he knew had loaded him, as he had done, with
every kind of indignity, reproach, and outrage with which a man can be
loaded. Your Lordships will see that this testimony repeats, almost word
for word, the testimony of the Vizier Nabob,--which shows who the real
writer is.

My Lords, it is said, that there is no word in the Persian language to
express gratitude. With these signal instances of gratitude before us, I
think we