cquitted and discharged
or condemned, Mr. Hastings kept him in prison two years, under pretence
(as he wrote word to the Directors) that Mahomed Reza Khan himself was
not very desirous to hasten the matter. In the mean time the Court of
Directors, having removed him from his great offices, authorized and
commanded Mr. Hastings (and here we come within the sphere of your
minutes) to appoint a successor to Mahomed Reza Khan, fit to fulfil the
duties of his station. Now I shall first show your Lordships what sort
of person the Court of Directors described to him as most fit to fill
the office of Mahomed Reza Khan, what sort of person he did appoint, and
then we will trace out to you the consequences of that appointment.

_Letter from the Court of Directors to the President and Council at
Fort William, dated 28th August, 1771._

"Though we have not a doubt but that, by the exertion of your
abilities, and the care and assiduity of our servants in the
superintendency of the revenues, the collections will be conducted
with more advantage to the Company and ease to the natives than by
means of a naib dewan, we are fully sensible of the expediency of
supporting some ostensible minister in the Company's interest at
the Nabob's court, to transact the political affairs of the sircar,
and interpose between the Company and the subjects of any European
power, in all cases wherein they may thwart our interest or
encroach on our authority; and as Mahomed Reza Khan can no longer
be considered by us as one to whom such a power can be safely
committed, we trust to your local knowledge the selection of some
person well qualified for the affairs of government, and of whose
attachment to the Company you shall be well assured: such person
you will recommend to the Nabob to succeed Mahomed Reza as minister
of the government, and guardian of the Nabob's minority; and we
persuade ourselves that the Nabob will pay such regard to your
recommendation as to invest him with the necessary power and
authority.

"As the advantages which the Company may receive from the
appointment of such minister will depend on his readiness to
promote our views and advance our interest, we are willing to allow
him so liberal a gratification as may excite his zeal and secure
his attachment to the Company; we therefore empower you to grant