most solemnly to answer me. Are you
confident in your own ability to accomplish all these purposes, and
the other points of my instructions? If you reply that you are, I
will depart with a quiet and assured mind to the Presidency, but
leave you a dreadful responsibility, if you disappoint me. If you
tell me that you cannot rely upon your power, and the other means
which you possess for performing these services, I will free you
from the charge. I will proceed myself to Lucknow, and I will
myself undertake them; and in that case, I desire that you will
immediately order bearers to be stationed, for myself and two other
gentlemen, between Lucknow and Allahabad, and I will set out from
hence in three days after the receipt of your letter.

"I am sorry that I am under the necessity of writing in this
pressing manner. I trust implicitly to your integrity, I am certain
of your attachment to myself, and I know that your capacity is
equal to any service; but I must express my doubts of your firmness
and activity, and above all of your recollection of my
instructions, and of their importance. My conduct in the late
arrangements will be arraigned with all the rancor of disappointed
rapacity, and my reputation and influence will suffer a mortal
wound from the failure of them. They have already failed in a
degree, since no part of them has yet taken place, but the removal
of our forces from the Dooab and Rohilcund, and of the British
officers and pensioners from the service of the Nabob, and the
expenses of the former thrown without any compensation on the
Company.

"I expect a supply of money equal to the discharge of all the
Nabob's arrears, and am much disappointed and mortified that I am
not now able to return with it.

"Give me an immediate answer to the question which I have herein
proposed, that I may lose no more time in fruitless inaction."

About this time Mr. Hastings had received information of our inquiries
in the House of Commons into his conduct; and this is the manner in
which he prepares to meet them. "I must get money. I must carry with me
that great excuse for everything, that salve for every sore, that
expiation for every crime: let me provide that, all is well. You, Mr.
Middleton, try your nerves: are you equal to these services? Examine
yourself; see what is