re imitable by everybody. There is not a single man, black or white,
from the highest to the lowest, that is possessed in the smallest degree
of momentary authority, that cannot imitate the acts of such a
Governor-General. Consider, then, what the consequences will be, when it
is laid down as a principle of the service, that no man is to be called
to account according to the existing laws, and that you must either
give, as he says, arbitrary power, or suffer your government to be
destroyed.

We asked Mr. Anderson, whether the covenant of every farmer of the
revenue did not forbid him from giving any presents to any persons, or
taking any. He answered, he did not exactly remember, (for the memory of
this gentleman is very indifferent, though the matter was in his own
particular province,) but he thought it did; and he referred us to the
record of it. I cannot get at the record; and therefore you must take it
as it stands from Mr. Anderson, without a reference to the record,--that
the farmers were forbidden to take or give any money to any person
whatever, beyond their engagements. Now, if a Governor-General comes to
that farmer, and says, "You must give a certain sum beyond your
engagements," he lets him loose to prey upon the landholders and
cultivators; and thus a way is prepared for the final desolation of the
whole country, by the malversation of the Governor, and by the
consequent oppressive conduct of the farmers.

Mr. Hastings being now put over the whole country to regulate it, let us
see what he has done. He says, "Let me have an arbitrary power, and I
will regulate it." He assumed arbitrary power, and turned in and out
every servant at his pleasure. But did he by that arbitrary power
correct any one corruption? Indeed, how could he? He does not say he
did. For when a man gives ill examples in himself, when he cannot set on
foot an inquiry that does not terminate in his own corruption, of course
he cannot institute any inquiry into the corruption of the other
servants.

But again, my Lords, the subordinate servant will say, "I cannot rise"
(properly here, as Mr. Hastings has well observed) "to the height of
greatness, power, distinction, rank, or honor in the government; but I
can make my fortune, according to my degree, my measure, and my place."
His views will be then directed so to make it. And when he sees that the
Governor-General is actuated by no other views,--when he himself, as a
farmer, is confident