f charges brought forward and urged by us agreeably
to the magnitude of his crimes, with the horror which is inspired by
them, and with the contempt due to this paltry attempt towards his
defence, which they had dared to produce from the hands of an infant but
eleven years old when Mr. Hastings quitted that country!

But to proceed with the razinama.

"He never omitted the smallest instance of kindness towards us, but
healed the wounds of despair with the salve of consolation, by
means of his benevolent and kind behavior, never permitting one of
us to sink in the pit of despondence. He supported every one by his
goodness, overset the designs of evil-minded men by his authority,
tied the hand of oppression with the strong bandage of justice, and
by these means expanded the pleasing appearance of happiness and
joy over us. He reestablished justice and impartiality. We were
during his government in the enjoyment of perfect happiness and
ease, and many of us are thankful and satisfied. As Mr. Hastings
was well acquainted with our manners and customs, he was always
desirous in every respect of doing whatever would preserve our
religious rites, and guard them against every kind of accident and
injury, and at all times protected us. Whatever we have experienced
from him, and whatever happened from him, we have written without
deceit or exaggeration."

My Lords, before I take leave of this affair of bribes and of the great
bribe-broker, let me just offer a remark to your Lordships upon one
curious transaction. My Lords, we have charged a bribe taken from the
Nabob of Oude, and we have stated the corrupt and scandalous proceeding
which attended it. I thought I had done with Oude; but as there is a
golden chain between all the virtues, so there is a golden chain which
links together all the vices. Mr. Hastings, as you have seen, and as my
honorable colleague has fully opened it to you, received a bribe or
corrupt present from the Nabob of Oude in September, 1781. We heard no
more of this bribe than what we had stated, (no other trace of it ever
appearing in the Company's records, except in a private letter written
by Mr. Hastings to the Court of Directors, and afterwards in a
communication such as you have heard through Mr. Larkins,) till October,
1783.

But, my Lords, we have since discovered, through and in consequence of
the violent disputes wh