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_qualifications_, which entitle him to such uncommon distinction? Is it for his superior _integrity_, or from his eminent _abilities_, that he is to be dignified at such hazard of every consideration that ought to influence the members of this administration? Of the former (his integrity) I know _no proofs_; I am sure it is not an evidence of it, that he has been _enabled_ to make himself the principal in such a _competition:_ and for the test of his abilities I appeal to the letter which he has _dared_ to write to this board, and which I am ashamed to say we have _suffered_. I desire that a copy of it may be inserted in this day's proceedings, that it may stand before the eyes of every member of the board, when he shall give his vote upon a question for giving their confidence to a man, _their servant_, who has publicly insulted _them, his masters_, and the members of the government to whom he owes _his obedience_,--who, assuming an association with the Court of Directors, and erecting himself into a _tribunal_, has _arraigned_ them for _disobedience_ of orders, _passed judgment_ upon them, _and condemned or acquitted them, as their magistrate or superior_. Let the board consider, whether a man possessed of so _independent_ a spirit, who has already shown a _contempt_ of their authority, who has shown himself _so wretched an advocate for his own cause and negotiator for his own interest_, is fit to be trusted with the guardianship of _their_ honor, the execution of _their_ measures, and as _their_ confidential manager and negotiator with the princes of India. As the motion has been unaccompanied by any reasons which should induce the board to pass their acquiescence in it, I presume the motion which preceded it, for _reading the orders of the Court of Directors, was intended to serve as an argument for it, as well as an introduction to it_. The last of those was dictated the 23rd December, 1778, almost two years past. They were dictated at a time when, I am sorry to say, the Court of Directors were in _the habit of casting reproach upon my conduct and heaping indignities upon my station_." Had the language and opinions which prevail throughout this part of the minute, as well as in all the others to which your Committee refer, been uttered suddenly and in a passion, however unprovoked, some sort of apology might be made for the Governor-General. But when it was produced five months after the supposed offence, and then
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