they have
in future to expect_; and in proportion to the degree of this
uncertainty, their efforts and expenses in promoting the cultivation
will be languid and sparing. In compliance with the Naib's request, I
have written to all the aumils, encouraging and ordering them to attend
to the cultivation of their respective districts; but I conceive I
should be able to promote this very desirable intention much more
effectually, if you will honor me with the communication of your
intentions on this subject. At the same time I cannot help just
remarking, that, if a change is intended, the sooner it takes place, the
more _the bad effects_ I have described will be obviated."

That the Council, having received the proposition for the removal of the
administrator aforesaid, did also, in a letter to him, the said
Hastings, condemn the frequent changes by him made in the administration
of the collections of Benares,--but did consent to such alterations as
might be made without encroaching on the rights established by his, the
said Hastings's, agreement in the year 1781, and did desire him to
transmit to them his plan for a new administration.

That the said Hastings did transmit a plan, which, notwithstanding the
evils which had happened from the former frequent changes, he did
propose _as a temporary expedient_ for the administration of the
revenues of the said province,--in which no provision was made for the
reduction or remission of revenue as exigences might require, or for the
extraction of the circulating specie from the said province, or for the
supply of the necessary advances for cultivation, nor for the removal or
prevention of any of the grievances by him before complained of, other
than an inspection by the Resident and the chief criminal magistrate of
Benares, and other regulations equally void of effect and
authority,--and which plan Mr. Stables, one of the Supreme Council, did
altogether reject; but the same was approved of _as a temporary
expedient_, with some exceptions, by two other members of the board, Mr.
Wheler and Mr. Macpherson, declaring _the said Warren Hastings
responsible for the temporary expediency of the same_.

That the said Warren Hastings, in the plan aforesaid, having strongly
objected to the appointment of any European collectors, that is to say,
of any European servants of the Company being concerned in the same,
declaring that there had been sufficient experience of the ill effects
of thei