behalf of the Nabob_: though I do assure you I
myself represented to his Excellency and the ministers, (conceiving it
to be your desire,) that _the apparent assumption of the reins of his
government_, (for in that light he undoubtedly considered it at the
first view,) as specified in the agreement executed by him, was not
meant to be _fully_ and _literally_ enforced, but that it was necessary
_you should have something to show on your side, as the Company were
deprived of a benefit without a requital; and upon the faith of this
assurance alone_, I believe I may safely affirm, his Excellency's
objections to signing the treaty were given up. If I have understood the
matter wrong, or misconceived your design, I am truly sorry for it:
_however, it is not too late to correct the error; and I am ready to
undertake, and, God willing, to carry through, whatever you may, on
receipt of my public letter, tell me is your final resolve_."

XV. That it appears, but on his, the said Middleton's, sole authority,
in a letter from the said Middleton, dated Lucknow, 2d December, 1781,
that the Nabob of Oude, wishing to evade the measure of resuming the
jaghires aforesaid, did send a message to him, purporting, "that, if the
measure proposed was intended to procure the payment of the balance due
to the Company, he could better and more expeditiously effect that
object by taking from his mother the treasures of his father, which he
did assert to be in her hands, and to which he did claim a right; and
that it would be sufficient that he, the said Hastings, _would hint his
opinion upon it, without giving a formal sanction to the measure
proposed_; and that, whatever his resolution upon the subject should be,
it would be expedient to keep it secret": adding, "_The resumption of
the jaghires it is necessary to suspend till I have your answer to this
letter_."

XVI. That it does not appear that the said Hastings did write any
letter in answer to the proposal of the said Middleton, but he, the said
Hastings, did communicate his pleasure thereon, to Sir Elijah Impey,
being then at Lucknow, for his, the said Middleton's, information; and
it does appear that the seizing of the treasures of the mother of the
Nabob, said to have been proposed as _an alternative_ by the said Nabob
to prevent the resumption of the jaghires, was determined upon and
ordered by the said Hastings,--and that the resumption of the said
jaghires, for the ransom of which the