as effected they shared in the odium of
the enterprise. That Hastings did not concur in the nabob's cruelties
is clear from the directions which he wrote to Colonel Champion with
reference to the captive family of Hafez Ramet, one of the Rohilla
chiefs. He remarked:--"Tell the vizier that the English manners are
abhorrent of every species of inhumanity and oppression, and enjoin
the gentlest treatment of a vanquished enemy. Require and entreat his
observance of this principle towards the family of Hafez. Tell him my
instructions to you generally; but urgently enforce the same maxims; and
that no part of his conduct will operate so powerfully in winning the
affections of the English as instances of benevolence and feeling for
others. If these arguments do not prevail, you may inform him directly
that you have my orders to insist upon a proper treatment of the family
of Hafez Ramet; since in our alliance with him, our national character
is involved in every act which subjects his own to reproach; that
I shall publicly exculpate this government from the imputation of
assenting to such a procedure, and shall reserve it as an objection to
any future engagements with him when the present service shall have been
accomplished." There can be no doubt that Colonel Champion complied with
these directions, for during the war a strife was kindled between him
and the nabob, partly on account of the nabob's non-assistance in the
battle at Babul Nulla, and partly because he resolutely kept all
the plunder to himself. Still nothing can justify this war with the
Rohillas, and the annexation of the Rohilcund to the country of Oude. It
is the more unjustifiable, because money was evidently the chief motive
which induced Hastings to assist the rapacious nabob in his enterprise.
By it the Afghan race was almost rooted out of the country, for while
a few chiefs lingered on the frontiers, the majority, with their
followers, sought new settlements in other countries. The Hindu
population remained under the rule of the Nabob of Oude.

Soon after this Rohilla war was concluded, the new constitution, as
framed by parliament, came into operation. The new council appointed
at Calcutta were General Clavering, and Messrs. Monson, Francis,
and Barwell; and Hastings was at their head with the rank of
Governor-general of Bengal. At the first meeting of this new council a
letter was read from the court of directors, which inculcated unanimity
and concord