ould suit," take possession of the
territories of Fyzoola Khan, the last of the great Rohilla chiefs that
remained in Rohilcund, under pretence that by his independence he caused
alarm to Asoff-ul-Dowla. The chief design of Hastings, however, was
to extort money from Fyzoola Khan; and when he found that there was no
money in the country, he put his interdict on any hostile proceedings by
the Nabob of Oude; poverty therefore was his protection.

It must not be supposed, however, that Hastings ventured to rob the
palace of Fyzabad as a robber of the Robin Hood order. Up to the time of
his wanting money for the Carnatic war, he had protected the mother and
wife of Sujah Dowla, and had even written to Middleton, commanding him
to take active measures for preventing Asoff-ul-Dowla from plundering
them; asserting that they were entitled to English protection. But
now, when it was determined to despoil them of their jaghires and their
money, it was thought expedient to devise some means of colouring over
the transaction, so as to save his honour and reputation. Doubts
were now thrown out as to the validity of Sujah Dowla's testamentary
bequests; and the ladies were represented as dangerous rebels and
traitors to the company. His violence to Cheyte Sing had created an
insurrection at Benares, which could only be quelled by bloodshed; and
this was followed by some slight disturbances in the province of Oude.
Nothing, however, could be further from the truth than that these old
ladies had taken any part in the tumult. They were, indeed, too fond of
their money to spend it in exciting insurrection. Nevertheless, this was
made the plea for robbing them; and to carry out the farce, after they
had been plundered of their wealth, they were tried for the imputed
offence at Lucknow, by the chief-justice, Sir Elijah Impey, an old
schoolfellow and bosom-friend of the govern or-general. Impey had not
the slightest authority at Oude; but it was thought that the presence of
the head of the supreme court at Calcutta would impart a dignity to the
proceedings, and give a fair colouring to the act. It was not difficult
in India to obtain a conviction; for men who would perjure themselves by
giving false witness were to be met with on every hand. A host of such
were brought forward, therefore, with affidavits ready drawn in their
hands, to testify against the victims. The result was certain: a partial
judge and false swearing convicted the accused