of the Nabob of Oude and the company. This question was
debated two nights, and when a division took place, Burke's motion,
declaring that there was ground for charging Warren Hastings with high
crimes and misdemeanors, on the matter of the Rohilla war was negatived
by a majority of one hundred and nineteen, to sixty-seven. The friends
of Hastings hailed this result on the first charge as a triumph;
expecting that the next would undergo a like defeat, and that then,
Burke would give up the prosecution in despair. But the prospects of
the late governor-general were soon overclouded. The second charge was
brought forward by Fox on the 13th of June, which charge related to the
treatment of Cheyte Sing, Zemindar of Benares. On the previous
occasion, Pitt had given a silent vote in favour of Hastings, and it was
anticipated that he would act in the same maimer on the present. Popular
opinion, however, was with Burke, and the minister seems to have had an
idea that he should incur popular odium, if he persevered in crushing
all his charges. After Fox, and Francis, the old enemy of Hastings, had
spoken, therefore, he rose to state his views on the subject. In
his speech, Burke, Fox, and Francis, all came in for a share of his
reprobation; he accusing the two former of oratorical exaggeration and
party misrepresentation, and the latter, with whom Hastings had fought
a duel before their return to England, in which, Francis was dangerously
wounded, of dishonesty and malignancy. This would seem to have indicated
that Pitt would still take the side of Hastings, and the more so,
because in the opening of his speech Pitt had declared that the late
governor-general was justified in calling on Cheyte Sing for aid, both
in money and men; that he was equally justified in fining him for his
contumacy; and that his whole conduct during the insurrection at Benares
called for the highest admiration and praise. So far, all was well; but
he went on to say, that he thought the fines imposed were too great in
amount, and that the conduct of Hastings had been too severe; and he
concluded by asserting broadly, that the fine imposed on Cheyte Sing was
exorbitant, unjust, and tyrannical, and that, therefore, he should agree
to the motion before the house; although he did not thence consider
himself pledged to a final vote of impeachment. Not one on the
treasury-benches knew when Pitt commenced, how he would vote, or what
sentiments he would deliver, b