ples of rapacity and oppression
universally prevailed, and that every spark of sentiment and public
spirit was lost and extinguished in the unbounded lust of unmerited
wealth.

"To illustrate these positions, we must exhibit to your view a most
unpleasing variety of complaints, inquiries, accusations, and
vindications, the particulars of which are entered in our
Proceedings and the Appendix,--assuring you that we undertake this
task with peculiar reluctance, from the personal regard we entertain
for some of the gentlemen whose characters will appear to be deeply
affected.

"At Fort St. George we received the first advices of the demise of
Mir Jaffier and of Sujah Dowlah's defeat. It was there firmly
imagined that no definite measures would be taken, either in respect
to a peace or filling the vacancy in the nizamut, before our
arrival,--as the 'Lapwing' arrived in the month of January with your
general letter, and the appointment of a committee with express
powers to that purpose, for the successful exertion of which the
happiest occasion now offered. However, a contrary resolution
prevailed in the Council. The opportunity of acquiring immense
fortunes was too inviting to be neglected, and the temptation too
powerful to be resisted. A treaty was hastily drawn up by the board,
or rather transcribed, with few unimportant additions, from that
concluded with Mir Jaffier,--and a deputation, consisting of Messrs.
Johnstone, senior, Middleton, and Leycester, appointed to raise the
natural son of the deceased Nabob to the subahdarry, in prejudice of
the claim of the grandson; and for this measure such reasons are
assigned as ought to have dictated a diametrically opposite
resolution. Meeran's son was a minor, which circumstance alone would
have naturally brought the whole administration into our hands, at a
juncture when it became indispensably necessary we should realize
that shadow of power and influence which, having no solid
foundation, was exposed to the danger of being annihilated by the
first stroke of adverse fortune. But this inconsistence was not
regarded; nor was it material to the views for precipitating the
treaty, which was pressed on the young Nabob at the first interview,
in so earnest and indelicate a manner as highly disgusted him and
chagrined his ministers; whi