e English. Look, I pray you, at the whole
business, consider all the circumstances of it, and ask yourselves
whether this is not a charge, not only so grossly improbable, but so
perfectly impossible, that there is not any evidence which can make it
even plausible. Consider next, my Lords, on the other side, the evidence
of their innocence, and then ask yourselves whether any additional
matter could make its probability in the least degree more probable. My
Lords, the evidence we have produced is neither more nor less than that
of almost all the persons who have had a share in exciting that
rebellion, and who, to justify their own horrible cruelty, have
attempted to charge the natural consequences of that cruelty upon these
unhappy women.

But where, all this time, is the Nabob, against whom this rebellion is
pretended to be directed? Was it ever even insinuated to him that his
mother had raised a rebellion against him? When were the proofs shown to
him? Did he ever charge her with it? He surely must have been most
anxious to prevent and suppress a rebellion against himself: but not one
word on that subject has ever come out of his mouth; nor has any one
person been produced to show that he was informed of the existence of
such a rebellion. The persons said to be rebels are his mother and
grandmother; and I again ask, Was there the least intimation given to
him by Mr. Middleton, or by any other person, of their being even
suspected of rebellion against him? There was, indeed, a hint of some
rebellion, which the creatures of Mr. Hastings got at obliquely; but
neither the person against whom the rebellion is supposed to exist, nor
the persons who were said to be guilty of it, were ever either informed
of or charged with it. I defy the prisoner and his whole gang to produce
one word ever uttered by any one of them, from which the Nabob or
Begums could learn that they were supposed to be concerned in the
rebellion: so that none of those who were said to be the principal
actors in the scene ever heard of the parts they were acting from the
actual authors and managers of the business. Not one word was uttered of
a charge made, much less of proof given. Nothing was heard but "Give me
the money!"--irons,--new irons,--new imprisonment,--and at last the
castle of Chunar.

And here I beg leave to pause, and to leave upon your minds the
impression, first, of the wrong that was done, the violence, and the
robbery,--and, secondly, o