d
replaces Mahomed Reza Khan. Mahomed Reza Khan, then, is in
possession,--and in possession by the best of all titles, the orders of
the Company. But you will also see the manner in which he evades his
duty, and vilifies in the eyes of these miserable country powers the
authority of the Directors. He is prepared, as usual, with a defeasance
of his own act; and the manner in which that defeasance came to our
knowledge is this. We knew nothing of this private affair, till Mr.
Hastings, in his answer before the House of Commons, finding it
necessary to destroy the validity of some of his own acts, brought
forward Sir John D'Oyly. He was brought forward before us, not as a
witness in his own person for the defence of Mr. Hastings, but as a
narrator who had been employed by Mr. Hastings as a member of that
Council which, as you have heard, drew up his defence. My Lords, you
have already seen the public agency of this business, you have heard
read the public letter sent to the Nabob: there you see the ostensible
part of the transaction. Now hear the banian, Sir John D'Oyly, give an
account of his part in it, extracted from Mr. Hastings's defence before
the House of Commons.

"I was appointed Resident [at the Court of the Nabob] on the
resignation of Mr. Byam Martin, in the month of January, 1780, and
took charge about the beginning of February of the same year. The
substance of the instructions I received was, to endeavor, by every
means in my power, to conciliate the good opinion and regard of the
Nabob and his family, that I might be able to persuade him to adopt
effectual measures for the better regulation of his expenses, which
were understood to have greatly exceeded his income; that I might
prevent his forming improper connections, or taking any steps
derogatory to his rank, and by every means in my power support his
credit and dignify in the eyes of the world; and with respect to
the various branches of his family, I was instructed to endeavor to
put a stop to the dissensions which had too frequently prevailed
amongst them. The Nabob, on his part, was recommended to pay the
same attention to my advice as he would have done to that of the
Governor-General in person. Some time, I think, in the month of
February of the same year, I received a letter from Mr. Hastings,
purporting that the critical situation of affairs requiring the