ersons were in at
that period; you see they were put in irons, in a place highly
unhealthy; and from this you will judge of the treatment which followed
the _few severities_. The first yielded a bond for 600,000_l._; the
second, a bond for 60,000_l._; the third was intended to extort the
payment of these bonds, and completed their series.

I will now read a letter from Captain Jaques to Mr. Middleton, from the
printed Minutes, dated _Palace, Fyzabad, May 18th, 1782_, consequently
written nearly a month after the former.

"Sir,--The prisoners Behar and Jewar Ali Khan, who seem to be very
sickly, have requested their irons might be taken off for a few
days, that they might take medicine, and walk about the garden of
the place where they are confined, to assist the medicine in its
operation. Now, as I am sure they would be equally as secure
without their irons as with them, I think it my duty to inform you
of this request, and desire to know your pleasure concerning it.

(Signed) "LEONARD JAQUES."

On the 22d May, 1782, Captain Jaques's humane proposal is thus replied
to by Mr. Middleton.

"I am sorry it is not in my power to comply with your proposal of
easing the prisoners for a few days of their fetters. Much as my
humanity may be touched by their sufferings, I should think it
inexpedient to afford them any alleviation while they persist in a
breach of their contract with me; and, indeed, no indulgence could
be shown them without the authority of the Nabob, who, instead of
consenting to moderate the rigors of their situation, would be most
willing to multiply them.

(Signed) "NATHANIEL MIDDLETON."

I will now call your Lordships' attention to other letters connected
with this transaction.

_Letter from Major Gilpin to Mr. Middleton, June 5th, 1782._

"Sir,--Agreeably to your instructions, I went to the prisoners,
Behar and Jewar Ali Khan, accompanied by Hoolas Roy, who read the
papers respecting the balance now due, &c., &c.

"In general terms they expressed concern at not being able to
discharge the same without the assistance of the Begum, and
requested indulgence to send a message to her on that subject, and
in the evening they would give an answer.

"I went at the time appointed for the answer, but did not receive a
satisfactory one; in consequence of which I desired