escape the consequences attached by law to
a dismission; they therefore demanded Mr. Macleane's written authority.
This he declared he could not give into their hands, as the letter
contained other matters, of a nature extremely confidential, but that,
if they would appoint a committee of the Directors, he would readily
communicate to them the necessary parts of the letter, and give them
perfect satisfaction with regard to his authority. A deputation was
accordingly named, who reported that they had seen Mr. Hastings's
instructions, contained in a paper in _his own handwriting_, and that
the authority for the act now done by Mr. Macleane was clear and
sufficient. Mr. Vansittart, a very particular friend of Mr. Hastings,
and Mr. John Stewart, his most attached and confidential dependant,
attended on this occasion, and proved that directions perfectly
correspondent to this written authority had been given by Mr. Hastings
in their presence. By this means the powers were fully authenticated;
but the letter remained safe in Mr. Macleane's hands.

Nothing being now wanting to the satisfaction of the Directors, the
resignation was formally accepted. Mr. Wheler was named to fill the
vacancy, and presented for his Majesty's approbation, which was
received. The act was complete, and the office that Mr. Hastings had
resigned was legally filled. This proceeding was officially notified in
Bengal, and General Clavering, as senior in Council, was in course to
succeed to the office of Governor-General.

Mr. Hastings, to extricate himself from the difficulties into which this
resignation had brought him, had recourse to one of those unlooked-for
and hardy measures which characterize the whole of his administration.
He came to a resolution of disowning his agent, denying his letter, and
disavowing his friends. He insisted on continuing in the execution of
his office, and supported himself by such reasons as could be furnished
in such a cause. An open schism instantly divided the Council. General
Clavering claimed the office to which he ought to succeed, and Mr.
Francis adhered to him: Mr. Barwell stuck to Mr. Hastings. The two
parties assembled separately, and everything was running fast into a
confusion which suspended government, and might very probably have ended
in a civil war, had not the judges of the Supreme Court, on a reference
to them, settled the controversy by deciding that the resignation was an
invalid act, and that Mr. Ha