eive in what manner it could offend the said Hastings,
if he did not imagine that the express commission to which in the said
narrative he refers might relate to the discovery to Sir John Clavering
of some practice which he might wish to conceal,--the said Clavering,
whom he styles "_his opponent_," having been engaged, in obedience to
the Company's express orders, in the discovery of sundry peculations and
other evil practices charged upon the said Hastings. But although, at
the time of the said pretended deputation, he dissembled his
resentment, it appears to have rankled in his mind, and that he never
forgave it, of whatever nature it might have been (the same never having
been by him explained); and some years after, he recorded it in his
justification of his oppressive conduct towards the Rajah, urging the
same with great virulence and asperity, as a proof or presumption of
his, the said Rajah's, disaffection to the Company's government; and by
his subsequent acts, he seems from the first to have resolved, when
opportunity should occur, on a severe revenge.

II. That, having obtained, in his casting vote, a majority in Council on
the death of Sir John Clavering and Mr. Monson, he did suddenly, and
without any previous general communication with the members of the
board, by a Minute of Consultation of the 9th of July, 1778, make an
extraordinary demand, namely: "That the Rajah of Benares should
_consent_ to the establishment of three regular battalions of sepoys,
_to be raised and maintained at his own expense_"; and the said expense
was estimated at between fifty and sixty thousand pounds sterling.

III. That the said requisition did suppose the _consent_ of the
Rajah,--the very word being inserted in the body of his, the said Warren
Hastings's, minute; and the same was agreed to, though with some doubts
on the parts of two of his colleagues, Mr. Francis and Mr. Wheler,
concerning the right of making the same, even worded as it was. But Mr.
Francis and Mr. Wheler, soon after, finding that the Rajah was much
alarmed by this departure from the treaty, the requisition aforesaid was
strenuously opposed by them. The said Hastings did, notwithstanding
this opposition, persevere, and by his casting vote alone did carry the
said unjust and oppressive demand. The Rajah submitted, after some
murmuring and remonstrance, to pay the sum required,--but on the express
condition (as has been frequently asserted by him to the said