ne, Mr. Hastings had
received from that country a bribe of about 40,000_l._ There is a
fidelity even in bribery; there is a truth and observance even in
corruption; there is a justice, that, if money is to be paid for
protection, protection should be given. My Lords, Mr. Hastings received
this bribe through Gunga Govind Sing; then, at least, through Gunga
Govind Sing he ought to take care that that Rajah should not be
robbed,--that he should not be robbed, if Gunga Govind Sing could help
it,--that, above all, he should not be robbed by Gunga Govind Sing
himself. But your Lordships will find that the last act of Mr.
Hastings's life was to be an accomplice in the most cruel and perfidious
breach of faith, in the most iniquitous transaction, that I do believe
ever was held out to the indignation of the world with regard to private
persons. When he departed, on the 16th of February, 1785, when he was on
board, in the mouth of the Ganges, and preparing to visit his native
country, let us see what the last act of his life then was. Hear the
last tender accents of the dying swan upon the Ganges.

"The regret which I cannot but feel in relinquishing the service of my
honorable employers would be much embittered, were it accompanied by the
reflection that I have neglected the merits of a man who deserves no
less of them than of myself, Gunga Govind Sing, who from his earliest
youth had been employed in the collection of the revenues, and was about
eleven years ago selected for his superior talents to fill the office of
dewan to the Calcutta Committee. He has from that time, with a short
intermission, been the principal native agent in the collection of the
Company's revenues; and I can take upon myself to say that he has
performed the duties of his office with fidelity, diligence, and
ability. To myself he has given proofs of a constancy and attachment
which neither the fears nor expectations excited by the prevalence of a
different influence could shake,--and at a time, too, when these
qualities were so dangerous, that, far from finding them amongst the
generality of his countrymen, I did not invariably meet with them
amongst my own. With such a sense of his merits, it is natural that I
should feel a desire of rewarding him,--for justice, gratitude,
generosity, and even policy, demand it; and I resort to the board for
the means of performing so necessary a duty, in full confidence, that,
as those which I shall point out are nei