Suntoe, &c., during the lifetime of Sumboonant, the zemindar, in 1167,
all without right, title, or pecuniary consideration? This has been the
case with many purgunnahs in his zemindary, and indeed exists in many
other zemindaries besides since the Company's accession. Ramkissen, in
1172, got possession of Nurrulloor, the zemindary of Mahomed Ali. The
purgunnah of Ichanguipore, &c., was in three divisions in 1173. The
petition of Govind Deo Sheopersaud was made over to the son of Bousser
Chowdry, possessor of the third share. Purgunnah Baharbund belonged to
the zemindary of Ranny Bhowanny, and in 1180 was made over to Lucknaut
Nundy. All these changes took place in the lifetime of the rightful
possessors, without right, title, or purchase."
Your Lordships have not heard before of Lucknaut Nundy. He was the son
of a person of whom your Lordships have heard before, called Cantoo
Baboo, the banian of Mr. Hastings. Mr. Hastings has proved in abundance
of other cases that a grant to father and son is the same thing. The
fathers generally take out grants in the names of their sons: and the
Ranny Bhowanny, possessing the zemindary of Radshi, an old lady of the
first rank and family in India, was stripped of part of her zemindary,
and it was given to Lucknaut Nundy, the son of Mr. Hastings's banian;
and then (you see the consequence of good examples) comes Gunga Govind
Sing, and says, "I am as good a man as he; there is a zemindary given;
then do as much for Gunga Govind Sing as you have done for Cantoo
Baboo." Here is an argument drawn from the practice of Mr. Hastings. And
this shows your Lordships the necessity of suppressing such iniquities
by punishing the author of them. You will punish Mr. Hastings, and no
man will hereafter dare to rob minors, no man will hereafter dare to rob
widows, to give to the vilest of mankind, their own base instruments for
their own nefarious purposes, the lands of others, without right, title,
or purchase.
My Lords, I will not after this state to you the false representation of
the value of these lands which this man gave in to government. He
represented it to be much less than it was, when he desired the grant of
them,--as shall be stated, when it comes before your Lordships, at the
proper time. But at present I am only touching upon principles, and
bringing examples so far as they illustrate principles, and to show how
precedents spread.
I believe your Lordships will conceive better of
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