the spirit of these
transactions by my intermixing with them, as I shall endeavor to do, as
much as possible of the grounds of them. I will venture to say, that no
description that I can give, no painting, if I was either able or
willing to paint, could make these transactions appear to your Lordships
with the strength which they have in themselves; and your Lordships
will be convinced of this, when you see, what nobody could hardly
believe, that a man can say, "It was given to others without right,
title, or purchase,--give it to me without right, title, or purchase;
give me the estates of minors without right, title, or purchase, because
Mr. Hastings gave the estates of widows without right, title, or
purchase."

Of this exemplary grant, of this pattern for future proceedings, I will
show your Lordships the consequence. I will read to your Lordships part
of the examination of a witness, taken from a report of a committee of
the House of Commons.

"Are you acquainted with the situation of the zemindary of
Baharbund?--It lies to the eastward of Dinagepore and Rungpore. I was
stationed in that neighborhood.--To whom did it originally belong?--I
believe, to the zemindary of Radshi, belonging to Ranny Bhowanny.--For
what reason was it taken from the Ranny of Radshi and given to Cantoo
Baboo?--I do not exactly recollect: I believe, on some plea of
incapacity or insufficiency in her to manage it, or some pretended
decline in the revenue, owing to mismanagement.--On what terms was it
granted to Cantoo Baboo or his son?--I believe it was a grant in
perpetuity, at the revenue of Rupees 82,000 or 83,000 per annum.--What
amount did he collect from the country?--I cannot tell. The year I was
in that neighborhood, the settlement with his under-tenants was
something above 3,53,000 rupees. The inhabitants of the country objected
to it. They assembled in a body of about five thousand, and were
proceeding to Calcutta to make known their grievances to the Committee
of Revenue. They were stopped at Cossimbazar by Noor Sing Baboo, the
brother of Cantoo Baboo, and there the matter was compromised,--in what
manner I cannot say."

Your Lordships see, Mr. Hastings's banian got this zemindary belonging
to this venerable lady; unable to protect herself; that it was granted
to him without right, title, or purchase. To show you that Mr. Hastings
had been in a constant course of such proceeding, here is a petition
from a person called ---- for