The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 10 (of 12) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 468 pages of information about The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 10 (of 12).

The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 10 (of 12) eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 468 pages of information about The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 10 (of 12).

My speech I hope your Lordships consider as only pointing out to your attention these particulars.  Your Lordships will see it exemplified throughout the whole, that, when there is evidence (for some evidence is brought) that does belong to the lac and a half, it is entirely passed by, the most material circumstances are weakened, the whole strength and force of them taken away.  Every one knows how true it is of evidence, juncta juvant:  but here everything is broken and smashed to pieces, and nothing but disorder appears through the whole.  For your Lordships will observe that the proof that belongs to one thing is put as belonging to another, and the proof of the other brought in a weak and imperfect manner in the rear of the first, and with every kind of observation to rebut and weaken it; and when this evidence is produced, which appears inapplicable almost in all the parts, in many doubtful, confused, and perplexed, and in some even contradictory, (which it will be when the evidence to one thing is brought to apply and bear upon another,) good hopes were entertained in consequence that that would happen which in part did happen, namely, that the counsel, distracted and confused, and finding no satisfaction in the case, could not advise a prosecution.

But what is still more material and weighty, many particulars are suppressed in this case, and still more in the report; and turning from the case to the proceedings of the persons who are supposed to have the management of the inquiry, they bring forward, as an appendix to this case, Mr. Hastings’s own invectives and charge against these persons, at the very same time that they suppress and do not bring forward, either in the charge or upon the report, what the other party have said in their own justification.  The consequence of this management was, that a body of evidence which would have made this case the clearest in the world, and which I hope we shall make to appear so to your Lordships, was rendered for the most part inapplicable, and the whole puzzled and confused:  I say, for the most part, for some parts did apply, but miserably applied, to the case.  From their own state of the case they would have it inferred that the fault was not in their way of representing it, but in the infirmity, confusion, and disorder of the proofs themselves; but this, I trust we shall satisfy you, is by no means the case.  I rest, however, upon the proof of partiality in this business, of the imposition upon the counsel, whether designed or not, and of the bias given by adding an appendix with Mr. Hastings’s own remarks upon the case, without giving the reasons of the other parties for their conduct.  Now, if there was nothing else than the fallacious recital, and afterwards the suppression, I believe any rational and sober man would see perfect, good, and sufficient ground for laying aside any authority that can be derived from the opinions of persons, though of the first character (and I am sure no man

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The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 10 (of 12) from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.