sitting openly in the execution of his office, it is added, that there is no impropriety in the Kazi sitting in his own house to pass judgment, but it is requisite that he give orders for a free access to the people.  It then proceeds thus:—­“It is requisite that such people sit along with the Kazi as were used to sit with him, prior to his appointment to the office; because, if he were to sit alone in his house, he would thereby give rise to suspicion."[98]

My Lords, having thus seen what the duty of a judge is in such a case, let us examine whether Mr. Hastings observed any part of the prescribed rules.  First, with regard to the publicity of the matter.  Did he ever give any notice to the Supreme Council of the charges which he says he had received against Cheyt Sing?  Did he accuse the Rajah in the Council, even when it was reduced to himself and his poor, worn, down, cowed, and I am afraid bribed colleague, Mr. Wheler?  Did he even then, I ask, produce any one charge against this man?  He sat in Council as a judge,—­as an English judge,—­as a Mahometan judge,—­as a judge by the Gentoo law, and by the Law of Nature.  He should have summoned the party to appear in person, or by his attorney, before him, and should have there informed him of the charge against him.  But, my Lords, he did not act thus.  He kept the accusation secret in his own bosom.  And why?  Because he did not believe it to be true.  This may at least be inferred from his having never informed the Council of the matter.  He never informed the Rajah of Benares of the suspicions entertained against him, during the discussions which took place respecting the multiplied demands that were made upon him.  He never told this victim, as he has had the audacity to tell us and all this kingdom in the paper that is before your Lordships, that he looked upon these refusals to comply with his demands to be overt acts of rebellion; nor did he ever call upon him to answer or to justify himself with regard to that imputed conspiracy or rebellion.  Did he tell Sadanund, the Rajah’s agent, when that agent was giving him a bribe or a present in secret, and was thus endeavoring to deprecate his wrath, that he accepted that bribe because his master was in rebellion?  Never, my Lords; nor did he, when he first reached Benares, and had the Rajah in his power, suggest one word concerning this rebellion.  Did he, when he met Mr. Markham at Boglipore, where they consulted about the destruction of this unhappy man, did he tell Mr. Markham, or did Mr. Markham insinuate to him, any one thing about this conspiracy and rebellion?  No, not a word there, or in his whole progress up the country.  While at Boglipore, he wrote a letter to Lord Macartney upon the state of the empire, giving him much and various advice.  Did he insinuate in that letter that he was going up to Benares to suppress a rebellion of the Rajah Cheyt Sing or to punish him?  No, not a word.  Did he, my Lords, at the eve of his