that ever came to her ears was, that Captain Gordon said that his baggage had been robbed by one of her aumils.  She denies the truth of this charge; and she produces testimonials of their good behavior to him; and, what is the essential point of all, she desires Mr. Hastings to apply to this Mr. John Gordon, and to know from him what truth or falsehood there is in that accusation, and what weight there is in the attestation she produces.  “Mr. Gordon is now present,” says she; “ask him yourself of these matters.”  This reasonable request was not complied with.  Mr. Gordon swears before Sir Elijah Impey to the robbery; but he never mentions the paper he had written, in which he confessed that he owed his life to this very lady.  No inquiry was made into this matter.  Colonel Hannay was then alive.  Captain Gordon was alive, and she refers to him:  yet that very man was sworn before Sir Elijah Impey, and accuses his prisoner.  Did the prisoner at your bar make that attestation known to the Begum, whose letter at that very time was in his possession, in Mr. Scott’s trunk,—­that very letter in which he is desired to make the inquiry from Captain Gordon?

Mr. Hastings is acquainted with the facts stated by the Begum, and with Captain Gordon’s accusation.  Did he afterwards inform her of this accusation? or did he ask this Captain Gordon one question in India, where the matter might be ventilated?  Not one word, my Lords.  Therefore we fix upon him fraud, deceit, and the production of false evidence, after the woman had desired to have the man who was the evidence against her examined upon the spot.  This he does not do, but with much more prudence he brings him here.  And for what?  To discredit his own testimony, and the written evidence.  And how does he discredit them?  There are two of these papers, which I beg leave to read to your Lordships.

     Copy of a Letter to Jewar and Behar Ali Khan, from Mr. Gordon.

“Sirs, my indulgent friends, remain under, &c., &c., &c.  After compliments, I have the pleasure to inform you, that yesterday, having taken leave of you, I passed the night at Noorgunge, and next morning about ten or eleven o’clock, through your favor and benevolence, arrived safe at Goondah.  Mir Aboo Buksh Zemindar and Mir Rustum Ali accompanied me.

“To what extent can I prolong the praises of you, my beneficent friends?  May the Supreme Being, for this benign, compassionate, humane action, have you in His keeping, and increase your property, and speedily grant me the pleasure of an interview; until which time continue to favor me with friendly letters, and oblige me by any commands in my power to execute.  May your wishes be ever crowned with success!  My compliments,” &c., &c., &c.

     Copy of an Address from Mr. Gordon to the Begum.

     “Begum Saib of exalted dignity and generosity, whom God preserve! 
     After presenting the usual professions of servitude, &c., in the
     customary manner, my address is presented.