take to be equally strong and positive,—­and we charge him with the breach of both:  namely, the order for inquiry, and the conditional order of restoring to the Begums their jaghires, or making satisfaction for them; and in case of any apprehension of reluctance in the Nabob, to bring them for security into the Company’s territories.  The two last positive orders are preceded by the supposition of an inquiry which was to justify him either in the acts he had done or to justify him in making restitution.  He did neither the one nor the other.  We aver that he disobeyed all these orders.  And now let his impatience break out again.

Your Lordships have seen, amongst the various pretences by which this man has endeavored to justify his various delinquencies, that of fearing to offend the Nabob by the restoration of their jaghires to the Begums is one.  Your Lordships will form your own judgment of the truth or falsehood of this pretence, when you shall have heard the letter which I shall now read to you, written to Mr. Hastings by the Nabob himself.

     Letter from the Nabob Vizier to Mr. Hastings, 25th February,
     1782.

“You performed on every occasion towards me whatever was becoming of friendship:  I, too, have done whatever affection required and you commanded; and in future also, whatever may be your pleasure, there shall be no deviation therefrom, because whatever you direct is altogether for my benefit.  The business for which I came to Fyzabad is become settled by your favor:  particulars will become known to your wisdom from the writings of Mr. Middleton.  I am grateful for your favors.  If in these matters you sincerely approve me, communicate it, for it will be a comfort to me.  Having appointed my own aumils to the jaghire of the lady mother, I have engaged to pay her cash.  She has complied with my views.  Her pleasure is, that, after receiving an engagement, he should deliver up the jaghires.  What is your pleasure in this matter?  If you command, it will comfort the lady mother giving her back the jaghire after I have obtained my views; or I will have it under my aumil.  I am obedient to your pleasure.”

Your Lordships here see the Begum a suppliant to have her jaghire restored, (after entering into some engagement that might have been required of her,) and the Nabob, in a tone equally suppliant, expressing his consent, at least, that her request should be complied with, if the command of Mr. Hastings could be procured.

* * * * *

My Lords, in order to save your Lordships’ time, and that I might not overload this business, I did not intend to have troubled you with any observations upon this part of it; but the charge of falsehood which the prisoner at your bar has had the audacity to bring against us has induced me to lay it more particularly before, you.  We have now done with it; but before we retire, your Lordships will permit me to recapitulate