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Burke, Edmund, 1729-1797

"The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 11 (of 12)"

But some other person had become
security to his attorney for him. What, then, are we to think of these
men of business, of these friends of Mr. Hastings, who, when he is
possessed of nothing, are contented to become responsible for thirty
thousand pounds, (was it thirty thousand pounds out of the bullock
contracts?)--responsible, I say, for this sum, in order to maintain this
suit previous to its actual commencement, and who consequently must be
so engaged for every article of expense that has followed from that time
to this?
Thus much we have thought it necessary to say upon this part of the
recriminatory charge of delay. With respect to the delay in general, we
are at present under an account to our constituents upon that subject.
To them we shall give it. We shall not give any further account of it to
your Lordships. The means belong to us as well as to you of removing
these charges. Your Lordships may inquire upon oath, as we have done in
our committee, into all the circumstances of these allegations. I hope
your Lordships will do so, and will give the Commons an opportunity of
attending and assisting at this most momentous and important inquiry.
* * * * *
The next recriminatory charge made upon us by the prisoner is, that,
merely to throw an odium upon him, we have brought forward a great deal
of irrelevant matter, which could not be proved regularly in the course
of examination at your bar, and particularly in the opening speech,
which I had the honor of making on the subject.


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