In regard to the object of his malice, we only know that many letters
came from Cheyt Sing to Mr. Hastings, in which the unfortunate man
endeavored to appease his wrath, and to none of which he ever gave an
answer. He is an accuser preferring a charge and receiving apologies,
without giving the party an answer, although he had a crowd of
secretaries about him, maintained at the expense of the miserable people
of Benares, and paid by sums of money drawn fraudulently from their
pockets. Still not one word of answer was given, till he had formed the
resolution of exacting a fine, and had actually by torture made his
victim's servant discover where his master's treasures lay, in order
that he might rob him of all his family possessed. Are these the
proceedings of a British judge? or are they not rather such as are
described by Lord Coke (and these learned gentlemen, I dare say, will
remember the passage; it is too striking not to be remembered) as _"the
damned and damnable proceedings of a judge in hell_"? Such a judge has
the prisoner at your bar proved himself to be. First he determines upon
the punishment, then he prepares the accusation, and then by torture and
violence endeavors to extort the fine.
My Lords, I must again beg leave to call your attention to his mode of
proceeding in this business.
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