What state could exist that allowed its inferior
members to hold forts and garrisons independent of the superior
administration? It is a solecism in government to suppose it."
Here, then, my Lords, he first declares that this was merely done _in
terrorem_; that he never intended to execute the abominable act. And
will your Lordships patiently endure that such terrific threats as these
shall be hung by your Governor in India over the unhappy people that are
subject to him and protected by British faith? Will you permit, that,
for the purpose of extorting money, a Governor shall hold out the
terrible threat of delivering a tributary prince and his people, bound
hand and foot, into the power of their perfidious enemies?
The terror occasioned by threatening to take from him his forts can only
be estimated by considering, that, agreeably to the religion and
prejudices of Hindoos, the forts are the places in which their women are
lodged, in which, according to their notions, their honor is deposited,
and in which is lodged all the wealth that they can save against an evil
day to purchase off the vengeance of an enemy. These forts Mr. Hastings
says he intended to take, because the Rajah could hold them for no other
than rebellious and suspected purposes.
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