It was from the depth of
that horrible devastating system that he gave this ridiculous,
contemptible evidence, which if it can be equalled, I shall admit that
there is not one word we have said that you ought to attend to.
Your Lordships are now enabled to sum up the amount and estimate the
result of all this iniquity. The Rajah himself is punished, he is ruined
and undone; but the 500,000_l._ is not gained. He has fled his country;
but he carried his treasures with him. His forts are taken possession
of; but there was nothing found in them. It is the report of the
country, and is so stated by Mr. Hastings, that he carried away with him
in gold and silver to the value of about 400,000_l._; and thus that sum
was totally lost, even as an object of plunder, to the Company. The
author of the mischief lost his favorite object by his cruelty and
violence. If Mr. Hastings had listened to Cheyt Sing at first,--if he
had answered his letters, and dealt civilly with him,--if he had
endeavored afterwards to compromise matters,--if he had _told_ him what
his demands were,--if, even after the rebellion had broken out, he had
demanded and exacted a fine,--the Company would have gained 220,000_l._
at least, and perhaps a much larger sum, without difficulty.
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