I pledge myself to produce, in the history of the Mogul
empire, a series of pardons and amnesties for rebellions, from its
earliest establishments, and in its most distant provinces.
I need not state to your Lordships what you know to be the true
principles of British policy in matters of this nature. When there has
been provocation, you ought to be ready to listen to terms of
reconciliation, even after war has been made. This you ought to do, to
show that you are placable; such policy as this would doubtless be of
the greatest benefit and advantage to you. Look to the case of Sujah
Dowlah. You had, in the course of a war with him, driven him from his
country; you had not left him in possession of a foot of earth in the
world. The Mogul was his sovereign, and, by his authority, it was in
your power to dispose of the vizierate, and of every office of state
which Sujah Dowlah held under the emperor: for he hated him mortally,
and was desirous of dispossessing him of everything. What did you do?
Though he had shed much English blood, you reestablished him in all his
power, you gave him more than he before possessed; and you had no reason
to repent your generosity. Your magnanimity and justice proved to be the
best policy, and was the subject of admiration from one end of India to
the other.
Pages:
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361