Hastings neither showed nor would have suffered, if he could have
prevented it. They agreed amongst themselves to give to these women
three lacs of rupees, and some trifle more; and the rest was divided as
a prey among the army. The sum found in the fort was about 238,000_l._,
not the smallest part of which was in any way proved to be Cheyt Sing's
property, or the property of any person but the unfortunate women who
were found in the possession of it.
The plunder of the fort being thus given to the soldiers, what does Mr.
Hastings next do? He is astonished and stupefied to find so much
unprofitable violence, so much tyranny, and so little pecuniary
advantage,--so much bloodshed, without any profit to the Company. He
therefore breaks his faith with the soldiers; declares, that, having no
right to the money, they must refund it to the Company; and on their
refusal, he instituted a suit against them. With respect to the three
lacs of rupees, or 30,000_l._, which was to be given to these women,
have we a scrap of paper to prove its payment? is there a single receipt
or voucher to verify their having received one sixpence of it? I am
rather inclined to think that they did receive it, or some part of it;
but I don't know a greater crime in public officers than to have no kind
of vouchers for the disposal of any large sums of money which pass
through their hands: but this, my Lords, is the great vice of Mr.
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