Mr. Markham, in one part of his
correspondence, tells you that the Rajah did not intend to hold the
government any longer. Why? Upon a point of right, namely, that he did
not possess it upon the same advantageous terms as Cheyt Sing; but he
tells you in another letter, (and this is a much better key to the whole
transaction,) that he was in dread of that Ussaun Sing whom I have just
mentioned. This man Mr. Hastings kept ready to terrify the Rajah; and
you will, in the course of these transactions, see that there is not a
man in India, of any consideration, against whom Mr. Hastings did not
keep a kind of pretender, to keep him in continual awe. This Ussaun
Sing, whom Mr. Hastings brought up with him to Benares, was dreaded by
Cheyt Sing not less than by his successor. We find that he was at first
nominated Naib or acting governor of the country, but had never been put
in actual possession of this high office, and Durbege Sing was appointed
to it. Although Ussaun Sing was thus removed, he continued his
pretensions, and constantly solicited the office. Thus the poor man
appointed by Mr. Hastings, and actually in possession, was not only
called upon to perform tasks beyond his strength, but was overawed by
Mr. Markham, and terrified by Ussaun Sing, (the mortal enemy of the
family,) who, like an accusing fiend, was continually at his post, and
unceasingly reiterating his accusations.
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