Hastings had
promised, provided the instalments were paid regularly. It was well
known to everybody that the country had suffered very considerably by
the revolt, and by a drought which prevailed that year. The Rajah,
therefore, expected to avail himself of Mr. Hastings's flattering
promise, and to save by the delay the payment of one of the two kists.
But mark the course that was taken. The two kists were at once demanded
at the end of the year, and no remission of tribute was allowed. By the
promise of remission Mr. Hastings tacitly acknowledged that the Rajah
was overburdened; and he admits that the payment of the July kist was
postponed at the Rajah's own desire. He must have seen the Rajah's
motive for desiring delay, and he ought to have taken care that this
poor man should not be oppressed and ruined by this compliance with
requests founded on such motives.
So passed the year 1781. No complaints of arrears in Durbege Sing's
payments appear on record before the month of April, 1782; and I wish
your Lordships seriously to advert to the circumstances attending the
evidence respecting these arrears, which has been produced for the first
time by the prisoner in his defence here at your bar. This evidence does
not appear in the Company's records; it does not appear in the book of
the Benares correspondence; it does not appear in any documents to which
the Commons could have access; it was unknown to the Directors, unknown
to the Council, unknown to the Residents, Mr.
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