We feel pity for the works of God
and man; we feel horror for the debasement of human nature; and feeling
thus, we give a loose to our indignation, and call upon your Lordships
for justice.
Strange as it may appear to your Lordships, there remains to be stated
an aggravation of his crimes, and of his victims' misery. Would you
consider it possible, my Lords, that there could be an aggravation of
such a case as you have heard? Would you think it possible for a people
to suffer more than the inhabitants of Benares have suffered, from the
noble possessor of the splendid mansion down to the miserable tenants of
the cottage and the hut? Yes, there is a state of misery, a state of
degradation, far below all that you have yet heard. It is, my Lords,
that these miserable people should come to your Lordships' bar, and
declare that they have never felt one of those grievances of which they
complain; that not one of those petitions with which they pursued Mr.
Hastings had a word of truth in it; that they felt nothing under his
government but ease, tranquillity, joy, and happiness; that every day
during his government was a festival, and every night an illumination
and rejoicing. The addresses which contain these expressions of
satisfaction have been produced at your bar, and have been read to your
Lordships.
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