He
declares that he considers all treaties as being weakened by a
considerable degree of doubt respecting their validity and their binding
force, in such a state of things as exists in India.
Whatever was done, during that period of time to which I have alluded,
by the majority of the Council, Mr. Hastings considered himself as
having nothing to do with, on the plea of his being a dissentient
member: a principle which, like other principles, I shall take some
notice of by-and-by. Colonel Monson and General Clavering died soon
after, and Mr. Hastings obtained a majority in the Council, and was
then, as he calls it, restored to his authority; so that any evil that
could be done by evil men under that evil system could have lasted but
for a very short time indeed. From that moment, Mr. Hastings, in my
opinion, became responsible for every act done in Council, while he was
there, which he did not resist, and for every engagement which he did
not oppose. For your Lordships will not bear that miserable jargon which
you have heard, shameful to office and to official authority, that a
man, when, he happens not to find himself in a majority upon any
measure, may think himself excusable for the total neglect of his duty;
that in such a situation he is not bound to propose anything that it
might be proper to propose, or to resist anything that it might be
proper to resist.
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