And what is this evidence? His having "enabled
himself to become the _principal_ in such a competition." That is to
say, he had, by his meritorious conduct in the service of his masters,
the Directors, obtained their approbation and favor. Mr. Hastings then
contemptuously adds, "And for the test of his abilities, I appeal to the
letter which he has dared to write to the board, and which I am ashamed
to say we have suffered." Whatever that letter may be, I will venture to
say there is not a word or syllable in it that tastes of such insolence
and arbitrariness with regard to the servants of the Company, his
fellow-servants, of such audacious rebellion with regard to the laws of
his country, as are contained in this minute of Mr. Hastings.
But, my Lords, why did he choose to have Mr. Middleton appointed
Resident? Your Lordships have not seen Mr. Bristow: you have only heard
of him as a humble suppliant to have the orders of the Company obeyed.
But you have seen Mr. Middleton. You know that Mr. Middleton is a good
man to keep a secret: I describe him no further. You know what
qualifications Mr. Hastings requires in a favorite. You also know why he
was turned out of his employment, with the approbation of the Court of
Directors: that it was principally because, when Resident in Oude, he
positively, audaciously, and rebelliously refused to lay before the
Council the correspondence with the country powers.
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