Hastings's private agent and negotiator in Oude. In that light,
and in that light only, I consider Colonel Hannay in this business. We
cannot prove that he was not of Mr. Hastings's own nomination originally
and primarily; but whether we take him in this way, or as recommended by
Sir Elijah Impey, or anybody else, Mr. Hastings is equally responsible.
Colonel Hannay is sent up by Mr. Hastings, and has the command of a
brigade, of two regiments I think, given to him. Thus far all is
apparently fair and easily understood. But in this country we find
everything in masquerade and disguise. We find this man, instead of
being an officer, farmed the revenue of the country, as is proved by
Colonel Lumsden and other gentlemen, who were his sub-farmers and his
assistants. Here, my Lords, we have a man who appeared to have been sent
up the country as a commander of troops, agreeably to the Nabob's
request, and who, upon our inquiry, we discover to have been
farmer-general of the country! We discover this with surprise; and I
believe, till our inquiries began, it was unknown in Europe. We have,
however, proved upon your Lordships' minutes, by an evidence produced by
Mr. Hastings himself, that Colonel Hannay was actually farmer-general of
the countries of Baraitch and Goruckpore.
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