October, 1774, the whole party landed at Chándpál Ghát, after a narrow escape from shipwreck at the Sandheads. The hour was noon, and some of the party grumbled at the heat, the confusion, and the lack of military parade. But the landing was duly heralded by a salute of seventeen guns, and the absence of troops was owing, as Hastings said, to the distance of the landing-place from Fort William[1]. An officer of Hastings' staff conducted the whole party to the Governor-General's own house at Alipúr, where he himself and most of his old colleagues stood prepared to welcome them with all befitting courtesy and respect. The new Councillors, however, made but a cold return to greetings which they were in no mood to construe in a fair and friendly spirit.
On the following day the new Council met to read the letter of instructions sent out by the Court of Directors for their behoof. The Governor-General and his colleagues were enjoined to act harmoniously together for the general good, and for the peaceful advancement of the Company's interests, financial and political. A separate Board of Trade was to be established. The military outlay must be kept within certain limits. Enquiry must be made into past abuses and oppressions. The land revenue system, as worked by Hastings, was to be let alone, and all correspondence with the country powers might be left to the Governor-General, on condition that the letters were duly laid before his Council.
- ↑ Merivale, Busteed.
